# Migrating Android app data # Transfer Signal using Signal-native Backup and Restore The best source to install [Signal](https://signal.org/) is always direct from the website [https://signal.org/android/apk/#target](https://signal.org/android/apk/#target) ## Export on the old phone Open the Signal app and go to the settings. Navigate to *Chats* and then *Backups* (at the bottom). If they are disabled, turn them on. [![signal-export-5-location.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-5-location.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-5-location.png) [![signal-export-6-choose.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-6-choose.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-6-choose.png) [![signal-export-7-passphrase.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-7-passphrase.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-7-passphrase.png) Note down the passphrase, you'll need it for the restoration! ## Data transfer ## Import on the new phone Starting Signal the first time, it asks you if you want to set it up newly or restore from a backup. On the next screen you will be asked if to restore from another device or from a file. Chose the latter: [![signal-restore-1-choose.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-1-choose.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-1-choose.png) On the next screen click the button "Choose backup": [![signal-export-6-choose.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-export-6-choose.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-export-6-choose.png) This opens the native Android file chooser. With the button top left you can switch between internal storage and memory card. [![signal-restore-3-open.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-3-open.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-3-open.png) Choose your backup file. The next screen will show you a few meta information on the file (age, size): [![signal-restore-4-confirm.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-4-confirm.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-4-confirm.png) Tapping on "Restore backup" will ask you for the passphrase: [![signal-restore-5-passphrase.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-5-passphrase.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-5-passphrase.png) Now, the restoration is in progress: [![signal-restore-6-progress.png](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/scaled-1680-/signal-restore-6-progress.png)](https://sailfishos.wiki/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/signal-restore-6-progress.png) Guide to be continued..... # Transfer WhatsApp by copying the internal app files As of 2025, the default method of WhatsApp to [Backup and Restore](https://faq.whatsapp.com/481135090640375/?cms_platform=android) requires a Google Account and [Chat data transfer using local Wifi](https://faq.whatsapp.com/209942271778103/?cms_platform=android) requires Android features that are not available on Sailfish OS. You will need to have the developer access enabled (access via SSH) and system administration experience is of good value. #### We start on the old phone: - Turn off Android: As a first step, open the *Settings* App, go to *System*, and select *Android™ AppSupport*. Tap the *Stop* button and wait until he action is completed. - Open Terminal or Login using SSH - Enter `devel-su` - Run `tar -czf /home/nemo/whatsapp.tgz /home/.android/data/data/com.whatsapp/` - Transfer the resulting file to the new phone #### Then, continue on the new phone: - Start WhatsApp once and stop it again - Open the *Settings* App, go to *Apps*, select *WhatsApp* and *delete the data and clear the cache.* - The, still in the settings switch to *System*, and select *Android™ AppSupport*. Tap the *Stop* button and wait until he action is completed. - Open the terminal and enter `devel-su` - Run `ls -ld /home/.android/data/data/com.whatsapp/` and remember the owner and group ids. They both are the same and likely look like 100XX. - Delete the existing directory `rm -r /home/.android/data/data/com.whatsapp/` - Run `cd  / && tar -xzf /home/nemo/whatsapp.tgz` - Reset the permissions as read before: `chown -R 100XX:100XX /home/.android/data/data/com.whatsapp/` Now start WhatsApp and enjoy! # Transfer Threema/ThreemaLibre data with native backups Either Cloud backup or local backup The cloud Backup does not include the chat contents! Just transfer the archive from one phone to the other.