Transfer WhatsApp by copying the internal app files

As of 2025, the default method of WhatsApp to Backup and Restore requires a Google Account and Chat data transfer using local Wifi requires Android-FeaturesAndroid features that are not available on Sailfish OS.

TODO:You Describewill need to have the proceduredeveloper access enabled (access via SSH) and system administration experience is of good value.

The

We backupsstart 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 storedthe insame and likely look like 100XX.
• Delete the existing directory android_storage/Whatsapprm -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!