KakaoTalk doesn't sync your chat history to the cloud on its own, so when you switch phones you need to back up first, then log in on the new phone. Do it the other way around and your old chats can disappear for good. Follow the steps below in order and take your time.
The free chat backup does not include photos, videos or files. Save media separately (step 2 below).
What the free backup does and doesn't move
| Item | Free chat backup |
|---|---|
| Text messages in regular chat rooms | Moved |
| Photos, videos and attachments | Not moved |
| Long messages over 4,000 characters | Not moved |
| Secret Chats and Open Chats | Not moved |
Step 1: Back up your chats on the old phone
Do this while connected to Wi-Fi.
- Update KakaoTalk to the latest version.
- Go to More (…) > Settings (gear icon) > Backup. In older versions it's under Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Start the chat backup.
- Set a backup password. There's no way to recover it, so write it down.
- Wait until the backup finishes. Don't close the app or switch to another app.
- Check the backup date and the restore deadline shown on the completion screen.
Menu names vary a little by app version and language. Look for any menu with "Backup" in its name.
Step 2: Save photos and videos separately
The free backup doesn't carry over media, so save the ones you want to keep.
- Open an important chat room, tap the menu (≡), and open the Photos & Videos view.
- Select the photos you want and save them to your phone.
- Turn on backup in Google Photos (Android) or iCloud Photos (iPhone) so the saved photos show up on the new phone too.
If they take up too much space, you can shrink them with the Image Converter & Compressor or the Video Compressor before storing them.
If you'd rather move media along with your chats in one go, Kakao's paid service Talk Cloud (formerly Talk Drawer Plus) is another option. To include chats and media from before you subscribed, you have to run a separate past-data backup inside the service, so read its instructions carefully.
Step 3: Restore on the new phone
- Install KakaoTalk on the new phone.
- Log in with the same Kakao Account you used before and verify your phone number. If you tap "Create a new Kakao Account", you won't be able to restore.
- After you confirm your profile, the chat restore screen appears.
- Check the backup date and device type (OS), then tap Restore.
- Enter the backup password you set in step 1.
- Keep the app open until the restore finishes.
Backups aren't kept forever. They're deleted automatically once the restore period (14 days, according to Kakao Customer Service) runs out. Restore on the new phone as soon as you can after backing up.
Switching between Android and iPhone
When you change operating systems (Android ↔ iPhone), Kakao's guidance on what can be restored has varied by app version and over time. Check the backup OS on the restore screen, and to be safe, save your important chat rooms separately as well.
- In a chat room, go to the menu (≡) > Settings > Export chats to create a text file you can keep in email or cloud storage.
- For photos and videos, a service that works on both platforms, like Google Photos, makes the switch easier.
KakaoTalk for PC is not a backup
Seeing your chats in KakaoTalk for PC doesn't mean they're backed up. The history on your PC doesn't transfer to a new phone, and there's no guarantee it stays intact when you log in again after switching devices. Always do step 1 on your phone.
FAQ
I forgot my backup password.
It can't be recovered. If you still have your old phone, simply back up again with a new password.
More than 14 days have passed.
The backup data has been deleted, so that backup can no longer be restored. If KakaoTalk is still on your old phone, back up again and restore on the new phone right away.
My phone number changed too. Is that a problem?
If your account or phone number differs from when you backed up, restoring may be restricted. If you can, change the phone number in KakaoTalk settings on your old phone to the new number first, then back up, and double-check your Kakao Account email and password in advance. If you're unsure, Kakao Customer Service has the most accurate guidance.