Want to save or transfer secret Telegram chats to a new phone? You can backup conversations in Telegram on Android according to the instructions below.
How to backup secret chats on Telegram
Why doesn't Telegram automatically transfer secret chats?
Although Telegram is considered more secure than WhatsApp, its advanced privacy features only work if you use end-to-end encryption for secret chats.
Unlike normal messages, secret chats are not saved on Telegram servers. Instead, they are encrypted on the device before being sent to the communication device. Here, it is decrypted using a shared key. In theory, this means your messages are safe from bad guys online. Forwarding and screenshots are also disabled in this case.
This feature is extremely secure but is inconvenient when you upgrade or reset your phone. While Telegram will easily transfer all your unencrypted messages and media from the cloud, end-to-end encryption won't include secret chats in the process.
Luckily, Android users can transfer all Telegram data, including secret chats, using the Titanium Backup app.
Necessary requirements to transfer and backup secret chats on Telegram
- You need the pro version of Titanium Backup. It costs 5.99USD.
- You also need to root both your old and new phone because this application needs to access parts of the Android file system.
- After rooting your phone, the next step is to download Titanium Backup from Play Store and buy a license key via CH Play or pay directly to the developer via Paypal.
Download : Titanium Backup (Free)
Download : Titanium Backup Pro ($5.99)
How to set up Titanium Backup to copy secret chats on Telegram
Tap the Titanium Backup icon to get started. The first time you use it, you need to grant Titanium Backup permission to access photos, media, files, and contacts to make and manage phone calls.
This application asks you for Android root permission for it to work. The rooting process takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Next, allow the Titanium Backup Pro add-on to send and view SMS messages, then wait a few minutes for it to scan the apps installed on your phone.
Set up encryption
Before backing up Telegram with secret chats, you need to change some of the following settings:
- In Titanium Backup , tap the menu button on the top right to reopen it. From the menu, tap Preferences .
- To move sensitive data in secret chats off your device, you need to tap Enable encryption .
- A new section Backup protection settings will appear. Tap on it to open 3 options.
- Tap Symmetric-key strength and press any option you want. The higher the number, the stronger the encryption. If there is a lot of data in your Telegram account, the process of encrypting everything may take a little longer.
- Next tap Create master key to create encryption strength and balance between speed and security.
- After entering and confirming strong enough encryption, tap Generate key .
Set up backup settings
Returning to the previous menu, scroll down to Backup settings . By default, applications and related data will be exported to the TitaniumBackup folder in the device's home directory, but you can touch Backup folder location to change the destination folder if you want.
Next, tap Backup app external data > select Enabled (Always) . Now tap Compression . You can choose from three different compression levels or skip them all. The trade-off here is faster compression speeds and smaller file sizes. Choose LZO if you're not concerned about backup file size, GZIP is the best choice for both, or BZIP 2 if you want the smallest backup file possible.
The last option is Backup settings . Tap on it and on the next screen, check the Backup app cache box .
Finally, tap the Back button to return to the Titanium Backup Overview screen .
How to backup secret chats on Telegram
Tap Backup/Restore in the center of the top screen. Here, you will see a list of all applications and Titanium Backup elements found on the device. Scroll down until you see Telegram or type it into the search bar at the top of the screen, then select it.
In the dialog box that appears, tap Backup!.
You will see a notification that the program is backing up data. It will disappear when the process is complete and Telegram will show a backup. Latest with date and time .
You will now have 3 files in the TitaniumBackup folder starting with org.telegram and ending with .apk.lzop , .properties , .tar.lzop . Copy the TitaniumBackup folder containing these files to the main folder on your new device.
Restore secret Telegram chats on new phone
Your new device must also be rooted before restoring Telegram and secret chats.
Install Titanium Backup and its corresponding Pro add-on or copy the license key to the home directory, and grant the permissions mentioned above. Then, restore secret conversations on Telegram as follows:
- Open Titanium Backup , go to the menu and tap Preferences .
- Scroll down to Restoration settings > select Restore app external data > tap Restoration settings .
- Check Always associate to chosen account and Switch to active data profile .
- Return to the main screen.
- Tap the Backup/Restore button at the top center of the home screen. Find Telegram via the search bar or in the corresponding list.
- Tap Restore .
- A notification will appear if you want to restore App only or App+Data . Select App+Data . The restore process will begin.
- If you choose to encrypt your backup, you'll need to enter a password. Android also warns about the risks of installing applications from unknown sources. Tap Settings > turn on the switch next to Allow from this source to continue. And wait for the process to complete.
Above is how to move and backup secret chats on Telegram . Hope the article is useful to you.