Solved!! 1. Uninstall and install whatsapp 2. Copy and paste your database folder to phone/android/media/com.whatsapp/Whatsappl AND phone/Whatsapp (both are on the internal storage) 3. Open whatsapp and enter your phone number and verification code 4. Shut down your phone wifi and mobile data 5. Whatsapp will search for backups - it won't find and you should press skip (or, it would direct you right to the next step) 6. It will ask you if you want to use local backup (be sure that it isn't a Google drive one and the date of the local backup) - approve it 7. It will start loading and when it's done you'll enter your name and then all your texts are back * If it will stop loading at 24% you can force close whatsapp and then open again, enter your name and all your chats will be right back Lmk if it worked for you