Switching Phones? Here's How To Move WhatsApp Chats To Your New Phone Without Losing Data

Upgrading to a new phone is exciting, especially when you’ve successfully moved your photos, videos, and music. But what about your WhatsApp chats—the ones filled with memes, selfies, and conversations you want to keep? Transferring WhatsApp data, including chat history and media, can be a bit more challenging. Fortunately, WhatsApp has introduced new features to make this process easier, whether you're staying on the same platform or switching between iOS and Android.

Here's a comprehensive guide to help you transfer your WhatsApp conversations, media, and settings across different devices and platforms.

Transferring WhatsApp Chats from iOS to Android

1. Prepare Your Devices: Use a cable to connect your iPhone and your new or reset Android phone (Android 12 or above).
2. Connect and Trust: Plug in the cable, turn on your Android phone, and tap "Trust" on your iPhone when prompted.
3. Setup and Data Copy: Set up your Android phone, select the option to copy data from your iPhone, and scan the QR code displayed on your Android phone with your iPhone camera. If the QR code doesn't work, navigate to WhatsApp on your iPhone and select "Settings" > "Chats" > "Move Chats to Android" > "Start".
4. Complete the Transfer: Wait for the data transfer to complete, then unplug the cable. Open WhatsApp on your Android phone, sign in with the same phone number, and you’ll see your chats and media.

Transferring WhatsApp Chats from Android to iOS

1. Move to iOS App: On your Android phone, open the Move to iOS app and follow the instructions.
2. Enter Code: Your iPhone will display a code—enter this on your Android device.
3. Transfer Data: Continue following the prompts, select WhatsApp for data transfer, and tap START on your Android phone. Once the data is ready, you’ll be logged out.
4. Send Data: Return to the Move to iOS app and continue the process to transfer the data to your iPhone.
5. Restore Chats: Download WhatsApp from the App Store, sign in with your phone number, and follow the setup instructions to restore your chats.

Transferring WhatsApp Chats from Android to Android

1. Backup Chats: On your old Android phone, go to WhatsApp settings > Chats > Chat Backup, choose your Google account, and tap BACK UP.
2. Set Up New Phone: Install WhatsApp on your new Android phone and log in with the same phone number and Google account.
3. Restore Data: When prompted, select RESTORE to transfer your chat history, then press NEXT to complete the setup. Your old chats and media will now be available on your new phone.

Upcoming Features for Android Users

WhatsApp is testing a new feature allowing users to transfer chat history between Android devices by scanning a QR code, streamlining the process without needing a Google Drive backup. This feature is currently available to some beta testers and will soon roll out to all Android users.

Transferring WhatsApp Chats from iOS to iOS

1. Backup to iCloud: On your old iPhone, go to WhatsApp settings > Chats > Chat Backup and tap Back Up Now.
2. Restore on New iPhone: Install WhatsApp on your new iPhone, sign in with the same phone number and iCloud account, and follow the prompts to restore your chat history.
3. Complete Setup: Finish setting up your WhatsApp account, and your old chats and media will be available on your new iPhone.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your WhatsApp conversations and media are safely transferred to your new device, preserving your valuable memories and ongoing chats.