Moving to a new phone? WhatsApp’s Chat Transfer feature allows you to transfer your entire chat and media history easily. Whether you’re moving from Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone, this feature helps preserve your messages, photos, videos, and more. However, keep in mind that peer-to-peer payment messages, call history, and media from WhatsApp Channels cannot be transferred.


Requirements for Android-to-Android Chat Transfer

  • Both devices must run Android 6.0 or later.
  • Use the same phone number on both devices.
  • Your new phone must not have WhatsApp registered before starting the transfer.
  • Both phones should be close to each other and connected to a power source.
  • Wi-Fi must be enabled on both phones (no need for network connection).


How to Transfer Chats From Android to Android

On Your Old Phone:

  1. Open WhatsApp.
  2. Tap the three dots > Settings > Chats > Transfer chats > Start.
  3. Grant any necessary permissions and prepare to scan the QR code on your new phone.

On Your New Phone:

  1. Install and open WhatsApp.
  2. Accept terms and conditions, and verify your phone number.
  3. Select Start under Transfer chat history.
  4. Use your old phone to scan the QR code displayed on your new phone.
  5. Keep both phones unlocked during the transfer and avoid exiting WhatsApp. Messaging is paused until the transfer completes, which can be tracked via a progress bar. Once done, tap Done.

Troubleshooting Android Transfers: If the transfer process stalls or fails, restart both phones by turning them off, waiting 30 seconds, and turning them back on. Then, retry the transfer process. Remember not to delete any data from your old phone until the transfer completes successfully.


Requirements for iPhone-to-iPhone Chat Transfer

  • Both devices must have the latest iOS version and WhatsApp installed from the App Store.
  • Use the same phone number as your old phone on your new device.
  • Both phones must be close together and connected to a power source.
  • Wi-Fi must be enabled, and both devices must be connected to the internet.
  • Local network permissions are required on both devices.


How to Transfer Chats From iPhone to iPhone

On Your Old iPhone:

  1. Open WhatsApp.
  2. Tap Settings > Chats > Transfer Chats to iPhone > Start.
  3. If prompted, allow WhatsApp to access the camera.

On Your New iPhone:

  1. Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
  2. Select Continue on the Transfer chat history screen and accept local network permissions.
  3. Use your old phone to scan the QR code on your new phone.
  4. The transfer will show a progress bar and temporarily pause messaging. Once the process finishes, tap Next and complete your profile setup to see your chats.


Important Notes for Transfers:

  • Data Privacy: Transferred data won’t go to cloud storage unless you back it up manually via iCloud or Google Drive. WhatsApp does not access your transferred data.
  • Old Device: Your old phone will retain your chat history unless you uninstall WhatsApp or reset the device.
  • Issues with Transfer: If you experience issues, restart both devices and retry the process.
  • Keep in mind, transferring chat history on WhatsApp Business is currently not supported.

Click me to read article about How to Back up and Restore Your WhatsApp Chats