WhatsApp is adding the ability for users to transfer their conversations chat history, photos, videos and voice messages from Android to iPhone via Apple’s Move to iOS app. Before this extension, users only had the option to transfer chats from iPhone to Android. The ability to transfer WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone is rolling out in beta starting today, but will take about a week to reach all users.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, said in a statement, “We at WhatsApp share your chat history, photos, videos and voice messages between Android and iPhone while securely switching between phones and maintaining end-to-end encryption. Adding the ability to move.” “This is a top requested feature. We launched the capability switch from iPhone->Android last year, and are now adding Android->iPhone as well.”
WhatsApp notes that the transfer process only works on new or factory reset iPhones. You also need to run Android 5 or later on an Android device and iOS 15.5 on your iPhone.
To get started, you’ll need to open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and follow the on-screen prompts. Once you follow the prompts, a code will be displayed on your iPhone. You will be prompted to enter the code on your Android phone. Then, you have to tap on “Continue” and follow the on-screen prompts. Next, you need to select “WhatsApp” on the “Transfer Data” screen. You can then start the process by tapping “Start” on your Android phone. Then you have to wait for WhatsApp to prepare your data for export. Once the data is ready, you will be signed out of your Android phone.
image credit: WhatsApp
Then you’ll need to tap “Next” to return to the Move to iOS app. Next, you need to tap “Continue” to transfer data from your Android phone to your iPhone and wait for Move to iOS to confirm the transfer is complete. Then, you need to install the latest version of WhatsApp from the App Store and then log in using the same phone number that you used on your old device. You will then be prompted to tap “Start” to allow the process to complete.
WhatsApp notes that this process can be used to transfer your account information, profile pictures, individual chats, group chats, chat history, media and settings. However, you cannot transfer your call history or display name.
The company underlines that the transferred data doesn’t move to cloud storage as a result of the migration unless you create an iCloud backup. WhatsApp also notes that it cannot see the data you transfer and that your data will remain in your Android phone until you delete WhatsApp or wipe your phone.
While it has become easy to transfer WhatsApp data from one iPhone to another or from one Android to another, users have to find difficult workarounds when moving from Android to iPhone. The new tool will solve this problem and make switching much easier.
