For a long time, the switch from Android to iPhone was fairly easy, with one notable exception: WhatsApp. For some reason, the messaging service made it nearly impossible to export your messages and load them onto your iPhone. Most frustratingly, you could create backups in the app itself, but not transfer them across platforms.
Fortunately, that recently changed and you can now import your old conversations when setting up a new iPhone. Here are the steps you need to move your WhatsApp chats and messages from Android to iOS.
What do I need?
There are a few things you need to do before you can make the transfer.
On your Android phone:
- Android 5 or higher
- Move to iOS app
- WhatsApp version 2.22.7.74 or higher
- Connected to a power source
- Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone (or connected to the iPhone’s hotspot)
On your iPhone:
- iOS 15.5 or later
- WhatsApp version 2.22.10.70 or higher
- Same phone number as your Android phone (same SIM card)
- iPhone must be factory reset or new as it must connect to Move to iOS app on Android
- Connected to a power source
- Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Android phone (or via the hotspot with the Android device)
How to move your WhatsApp chat history from Android to iPhone
Moving your messages is now a quick and easy task. Here’s what to do.
- Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and follow the instructions.
- You should be prompted to connect to your iPhone by entering a code number.
- Tap Continue and follow the prompts until you reach the Transfer data screen.
- Here you see WhatsApp. Select this and tap Start; this will start collecting your data. When it’s done, you’ll see that you’re signed out of WhatsApp on your Android phone. Tap Next to continue.
- Go back to the Move to iOS app. Tap the Continue button and all your data should be transferred to the iPhone.
- On your iPhone, insert your Android phone’s SIM card, if you haven’t already done so.
- Open WhatsApp and log in to your account (make sure you use the same phone number as on your Android phone). When you see the Start button appear, tap it and your data should load on your new device.
- Complete the installation on your iPhone. Once everything is in place, you should see that your WhatsApp messages are all present and correct.
Now you’re free to continue your chats on your new iPhone, but if you’re not sure what to do with the Android device you don’t need, check out the guide to selling, donating, and recycling your old electronics at our sister site Tech Advisor.
