Keep your old phone until the move is done. The easiest way is WhatsApp's own Transfer chats tool, which copies everything over Wi-Fi with a QR code. Moving between Android and iPhone also works, but you must follow the special steps below.
Before you start (all phones)
- Keep the same phone number, or change it later with change number.
- Charge both phones and connect them to the same Wi-Fi.
- Update WhatsApp on the old phone.
- Make a backup anyway (see Android backup or iPhone backup) in case something goes wrong.
Android to Android
- Install WhatsApp on the new phone, open it and verify your number.
- When it asks how to move chats, choose to transfer from the old phone. It shows a QR code.
- On the old phone: ⋮ › Settings › Chats › Transfer chats › Start, then scan the QR code on the new phone.
- Keep both phones close until it says done.
Alternative: restore from your Google Account backup on the new phone.
iPhone to iPhone
- On the old iPhone: Settings › Chats › Transfer Chats to iPhone › Start. A QR scanner opens.
- Install WhatsApp on the new iPhone, verify your number and scan the code it shows using the old iPhone.
- Wait until the transfer finishes.
Alternative: use an iCloud backup, or Apple's own Quick Start when setting up the new iPhone.
Android to iPhone
- The iPhone must be new or reset to factory settings, because this works during iPhone setup.
- During setup, on Apps & Data, choose Move Data from Android.
- On Android, install Apple's Move to iOS app, open it and type the code the iPhone shows. Tick WhatsApp, then on the Android phone tap Start in the WhatsApp screen that appears.
- After setup, install WhatsApp on the iPhone, verify the same number, and tap Start to bring in the chats.
iPhone to Android
- Install WhatsApp on the Android phone and verify your number.
- Do this before you start using WhatsApp on the Android phone: the move works only while the Android WhatsApp is being set up.
- On the iPhone, open WhatsApp › Settings › Chats › Transfer chat history (wording can differ a little) › Transfer to Android.
- The Android phone shows a QR code. Scan it with the iPhone, then join the Wi-Fi the phones set up between them. Some Samsung and Google Pixel phones can also do it with a cable during phone setup.
- Keep both phones on until it says done.
If it doesn't work
- QR code won't scan: clean the camera, increase screen brightness, and keep both phones on the same Wi-Fi.
- Transfer stops: turn off battery saver on both phones and keep the screens on.
- Calls and some items missing: call history, payment messages, status updates and media from Channels don't move with these tools, and some settings may need setting again.
Safety tip
When you verify on the new phone, WhatsApp sends a 6-digit code. Type it yourself; never read it out to anyone. Before you sell or give away the old phone, delete WhatsApp from it and reset the phone.
This is GroupChatOn’s own easy guide. We are not WhatsApp and are not linked with WhatsApp or Meta. WhatsApp sometimes changes its menus: if a button looks different on your phone, update WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store.
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