WhatsApp chat transfer
How to Transfer WhatsApp Chats to a New Phone (Android & iPhone)
To transfer WhatsApp chats to a new phone, choose the route for your devices. Android to Android and iPhone to iPhone can use WhatsApp's QR chat transfer. Android to iPhone uses Move to iOS during iPhone setup. iPhone to Android uses WhatsApp's Transfer to Android flow. Keep the same phone number and verify your chats on the new phone before removing anything from the old one.
Choose your old and new phones
Android to Android: QR chat transfer
Both phones need Android 6 or later. Keep them close, powered, and on Wi-Fi.
- 1On the old phone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Transfer chats → Start.
- 2On the new phone, install WhatsApp, verify the same number, and choose Transfer from old phone when prompted.
- 3Scan the new phone's QR code with the old phone. Keep both unlocked in WhatsApp until import finishes.
iPhone to iPhone: direct chat transfer
Use WhatsApp's direct transfer with both iPhones available. An iCloud backup is a helpful fallback.
- 1On the old iPhone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Transfer Chats to iPhone → Start.
- 2Install WhatsApp on the new iPhone, verify the same number, and choose the transfer option.
- 3Scan the new iPhone's QR code with the old iPhone. Keep both nearby and unlocked until complete.
Android to iPhone: Move to iOS
Start with a new or factory-reset iPhone. This transfer happens during iPhone setup.
- 1During iPhone setup, open Move to iOS on Android and enter the code displayed on the iPhone.
- 2Select WhatsApp on the Transfer Data screen, tap Start on Android, and complete the Move to iOS transfer.
- 3Install WhatsApp on the iPhone, sign in with the same number, tap Start when prompted, and wait for import.
iPhone to Android: Transfer to Android
Start before activating WhatsApp on the new Android phone.
- 1On iPhone, open WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Transfer chat history → Transfer to Android.
- 2On the new Android phone, open WhatsApp, verify the same number, and allow the devices to connect.
- 3Scan the Android phone's QR code with the iPhone, join the local Wi-Fi when prompted, and wait for completion.
Before you transfer
- Update WhatsApp, charge both phones, enable Wi-Fi, and check free storage on the new phone.
- Keep WhatsApp and its data on the old phone until you confirm chats and media arrived on the new phone.
- Use the same phone number. If changing numbers, use Change number on the old phone before moving.
- When available, make a fresh Google Account or iCloud backup as an extra recovery option.
What does not transfer?
- The standard QR Chat Transfer works between phones of the same type. Switching platforms requires its own process.
- WhatsApp cannot merge the old history with chats already started on the destination phone.
- Android to iPhone requires a new or factory-reset iPhone. Back up other data before considering a reset.
- Android-to-iPhone call history and peer-to-peer payment messages do not transfer. WhatsApp Business chat transfer may be unavailable.
- A direct transfer does not automatically make a cloud backup. Set up a backup after checking the new phone.
WhatsApp transfer questions
Can I transfer WhatsApp chats without a backup?
Yes. With both phones present, direct QR chat transfer works between two Android phones or two iPhones. A backup adds another recovery option.
Can I move WhatsApp from Android to an already-set-up iPhone?
Move to iOS requires a new or factory-reset iPhone. A reset erases existing iPhone data, so back it up first.
Can I transfer chats to a new phone number?
Use WhatsApp's Change number feature on the old phone first, then transfer with that number.
Why is my WhatsApp QR transfer stuck?
Check Wi-Fi and permissions, keep phones nearby and unlocked, then restart both phones and retry. Keep the old phone's data until the transfer succeeds.
Can I merge old and new WhatsApp chats?
No. WhatsApp says histories already on the destination phone cannot be merged with the transferred history.