It’s a done deal. Users can now move their entire chat history from Android to iOS or vice versa. After years of requests, beta testing, and only a few smartphone models being able to use this feature, the company is giving it to everyone.
When 9to5Mac last wrote about this, WhatsApp was adding this feature to the Move to iOS app, but it was still in beta. A month after releasing this feature, the company is now making a stable version of it available to all users.
Here’s what you need to know to move your chat from Android to iOS or vice versa:
Your Android device needs to have Android OS Lollipop, SDK 21 or above, or Android 5 or above.
Your iPhone must have iOS 15.5 or higher
Switch to the iOS app on your Android phone.
Your new device needs to have at least version 2.22.10.70 of WhatsApp for iOS
Your old phone or tablet must have WhatsApp Android version 2.22.7.74 or higher
Use the same phone number on your new device as you did on your old one.
For the Move to iOS app to work and move data from your Android phone, your iPhone must be brand new or reset to factory settings.
Both of your gadgets need to be plugged into a power source.
Both of your devices need to be on the same Wi-Fi network, or you’ll need to connect your Android device to your iPhone’s hotspot.
How to transfer your Android WhatsApp chat history to your iPhone
Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and do what it says on the screen.
On your iPhone, you’ll see a code. Enter the code on your Android phone when asked to.
Tap Continue and then follow the instructions on the screen.
On the screen that says “Transfer Data,” choose “WhatsApp.”
Tap START on your Android phone, and then wait while WhatsApp gets ready to export the data. As soon as the data is ready, you will be logged out of your Android phone.
If you tap NEXT, you’ll go back to the Move to iOS app.
Tap CONTINUE to move the data from your Android phone to your iPhone, then wait for Move to iOS to let you know the transfer is done.
From the App Store, download the latest version of WhatsApp.
Open WhatsApp and use the same phone number you used on your old device to sign in.
Tap “Start” when asked, and let the process finish.
After you finish setting up your new device, your chats will be ready for you.
If you want to use cloud storage to move your WhatsApp data, you’ll need to make an iCloud backup. The company says it can’t see what data the user sent, and the data will still be on the Android phone unless the user deletes WhatsApp or wipes the phone.
How do you feel about this change? Tell us what you think in the section below.
A new way to keep the chats that mean the most 📱📲 Today, you’ll have the ability to transfer your entire chat history from Android to iOS and vice versa. Now you have the freedom to switch to and from your preferred devices.
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) July 20, 2022