Apple’s ‘Move To iOS’ App that lets users easily switch from an Android phone to a new iPhone now has a WhatsApp chat transfer feature.
There’s finally a way for WhatsApp users to transfer their chats from an Android device to an iPhone. WhatsApp is known as one of the most popular messaging platforms in use today, but it is difficult to migrate across operating systems. However, thanks to an iOS app that now includes a nifty WhatsApp chat transfer feature, the process of shifting from an Android phone to an iPhone becomes less laborious.
Of course, there are a few things WhatsApp users must ensure they have set up before embarking on a chat migration process between mobile phones running on different operating systems. First, it is highly recommended to have the most up-to-date version of Android and iOS installed on both devices for a smoother transition and to have WhatsApp’s Android version 2.22.7.74 and the iOS version 2.22.10.70 or newer installed on the old and new devices respectively. The iPhone must be out-of-the-box new or reset to factory settings. Finally, both phones should use the same phone number, be connected to a power source during transfer to avoid interruption or data corruption, and be connected to the same Wi-Fi network unless the user connects the Android device to the iPhone’s hotspot.
Once these requirements are all set, WhatsApp chats can now be moved from the Android phone to a new iPhone. To begin the process, download and install Apple’s Move to iOS app on the Android phone. Launch the app on the Android device and follow the onscreen prompts. A code will appear on the iPhone’s screen—enter this code into the Android phone when prompted. Tap ‘Continue’ and follow onscreen instructions. On the ‘Transfer Data’ screen of the transfer app, pick ‘WhatsApp.’ Tap ‘START’ on the Android phone and wait for WhatsApp to prepare the data for export. Once the data is ready, the user should be signed out from the Android phone. Hit ‘NEXT’ to return to the Move to iOS app and tap ‘CONTINUE’ to start the data transfer from the Android phone to the iPhone. Wait until the Move to iOS app confirms that the transfer is complete. Ensure that the latest version of WhatsApp is installed on the iPhone and log in using the same phone number on the old device. When prompted, hit ‘Start’ and allow the process to complete. Finish activating the new device. Once this is done, WhatsApp chats should all be on the iOS device’s WhatsApp chat list.
Using The Move To IOS App: Which WhatsApp Data Gets Moved (& Left Behind)
Pertinent account information such as a person’s profile photo, chat histories, media, individual and group chats, and settings are included in the WhatsApp data migration courtesy of Apple’s Move to iOS App. However, a person’s display name, call history, or any peer-to-peer payment messages will not be carried over. Users may want to manually put in a new WhatsApp display name on the new device and take screenshots of the call history page and any payment messages before making the move.
WhatsApp cannot see the data users transfer between devices, so this process is considered secure. However, users may need to take extra steps to make or get rid of copies of the data that was moved. Transferred WhatsApp data will not automatically go to cloud storage when a chat migration is done via the app, so users must create an iCloud backup themselves. The old Android device will also retain the transferred data until WhatsApp is deleted or the Android phone is completely wiped.
