For a long time now, moving from Android to iPhone has been reasonably easy, with one bright exception: WhatsApp. For some reason, messaging services have made it almost impossible to export your messages and load them on your iPhone. The most frustrating part was that you could create backups yourself in the app, but there was no way to transfer them across the platform.
Fortunately, this has changed recently, and you can now import your old conversations while setting up a new iPhone. Here are the steps you need to take to move your WhatsApp chats and messages from Android to iOS.
What do I need?
You will need a few things before you can transfer.
On your Android phone:
- Android 5 or above
- Go to the iOS app
- WhatsApp version 2.22.7.74 or later
- 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 later
- Same phone number (same SIM) as your Android phone
- The iPhone must be factory reset or new, as it must be connected to the Move to iOS app on Android.
- Connected to a power source
- Connected to the same Wi-Fi network as an Android phone (or using its hotspot with an 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 you need to do.
- Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and follow the instructions.
- You should be asked to connect to your iPhone by typing a code number.
- Tap Continue and follow the prompts until you reach the Transfer Data screen.
- Here you will see WhatsApp. Select it and tap Start; This will start collecting your data. When it is ready, you will see that you have logged 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 the SIM from your Android phone, if you haven’t already.
- Open WhatsApp and log in to your account (be sure to use the same phone number as your Android phone). When you see the Start button present, tap it and your data should load on your new device.
- Complete the setup on your iPhone. Once everything is OK you need to see that your WhatsApp messages are all present and accurate.
Now you are free to continue your chat on your new iPhone, but if you are not sure what to do with the Android device which is surpassed by the requirements, then take a look at our sister site tech advisor on how to sell, donate and reuse your old electronics guide.