After much anticipation, WhatsApp users finally have the option to switch from Android phones to iPhone. The messaging app announced new features in beta on Tuesday. The update enables users to transfer WhatsApp account information, profile photos, individual and group chats, chat history, media and settings from Android phones to iPhone. Last year, WhatsApp enabled users to transfer chats from iPhone to Android phones. So far, though, the change is limited to select Samsung and Google phones.
Nearly 10 months after the official announcement, WhatsApp has started rolling out the feature of transferring data from Android phones to iPhone. Users need to install the latest Move to iOS app on their Android phone to start the transfer process.
Mark Zuckerberg, founder and CEO of Meta, commented on his Facebook page when announcing the update: “We added the ability to securely switch between phones to WhatsApp, as well as the ability to transfer chats, photos, videos and voice messages between Android and iPhone while maintaining end-to-end encryption. This has been the most requested feature.”
WhatsApp told technology shout that a beta version of transferring its data from Android phones to iPhone is rolling out slowly and will take about a week to reach all users.
The transfer requires users’ devices to be running Android 5 or higher, while the iPhone to which data needs to be migrated should be running at least iOS 15.5. It also requires WhatsApp for Android version 2.22.7.74 or higher to transfer data. Android phones also require the Move to iOS app. Additionally, users need to have the same phone number on their iPhone as on their Android phone to move data.
WhatsApp users on Android need to use Move to iOS app to transfer data to iPhone
Photo credit: Apple
Unlike WhatsApp data transfer from iPhone to Android phone, where the two devices need to be physically connected through a cable, Android to iPhone migration is done wirelessly. However, both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network, or the Android device needs to be connected to the iPhone’s hotspot connection. According to the FAQ page, these devices also need to be connected to a power source in order to transmit data.
It is important to point out that the iPhone you need to transfer WhatsApp data to should be brand new or reset to factory settings, as the process is carried out through the “Transfer to iOS” app.
How to transfer WhatsApp data from Android phone to iPhone
If the necessary conditions are ready, you can follow the steps below to move WhatsApp data from Android phone to iPhone.
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Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and follow the on-screen prompts.
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Your iPhone will display a code. When prompted, enter the code on your Android phone.
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tap continue and follow the on-screen prompts.
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Now, select WhatsApp At transfer data Screen.
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tap Next Return to the Move to iOS app.
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beat continue Start the transfer process. It will take some time to transfer all the data. Once the transfer process is completed, the “Move to iOS” app will confirm it.
After completing the above steps, you will need to install the latest version of WhatsApp on your iPhone from the App Store. You need to log into the app using the same phone number you used on your old device. The app will then prompt you to click start The transfer can be completed on iPhone.
Transferring data does not mean that your existing WhatsApp backups stored on Google Drive will also be transferred to your iCloud storage. Once the migration is complete, you will need to manually back up your content via iCloud. If you already have a WhatsApp backup stored on iCloud, it will be replaced with the new backup.
Your Android phone will still retain your WhatsApp data – unless you delete the app or wipe your phone.