How to Transfer WhatsApp Chats from iPhone to Android

Acquiring a new smartphone also means having to migrate all the information from the old device to the new one, including conversations from messaging apps. Through two applications (one for those who have a Galaxy and Android smartphone from other brands), users can recover conversation history, media files and profile data.

In this tutorial, we will teach you transfer WhatsApp history from iPhone to Android and be successful in switching operating systems. Come with us!

What you need to know first

To be able to transfer conversations and contacts from an iPhone to an Android, you will need a Lightning to USB-C cable like the one in the photo below.

Basically, you will need to connect the devices using a wire. Depending on the Android model you buy, a USB-C to Lightning adapter may be included in the box.

Although it is a simple process, some things may prevent you from completing the data transfer. If you have already configured WhatsApp on your new cell phone, you will need to delete it, confirm the account on your old cell phone and, only then, follow the processes we will teach you in this video. 

Another important point is that this feature only works for users who want to keep their phone number. It is not possible to transfer conversations between different numbers. WhatsApp itself highlights that it will not be necessary to restore the call history and messages and files can be transferred. The green messenger also remembers that only devices with Android 12 or 13 are ready for this process. 

If you pay attention to these points and ensure that you have the latest versions of WhatsApp installed, your data transfer will be a success!

From an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy

If you have a new Samsung smartphone (that is, a Galaxy), it is very easy to transfer conversations and contacts, using an official Samsung application, the Smart Switch Mobile, available on the Google Play store. 

Step 1: To get started, install the Smart Switch Mobile on your new Galaxy smartphone.

Step 2: with the app installed, open it and follow the configuration process. On the first screen, it will ask you if you want to send or receive the data. As this Galaxy is your new smartphone, click on “receive data”.

The next screen will ask you to select the operating system on which the data will be received. Click on “iPhone/iPad”. 

Step 3: Now, it's time to connect your iPhone or iPad using the cable we mentioned at the beginning of this tutorial.

A message will appear on the Apple-made device asking if you want to trust the connected computer, no matter how much you use a Galaxy smartphone. Here, all you need to do is click “Trust”. 

Step 4: A scan inside the internal storage of the Apple device will be done by the Samsung smartphone. Once this is finished, you will be asked what should be transferred from iPhone to Galaxy.

You can transfer everything or select only what you think you need. When you finish this task, just scroll down and click To transfer. 

Step 5: attention: you can transfer data from an application that is saved on your iPhone to your new Samsung smartphone. The options will be displayed on the next screen and just select the WhatsApp. 

Just mark it and then click on “Install" on Smart Switch. 

Step 6: for conversations to be transferred successfully, you will need to scan the QR Code that is being displayed on your Android smartphone. Just use the iPhone, still connected, to read.

After that, a transfer tab from WhatsApp itself will open. Now, just click Start  and let the process be carried out between the two cell phones. 

The transfer time will depend on the number of files you have saved on your iPhone. 

Step 7: Once the transfer process is complete, you will need to activate WhatsApp on your Android smartphone. As we remember at the beginning of this video, you cannot have activated the account on the new cell phone until this step. 

Now, just open the WhatsApp application on the Galaxy and complete the account registration process, entering your number, name and other information. 

Step 8: The final step just mentions the import of conversations. On WhatsApp, a conversation file will be detected within the Android smartphone's internal storage. Now, just click Start. 

When the process is finished, just click Advance and put your name on the account. The conversations that were saved on the iPhone will be displayed immediately. 

From an iPhone to any Android smartphone

If you don't have a Samsung smartphone, no problem: there is a tutorial here that works for any other Android smartphone, such as Google Pixels, Motorola Motos, Xiaomi, Redmi, Realme, Oppo and many others.

You will need to download an application called Data Transfer Tool, created by Google itself. Its installation link is also here in the video description.

Step 1: the process is very similar to what is done on Samsung models: after carrying out the appropriate configuration on your Android device, access the Data Transfer Tool page on Google Play and install this application on your cell phone.

Step 2: On your new Android smartphone, click receive data. A message will appear explaining that you need your old device unlocked. Now, just click Next.

Step 3: Connect the two devices using a USB–C Adapter for Lightning connection. 

It is important that the iPhone is unlocked when the process starts and if a confirmation message appears on the screen, select the option Trust. When the message that the devices are connected, just click Next. 

Step 4: It is important to remember that for the process to be completed, you need to have your Google account connected to the new Android device. When clicking Next, you can log in if you haven't already.

It is important to connect the same account Google that you use on your iPhone on the new device. The Data Transfer Tool app also reminds you that Notes cannot be transferred. 

Step 5: Then, the Android smartphone will scan all the files saved on the iPhone and the transfer will begin immediately. 

The time it takes to do this depends on how many files you have saved on your Apple device. We remind you that both cell phones used must be recharged for the process to be completed. Otherwise, you will have to restart everything from step 1. 

When the scan is finished, simply mark what you want to send to your Android smartphone and click Copy. In the apps section, be sure to check WhatsApp.

Step 6: For WhatsApp conversations to be transferred from your old iPhone to Android, you will need to scan the QR Code displayed on your Android smartphone. Just open the camera, without breaking the wired connection, and do that.

A notification will be displayed on the iPhone to open WhatsApp and then simply click on Start  for import to be authorized. 

The process will start as soon as you do this and you just have to wait for it to finish. Once again: the time needed for everything to be done will depend on the number of files saved on your iPhone. 

Step 7: when everything is finished, simply agree with the screens presented on the Android smartphone and click on Next e Accept. After agreeing, a screen will be displayed informing you that the copy has been made. 

By clicking on Completed, just wait a few more minutes for the data copy to finish. 

As you requested that the WhatsApp application be transferred to the new smartphone, you will see that it is being installed via the Play Store for the first use. 

Step 8: Now, simply register your WhatsApp account on your new Android smartphone. After clicking Agree and Continue, simply enter your cell phone number, including the area code, and confirm your identity via code sent via SMS. 

At this stage, it is worth having your chip or eSIM already inserted into the new Android cell phone. The next screen just includes entering your name and giving permissions for contacts and internal storage to be accessed by the new cell phone. 

Step 9: at the end of the process, a screen will be displayed informing you that the conversation file has been located and that you can import it. Here, just click Start  and wait for the data to be read by WhatsApp.

When this is done, now just enter your name, change your profile photo if you want and that's it, the conversations that were on the iPhone can be seen on your new Android. 

I may have problems transferring WhatsApp from iPhone to Android

Some type of error may occur during the process itself. That's why it's important to check that the applications are up to date. Furthermore, it is also worth reinforcing the warning so that the user does not configure WhatsApp on the new smartphone before starting the transfer. This is because, if you have confirmed your phone number on WhatsApp on the new device, messages cannot be retrieved of WhatsApp on iPhone.

WhatsApp claims that there will be no complications to transfer chat history between iPhone and Android. The platform worked on a viable solution to securely transfer conversations without compromising your privacy, as can happen if you use software from third parties.

WhatsApp also confirmed that more Android manufacturers will have access to the new migration feature in the coming months, but it did not say which or when the new feature will be expanded. The reverse path, transferring devices with Android to iOS, should still take a while, despite already being tested, with no date to be made official.

See also other features

In addition to this migration process, learn how you can recover deleted whatsapp conversations.

Sources: Samsung l MATHEWS SA l Your Friend Alex