Transferring your WhatsApp data from an old Android phone to a new Android phone is easy and can be done in just a few steps. By transferring your WhatsApp data, you can continue your conversations seamlessly on your new device.
What data can be transferred from old to new Android?
The following WhatsApp data can be transferred from an old Android phone to a new Android phone:
- Chat history – All your WhatsApp chats, group chats, media and files sent and received
- Contacts – Your WhatsApp contacts list
- Settings – Your WhatsApp settings like privacy, notification tones, wallpaper etc
So in essence, your entire WhatsApp account can be transferred to your new Android phone.
Requirements for transferring WhatsApp data
To transfer your WhatsApp data, your old and new phones need to meet certain requirements:
- Both phones should be Android phones
- Both phones should have WhatsApp installed
- Both phones should have the same WhatsApp account logged in
- Your old phone should be running Android OS 4.0+
- Your new phone should be running Android OS 4.1+
- Both phones need to be connected to the internet during the transfer
- Your old phone needs to have enough battery to complete the transfer
- Your old phone needs to have enough storage space for the transfer process
- Google Drive backup needs to be enabled in WhatsApp on both devices
As long as your old and new Android phones meet these requirements, you’ll be able to transfer your WhatsApp data successfully.
How to transfer WhatsApp data via Google Drive
The easiest way to transfer your WhatsApp data is to use your Google Drive backup. Here are the steps:
- On your old Android phone, open WhatsApp and tap on the 3-dot menu in the top right corner.
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and tap on Back Up to Google Drive. Choose a backup frequency and account.
- Leave your old phone plugged in and connected to WiFi until the backup completes.
- On your new Android phone, install WhatsApp and log in using the same phone number used on your old device.
- WhatsApp will detect the existing backup and ask if you want to restore chats and media from Google Drive.
- Tap Restore to recover your chats, contacts, settings etc.
- Wait for the restore process to complete. All your WhatsApp data will now be on your new device.
That’s it! By using Google Drive backup, you can seamlessly transfer your WhatsApp data and pick up right where you left off on your new Android phone.
How to transfer WhatsApp via local backup
If you don’t want to use Google Drive backup, you can also transfer WhatsApp data using a local backup file:
- On your old Android, open WhatsApp > 3-dot menu > Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Tap Back Up to create a local backup file on your phone’s storage.
- Copy the WhatsApp backup file to your computer using a USB cable or SD card.
- On your new phone, install WhatsApp but don’t open it.
- Copy the WhatsApp backup file from your computer back to your new phone’s storage.
- Open WhatsApp on your new phone and verify your number.
- WhatsApp will detect the backup file and ask if you want to restore. Tap Restore.
- Wait for the local backup file to be restored on your new device.
This method requires manually transferring the backup file between devices but gives you more control over the process.
How to transfer WhatsApp via third party apps
You can also use third party apps to transfer WhatsApp data between Android phones. Some recommended apps include:
- Dr.Fone – Switch: Transfers all data like WhatsApp chats, contacts, photos etc from old phone to new.
- CopyTrans Contacts: Transfers only contacts and WhatsApp chats to new phone.
- SyncMate: Syncs WhatsApp chats and media between multiple devices.
- MobileTrans: Transfers WhatsApp messages, call logs, archives etc.
The process involves:
- Installing the app on both your old and new Android phones.
- Connecting the two phones to your computer via USB.
- Following the on-screen instructions to transfer WhatsApp data.
Using a dedicated transfer app automates the entire migration process through your computer.
How to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone
To transfer WhatsApp data from an Android phone to an iPhone, you need to use third party software like AnyTrans, iMyFone iTransor or Dr.Fone, as direct phone-to-phone transfer is not possible between Android and iOS.
The steps would be:
- Back up your WhatsApp data on your Android phone to Google Drive.
- Download and install the transfer software on your computer.
- Connect your Android device to your computer.
- Use the software to transfer WhatsApp data and backup to your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to the computer.
- Transfer the WhatsApp backup to your iPhone.
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone and log in. Your chats will be migrated.
This provides a seamless chat history transfer between your Android and iOS devices.
Tips for successful WhatsApp transfer
Here are some useful tips to ensure your WhatsApp data transfers successfully from your old Android phone to your new device:
- Create a full Google Drive or local backup before beginning the transfer process.
- Ensure your new phone meets the OS version requirements for WhatsApp.
- Free up storage space on both devices to smoothen the transfer.
- Keep both devices connected to a power source during the transfer.
- Use a stable WiFi or cellular data connection.
- Disable battery optimization for WhatsApp on your devices.
- Transfer media files in small batches if you have a lot.
- If using a transfer app, grant it the required permissions.
- Be patient and do not interrupt the transfer process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp transfer also move my media files?
Yes, when you transfer WhatsApp data between Android phones, your media files like photos, videos and audio messages are also transferred along with your chats.
Will my chat history remain intact after transferring WhatsApp to a new phone?
Your entire WhatsApp chat history is preserved intact when transferring your account from one Android phone to another. The transfer process simply migrates your chats to the new device.
Can I transfer WhatsApp without Google Drive backup?
Yes, you can transfer WhatsApp data using just a local backup file copied between your old and new phone’s storage. But Google Drive backup is simpler and more reliable.
How can I tell if my WhatsApp backup is complete?
On Android, WhatsApp will show a “Backup completed” message upon successful backup. The date/time of last backup is also visible in Settings. On iPhone, you can check WhatsApp iCloud Drive usage under iPhone Storage to confirm.
Will my WhatsApp call history transfer to my new phone as well?
Unfortunately, there is currently no way to transfer your WhatsApp call history when moving your account to a new device. Only chats and media get transferred.
Do I have to keep my old SIM card to transfer WhatsApp data?
No, you can transfer WhatsApp to your new Android phone using the same number with a different SIM card. WhatsApp verification is based on your phone number, not the SIM.
Conclusion
Transferring WhatsApp data from an old Android phone to a new Android phone is quick and straightforward. Back up your chats and media to Google Drive or local storage, restore this backup on your new phone, and all your WhatsApp content gets seamlessly transferred. For switching operating systems, use dedicated transfer tools. With a reliable internet connection and some patience, you’ll be messaging again in no time.