After lengthy beta testing, WhatsApp chat history transfers are now supported cross-platform between Android and iOS. This means users who are switching from Android to iOS and vice versa, will have less stress doing so. Currently, it is only possible to transfer chat history between ecosystems with the help of some third-party data transfer tools, but these methods usually aren’t free and are always a hit or miss.
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As of today, it’s only the Android to iPhone method that is up on WhatsApp’s support site, and you’ll need to use the Move to iOS tool on Android to do this. You’ll also need to be on the latest version of WhatsApp on both the sending and receiving devices. You also must use the same phone number as your old phone or change it before transferring. The receiving iPhone must also be factory reset or new.
The steps indicated in the instructions indicate that WhatsApp has worked with Apple to configure its Move to iOS app to make a successful transfer of WhatsApp data to a phone on iOS. As per the support page, you’ll be able to transfer account information, profile photo, individual and group chats, chat history, chat media, and WhatsApp settings. You won’t be able to transfer WhatsApp call history or peer-to-peer payment messages.
The use of 3rd parties has been common and Not being able to bring your WhatsApp conversations when switching between iOS and Android has long been a pain point for users switching between ecosystems. Although many messaging apps simply let you access messages and chats from any device, WhatsApp can only be used with a single phone number and with a single smartphone device. Only recently WhatsApp allowed for linked devices to access, send, and receive messages when the host device is offline.