How to transfer WhatsApp to a new phone: a complete and secure guide

Switch to a new phone without losing conversations WhatsApp It's no longer a problem: today there's a quick, official method with a direct connection, in addition to the cloud backups we're all familiar with. In this guide, we explain how to safely transfer WhatsApp to a new phone and what mistakes you should avoid.

Until recently, the most popular option was to use iCloud or Google Drive. There were also handy third-party apps. Now, WhatsApp also offers a local transfer feature between phones that greatly simplifies the process.

Prerequisites and important notices

Before we look at how to transfer WhatsApp to a new phone, it's a good idea to prepare the groundwork. You will need to have both phones on hand. (old and new), both with sufficient battery, and a stable connection. You will also need use the same phone number, since WhatsApp transfers are associated with your line.

• Old phone with WhatsApp working (ideally with a recent backup, although the direct method does not require it).
• New phone with Android or iPhone, depending on your case, and Internet connection.
• Enough free space if you are restoring from the cloud (Drive or iCloud).

Keep in mind some key points that WhatsApp makes clear in its documentation: the platform cannot guarantee 100% that a transfer will be completed in all scenarios, It is not possible to merge two histories (if you restore one, it replaces the other) and third-party migration apps are not supported by WhatsApp and may cause issues.

If you're changing your number, you'll first need to use the number change feature on your old device and then migrate it to your new one. Otherwise, for the direct QR code method, make sure you have both phones nearby and connected so that they communicate with each other throughout the transfer.

Official method: Transfer chats via direct connection (same system)

WhatsApp has launched a feature called 'transfer chats' that allows you to move your conversations from one phone to another with the same operating system without going through the cloudIt's ideal if you don't want to take up space on Google Drive or iCloud, or if your phone doesn't have Google services.

What you need: both phones together, a good battery, and WhatsApp installed on both. During the process, the new phone will display a QR code, and the old one will connect to it via a secure local network to send the data. This option is usually faster if you have both devices side by side.

Steps on the old mobile

1. Open WhatsApp and enter Settings > Chats > Transfer chats (you will see the destination platform according to your system).
2. Tap 'Start,' accept any requested permissions (such as access to nearby Wi-Fi devices), and leave the screen ready to scan.

If the option appears in your menu, it means the feature is available. In some cases, it may be arriving gradually, but as of today its deployment is general and is reaching all users.

Steps on the new mobile

1. Install WhatsApp, enter the same phone number, and complete verification.
2. When the screen appears inviting you to transfer your history from your previous phone, tap to continue and display the QR code.
3. Using your old phone, scan the QR code and accept the connection request on your new phone.

At that point, both phones connect directly and data transfer begins. The time it takes will depend on the size of your chats and attachments, so be patient. During the process, do not interrupt the connection don't even close WhatsApp.

Android to Android with Google Drive (cloud copy)

If you prefer to use the cloud, the classic Android procedure for transferring WhatsApp to a new phone still works perfectly. It allows you to create a backup on Google Drive and restore it to the new phone using the same Google account. It's simple and still the recommended alternative if you already have a recent backup.

Step 1: Create the copy on the old phone

1. Open WhatsApp on your old Android.
2. Tap the three-dot menu > Settings > Cat > Backup.
3. Choose your Google Drive account, decide whether to include videos, and click 'Back up.'

To avoid problems with multiple Google accounts, make sure that both the old and new phones use the same Same account when it's time to restore. This way, there won't be any problems locating the backup.

Step 2: Install and verify on the new phone

1. Download WhatsApp from the Play Store on your new device.
2. Open the app, enter the same phone number you used before, and complete SMS verification.

If you've automatically migrated apps to your new Android, WhatsApp is likely already installed. However, make sure you have the latest version to ensure the support for restoration.

Step 3: Restore the backup

• If you see the option to transfer data directly between phones (Wi-Fi), select it to transfer data without going through Drive.
• If you prefer or need the cloud, tap 'Restore from a backup' to retrieve your history from Google Drive.

Once your cloud backup is up to date, it's usually more convenient to restore from Drive. Otherwise, the 'transfer from old phone' option may be equal or faster if you have both devices with you.

iPhone to iPhone with iCloud

In the Apple ecosystem, backups are done through iCloud. The process is very similar to that on Android, except that you need iCloud Drive enabled and permission for WhatsApp to use it. Following these steps, You'll get your chats back on your new iPhone. without complications.

Step 1: Activate iCloud and permissions

1. On your old iPhone, go to Settings > your name > iCloud.
2. Turn on iCloud Drive and verify that WhatsApp is allowed.

It is important to sign in with your Apple ID and check that there is enough space in iCloud to include your chats and, if you choose, videos.

Step 2: Make the copy on WhatsApp

1. Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Backup.
2. Choose whether to include videos and click 'Backup Now'.

The more recent this copy is, the fewer messages you'll leave out of the transfer. If you use WhatsApp daily, make the backup just before to set up the new iPhone.

Step 3: Restore to your new iPhone

1. Make sure your new iPhone has iCloud Drive enabled and permissions for WhatsApp.
2. Install WhatsApp from the App Store, accept the terms, verify your number, and choose to restore your history when prompted.

Once the restore is complete, you can continue with the setup. Avoid closing the app or putting your phone in airplane mode during the process to do not interrupt the download.

Export specific chats: individual conversations and formats

Are you only interested in saving a specific conversation when moving WhatsApp to a new phone? WhatsApp allows you to export individual chats, with or without multimedia. This is useful for saving a conversation as a file, sending it by email, or archiving it outside of the app, while maintaining the readable content in text format.

1. Open the conversation you want to export.
2. Go to the options menu > 'More' > 'Export chat'.
3. Choose whether or not to include photos and videos.
4. Save it as a .txt file and, if applicable, with separate attachments; share it by email, cloud or transfer it by cable.

Messages are exported as .txt, while images, videos, and audio are attached in their original formats. This method doesn't restore the chat within WhatsApp on the other phone, but keep the information in an accessible way.

Practical tips for a smooth transfer

Finally, some helpful tips when moving WhatsApp to a new phone:

• Keep both phones charged above 70–80% and connect them to the same Wi-Fi if you're using Direct Transfer. Avoid unstable public networks, as they may cause issues. cut the process in half.
• If you choose the cloud, update the backup just before migrating. Make sure you have the same Google or Apple account on both devices, and that you have space to spare for backup and restoration.
• With third-party apps for platform switching, do your research first: reviews, support, privacy policy, free trials, and success stories for your brand and model. Your WhatsApp history is sensitive information; prioritize it. security and privacy in the face of haste.
• Those who use WhatsApp for work should enable automatic backups and schedule a final manual backup before switching. A ten-minute preparation saves you hours later, avoiding wasting time. key conversations or important attachments.
• If you work with WhatsApp in your business, in addition to transferring your history, consider improving customer service on your website with shortcuts to WhatsApp and a clear contact design; having the messaging always at hand usually translates into more conversions.

With all these methods on the table—direct transfer, Drive/iCloud, chat export, and Huawei alternatives—you now have the leeway to choose the path that suits you best. By preparing the requirements carefully, respecting the same number of requirements, and following the steps calmly, migrate WhatsApp to your new phone It is a simple and safe procedure.