How to transfer Whatsapp chats from iOS to Android

Switching ecosystems has not always been easy, especially when it comes to smartphones. For instance, moving from an iPhone to an Android smartphone has been an issue from fear of losing data like WhatsApp chats. While there are paid services out there claiming to make this seamless, none are reliable or consistent. But now, there is an official and more trustworthy way to do so. Let’s check it out in detail.

Prerequisites for transferring WhatsApp chats

1.You must have the latest version of Google Migrate on your device. In case you have a Samsung device, you need to install the latest version of Samsung SmartSwitch.
2. Make sure your Android device is running Android 12 or newer.
3. Your iOS device needs to have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on it.
4. You will also need a USB Type-C to Lightning cable.
5. This can be only done when you are first setting up your new Android phone or else you need to reset to the factory setting before doing this. You should make a backup of all the necessary data before factory resetting your Phone.
How to transfer your WhatsApp chats from iOS to Android
1. First, you need to finish setting up your Android device.
2. You need to unlock your iPhone and connect the two phones using the USB-C to Lightning cable. A prompt will pop up on your Android device, select “copy apps and data” or “Samsung SmartSwitch” in case you have a Samsung device.
3. A prompt will appear on your iPhone. Tap on Trust.
4. Proceed through the copying screen. And keep your iPhone unlocked throughout the process.
5. On your Android device, from the “Select data to transfer” screen, tap on Apps and choose Transfers.
6. Now select WhatsApp and follow the prompts.
7. A QR code will appear. Now open the camera app on your iPhone and scan the QR code. It will say “Open in WhatsApp”. Tap on it.
8. Now simply tap on Start when the “Move Chats to Android” screen will appear.
9. Select “keep the screen on” on your Android device.
10. Depending on the size of your data, it may take a while
11. After completion, your iPhone will show a message “continue on your new phone” while your Android device will show “Done transferring your Data”.
12. Now simply install the latest version of WhatsApp and when setting it up, it will ask your permission to Import Chat History. Simply tap Start and you are done.

Some other things to keep in mind
1. You need to use the same phone number on the new Android device.
2. The process can be long so make sure both of your devices have enough battery to get through this power-intensive task.
3. Keep both screens on throughout the process
4. Make sure you do not disconnect the cable by mistake.
5. It will not transfer Call history, payment details and display name. It will only transfer account information, profile photo, individual chats, group chats, chat history, media, and settings.
Switching from one platform to another can seem a bit tedious and chaotic. But at least your WhatsApp chats are safe, and you can do it in just a few easy steps. It isn’t that difficult anymore.