WhatsApp announced recently that users would be able to transfer their chat history from iOS to Android devices. This includes Samsung Galaxy smartphones. While this feature was already available in WhatsApp Beta for some users, the transfer option has now been made available to everyone — but it requires nothing less than a cable.
WhatsApp is one the most widely used messaging apps globally, with the majority of users being from countries such as India and Brazil. The app, owned and operated by Facebook, has never provided a way to transfer conversations from one device to the next, even if they are based on different operating system versions.
It is difficult for people to move from one platform to the next because they can’t easily transfer their conversations. WhatsApp is trying to fix this problem, but it’s not as simple as you might think.
Keep in mind that this process works only from iPhone to Android and not vice versa. The new option is only compatible with Galaxy phones at the moment. This means that even if your phone has an Android version, you won’t be able to transfer your conversations to other Samsung phones.
This transfer method requires a Lightning-to-USB-C cable. It is not possible to wirelessly transfer your WhatsApp backup from iOS to Android.
How to transfer WhatsApp conversations from an iPhone to a Galaxy smartphone
According to WhatsApp, there are a few things you need to transfer your iPhone backup to Android successfully. These are:
- Install Samsung SmartSwitch version 3.7.22.1 or higher on your new device
- WhatsApp iOS version 2.21.160.17 and higher on your older device
- WhatsApp Android version 2.2.16.20 or higher on your new device
- USB-C to Lightning Cable (or similar adapters)
- The old and new devices can use the same phone number.
- Your new Android phone must be either factory new or factory reset.
Connect your iPhone to your Galaxy phone first using the Lightning-to-USB-C cable. Follow the Samsung Smart Switch instructions and scan the QR code with your iPhone.
Wait for the process to finish by tapping “Start” on iPhone. To complete the setup, follow the steps on your Galaxy smartphone and then open WhatsApp. Log in using the same number as your iPhone, and then tap “Import.”
WhatsApp claims that the process will soon be extended to other Android phones. The company is also working on its own end-to-end encrypted cloud backup solution, which should make it possible to move conversations from Android to iPhone in the future.
