Yes, it is possible to export a WhatsApp chat from one phone and import it to another phone. There are a few different ways to do this depending on whether you are using an iPhone or Android phone.
Exporting WhatsApp Chats from an iPhone
If you are looking to export a WhatsApp chat from an iPhone, here are the steps:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your iPhone.
- Go to the chat you want to export.
- Tap on the contact name at the top of the screen.
- Scroll down and tap “Export Chat”.
- You will then have the option to export the chat with or without media. Choose your preference.
- The chat will be exported and saved to your iCloud Drive as a .zip file.
Once you have exported the WhatsApp chat, you can access the .zip file in your iCloud Drive. You can then transfer this file to your new phone via the cloud or AirDrop and import it using the steps below.
Importing WhatsApp Chats to an iPhone
To import a WhatsApp chat to a new iPhone, follow these steps:
- Install the WhatsApp app on your new iPhone if you haven’t already.
- Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number.
- Tap Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
- Tap Import from iCloud Drive.
- Select the chat backup .zip file you want to import.
- The chat history will then be imported into WhatsApp on your new iPhone.
And that’s it! The chat history from your old iPhone will now be available in WhatsApp on your new device.
Exporting WhatsApp Chats from an Android Phone
For Android phones, the process is very similar:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your Android phone.
- Tap the 3 dot menu icon in the top right.
- Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Tap Back Up to create a new backup file.
- Once the backup is complete, tap “Export chat” and select the chats you want to export.
- The chats will be exported and saved as a .txt file in your phone’s internal storage Downloads folder.
You can then transfer this .txt file to your new Android phone using your preferred file transfer method.
Importing WhatsApp Chats to an Android Phone
To import the chat history to your new Android phone:
- Install WhatsApp if you haven’t already.
- Verify your phone number.
- Tap the 3 dot menu and go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
- Tap Import from internal storage.
- Select the .txt backup file you want to import.
- The chat history will then be imported into WhatsApp.
And you’re done! You’ve successfully transferred your WhatsApp chats from one Android phone to another.
Other WhatsApp Export/Import Options
Here are a few other ways you can transfer WhatsApp chats between devices:
- Email chat history – On Android and iPhone, you can email a chat conversation to yourself as a .txt file attachment.
- Transfer via third party apps – Some apps like ShareIt allow you to directly transfer files from one phone to another.
- Local backup restore – Restore a local WhatsApp backup file from your old phone to your new phone if you have a full device backup.
- Google Drive backup restore – If you have Google Drive backup enabled, you can restore your backup to a new Android phone.
Tips for Successfully Transferring WhatsApp Chats
Here are some tips to ensure your WhatsApp chats transfer successfully:
- Backup chats before transferring – Create a fresh backup on your old phone so you have the latest chat history.
- Transfer media files too – When exporting, be sure to transfer media files like photos and videos for a complete chat history.
- Update to latest WhatsApp version – Having the latest version on both old and new phone helps avoid compatibility issues.
- Use a stable internet connection – Slow/unstable connections can disrupt or fail the transfer process.
- Encrypt backups – Enable encrypted backups for additional security and privacy.
- Clear chat history on new phone – Clear any existing chats on your new phone first to avoid merge conflicts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my WhatsApp chat history still on my old phone after transferring?
Yes, transferring your WhatsApp chat history creates a copy on your new device, but does not delete or erase the original chats and media on your old phone. You can choose to delete WhatsApp on your old device manually after the transfer is complete.
Will my chat history transfer stay intact forever on the new phone?
The transferred WhatsApp chats and media will remain intact on your new phone unless you manually delete them. However, do keep in mind that backups created on the new phone will overwrite the transferred chat history over time.
Can I transfer WhatsApp chats from iPhone to Android or vice versa?
Directly transferring WhatsApp chats between iPhone and Android is not natively supported. Your best option is to use a third party app like ShareIt or Move to iOS/Android which can transfer chat history between platforms.
Will my WhatsApp call history also get transferred?
Unfortunately call history is not included when you export or transfer WhatsApp chats. Only the text messages and media like photos/videos will be ported over to your new device.
Do I need to keep my old SIM card to transfer chats?
No, you can transfer WhatsApp chats even without the old SIM card. As long as you can verify your phone number on the new device, you can restore and transfer chat history via backup files.
Conclusion
Transferring WhatsApp chats to a new phone is easy with the built-in export and import options available for both iOS and Android devices. By creating a backup, transferring it to the new device, and properly restoring it, you can seamlessly move your WhatsApp conversation history. Following best practices like encrypted backups and stable internet connections ensures the process goes smoothly. With apps like ShareIt also enabling cross-platform chat transfers, you have flexibility in moving your chats between different operating systems.
| Platform | Export Method | Import Method |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iCloud Drive Backup | iCloud Drive Restore |
| Android | .txt File | Internal Storage Restore |