How to Transfer WhatsApp Chats to a New Phone (2026 Guide)

You can move your WhatsApp chats to a new phone without losing them by using WhatsApp’s built-in QR code transfer, which works between Android phones, between iPhones and across the two. It is the first thing to sort out if you are upgrading to a new phone this Diwali and takes a few minutes, longer if you have a lot of photos and videos.

This guide covers all four routes, plus what to do if your old phone is lost or broken. Menu names can shift slightly between app versions, so update WhatsApp on both phones before you start.

Before you start

• Use the same phone number on the new phone. WhatsApp ties your chats to the number, not the handset.
• Keep both phones charged, unlocked and on the same Wi-Fi network.
• Update WhatsApp to the latest version on both phones.
• Take a fresh backup on the old phone as a safety net: on Android, tap the three dots, then Settings > Chats > Chat backup. On iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
• Keep your two-step verification PIN handy if you have set one.

Android to Android

This is the simplest route and does not need a Google Drive backup.

1. On the old phone, open WhatsApp and go to More options (three dots) > Settings > Chats > Transfer chats > Start.
2. On the new phone, install WhatsApp and verify your number.
3. Under “Restore or transfer chats”, choose Transfer from old phone, then tap Continue and Start. A QR code appears.
4. Scan that QR code with the old phone and tap Accept on the new phone.
5. Keep both phones unlocked with WhatsApp open until the transfer completes, then tap Next.

Both phones need Android 6 or later. The transfer runs over a direct Wi-Fi link, so it does not use your mobile data.

iPhone to iPhone

1. On the old iPhone, go to Settings in WhatsApp (or tap your profile picture), then Chats > Transfer Chats to iPhone > Start. Allow camera access.
2. On the new iPhone, install WhatsApp and verify the same number.
3. Tap Continue on the “Transfer chat history to iPhone” screen and allow local network access.
4. Scan the QR code on the new iPhone using the old iPhone.
5. When “Transfer completed” shows, tap Next.

You can also restore from an iCloud backup by installing WhatsApp on the new iPhone and tapping Restore Chat History during setup.

Android to iPhone

Moving from Android to iPhone uses Apple’s Move to iOS app and must be done while setting up the iPhone.

1. On the new iPhone, during setup, reach Transfer Your Apps & Data and choose From Android. If the iPhone is already set up, you will need to erase it first.
2. On the Android phone, open Move to iOS and enter the code shown on the iPhone.
3. On the Transfer Data screen, select WhatsApp and tap Start. WhatsApp signs you out on the Android phone once the data is ready.
4. Finish the transfer, then install WhatsApp on the iPhone, log in with the same number and tap Start when it offers to import your chats.

You need iOS 15.5 or later on the iPhone and Android 5 or later on the old phone. Call history does not move across. A Google Drive backup cannot be restored on an iPhone, so this is the only official route. For your photos, contacts and other files, see our guide on how to transfer data from Android to iPhone.

iPhone to Android

1. On the iPhone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Transfer chat history > Transfer to Android.
2. When it finishes preparing, tap Continue, allow camera access and keep the iPhone unlocked.
3. On the Android phone, open WhatsApp and verify the same number, then tap Allow so a QR code appears.
4. Scan the code with the iPhone, tap Join to connect the phones, and wait.
5. Tap Next on the Android phone when it finishes.

Some Android brands instead offer this during phone setup through a cable: when the new phone asks to copy data from another phone, connect the iPhone and keep WhatsApp selected. If the in-app option will not start, WhatsApp’s troubleshooting advice is to use a new or factory reset Android phone running Android 10 or later.

If your old phone is lost or broken

Without the old phone, you can only restore from your last cloud backup. Install WhatsApp on the new phone, register the same number and accept the restore prompt. Android phones restore from your Google account backup and iPhones from iCloud.

Only chats up to the last backup come back. If backups were turned off, older chats cannot be recovered, which is why it is worth checking that automatic backup is on once your new phone is set up.

Common problems and fixes

• QR code does not scan: clean the camera lens, raise screen brightness and hold the phone steady until it focuses.
• Transfer stops halfway: keep both screens on and WhatsApp open. Switching apps or locking the screen can break the connection.
• No transfer option shows: update WhatsApp on both phones and check that the same number is being verified.
• Media missing: large videos may take longer to appear. Leave the new phone on Wi-Fi and charging for a while after the transfer.

Once you are set up, take a minute to review your privacy settings on the new phone. Our guide on how to hide your WhatsApp last seen from strangers walks through the main ones.

Frequently asked questions