How to Transfer Chats from WhatsApp to New Phone | Roklo

Overview: To transfer chats from WhatsApp to a new phone on the same platform, use WhatsApp's built-in Transfer chats feature: open Settings > Chats > Transfer chats on the old phone and scan the QR code shown on the new one. No cloud backup is needed. Switching between platforms uses a different path: Move to iOS for Android to iPhone, and the setup transfer for iPhone to Android. This guide covers every method step by step, what does and does not move across, how to switch WhatsApp to a new number, and what to do when the transfer fails.

For businesses, a phone switch is when customer history is most at risk. A WhatsApp team inbox keeps customer conversations with the business instead of on one device.

Five minutes of preparation prevents almost every failed transfer:

• Update WhatsApp on both phones to the latest version.
• Keep the same phone number, and keep the SIM or number active to receive the verification code.
• Charge both phones and connect them to the same Wi-Fi network.
• Make a fresh backup on the old phone as a safety net, even if you plan to use the QR method.
• Do not delete WhatsApp or factory reset the old phone until chats appear on the new one.

Also Read: WhatsApp Appointment Booking: Simple Setup Guide | Roklo

This is the fastest way to transfer chats from WhatsApp to a new phone when both phones are Android, or both are iPhone. Chats move directly over your local Wi-Fi, encrypted end to end, without Google Drive or iCloud.

How to transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to Android

1. On the new phone, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and choose to transfer chats from your old phone when prompted. A QR code appears.

2. On the old phone, open WhatsApp > three-dot menu > Settings > Chats > Transfer chats, and tap Start.

3. Allow the permissions WhatsApp requests, such as location and nearby devices.

4. Scan the QR code on the new phone with the old phone.

5. Keep both phones close together and unlocked until the transfer finishes.

Result: your chats, media, and settings appear on the new phone, and the old phone is logged out.

How to transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to iPhone

1. On the new iPhone, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and choose to transfer from your old iPhone. A QR code appears.

2. On the old iPhone, open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Transfer Chats to iPhone, and tap Start.

3. Scan the QR code on the new iPhone with the old iPhone.

4. Keep both iPhones on the same Wi-Fi and unlocked until it completes.

Result: your full chat history moves to the new iPhone without using iCloud.

Also Read: WhatsApp Not Working? 10 Fixes That Actually Work (2026)

Use this method if your old phone is lost, broken, or already reset, as long as you made a backup earlier.

Android: back up under Settings > Chats > Chat backup to Google Drive. On the new phone, sign in to the same Google account, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and tap Restore.

The full restore process, including what to do if no backup is found, is in this guide on how to restore a WhatsApp backup from Google Drive.

iPhone: back up under Settings > Chats > Chat Backup to iCloud. On the new iPhone, sign in with the same Apple ID, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and tap Restore Chat History.

Android to iPhone transfers use Apple's Move to iOS app during iPhone setup. Requirements: iOS 15.5 or later on the iPhone, Android 5 or later on the old phone, the same number, and the iPhone must be new or factory reset.

1. Start setting up the new iPhone. On the Apps & Data screen, choose Move Data from Android.

2. On the Android phone, install and open Move to iOS from the Play Store, then enter the code shown on the iPhone.

3. Select WhatsApp on the Transfer Data screen.

4. On the Android phone, WhatsApp opens. Tap Start and wait while it prepares your data, then return to Move to iOS and tap Continue.

5. Finish iPhone setup, install WhatsApp from the App Store, sign in with the same number, and tap Start when asked to move your chats.

Result: your WhatsApp chats and media appear on the iPhone.

Also Read: WhatsApp Web QR Code: Scan, Fix and Stay Connected (2026)

iPhone to Android transfers usually happen while setting up the new Android phone. Most phones on Android 12 or later support it, using a cable or the phone maker's transfer tool, such as Samsung Smart Switch.

1. Start setting up the new Android phone and choose to copy data from an iPhone.

2. Connect both phones with a USB-C to Lightning cable, or follow the wireless option if your phone offers it.

3. When prompted, scan the QR code shown on the Android phone with the iPhone camera, and tap Start on the iPhone.

4. After setup, open WhatsApp on Android, verify the same number, and complete the import.

Result: your iPhone chats, photos, and videos move to the Android phone.

WhatsApp's March 2026 update made iPhone to Android transfer simpler, with chat history, photos, and videos moving in a few taps. If you see a Transfer chats option in WhatsApp settings on your iPhone, follow the in-app prompts instead.

If you cannot use Wi-Fi or Google Drive, Android stores a daily local backup on the phone.

1. On the old phone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup and tap Back up.

2. Using a file manager, copy the WhatsApp folder (Android/media/com.whatsapp/WhatsApp, or WhatsApp on older phones) to a computer or SD card.

3. Copy the folder to the same location on the new phone.

4. Install WhatsApp on the new phone, verify your number, and tap Restore when it finds the local backup.

Result: your chats are restored without any internet transfer.

For backup settings, encryption, and backup frequency, see this complete guide to WhatsApp backup and restore.

Also Read: WhatsApp Business Auto Reply: 30 Ready-to-Use Message Samples (2026)

If you are changing your number at the same time as your phone, move WhatsApp to the new number first, on the old phone. Then transfer chats to the new phone using the new number.

1. Put the new SIM in the old phone, or make sure it can receive SMS.

2. Open WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Change number, and follow the steps.

3. Choose whether to notify your contacts.

4. Once confirmed, transfer chats to the new phone using Method 1.

Result: you keep every chat, group, and setting on your new number.

Transferring moves WhatsApp to a new phone and logs out the old one. Linking keeps your account active on the old phone and adds a second phone or computer as a companion device. If you want WhatsApp on both phones at once, you need linking, not transfer.

The steps for running one account on two phones are in this guide on how to link WhatsApp to another phone.

Also Read: How to Add Someone on WhatsApp: Android and iPhone (2026)

WhatsApp Business transfers work the same way: use Transfer chats for the same platform, or the cross-platform tools. Business profile details, catalog, labels, and quick replies move with the account.

The bigger risk for a business is not the phone switch itself. It is that customer conversations live on one device. When a salesperson changes phones, loses one, or leaves the company, months of customer history can go with them.

Roklo addresses that by bringing your team's WhatsApp into one shared inbox. Every customer conversation stays visible, owned by the business, and available to the team, whichever phone anyone uses. No WhatsApp Business API is required.

Also Read: WhatsApp Group Link: How to Create, Share and Manage It

1. QR transfer will not start. Put both phones on the same Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth and location (Android), and update WhatsApp on both.

2. Transfer stuck partway. Keep both phones unlocked, on charge, and close together. Restart both phones and try again.

3. Backup not found. Use the same number and the same Google account or Apple ID that made the backup.

4. Move to iOS has no WhatsApp option. Update WhatsApp on Android and Move to iOS, and make sure the iPhone is new or reset and on iOS 15.5 or later.

5. Not enough storage. Free space on the new phone before starting. Large media libraries need several gigabytes.

6. Verification code not arriving. Keep the SIM active, check signal, and use the call option if the SMS does not arrive.

The easiest way to transfer chats from WhatsApp to a new phone depends on the phones. Same platform: use Transfer chats with a QR code. Android to iPhone: use Move to iOS. iPhone to Android: transfer during Android setup. If the old phone is gone, restore from Google Drive or iCloud.

Update both phones, keep the same number active, and do not reset the old phone until every chat appears on the new one. If your number is changing too, use Change Number first.

For teams that cannot afford to lose customer history to a phone change, Roklo keeps every conversation in a shared WhatsApp inbox the business owns.
Also Read: WhatsApp Web for Business: Complete Guide (2026)