WhatsApp is taking some of the hassle out of migrating messages to a new smartphone on the same operating system.
Whereas in the past you’d have to create a backup file of your chat history on a Cloud service before transferring, you can now complete the entire process on WhatsApp alone.
In a nutshell, the new technique requires you to scan a QR code on your old phone using your new handset. So make sure you don’t flog your old device before completing the handover.
As mentioned above, the feature only works for transfers between devices on the same operating system, ie Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone.
Previously, moving chats between handsets required you to create a Google Drive or iCloud backup of your chat history. This would then need to be restored on your new phone. But the new method basically takes Apple and Google’s Cloud services out of the equation.
According to WhatsApp, the new process is faster and more secure than using third-party apps or Cloud providers to get the job done. The data is only shared between your two devices and is fully encrypted during the transfer, the company notes.
Plus, you get to transfer large media files and attachments — such as videos — over to your new phone, which may have been too bulky to retain in the past.
How to transfer your WhatsApp chats to a new phone
To shift your WhatsApp chat history, make sure you have both devices to hand. They will also need to be connected to the internet, with location enabled.
Now, on your old phone, go to settings, then chats, and tap chat transfer.
Next, scan the QR code shown on the screen with your new phone to complete the task.
Here’s hoping WhatsApp can smooth out the process of moving data between devices on different operating systems, too. Because, as of now, you still need to download separate apps to beam info from an Android phone to an iPhone. While an iPhone to Android transfer requires a USB-C-to-Lightning cable — even in the year of our Lord 2023.
WhatsApp’s new chat history tool was first spotted back in January, and was later offered to beta testers in April.
