WhatsApp rolls out feature allowing users to transfer chat history from iPhone to Samsung device

Transfer your WhatsApp chat history from the iPhone to a compatible Samsung handset

WhatsApp says that when you are ready to set up a new phone, you will have the option to securely transfer the old chats from your old phone to your new phone. All you’ll need is a USB-C to Lightning cable. You’ll need to install on your new phone Samsung SmartSwitch app version 3.7.22.1 or greater; install WhatsApp iOS version 2.21.160.17 or greater on your old device while WhatsApp Android version 2.21.16.20 or greater is downloaded onto your new device.

Here is how this all works. Turn on your Samsung phone and when prompted to do so, connect it using the aforementioned USB-C to Lightning cable to your iPhone. Follow the Samsung Smart Switch experience, and when prompted, scan the QR code displayed on the new device using the iPhone’s camera. You then tap start on the iPhone and wait for the process to be completed.

As you continue to set up your new Samsung Galaxy phone, launch the WhatsApp app using the same phone number that you used on the old phone. When asked to do so, tap on “Import” and let the process finish. Once your new phone is activated, all of your old WhatsApp chats will have moved from iOS to Android (and more specifically-for now-your new Samsung phone).

To reiterate, WhatsApp says, “If you’re moving from an iPhone to a Samsung Android device, you can transfer your account information, profile photo, individual chats, group chats, chat history, media and settings. You can’t transfer your call history or display name.”

WhatsApp cannot see the data that is being transferred

The data being transferred does not go to cloud storage (although you might have sent it there separately via Chat Backup). And WhatsApp cannot see the data that is being migrated. While personal messages can be transferred from iOS to a compatible Samsung branded Android phone, peer-to-peer payment messages cannot. Your WhatsApp call history also can’t transfer from an iPhone to a Samsung handset.