Quick answer: Back up WhatsApp on the old phone, install WhatsApp on the new phone, verify the same phone number, and follow the transfer or restore prompts. Keep both phones charged and do not erase the old phone until your chats are confirmed on the new one.
Before you start
You will usually need:
- The old phone
- The new phone
- The same phone number
- Access to the SMS or call used for verification
- A stable Wi-Fi connection
- Enough battery on both devices
- The latest available WhatsApp version
Do not wipe or trade in the old phone until the transfer is complete.
Back up WhatsApp on the old phone.
Open WhatsApp and go to its Settings → Chats → Chat backup area. Confirm the correct cloud account, check the date of the latest backup, and start a manual backup.
If you want videos included, enable the video option, but remember that this may make the backup larger and slower.
Transfer WhatsApp between phones.
WhatsApp may offer a direct transfer option when both phones are available. Open WhatsApp on the new phone, verify the same number, and follow the on-screen instructions. Keep the phones nearby, unlocked, and connected to power if possible.
The exact steps can differ between iPhone, Android, and manufacturer models.
Restore from a cloud backup.
If direct transfer is unavailable:
- Install WhatsApp on the new phone.
- Open it and verify the same phone number.
- Sign in to the same Apple or Google account used for the backup.
- Accept the prompt to restore your chats and media.
- Wait for restoration to finish before closing the app.
If WhatsApp cannot find the backup, check that the phone number and cloud account match the old device.
Moving between Android and iPhone
WhatsApp supports official transfer methods for some Android-to-iPhone and iPhone-to-Android moves. Follow the setup instructions shown by WhatsApp and the phone manufacturer. Do not rely on unknown third-party transfer tools that request your account credentials or a copy of your messages.
Some data may transfer differently between platforms. Confirm the supported content before resetting the old phone.
Check your chats after the transfer.
Verify:
- Recent conversations
- Group memberships
- Photos and videos
- Voice messages
- Starred messages
- Profile settings
- WhatsApp calls and notifications
Send a test message to a trusted contact. Keep the old phone untouched until you are satisfied.
What if the restore fails?
Check the following:
- The same phone number is being used.
- The same Apple or Google account is signed in.
- The backup exists and has a recent date.
- The new phone has enough storage.
- Both WhatsApp installations are updated.
- The internet connection is stable.
Do not create a new backup from an empty WhatsApp installation if you are trying to recover an older backup.
Final verdict
Back up first, transfer second, and erase the old phone last. The safest move is to use WhatsApp’s official transfer or restore process and confirm that your chats and media are present before handing over the old device.
