How to move WhatsApp to a new phone, chats and all.

Before you start

• Use the same phone number on the new phone.
• Keep both phones charged or plugged in, close together, with Wi-Fi on.
• Update WhatsApp on both phones.
• Don't delete, reset or uninstall anything on the old phone until your chats are safely on the new one.

Android to Android

1. On the new phoneInstall WhatsApp, verify your number, and choose Transfer from old phone when asked how to restore your chats. A QR code appears.
2. On the old phoneGo to Settings, Chats, Transfer chats, then Start, and scan the QR code.
3. AcceptConfirm on the new phone and wait until it says the transfer is done.

Prefer a backup? On the old phone go to Settings, Chats, Chat backup and back up to your Google account. On the new phone, install WhatsApp and tap Restore when asked. Don't tap Skip.

iPhone to iPhone

1. On the old iPhoneTap your profile picture (or Settings), then Chats, Transfer Chats to iPhone, Start.
2. On the new iPhoneInstall WhatsApp, verify your number, tap Continue on Transfer chat history to iPhone, and scan the QR code shown with the old iPhone.

Or use iCloud: check that the old iPhone has a recent backup (Settings, Chats, Chat Backup), make sure WhatsApp is switched on for iCloud Drive, then on the new iPhone install WhatsApp and tap Restore Chat History.

Android to iPhone

This uses Apple's Move to iOS app, and the iPhone must be new or reset to factory settings (iOS 15.5 or later).

1. Start on the iPhoneDuring setup choose to move data from Android. A code appears.
2. On the AndroidOpen Move to iOS, enter the code, choose WhatsApp on the Transfer Data screen and tap Start.
3. Finish on the iPhoneInstall WhatsApp, log in with the same number and tap Start when asked.

iPhone to Android

1. On the iPhoneGo to Settings, Chats, Transfer chat history, Transfer to Android, and tap Continue. Keep the iPhone unlocked.
2. On the AndroidInstall WhatsApp, verify the same number and tap Allow. A QR code appears.
3. ConnectScan the QR code with the iPhone camera and tap Join to start the transfer.

Do this before you start using WhatsApp on the new phone: the transfer only works while it's being set up.

New number as well?

Change the number on your old phone first (Settings, Account, Change number), then move to the new phone. Registering the new number straight on the new phone loses your chat history.

After the move

• Your old phone is logged out of WhatsApp as soon as the new one is set up.
• Some things don't move, such as payment messages and media from Channels, and call history between iPhone and Android.
• Before you give the old phone away, delete your chats and reset it.
• Check your linked devices, such as WhatsApp Web, on the new phone.

Using Cyrano?

Cyrano, the WhatsApp AI assistant, is linked to your WhatsApp as a linked device. If it shows "WhatsApp is disconnected" after you change phones, link it again from Settings in Cyrano: it takes a minute, and everything it has learned about how you write stays.

Sources

• WhatsApp Help: transfer chats to a new phone
• WhatsApp Help: from Android to iPhone
• WhatsApp Help: from iPhone to Android
• WhatsApp Help: change your number

Checked on 16 October 2026. WhatsApp sometimes renames its menus.

Using Cyrano with WhatsApp: what to know