How to Transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android

Getting a new Android phone is exciting. But that excitement can turn to anxiety when you think about losing your entire WhatsApp chat history. Your groups, important messages, and years of photos feel locked to your old device, and you don't want to start fresh.

The good news is that transferring your WhatsApp data is simple, but the best method depends on your situation. This guide will help you find the right solution to transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android safely and completely.

Which Transfer Method is Right for You?

Before you start, let's find the best solution for your context. Scan this list to find your situation:

• If you have both your old and new phones with you: Use the QR Code Transfer (Solution 1). This is the fastest, most direct method and doesn't require any cloud backups.
• If you are setting up your new phone for the first time: Use the Native Android Restore (Solution 2). This works during the initial "out-of-the-box" setup of your new phone, often using a cable.
• If you want the most common cloud backup method: Use the Google Drive Backup (Solution 3). This is the classic, reliable choice, especially if you won't have both phones at the same time.
• If you have no Wi-Fi or limited cloud storage: Use the Manual Local Backup (Solution 4). This is an advanced, offline option for users who want to transfer files manually.
• If you want to transfer WhatsApp more efficiently: Use a third-party transfer tool (Solution 5). This is an efficient, advanced, and offline option for users who need efficient methods to transfer WhatsApp data.

Solution 1: Use the QR Code Transfer (When You Have Both Phones)

This is the newest and most direct method recommended by WhatsApp. It transfers your entire chat and media history locally using your Wi-Fi connection, completely skipping Google Drive.

Step 1. On your new phone, install and open WhatsApp. Accept the terms and proceed to the phone number verification screen. Verify the same phone number you used on your old device.
Step 2. On the "Transfer chat history from old phone" screen, tap Continue (or Start). You will be shown a QR code.

Step 3. On your old phone, open WhatsApp. Go to Settings > Chats > Transfer chats and tap Start.
Step 4. Use your old phone to scan the QR code displayed on your new phone. Accept the prompt to connect the devices.

Step 5. Keep both phones unlocked and near each other while the transfer completes. A progress bar will show you when it's finished. Once done, your new phone will have all your messages.

Solution 2: Use the Native Android Restore (When Setting Up a New Phone)

This method only works during the initial "out-of-the-box" setup of your new Android phone. If you have already passed the setup screens, you must use the other solutions in this article. This process often uses a USB-C cable to connect your two phones.

Step 1. Turn on your new Android phone and follow the setup prompts. When you reach the "Copy apps and data" screen, choose to copy data from your old device.
Step 2. Connect your old and new phones using a USB-C to USB-C cable or the "Quick Switch Adapter" that may have come with your new phone.
Step 3. On your new phone, select what you want to copy. When you choose to copy your "Apps," the system will also identify and transfer your WhatsApp chat history as part of the app data.
Step 4. After the entire Android setup and data transfer is complete, open WhatsApp on your new phone. Verify your number, and it should detect the data that was just transferred locally and prompt you to restore it.

Solution 3: Via Google Drive Backup (Cloud Backup)

This is the classic, most common way to move your WhatsApp chats. It's the perfect solution if you are preparing to sell your old phone or won't have both devices in the same place at the same time.

Phase 1: Back Up on Your Old Phone

Step 1. Open WhatsApp on your old phone. Tap the three-dot menu in the corner and go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
Step 2. Under "Google Account," select the account you want to back up to. Ensure this is the same Google account you will use on your new phone.
Step 3. You can choose to "Include videos" in the backup, but be aware that this can make the backup much larger and slower.
Step 4. Tap the green Back up button. Wait for the backup to complete 100%. Ensure your phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and a power source.

Phase 2: Restore on Your New Phone

Step 1. On your new phone, make sure you are signed into the same Google account you used for the backup before you install WhatsApp.
Step 2. Install WhatsApp from the Play Store and open it.
Step 3. Verify the same phone number you used on your old device.
Step 4. After verification, WhatsApp will automatically search for backups. When it finds your Google Drive backup, it will show a "Restore backup" screen.
Step 5. Tap Restore. WhatsApp will download and restore all your messages. After your chats are restored, it will begin restoring your media (photos, videos) in the background.

Solution 4: Via Manual Local Backup (No Wi-Fi or Limited Cloud Storage)

This is the best way to transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android without Google Drive, especially if you have very slow internet, limited cloud storage, or privacy concerns. It involves manually copying the backup files using a computer.

Phase 1: Create a Local Backup on Your Old Phone

Step 1. Open WhatsApp on your old phone. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
Step 2. Tap the Back up button. Even if you have Google Drive enabled, WhatsApp always creates a local backup file on your phone's storage first.

Phase 2: Transfer the Backup Files

Step 1. Connect your old phone to a PC or Mac using a USB cable. Set the phone to "File Transfer" mode.
Step 2. On your computer, navigate to your phone's internal storage. Find the WhatsApp folder. The path is usually Android/media/com.WhatsApp/.

Step 3. Verify the same phone number you used on your old device.
Step 4. Copy this entire com.WhatsApp folder to your computer's desktop. This folder contains all your messages and media.
Step 5. Disconnect your old phone and connect your new phone to the computer.
Step 6. On your new phone, you may need to install WhatsApp first to create the folder structure. Then, on your computer, navigate to the new phone's Android/media/ folder and paste the entire com.WhatsApp folder you copied earlier. If asked, choose to overwrite any existing files.

Phase 3: Restore on Your New Phone

Step 1. Make sure you have not yet verified your number in WhatsApp on the new phone (if you have, uninstall and reinstall it).
Step 2. Disconnect the phone from your computer. Now, open WhatsApp.
Step 3. Verify your phone number. Because you have manually placed the backup files, WhatsApp will detect the local backup before it even checks for a Google Drive backup.
Step 4. When it shows the "Restore backup" screen (this time referencing a local file), tap Restore.

Solution 5: Use a Third-Party WhatsApp Transfer Tool

If the official methods have failed, or if you are in a complex situation (like moving from iOS to Android, which has different official steps), you will find many third-party software tools online. These are desktop applications for your PC or Mac that claim to offer a simple, one-click solution: MobileTrans, Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer, and iMyFone iMyTrans.

How to Transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android via Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer?

Step 1 Link devices to computer

Download and install Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer on your computer, then open it. Use USB cables to connect your two devices. The software will detect your devices.

Step 2 Check source and destination devices

iCareFone Transfer will randomly decide the source device and destination device. You should check if the source device and destination device is correct as you desire.

Step 3 Start transfer WhatsApp data

Click the Transfer button to start the transfer process. After transferring, you can go to your destinaton device to check if the transfer process is successful.

FAQs about Transferring WhatsApp from Android to Android

Conclusion

Transferring WhatsApp from Android to Android is simple when you choose the method that fits your situation.

Use the QR chat transfer if you have both devices, Google Drive if you already back up your chats, or the local backup method if you prefer an offline option. Follow the steps carefully, keep both phones updated and charged, and you'll move your chats to your new Android smoothly.