How to transfer WhatsApp from Android, saving the conversation history?

How to transfer WhatsApp from Android, saving the conversation history - briefly?

To transfer WhatsApp from Android while preserving your conversation history, follow these steps:

  1. Open WhatsApp on your Android device and go to "Settings."
  2. Tap on "Chats," then select "Backup" to save your data to Google Drive.

How to transfer WhatsApp from Android, saving the conversation history - in detail?

Transferring WhatsApp from an Android device while preserving conversation history is a common task for users who switch phones or upgrade their operating systems. This process can be efficiently managed by following these detailed steps:

Backup and Restore Using Google Drive

  1. Ensure Compatibility: Verify that both your current Android device and the new one are running Android 2.3.7 or higher, as this is a prerequisite for using WhatsApp's backup feature.

  2. Create a Backup:

    • Open WhatsApp on your current Android device.
    • Go to Settings by tapping the three dots in the upper right corner.
    • Navigate to Chats > Chat Backup.
    • Tap Backup to start the process. This will save your chat history, photos, videos, and voice messages to Google Drive.
  3. Set Up WhatsApp on the New Device:

    • Install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store on your new Android device if it isn’t already installed.
    • Open WhatsApp and follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
  4. Restore the Backup:

    • After verifying your phone number, you will be prompted to restore your chat history from Google Drive.
    • Tap Restore to start the process. Ensure that your new device is connected to the internet and has enough storage space for the backup data.

Direct Transfer Using Local Backup (Without Cloud Storage)

If you prefer not to use cloud storage, WhatsApp also offers a local backup option:

  1. Create a Local Backup:

    • Open WhatsApp on your current Android device.
    • Go to Settings > Chats > Chat Backup.
    • Tap Backup and select the option to back up to your phone's internal storage or an external SD card.
  2. Transfer the Backup File:

    • Connect your current Android device to a computer using a USB cable.
    • Navigate to the backup folder in your device's file system, usually located at sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases.
    • Copy the backup files (which end with .db.crypt or similar) to your computer.
  3. Set Up WhatsApp on the New Device:

    • Install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store if it isn’t already installed on your new device.
    • Open WhatsApp and follow the prompts to verify your phone number.
  4. Restore the Local Backup:

    • After verifying your phone number, you will be prompted to restore your chat history from a local backup.
    • Tap Restore and select the option to restore from internal storage or SD card.
    • Navigate to the folder where you saved the backup files on your new device (e.g., sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases) and select the most recent backup file.

Additional Tips

  • Regular Backups: Make it a habit to regularly back up your WhatsApp data, especially before major updates or phone migrations.
  • Storage Space: Ensure that both your old and new devices have sufficient storage space for the backup files.
  • Internet Connection: Maintain an active internet connection throughout the backup and restore process to avoid interruptions.

By following these detailed steps, you can seamlessly transfer WhatsApp from one Android device to another while preserving your valuable conversation history.