How to Transfer WhatsApp to a New Phone

To move WhatsApp to a new phone, first run a fresh backup on your old phone, then install WhatsApp on the new one, verify the same phone number, and tap Restore when prompted — for Android-to-iPhone or the reverse, use WhatsApp’s built-in Move Chats transfer instead. The exact route depends on whether you are staying on the same platform or switching between Android and iPhone, so this guide covers both cleanly.

Step 1: back up on your old phone first

Never rely on an old automatic backup — run a new one just before you switch so nothing recent is lost:

1. Open WhatsApp on the old phone and go to Settings → Chats → Chat backup.
2. Tap Back Up (Android, to Google Drive) or Back Up Now (iPhone, to iCloud).
3. Wait for it to finish — do this on Wi-Fi so it is quick and does not use mobile data.

Same platform: Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone

This is the simplest case and uses your cloud backup:

1. Install WhatsApp on the new phone from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Open it and verify the same phone number.
3. Sign in to the same Google account (Android) or Apple ID (iPhone) that holds the backup.
4. When the Restore prompt appears, tap it and wait.
5. Tap Next once done, then let media finish downloading.

If you have two-step verification on, keep your six-digit PIN handy — WhatsApp may ask for it during setup.

Switching between Android and iPhone

Cloud backups do not cross platforms, so a Google Drive backup will not restore on iPhone and iCloud will not restore on Android. Use WhatsApp’s official transfer instead:

1. Have both phones charged, on the same number, and ideally a USB cable ready.
2. On the new phone, start WhatsApp setup and choose the Move Chats / transfer option for your direction (Move to iOS, or the Android transfer flow).
3. Follow the on-screen prompts, which may use a QR code and a cable connection.
4. Keep both phones unlocked and near each other until the transfer completes.

Changing your number at the same time

If you are moving to a new SIM as well as a new phone, do the number change properly to keep your chats and groups. Use Settings → Account → Change number on your existing phone before switching, so your account and history follow the new number cleanly.

What actually transfers — and what does not

Set your expectations correctly before you start:

1. Transfers: your chat history, media included in the backup, group memberships, and your settings.
2. May need to re-download: older media, which streams back over Wi-Fi after the restore.
3. Does not transfer automatically: your call history in some cross-platform moves, and payment or linked-service details, which you set up fresh.

Staying on Wi-Fi for a while after the move lets everything settle without burning through mobile data.

Using WhatsApp on more than one device

If you are keeping the old phone as a secondary device, note that a number can only be the primary WhatsApp on one phone. To use WhatsApp on extra devices, use Linked devices (Settings → Linked devices) rather than trying to register the same number twice — registering again on the old phone would simply log it out of the new one.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Wiping the old phone too soon — keep it until the new phone shows all your chats.
2. Using a different Google or Apple account — the restore will not find the backup.
3. Skipping the Restore prompt — you cannot return to it without reinstalling.
4. Forgetting your two-step PIN — have it ready, or you may face a wait before the number activates.

Before you start: a quick checklist

A little preparation prevents almost every transfer headache. Run through this before you begin:

1. Both phones are charged above fifty per cent, or plugged in.
2. Both are connected to the same stable Wi-Fi network.
3. You know your WhatsApp number and your two-step verification PIN.
4. You have a fresh backup from the last few minutes on the old phone.
5. For a cross-platform move, you have a compatible cable to hand.

Ticking these off first means the actual transfer is smooth and you are not scrambling for a password or a cable halfway through.

How long does the transfer take?

It depends almost entirely on how much media you have. A text-heavy account with few photos restores in a couple of minutes, while a chat history full of years of images and videos can take much longer, especially the media re-download that happens afterwards. Keep both phones charged and connected to Wi-Fi, and do not close WhatsApp mid-restore. If the process seems stuck, a large media library is usually the reason rather than a genuine fault — give it time before restarting.

This guide leans on our back up and restore WhatsApp chats walkthrough, so read that first if you have never made a backup. Turn on two-step verification so your number is protected during the move, and if messages will not send on the new phone, see fixing WhatsApp not sending messages.