WhatsApp users can now transfer message data from Android to an iPhone

14 June 2022, 14:04

WhatsApp on a smartphone
Social media stock. Picture: PA

Until now it has only been possible to transfer WhatsApp data when moving in the other direction.

WhatsApp users who are switching to an iPhone from Android can now take their message history with them.

Until now it has only been possible to transfer WhatsApp data when moving in the other direction – from an iPhone to Google’s Android platform – and was only introduced last year.

Apple said its Move To iOS app, which can be downloaded to Android phones, has now been updated to securely transfer WhatsApp data – the app is already used to switch over other phone data including contact details, photos and videos.

WhatsApp said the transfer will take place while remaining fully encrypted, and that it will begin to roll out on Tuesday but will take about a week to reach all users.

Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta – of which WhatsApp is a part – said: “We’re adding to WhatsApp the ability to securely switch between phones and transfer your chat history, photos, videos and voice messages between Android and iPhone while maintaining end-to-end encryption.

“This is a top requested feature. We launched the ability to switch from iPhone to Android last year, and now adding Android to iPhone as well.”

By Press Association

More Technology News

See more More Technology News

LG AeroCatTower (Martyn Landi/PA)

The weird and wonderful gadgets of CES 2025

Sinclair C5 enthusiasts enjoy the gathering at Alexandra Palace in London

Sinclair C5 fans gather to celebrate ‘iconic’ vehicle’s 40th anniversary

A still from Kemp's AI generated video

Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp releases AI generated music video for new single

DragonFire laser weapon system

Britain must learn from Ukraine and use AI for warfare, MPs say

The Pinwheel Watch, a smartwatch designed for children, unveiled at the CES technology show in Las Vegas.

CES 2025: Pinwheel launches child-friendly smartwatch with built in AI chatbot

The firm said the morning data jumps had emerged as part of its broadband network analysis (PA)

Millions head online at 6am, 7am and 8am as alarms go off, data shows

A mobile phone screen

Meta ends fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram in favour of community notes

Mark Zuckerberg

Meta criticised over ‘chilling’ content moderation changes

Apps displayed on smartphone

Swinney voices concern at Meta changes and will ‘keep considering’ use of X

sam altman

Sister of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman files lawsuit against brother alleging sexual abuse as child

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman with then-prime minister Rishi Sunak at the AI Safety Summit in Milton Keynes in November 2023

OpenAI boss Sam Altman denies sister’s allegations of sexual abuse

A super-resolution prostate image

New prostate cancer imaging shows ‘extremely encouraging’ results in trials

Gadget Show

AI will help workers with their jobs, not replace them, tech executives say

Zuckerberg said he will "work with President Trump to push back on governments around the world that are going after American companies and pushing to censor more”.

Meta’s ‘chilling’ decision to ditch fact-checking and loosen moderation could have ‘dire consequences’ says charity

Twitter logo

X boss Linda Yaccarino praises Meta’s decision to scrap fact checkers

People walk by the Las Vegas Convention Centre

Smart home tech, AI and cars among central themes as CES 2025 prepares to open