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WhatsApp rolls out iOS to Android migration but not for everyone (Updated)
- WhatsApp now allows chat history and media transfers between iOS and Android.
- Only Samsung phones running Android 10 or higher can take advantage of the feature for now.
- It will roll out to other Android devices “soon.”
Update: September 3, 2021 (6 AM ET): WhatsApp is finally rolling out its long-awaited chat history migration feature between iOS and Android. Currently, only Samsung phones running Android 10 or newer can take advantage of the feature, while you’ll need a USB-C to Lightning cable to initiate the process. Don’t have a Samsung phone? WhatsApp does note that the feature will land on more Android devices “soon.”
Original article: August 12, 2021 (3:15 AM ET): WhatsApp might finally enable a feature that would make jumping from iOS to Android a little easier for its users. First reported in April, WhatsApp’s iOS to Android chat migration tool is now going live. However, not every WhatsApp user will be able to take advantage of it.
At the launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, Samsung demonstrated how users coming over from an iPhone will be able to transfer their WhatsApp chats and media to the new foldable phones using a USB cable. This is a first for any Android smartphone, Samsung noted in its presentation.
WhatsApp later confirmed to The Verge that it is indeed adding the ability for iOS users to move all voice notes, photos, and conversations to Android phones, starting with the Samsung foldables. The feature will also become available on other Samsung phones running Android 10 “in the coming weeks.”
Sadly, if you were hoping to ditch your iPhone for any other Android device, you will not be able to take advantage of the new transfer tool just yet.
The iOS to Android WhatsApp migration feature will land on all Android phones “eventually,” though it is unclear when exactly that’ll happen.
If you back up your WhatsApp history on iOS, your information is stored on iCloud. To move it over to Android, you’ll need to have a Google Drive backup. The new tool surpasses this limitation and allows transfers between the two operating systems using a Lightning to USB-C cable.
According to WhatsApp, if you migrate your iOS chat history using this method and back it up on Android, you will lose any existing backups you may have on Google Drive.