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How to Transfer WhatsApp Messages to a New Phone Without Backup?

Axel Nash
Axel Nash Originally published Aug 04, 25, updated Nov 18, 25

Losing WhatsApp chat on a phone change has been a frustration, more so when there is no backup. The user is left frustrated as important discussions, pictures, and other media may be lost in a flash. This will most probably occur when you do not have cloud backups activated on iCloud or Google Drive.

Therefore, understanding how to transfer WhatsApp messages to a new phone without a backup is essential. This guide will lead you through the most efficient techniques to transfer your chats smoothly.

transfer whatsapp messages without backup
In this article
    1. For Android to Android
    2. For iPhone to iPhone
    1. Way 1. Export Chat via Email
    2. Way 2. Use Move to iOS/Samsung Smart Switch

Part 1. Why Do You Need to Transfer WhatsApp Messages to a New Phone Without Backup?

Before we learn how to transfer WhatsApp chat without backup, it's essential to know why and which kind of users need this solution. The following section will cover the top 5 reasons why you need it for rescuing your data:

why transfer whatsapp messages new phone
  • Academic Continuity of Student: As a student, chances are that your chats contain notes and study group chats that are essential to your coursework. The loss of such a conversation without a backup may interfere with your studies, and you may be rushing to get the necessary materials on the eve of exams.
  • Lesson Management of Teachers: This app is usually used by teachers to send messages to students and share educational materials. All information associated with every class can be lost unless these chats are transferred to a new phone.
  • Work Projects: It is a chatting platform in which many professionals use to update their team or communicate with their clients, especially in remote or hybrid working arrangements. Failure to move messages may imply loss of contacts, which in turn affects your productivity.
  • Business and Customer Chats: Small startup owners and online sellers usually manage orders or queries through WhatsApp. If chats aren't transferred, you risk losing all the details, which could harm your sales and reputation.
  • Family and Personal Memories: Priceless personal memories, such as media, chats, or voice notes, are stored in the application. When you switch phones without backing up these chats, there is a chance that you will lose those moments and become a blank in your digital memory collection.

Part 2. How to Transfer WhatsApp Messages to a New Phone Without Backup

Best For: Transfer WhatsApp quickly between Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone.

To learn how to transfer WhatsApp messages to a new phone without a backup, this direct method lets you transfer data from Android to Android and iPhone to iPhone. You can transfer chats and other media by scanning a QR code on your new phone during setup.

This direct method avoids iCloud or Google Drive, keeping your messages secure and safe. By following the guides given, you can save time and learn the technique:

For Android to Android

Step 1. Open WhatsApp> Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Transfer Chats" and hit the "Start" button.

transfer chats old android

Step 2. Allow "Nearby Wi-Fi" and "Location Permission" and wait until the QR code screen appears.

connect wifi and enable location

Step 3. On a new device, enter your number > Press "Next" > "Enter 6 Digit Code" > "Continue" from "Transfer Chat History from Old Phone."

continue to transfer chat history

Step 4. Use your old phone to scan > Tap "Accept" and stay on the screen until the transfer completes.

scan qr code android

For iPhone to iPhone

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Chats" > "Transfer Chats to iPhone" and press "Start" on your old iPhone.

iphone whatsapp transfer chat settings

Step 2. Then, enter your contact number on the new phone. Once prompted > Tap "Continue" on the "Transfer Chat History to iPhone" screen.

add contacts details new whatsapp iphone

Step 3. Choose "Allow" to give access and scan the QR code within the application. Keep both phones nearby to complete the process.

allow and scan qr data transfer
Pros
  • You can avoid the Google/iCloud storage limit and bypass the time-consuming cloud uploads or downloads, making the process fast.
  • Only WhatsApp data is moved, so you don't have to fully reset your new phone or disrupt other apps, allowing a clean migration of just chats.
Cons
  • Any connectivity interruption or device issue during the process may result in an incomplete transfer.
  • Transfers can only be made between devices registered to the same WhatsApp number.

Part 3. Best Method: Quickest Way to Transfer WhatsApp Messages to New Phone - MobileTrans

Best For: Fastest, most reliable, and complete WhatsApp data transfer to any new phone without backup.

To understand how to transfer WhatsApp chat without backup to a different device, you can use MobileTrans. It is a very quick and convenient way to transfer WhatsApp messages and other data without any problem. Besides, the tool maintains the original quality and structure of all files upon migration. MobileTrans is compatible with up to 6000 devices, including all Android and iOS devices.

The transfer takes just minutes, even if your app contains large files or lengthy chats. Anyone can use this tool as it supports both Windows and Mac, allowing seamless WhatsApp transfers across devices without requiring a backup.

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Directly transfer data between devices with end-to-end encryption and a local link.
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Support various data, including files, photos, videos, apps, contacts, etc.
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Compatible with thousands of device types across Android and iOS.
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Transfer files up to 200 times faster than the traditional method.
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A Detailed Guide to Transfer WhatsApp Chat Without Backup Using MobileTrans

If you want to know how to transfer WhatsApp messages to a new phone without backup using MobileTrans, follow the given guide:

Step 1. Open MobileTrans > Navigate to "WhatsApp" in the "App Transfer" section. Connect both devices by selecting "Source and Destination" to specify models, and click "Start."

access whatsapp transfer mobiletrans

Step 2. Keep both devices connected until the WhatsApp transfer without backup is completed.

wait for whatsapp data transfer

Apart from the desktop version, MobileTrans also provides the Mutsapper or MobileTrans App for quick and handy transfers. The apps have similar functions to move messages, all media, and other attachments across iOS and Android. Users can simply connect both the source and target phones via USB or a QR code and migrate data with ease.

As a handy version of MobileTrans, the apps are also free from cloud uploads, ensuring a safe, secure, and smooth transfer.

transfer whatsapp with mutsapper

Best For: Easy on-the-go solution to transfer full WhatsApp chats between phones without using a computer or backup.

Pros
  • It lets you transfer data between major platforms and across various phone brands, including Apple and Samsung.
  • With both desktop and mobile apps available, fulfill various transfer needs.
  • You can also make encrypted backups on your computer and restore them to any device, and this increases safety and flexibility.
  • It is also possible to move chats between other applications, besides WhatsApp, including LINE and Kik.
  • Using a local hotspot or cables, MobileTrans moves files faster than Bluetooth and other methods.
Cons
  • Its free version restricts data type and file size, with full functionality requiring a paid subscription.

Part 4. Other Simple Ways to Transfer WhatsApp Messages to a New Phone Without Backup

If you prefer an alternative to direct QR transfer, several simpler methods will also let you move your WhatsApp chats. In this section, we'll cover the other few methods to migrate your chats to your new phone:

Way 1. Export Chat via Email

Best For: Save individual WhatsApp chats or small conversations for viewing on their new phone.

This built-in WhatsApp feature lets you manually send individual chat histories to your email, preserving important conversations without needing a cloud backup. It works by generating a text file of your messages, optimally including media, which you can access anytime from your email account. You can do this on both iPhone and Android, and to understand how to transfer WhatsApp chat without backup, follow these steps:

For iPhone

Step 1. Tap the "Contact" to open chat settings > Scroll down to "Export Chat" > Choose "Attach Media" or "Without Media."

export chat attach media whatsapp

Step 2. Select any preferred Email app and enter your email address in the "To" field. Tap "Send" to share the exported chat file.

transfer send chat via gmail

Step 3. Open email on your new iPhone and access the email with "WhatsApp Chat File." Tap the "Download" icon to save the conversation.

download whatsapp chat file new phone

For Android

Step 1. Open the chat you want to export. Tap "Three Dots" menu > "More" > "Export Chat" and choose "Without Media or Include Media."

android whatsapp export chat settings

Step 2. Select your mail app and enter your email in the "To" field and hit "Send." Locate the received email and press "Download" to save the ZIP file.

send whatsapp chat android email
Pros
  • Exporting chats through email is a fast and completely free method and is done directly from your mobile device without any third-party tools.
  • This method allows sharing conversations in text format, making it practical for legal or personal record-keeping.
Cons
  • The larger chat histories cannot be transferred, as you cannot export 200,000+ messages or 5-year-long chats.
  • Each chat must be exported individually, and there is no batch mode to transfer multiple conversations at once.

Way 2. Use Move to iOS/Samsung Smart Switch

Best for: Individuals seeking a free and official method to transfer WhatsApp Chat.

For Android users, Smart Switch is an official data migration program created by Samsung, which can transfer WhatsApp messages and any other files to a new device. It does not need backup and operates by connecting your old phone, Android or iPhone, to your new Samsung phone, either by cable or via Wi-Fi. You can learn how to transfer WhatsApp messages to a new phone without backup by following the guide:

Step 1. Download and open Smart Switch and connect both devices using the same cable. Tap "Send From This Phone" > Select "Cable" as connection method.

samsung smart switch send from phone

Step 2. On the receiving phone, tap "Receive on This Phone" and confirm connection to scan for data.

receive on phone samsung smart switch

Step 3. Choose "Custom" > "Select Data to Transfer" > tap "Next." Check the boxes for "WhatsApp and other data," > press "Transfer" to start moving chats.

choose data type and transfer
Pros
  • You can securely back up your old phone's data to a PC/Mac or SD card and restore it to any device whenever you need.
  • It works across major platforms, allowing easy transfer from iOS, other Android brands, or even Windows devices.
Cons
  • Smart Switch doesn't make a data backup when moving, so if something fails, it can lead to irretrievable data loss.
  • Users frequently report mid-transfer interruptions, glitches, and incomplete transfers, like missing SMS or app data.

Part 5. Compare All Ways to Transfer WhatsApp Messages to a New Phone

Now that you have learned how to transfer WhatsApp chat without backup, using all the methods. If you are confused about which one to choose, the following comparison table can help you decide better:

Method

Transfer Type

Speed

Chat History Transfer

Media Transfer

Ease of Use

Direct Method

Device-to-device local transfer using QR

Fast (near instant over local connection)

Moves all chats, groups, and media

Yes (entire chat/media history)

Simple uses in the app QR scan

MobileTrans

Desktop software & USB;

Or App

Extremely fast (Up to 97% faster than standard)

Full WhatsApp and up to 18+ data types

Yes (photos, videos, files, and app data, etc.)

Very easy; provides visual steps

Export Chat via Email

Email export chat in text or media files

Varies mostly slowly for large files

Only selected chats (max 200,000 messages)

Yes, but limited: media sent as attachments

Simple but tedious for multiple chats

Samsung Smart Switch

App-based for Samsung devices via USB or wireless

Slow via Wi-Fi Direct and fast via USB cable

Partial WhatsApp transfer (especially from iOS)

Yes, broader support for contacts, apps, and media

Simple; step-by-step for Android/iOS-to-Samsung only

right-icon
Directly transfer data between devices with end-to-end encryption and a local link.
right-icon
Support various data, including files, photos, videos, apps, contacts, etc.
right-icon
Compatible with thousands of device types across Android and iOS.
right-icon
Transfer files up to 200 times faster than the traditional method.
product-box-pictures1

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential to learn how to transfer WhatsApp messages to a new phone without backup when you switch phones. Therefore, this guide has provided you with the top easy methods to migrate WhatsApp chat from your previous mobile to your new one. Among them, MobileTrans is the best solution that allows you to transfer data on both desktop and mobile applications.

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