WhatsApp Transfer
- Transfer WhatsApp data between iPhones effortlessly.
- Transfer WhatsApp Business from Android to iPhone and vice versa.
- Maintain the original quality of your WhatsApp data.
Transferring WhatsApp data from iPhone to iPhone is a common need when upgrading to a new device or switching to a different phone. This process involves moving not only your chats but also media files, voice messages, and more while ensuring a seamless transition without losing any important data.
In this article, we will explore the 7 methods and tools available to efficiently transfer WhatsApp from one iPhone to another, enabling you to pick up right where you left off on your new device. Let's dive into the comprehensive guide on how to successfully transfer your WhatsApp data between iPhones.
safe & secureQuick Comparison: Which Method is Best for You?
| MobileTrans – WhatsApp Transfer | WhatsApp Official QR Code | iCloud Backup | Email Chat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easiest (1-Click) | Medium | Complicated | Easy |
| Transfer Speed | Fastest (USB Wired) | Slow (Depends on Wi-Fi) | Very Slow (Download required) | Fast |
| Data Integrity | 100% (Chats + Media) | Most Data | Full Backup (Risk of Overwrite) | Text Only (No App Restore) |
| Success Rate | High (Stable) | Medium (Connection fails often) | Low (Often gets stuck) | High |
| Need Factory Reset? | No | Yes (For new setup) | Yes | No |
| Overall Rating | 9.8/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
Method 1: Transfer WhatsApp with One-Click (No iCloud Needed)
Regarding the easiest way to manage your WhatsApp, MobileTrans - WhatsApp Transfer wins the hearts of many. Learn more about this tool below:
MobileTrans - WhatsApp Transfer
Transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to iPhone Without iCloud!
- • Easily transfer WhatsApp iPhone to iPhone/iPad/Android without factory reset.
- • Back up your WhatsApp conversations to a computer and restore them anytime.
- • Move data between devices with different operating systems, i.e., iOS to Android.
- • Merging chats guarantees your conversations remain complete and consistent across platforms.
4.5/5 Excellent
Step 1. Launch MobileTrans & Connect Phones
- Open MobileTrans on your PC → Select "App Transfer > WhatsApp".
- Connect both phones to your computer. The system will automatically load WhatsApp data.
- Click "Start" (text messages transfer by default for speed; optional manual selection).
Step 2. Complete Transfer
- Do not disconnect devices during transfer.
- Once finished, check WhatsApp on the target device to verify data.
Pros:
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Extremely Easy: One-click operation, simple for beginners.
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High Success Rate: Stable transfer via USB connection, avoiding network or iCloud failures.
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No Reset Required: The target new iPhone does not need to be erased or factory reset.
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Full Data Support: Transfers all chat history, photos, videos, and attachments.
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Cross-Platform Ready: Can handle Android to iPhone migration (which official methods cannot).
Cons:
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Requires a computer for the transfer process.
Method 2: Use Official WhatsApp QR Code (Free Way)
WhatsApp now allows users on Android and iOS to transfer their chat history, including media attachments, between phones of the same OS. The new chat transfer feature uses a QR code and can transfer messages, media files, and more. However, payment messages and call history cannot be transferred. To transfer WhatsApp chat history via QR code on iOS, both phones need to have WhatsApp for iOS version 2.23.9.77 or above installed.
Then, open WhatsApp on the old iPhone, go to Settings > Chats > Transfer Chats to iPhone > Start. Install WhatsApp and register with the phone number on the new phone, then select Continue on Transfer chat history to iPhone. Scan the QR code on the old device using the camera, and once the transfer is complete, set up the profile on the new device.
Pros:
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Official Method: Completely free, no reliance on third-party tools or paid services.
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Simple Setup: Completed within the WhatsApp App, no computer needed.
Cons:
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Network Dependency: Success rate and speed heavily rely on Wi-Fi stability.
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Target Restriction: The target iPhone must be new or recently factory reset.
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Common Freezing: Often reports "transfer stuck" or "cannot complete" with large data or network fluctuations.
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Version Requirement: Requires the latest WhatsApp version on both devices.
Method 3: Restore from iCloud Backup (Standard Way)
One of the ways to move WhatsApp from iPhone to iPhone is using iCloud backup. If you have enough iCloud storage and a strong Wi-Fi connection, this is a standard Apple solution. iCloud, when enabled in the device, saves all your data in the device, and you can easily restore it anytime. Let us know how to get this done.
1. Go to “Settings” and tap your “Apple ID/ [your name]”, then hit “iCloud” on your source iPhone.
2. Now, scroll down to the option “iCloud Backup,” followed by enabling the “iCloud Backup” switch.
3. Subsequently, hit on “Back Up Now”.
4. Next, take your target device now and set it up. If you have already gone through the setup process, reset it again. For this, tap “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Erase All Contents and Settings”.
5. Now, your device will reboot. When it starts, reach the “Apps & Data” screen.
6. Now, tap on “Restore from iCloud Backup”. Enter the same iCloud ID as the previous phone and choose the backup. You will get the WhatsApp messages transferred.
Pros:
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Full Backup: Transfers all App data, settings, wallpapers, etc., not just WhatsApp.
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System Integration: Apple's native function, no external app installation required.
Cons:
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Non-Selective: You must restore the entire backup, you cannot choose only WhatsApp.
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Must Reset: The target iPhone must be at the "Apps & Data" screen, requiring a factory reset.
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Storage Limit: Relies on iCloud's free 5GB space; requires paid expansion if the backup exceeds this limit.
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Time-Consuming: The entire phone backup and download process takes a long time.
Method 4: Use WhatsApp In-App Backup
WhatsApp also offers a backup service. You need to ensure that you have backed up your chats, and it will save the data in the iCloud server. The steps that need to be followed are given below.
- To initiate the process, you need to ensure that the iCloud backup function is enabled on both devices.
- From the old device now, launch WhatsApp.
- Go to “Settings” and tap “Chat Settings.”
- Tap “Chat Backup” followed by “Back Up Now.”
- WhatsApp’s iCloud server will save your chats now.
- Now, you can take your target iPhone and begin by installing WhatsApp on it.
- Login by entering your contact number.
- You will see the “Restore Chat History” option when you enter. Just tap on it and get your chats in this device.
Pros:
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Selective: Backs up and restores only WhatsApp chat records, not other apps.
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Convenient: Backup and restore are initiated within the WhatsApp App.
Cons:
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ID Mismatch: Restoration requires using the same phone number and same Apple ID on the new phone.
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App Dependent: Backup reliability depends on WhatsApp's server connection, which can sometimes fail.
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Storage Limit: Still limited by available iCloud storage space.
Tip: What's the difference between iCloud backup and WhatsApp iCloud backup
You may now wonder what is the actual difference between the aforementioned iCloud backup in the first method and the WhatsApp iCloud backup in the second method, correct?
iCloud backup: It is the standard way to backup all your data over your iPhone. Be it, your photos, contacts, music (purchased from iTunes), videos, apps, settings, or passwords. In other words, almost all your data over your iPhone is backed up over your iCloud account using the iCloud backup feature. Therefore, if you wish to switch to a new iPhone or other iOS device and need to restore the Whatsapp data, you need to restore the entire iCloud backup over the new device.
Whatsapp iCloud backup: You manually perform a backup of only Whatsapp Chats and data, for instance, mainly photos and videos (if included beforehand). Hence, when you switch to a new iOS device and wish to restore the Whatsapp data. You only have to restore the individual Whatsapp chat backup over your iCloud account to your new device. That means all other data over your iPhone remains intact.
Method 5: Use iTunes Backup (Full Device Restore)
iTunes is a service by Apple that sorts many of our tasks. And when you wish to transfer WhatsApp messages from iPhone to iPhone, this can also help you. You can back up your data and restore it on the new phone. However, this won't be possible if you want only WhatsApp to get backed up. iTunes doesn’t support selective backup and therefore you will end up backing up the whole device at once. Here are the steps.
- To begin with, open iTunes on your PC and connect your source device using the lightning cord.
- When the device is detected, you will see the phone icon at the top in the iTunes interface.
- Now, click the “Summary” tab on the left panel and choose “Backup Now”. Your data along with WhatsApp will be successfully backed up now.
- Grab the target iPhone where you want to transfer WhatsApp. Then, connect it using the authentic cord.
- Launch iTunes and tap the phone icon again.
- Choose the “Summary” tab followed by “Restore Backup.”
Pros:
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Local Backup: Data is stored on a personal computer, potentially faster restore speed than the cloud.
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No Cloud Limit: Backup size is limited only by computer disk space.
Cons:
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Non-Selective: Like iCloud, only the entire phone backup can be restored.
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Must Reset: The target iPhone must be factory reset to restore the iTunes backup.
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Data Overwrite: Will overwrite all existing data on the new phone.
Method 6: Email Chat History (Text Only)
Here is the next way to transfer WhatsApp iPhone to iPhone. Emailing chats can be the easiest way to fulfill your needs. But the downside you should accept connected with this method is that it can only transfer one chat at a time. Therefore, if you want all the chats to get moved, this can be time-consuming. See the guide below.
1. Select the conversation you want to send on the new iPhone.
2. After selecting, slide the chat and get the “More” option.
3. Tap on the “Email Conversation” option after that.
4. You will be asked subsequently if you wish to attach the media along with the chats or not. Move ahead according to your needs or preferences.
5. Now, enter your email ID and tap “Done”.
6. You can now access these chats on your new iPhone by entering the same email ID.
Pros:
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Extremely Simple: No apps or computer required; done directly through the WhatsApp App.
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Free and Instant: Transfer is quick and free.
Cons:
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Cannot Restore (CRITICAL): The recipient receives only a text file and cannot restore it back into the WhatsApp App.
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Inefficient: Only one chat can be transferred at a time; highly tedious for multiple conversations.
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Attachment Limits: Email providers often limit attachment size, restricting media transfer.
Conclusion
This was all about how one can transfer WhatsApp data from iPhone to iPhone. WhatsApp is a widely used messenger app and undoubtedly a very useful way to get in touch with our loved ones. We hope that you are now well-versed with the topic and know what actions to be taken. Please share this article with friends who are in the same need as yours. Also, stay tuned with us for more updates.
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Nicola Massimo
staff Editor