Which method fits your switch?
What matters is whether you stay on the same platform or move between Android and iPhone. Within one platform there are usually several options; across platforms there is often only one, and it works best during set-up.
| Switch | Signal | |
|---|---|---|
| Android → Android | Transfer from the old phone over Wi-Fi, or backup in your Google Account | Device transfer, on-device backup or Secure Backups |
| iPhone → iPhone | Chat transfer within the app | Device transfer or Secure Backups |
| Android → iPhone | Move to iOS app during iPhone set-up | Secure Backups only |
| iPhone → Android | Copy during set-up with a cable, or later with Android Switch | Secure Backups only |
WhatsApp from Android to iPhone: how does it work?
Apple lists WhatsApp messages and media among the content that the Move to iOS app transfers. The move happens while you set up the iPhone. If the iPhone is already set up, you have to erase it first.
Android → iPhone: Move to iOS app
- Plug both devices into power and turn on Wi-Fi on the Android device.
- On the iPhone, on the ‘Transfer Your Apps & Data’ screen, tap ‘From Android’, then ‘Transfer with App’.
- On the Android device, open the Move to iOS app, tap ‘Continue’, then ‘Agree’.
- On the iPhone, tap ‘Continue’ when you see the ‘Move from Android’ screen, then enter the code it shows on the Android device.
- When asked, tap ‘Connect’ on the Android device to join the iPhone’s temporary Wi-Fi network.
- Select the content you want, including WhatsApp, and tap ‘Continue’.
- When the loading bar on the iPhone has finished, tap ‘Done’ on the Android device.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.apple.com
A USB-C cable between the two devices is optional, but Apple says it makes the transfer faster. With a compatible version of Android 17 or later, you can transfer without the app. The iPhone needs enough free storage for everything you bring across.
WhatsApp from iPhone to Android: what is different?
In this direction, the Android phone guides you. Google’s Android Help says you need the old iPhone’s charging cable, with an adapter if necessary, and the same phone number on the new device.
iPhone → Android: copy during set-up
- While setting up the Android phone, when the screen reads ‘Copy apps and data’, tap ‘Copy from iPhone or iPad’ and connect both phones with the cable.
- On the iPhone, tap ‘Trust’ and enter your PIN.
- Make sure apps are selected and scan the QR code with the iPhone camera.
- If scanning does not work, open WhatsApp on the iPhone and go to Settings › Chats › Transfer chat history › Transfer to Android.
- Start the transfer on the iPhone, then sign in to WhatsApp on the Android phone.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.google.com
If you skipped the transfer during set-up, Google says you have 3 to 7 days to restore your chats: Settings › Accounts and backup › Copy data using Android Switch. The location varies by manufacturer and Android version; Samsung devices use Smart Switch. Open WhatsApp only once the transfer is complete. In March 2026, Meta announced that WhatsApp’s own chat transfer also supports moving chats from iOS to Android.
WhatsApp between two Android phones or two iPhones
Between two Android phones you can move directly from the old phone over Wi-Fi or use the backup in your Google Account. Make sure both phones are signed in to the same Google Account.
Android → Android: back up and transfer WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp on the old phone and tap ‘More’ at the top right.
- Tap Settings › Chats › Chat backup › Back up.
- Install WhatsApp on the new phone and sign in with the same phone number.
- Tap ‘Transfer from old phone’ to restore over Wi-Fi, or ‘Restore from backup’ to use the cloud backup.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.google.com
Between two iPhones, Meta says WhatsApp’s chat transfer also works within the same platform; the steps are in WhatsApp’s Help Centre. Google’s Android Help also notes three limits: chat history started on the new phone cannot be merged with the old one, WhatsApp data cannot move to a new number, and other migration apps are not supported.
Signal: how does your history come along, even across platforms?
Signal offers three options. Device transfer needs both phones and only works within the same platform. The same applies to on-device backups, which are encrypted files protected by a passphrase. Only Signal Secure Backups, an optional end-to-end encrypted backup, also works between Android and iPhone, according to Signal.
Secure Backups stores all your text messages and the last 45 days of media; a paid plan stores up to 100 GB of media. View-once messages and messages set to disappear within 24 hours are not included. To restore, you need a 64-character recovery key. For ways to keep it safe, see Store recovery codes safely and find them again.
Set up and restore Signal Secure Backups
- Old phone: go to Signal Settings › Backups.
- Tap Setup › Enable Backups, then save your recovery key.
- Confirm your recovery key, tap ‘Next’ › ‘Continue’, choose the free or paid plan and tap ‘Ok’.
- New Android phone: during registration, on the ‘Restore or Transfer Account’ screen, select ‘From Signal Backups’ and tap ‘Restore Backup’.
- New iPhone: on the ‘Restore or Transfer Account’ screen, select ‘Restore Signal Backup’, enter your recovery key, tap ‘Next’, then ‘Restore Backup’.
Menu path as given in the manufacturer’s help; it may differ by device and version: support.signal.org
Tip: According to Signal, Secure Backups also helps if your old phone is lost, stolen or damaged. Device transfer and on-device backups do not.
Threema and Telegram: what comes along and what does not?
With Threema, a data backup moves chats, groups, contacts and your ID to a new phone, but only within the same operating system. Once everything has arrived, delete the ID on the old device so that notifications reach the new one. When you switch between iOS and Android, Threema Safe transfers your ID, contacts, groups and privacy settings, and you can always export chats as well.
Telegram works differently: ordinary chats are kept in the Telegram cloud and sync as soon as you log in with your number. Secret chats are tied to the device they were started on and are not part of the cloud. Why syncing is not the same as a backup is explained in Synced or backed up? Understand the difference with one photo.
Number and verification code: how do you keep your account safe?
WhatsApp’s SMS code moves your account to another device, which is why scammers ask for it. Switzerland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advises never sharing the six-digit code and using the ‘Linked devices’ feature only to set up WhatsApp Web on your own computer or tablet. A PIN of your choice as a second factor adds protection.
If you get a new number, change it in WhatsApp before giving up the old one. Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale advises this even if you plan to port your number, as porting does not always work. It adds that WhatsApp deletes inactive accounts after 120 days, and some operators may reassign numbers sooner.
| Country | Body | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Verbraucherzentrale | Change the number in WhatsApp before giving up the old one |
| Austria | Watchlist Internet | Hijacked contacts ask for the SMS code; use two-step verification |
| Switzerland | National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) | Never share the code or scan unknown QR codes; set a PIN (May 2026) |
| France | Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr | Turn on two-step verification; after a takeover, warn contacts and file a complaint |
| Italy | Altroconsumo (consumer association) | Never share codes; use two-step verification with a six-digit PIN |
| Spain | INCIBE | Do not share the code; free, confidential helpline 017 |
If someone has already taken over your account, see Your profile is sending messages you did not write: use the official recovery route.
An example: Niamh moves her chats to an Android phone
Fictional example: Niamh in Dublin is switching from an iPhone to an Android phone. She cares most about her family group on WhatsApp and her running club on Signal. Beforehand, she sets up Signal Secure Backups and saves the recovery key in her password manager. As only the last 45 days of media are included for free, she saves a few older race photos elsewhere.
On Saturday she connects both phones with the iPhone cable and an adapter, taps ‘Copy from iPhone or iPad’ and scans the QR code. She then signs in to WhatsApp with her usual number, and the family chat is there. In Signal she picks ‘From Signal Backups’ during registration. She resets the old iPhone a week later, as described in Passing on an old phone: back up first, then sign out properly.
Common mistakes
- Using WhatsApp on the new phone first and fetching the old chats later: the two histories cannot be merged.
- Resetting or selling the old phone before all important chats have arrived on the new one.
- Not writing down the Signal recovery key or the password of a Threema backup.
- Trying extra transfer apps instead of the routes offered by Apple, Google and the messaging apps.
- Forwarding the SMS code to a contact who claims to have sent it by mistake.
Your checklist
The checkboxes are for your own reference. No entries are sent to us. To keep a copy, print the page or save it as a PDF using your browser menu.
Common questions
Can I move WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without a cable?
Yes. With the Move to iOS app, the iPhone creates a temporary Wi-Fi network that the Android device joins. According to Apple, a USB-C cable is just an alternative for a faster transfer. Keep both devices close together and plugged in for the whole transfer, because it can take a while.
Why can’t WhatsApp find my backup on the new Android phone?
Google’s Android Help says it is often the account. Check that the same Google Account is active on both phones and that backup was switched on and actually ran on the old phone. Then close WhatsApp on the new phone and repeat the set-up. If only images are missing, the restore may still be running; if they have not appeared after 24 hours, contact WhatsApp support.
Will I lose my Signal chats when I switch from Android to iPhone?
Not if you set up Signal Secure Backups beforehand. According to Signal, device transfer and on-device backups only work within the same platform. Secure Backups includes all text messages and the last 45 days of media, or up to 100 GB of media on the paid plan. You need the 64-character recovery key to restore, so keep it somewhere safe.
I am getting a new number with my new phone. What happens to WhatsApp?
Google’s Android Help states that WhatsApp data cannot be transferred to a new phone number. Change the number in WhatsApp on the old phone first, then move. Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale advises doing this before you give up the old number; otherwise conversations, contacts and files could end up with whoever is given that number next.
Sources and further information
Primary sources from public authorities, consumer organisations and providers. A source may be in another language; follow the guidance that applies to your service and where you live.
- Signal Support: Backups and Device Transfers on SignalSource review date:
- Threema: Transfer Threema data to a new phone (backup)Source review date:
- Telegram: FAQ on cloud chats and secret chatsSource review date:
- Meta: WhatsApp adds new features, March 2026Source review date:
- Verbraucherzentrale (Germany): New mobile number? Change it in WhatsApp too (in German)Source review date:
- Watchlist Internet (Austria): Hijacked WhatsApp contacts ask for verification code (in German)Source review date:
- National Cyber Security Centre NCSC (Switzerland): Week 21, fake competition – hackers hijack WhatsApp accountsSource review date:
- Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr (France): What to do if a social media account is hacked (in French)Source review date:
- Altroconsumo (Italy): The WhatsApp six-digit code scam (in Italian)Source review date:
- INCIBE (Spain): Attempts to steal WhatsApp accounts by asking for the code (in Spanish)Source review date:
