WhatsApp’s Android to iOS chat transfer could be coming soon to iPhones

WhatsApp's Android to iOS chat transfer could be coming presently to iPhones

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Concluding twelvemonth, the Meta-owned chat app WhatsApp introduced a long-awaited feature that allowed users moving from iPhone to Android to take their conversation histories with them.

Considering long-term users could have more than a decade's worth of history with the app, that was long overdue, but in that location were sure caveats. Firstly, the feature was simply for select flagship Samsung handsets at the time, with back up for more devices to follow. Secondly, the feature simply worked one mode: yous could transfer from iPhone to Android, but not the other style effectually.

It looks like that will soon be changing. WABetaInfo spotted references to the characteristic in the latest beta of WhatsApp for iOS, and while the transfer feature isn't live at the moment, in that location's enough to go along to suggest that it won't be long earlier it works in some fashion.

A screenshot of WhatsApp's Android to iOS chat transfer feature — (Image credit: WABetaInfo)

Included in the WhatsApp beta are the two screenshots above, which give yous an idea of how the transfer feature will work. After granting your device permission to admission your chat history, you'll so be able to shift information technology via Apple'due south Move to iOS app, as long as you continue your telephone unlocked and the app open. You'd imagine that big conversation histories — my 9-year history is 4GB as of this morning, according to WhatsApp — volition take some time.

It does look like this is a 1-fourth dimension offer, though: "You will non be able to import later if you skip this step," the screenshot text warns. All the same, if you lot're actively trying to motion away from Android to iOS, you're unlikely to miss that of import step.

One less barrier to switching

The report is light on key details like when the WhatsApp Android to iOS chat transfer feature volition go alive and whether only certain phones volition exist eligible. (Hopefully, it won't be phone exclusive, but it may crave Android 12 or later, say). But this is undoubtedly i less barrier for iPhone-curious types looking to make the switch with their next upgrade.

I consider myself amongst that group. While the last (and only) iPhone I've owned was the iPhone 3GS, I would certainly exist open up to trying the next one when my current aging Samsung Milky way S10e breathes its terminal.

Sad equally it sounds, the prospect of losing nine years of WhatsApp chats would actually prevent me from leaving Android, even though it's non exactly what you dip into for light reading. Even though the search part is comfortably among the worst I've used, being able to wait up things I've sent or received over the past decade is extremely handy, and I'd exist loath to give that up.

It looks like I soon may no longer have to. That makes a switch to iOS a lot more appealing to me, and I'm sure I'm non the only i now who would consider their options.

Freelance correspondent Alan has been writing almost tech for over a decade, roofing phones, drones and everything in betwixt. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the spider web and in the occasional magazine as well. When non weighing upwardly the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.