The popular messenger app WhatsApp has just introduced a more convenient way to transfer your chat history to a new phone, eliminating the need for backing up and restoring data from cloud services. Previously, users had to create a backup file of their chat history on a cloud service before initiating the transfer — However, with the new method, the entire process can now be completed directly within WhatsApp itself.
In essence, the new technique involves scanning a QR code on your old phone using the new device. It is important to ensure that you do not dispose of your old phone until the handover process is completed. It’s worth noting that this feature is currently only available for transferring chats between devices on the same operating system, such as Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone.
No more cloud services needed
Previously, transferring chats between different devices required creating a backup on Google Drive or iCloud and then restoring it on the new phone. The new method eliminates the need for Apple and Google’s cloud services in the process.
WhatsApp claims that the new process is faster and more secure compared to using third-party apps or cloud providers. The data is only shared between your two devices and is fully encrypted during the transfer. Additionally, you can now transfer large media files and attachments, such as videos, which may have been too large to retain in the past.
How to do it?
To transfer your WhatsApp chats to a new phone, ensure that both devices are connected to the internet with location services enabled. On your old phone, go to settings, then chats, and select the chat transfer option. Scan the QR code displayed on the screen using your new phone to complete the transfer.
It is hoped that WhatsApp will streamline the process of transferring data between devices on different operating systems in the future. Currently, separate apps are still required to transfer data from an Android phone to an iPhone, and an iPhone to Android transfer necessitates the use of a USB-C-to-Lightning cable, even in the year 2023.
WhatsApp introduced the new chat history transfer tool earlier this year, and it was initially spotted in January. Beta testers were given access to the feature in April.
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