How to transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android — Top ways
WhatsApp allows you to transfer chats from one Android phone to another using the built-in Chat Transfer feature, restoring from a Google Drive backup, or relying on trusted tools.
Jasmin Woods Updated on Jan 6, 2026 9:54 AM
Compatible with a wide range of Android brands & models, Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer also provides a fast, lossless solution for moving your WhatsApp data from Android to Android after setup, including both chat and media history.
Explore official methods and reliable tools to transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android when switching to a new phone.
Upgrading to a new Android phone is exciting—but your WhatsApp chat history is often what matters most. The good news is that transferring WhatsApp from Android to Android is straightforward when you use the right method.
Whether you're upgrading to a newer model or switching to a different Android brand, WhatsApp offers built-in options, such as Chat Transfer and Backup features, that let you move chats between Android devices directly. In addition, reliable 3rd-party tools are available to support Android-to-Android WhatsApp transfers, even in scenarios where the official methods fall short.
To help you avoid data loss and unnecessary complications, this guide walks through the most effective ways to transfer WhatsApp from one Android phone to another safely and efficiently.
Table of Contents
What WhatsApp data can you transfer from Android to Android?
Whether you use WhatsApp's official Chat Transfer feature or restore from a Google Drive backup, the transfer process typically moves most of your WhatsApp data from one Android to another. This includes your full chat history and account information, such as personal and group chats, photos, videos, documents, profile details, and settings.
However, not all data is transferable. Peer-to-peer payment messages and media received through WhatsApp Channels are usually excluded from Android-to-Android WhatsApp transfers.
How to transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android within the app
WhatsApp has a built-in Chat Transfer feature that allows Android users to transfer WhatsApp from one phone to another wirelessly over a Wi-Fi network. This method relies on scanning a QR code and works even after the new phone has been set up.
To make a smooth WhatsApp transfer from Android to Android, make sure that WhatsApp has not been registered or activated on the new phone before starting the transfer.
Other essentials to transfer WhatsApp chats between Android devices:
- Android 6 or above is required on both Android phones before the WhatsApp transfer.
- Use the same phone number on your old and new Android devices.
- The WhatsApp is not registered on the target Android phone before the transfer.
- Connect both devices to an active and stable Wi-Fi network.
Steps for Android-to-Android WhatsApp transfer within the app:
1. Open the WhatsApp on your old Android phone.
2. Tap More Options from the top-right corner and select Settings > Chats > Transfer chats.
3. Confirm Start option and allow requested permissions. Now, it's ready to scan the QR code that will appear on the new Android device.
4. On your new phone, download and open the latest WhatsApp from Play Store.
5. Tap Agree and continue and verify your phone number. Make sure it's the same number used on your old phone and a verification code will be sent to you.
6. Under Restore or transfer chats, select Transfer from old phone.
7. Tap Continue and allow requested permissions, then wait for a QR code to display.
8. Scan the QR code using your old Android phone's camera.
9. Tap Accept to connect your old and new Android phones for WhatsApp transfer. Keep both devices unlocked and close to each other.
10. Don't leave the WhatsApp screen until the transfer is complete. It may take some time, depending on the size of your chat history.
11. Once complete, tap Done on the old phone and you'll be logged out automatically.
12. Tap Next on your new Android and confirm your profile info to view all transferred chats.
This way, you'll have all previous WhatsApp chats on your new Android phone.
TIP: If you're transferring WhatsApp to a new Android phone with a new phone number, you'll need to change the number within WhatsApp on your old device before the transfer begins. Simply head to Settings > Accounts > Change Number, and follow the prompts.
Transfer WhatsApp from one Android to another via Google Drive Backup
Since Android devices use Google Drive for backups, you can transfer WhatsApp to a new phone when switching between Android devices. Simply back up your WhatsApp data from the old Android phone to Google Drive, then restore that WhatsApp backup on your new Android mobile.
To complete the Android-to-Android WhatsApp transfer, ensure you use the same phone number and Google account on both devices. Here's how to do it with Google Drive backup:
Step 1. Manually back up WhatsApp on the old Android phone.
- Open the WhatsApp and tap More Options (the three-dot icon) > Settings > Chats.
- Select Chat backup > Back up to your Google Account, and choose the Google Account you'd like to back up your chats.
- Once set, tap Back up button to create a new backup of your WhatsApp chats with Google Drive. Wait shortly until the backup process is complete.
Note: Google Drive offers 15 GB of free cloud storage per account. If there isn't enough available space, the WhatsApp backup may fail. Also, creating a new WhatsApp backup will overwrite the existing backup associated with the same Google account.
Step 2. Restore WhatsApp backup on new Android phone.
- Connect the new device to Wi-Fi and log in to your Google Drive using the same account.
- Install and open WhatsApp from the Play Store; follow the setup to verify your phone number.
- When prompted, tap Continue and allow necessary permissions.
- Choose Restore from backup when you reach the Restore or transfer chats screen, and tap Continue.
- Confirm the Restore option and let WhatsApp restore chats from your Google Drive.
Keep the device connected to the internet. After restoration, all previous WhatsApp chats will be imported to your new Android phone wirelessly.
Transfer WhatsApp between Android and Android without backup
Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer is a safe and easy-to-use tool for multi-platform WhatsApp transfers, allowing you to switch devices seamlessly while preserving the entire chat history.
With this tool, you can transfer WhatsApp directly between Android and Android or across platforms between Android and iOS, without relying on cloud backups. It supports the transfer of most WhatsApp data, including personal messages, group chats, contacts, photos, videos, audio files, and other documents, while ensuring data integrity throughout the process.
In addition, this WhatsApp transfer tool is compatible with a wide range of Android brands and devices, including Samsung, Motorola, LG, Huawei, Xiaomi, VIVO, OPPO, and more.
Once installed, follow the steps below to transfer WhatsApp from one Android phone to another without data loss:
Step 1. Launch Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer
Open Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer on computer, and select WhatsApp > Transfer to start. It also provides the Backup and Restore features.
Step 2. Connect the source and target Android devices
Connect both Android phones using USB cables; then tap Allow on the USB debugging prompt. If it doesn't appear, follow the onscreen instructions to re-enable USB debugging option.
When prompted, tap the Install button on your Android phone to install the MobieSync app.
After installation, tap Go to authorize on your phone. This will allow the software to access your WhatsApp data and prepare it for transfer. Then, click Next on the program.
When the devices are ready, select the source Android from the left-side menu, and choose the target phone from the right-side box.
Step 3. Transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android
Click Transfer and confirm with Continue. WhatsSync will automatically check the WhatsApp state on the source device.
On your source Android phone, go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup > Backup and confirm the End-to-end encrypted backup is turned off.
Click Next on your computer screen, and then turn on End-to-end encrypted backup again. Note: If it's already on, turn off it first, then turn it back on.
Tap Use 64-digit encryption key instead and move to the next step.
From the onscreen prompt on your Android, tap Turn on > Generate your 64-digit key. When the key code appears, let your phone stay on this screen and click the Scan button on computer.
After scanning, tap I Saved My 64-digit Key > Create > Backup on your Android screen. Give it a few minutes to back up WhatsApp data from your source phone.
On target Android phone, install the latest WhatsApp. Do not open it or log in. Then, go Next.
To transfer your WhatsApp data successfully, make sure to log out of your Google Drive and disconnect WhatsApp Messenger. After that, click Disconnected button to proceed.
Alternatively, if you've never used Google Drive, click Never Used Google Drive to go ahead.
Open the WhatsApp on your target phone and follow the onscreen prompts to enter encryption key and restore WhatsApp data.
Let WhatsApp import all transferred chats to your new Android phone. One done, you're able to access your full chat log without hassle.
Bonus: Transfer WhatsApp from Android to Samsung
If you're switching to a Galaxy phone, another official option for transferring WhatsApp from your old Android device to Samsung is using the Samsung Smart Switch. This method does not require a factory reset. Simply open Smart Switch on your Samsung phone and follow the onscreen instructions to begin the WhatsApp transfer process:
1. Install and open Smart Switch on the target Samsung phone.
2. Search and open the pre-installed Smart Switch in Samsung Setting; or you can access it through Settings > Accounts and backup > Bring data from old device.
3. When prompted, choose Receive data and select a source from Galaxy/Android device.
4. To get connected, select either a cable or wireless way, depending on your preference.
5. It will display a QR code and require you to get Smart Switch on the other Android phone.
6. Use your old Android phone to scan the QR code; then follow the onscreen prompts to install and open Smart Switch.
7. Tap Let's go on your source Android and choose a way to connect, then tap Accept to allow the connection.
8. Once connected, the target Samsung device will let you select the data to transfer.
9. To transfer WhatsApp data, tap Custom > Apps and ensure the WhatsApp is selected.
In some situations, you'll need to check all messages and tap Next when WhatsApp appears on Back up your messaging app data screen.
10. After the transfer, install and open the WhatsApp on the new Samsung from the Play Store.
11. Quickly go through the setup steps and verify your account using the same phone number.
12. When you're able to, tap Start to import all transferred WhatsApp chats on your Samsung Galaxy phone.
If needed, Samsung Smart Switch also supports the WhatsApp transfer from iPhone to Samsung.
FAQs on WhatsApp transfer from Android to Android
Q1 - What WhatsApp data is transferred between Android phones?
Individual messages, group chats, photos, videos, voice messages, and documents are usually transferred. Call history and peer-to-peer payment messages are not included.
Q2 - Can you transfer WhatsApp between Android devices with a new phone number?
Yes. You can change the phone number within the WhatsApp app on your old phone, and then start the WhatsApp transfer to your new Android. To make this, open the WhatsApp on your previous phone and go to Settings > Accounts > Change Number, then complete the prompts.
Q3 - Can I transfer WhatsApp from Android to Android without Google Drive?
Yes. You can use WhatsApp's built-in Chat Transfer feature to move chats wirelessly between Android phones without using Google Drive.
Q4 - Will transferring WhatsApp delete data from my old Android phone?
No. The WhatsApp data remains on the old device until you manually delete the app or factory reset the Android phone.
Q5 - How do I transfer WhatsApp from an Android phone to a Samsung Galaxy phone?
For transferring WhatsApp from Android to Samsung, here are a couple of methods you can use:
- The built-in Chat Transfer feature through QR code.
- WhatsApp backup and restore with Google Drive.
- The quick transfer tool Samsung Smart Switch.
If these official methods don't work, some flexible WhatsApp transfer software can also be helpful to move your complete chat history from Android to Samsung in simple clicks.
Q6 - Can I transfer WhatsApp after the new Android phone is already set up?
Yes. WhatsApp's Chat Transfer feature works after setup, as long as WhatsApp has not been activated on the new phone before starting the transfer.
Additionally, using a reliable tool like Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer is also a great option to migrate WhatsApp data to a new Android phone even after setup.
