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WhatsApp messages transfer: Android to iPhone [Full Guide]

Find out the hands-on solutions to transfer all WhatsApp messages from Android device to iPhone smoothly, whether you're starting fresh or already set up your iPhone.

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Ella Garcia Updated on Sep 19, 2025 6:37 PM
  • You can move WhatsApp from Android to iPhone to bring all chats, photos, videos, voice, documents, account information and settings along with you.
  • The official way of transferring WhatsApp messages from an Android phone to an iPhone is to use Move to iOS app during the initial iOS setup.
  • Looking for a way to transfer your WhatsApp from Android to Apple without losing existing chats on iPhone? Try Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer for a full data migration after setup.
  • You can also use the built-in WhatsApp Export Chat function to send individual messages from Android via email and save the text file to iPhone for a copy.

Either Move to iOS app or other WhatsApp transfer tools can help you get chat history from Android to iPhone WhatsApp inbox.

Don't lose hope trying to make WhatsApp transfer messages from Android to iPhone.

If you're switching from Android to iPhone, WhatsApp Transfer doesn't have to be a troublesome. During the initial setup of iOS device, you'll be invited to transfer WhatsApp chat history and other data over from your Android phone in one go, thanks to Apple's Move to iOS.

So, here we dive deep into the free Move to iOS app and explain how to move WhatsApp messages from Android to the iPhone - as a part of the setup process. Don't worry if your iPhone has already been set up, as this full guide covers feasible solutions for a post-setup chats transfer without factory reset.

As a bonus, we'll address the issue of "Is it possible or how to restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone?"

Table of Contents

Method 1. Use the official Move to iOS app

Just upgrading to a new iPhone to transfer WhatsApp messages and data from an old Android device? The go-to solution for Android to iPhone WhatsApp transferring is Apple's own Move to iOS service. It's preloaded on the iPhone, and is available in Google Play Store for Android.

In order for the service to work, you'll need to make sure to complete the WhatsApp migrating while you're going through the initial setup process. In case you've already set up your iPhone and can access the home screen, you have to factory reset your iPhone to use the Move to iOS app for transferring your WhatsApp chat history from old Android phone.

Preparing to transfer WhatsApp over from Android to iOS

Here's what you need to get started with the move of all messages in WhatsApp across Android to iOS:

  • Both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi connection with strong signal to move chats wirelessly.
  • Plug both phones into a power source, or make sure to have at least 75% charge for the most optimal transfer.
  • Use the same phone number on WhatsApp for both devices.
  • The target iPhone is running iOS 15.5 or higher.
  • The source Android phone is running Android OS Lollipop 5.0 or newer.
  • Update to the latest version of WhatsApp on both smartphones.

Transfer your Android WhatsApp messages to iPhone using Move to iOS app

The easiest and fastest way to transfer WhatsApp chat history—including messages, media, and voice notes—from an Android device to a new iPhone without a PC is to use the official, free Move to iOS app at some point during the setup process.

1. Download Move to iOS app on your Android phone.

2. Open the Move to iOS app, tap Continue to read the terms and conditions, and tap Agree.

3. On your fresh new iPhone as it's out of box, swipe up the Hello screen, and follow the first few instructions to set it up.

4. When you see the "Transfer Your Apps & Data" screen, choose From Android.

5. Move from Android screen should appear. Tap Continue. iPhone will generate a ten-digit or six-digit code for pairing.

6. On your Android phone, enter that one-time code. This will initiate the pairing process via a temporary Wi-Fi network. Tap Connect to join the network on your Android device.

7. Now, you are ready to switch. Your Android should show a "Transfer Data" screen.

8. Select WhatsApp on your Android phone to transfer over to your iPhone and tap Continue to initiate the transfer.

9. Keep both devices plugged in and near each other until the loading bar on your iPhone indicates that the transfer is successful.

10. When done, tap Done on Android. Then tap Continue on iPhone and proceed to finish the entire setup process.

11. Now, install the latest version of WhatsApp from App Store on the iPhone.

12. Open WhatsApp, and sign in with the SAME phone number that was used on Android.

13. When asked if you'd like to move chats from Android, tap Start and grant permission to restore your WhatsApp chats, completing the transfer.

Method 2. Use Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer software - No factory reset

You can't transfer data from Android to iPhone after setup, but there are a number of third-party programs that make a post-setup WhatsApp message migration possible. One PC-based utility that works particularly well for moving WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without factory reset is Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer, even if the iPhone has already finished the setup procedures or you want more flexibility.

As its name implies, this powerful tool has revolutionized how users migrate their WhatsApp messages from Android to iOS after setting up new device, making the switch seamless and incredibly user-friendly. It's designed to move entire WhatsApp chat history directly, such as messages, photos, music, videos, documents, account info, profile photo, settings and more.

The software supports transfers from Android to iOS, iOS to Android, iOS to iOS, and Android to Android, making it an incredibly versatile tool for anyone looking to upgrade their phone without losing precious WhatsApp data.

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If you want to overcome the limitations of Move to iOS requiring a factory reset on an already-set-up iPhone that you'll be migrating the Android WhatsApp to, Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer tool is the solid way to go.

How to move WhatsApp messages from Android to iPhone without erasing chats via Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer

Step 1. Run the software on your computer and choose WhatsApp.

Step 2. Select Transfer mode for the purpose of transferring WhatsApp data over from one Android device to iPhone.

Step 3. Connect your both devices to your computer via USB cables. To let the software detect your phone, there're a few things you need to do.

iPhone:

After you connect your iOS device, tap "Trust" to grant the app access your device.

Android phone:

Plug your Android phone into your computer, unlock it, and then tap "Allow" to enable USB debugging.

You will then see an installation prompt appearing on the Android screen. Tap on "Install" to install the MobileSync app.

After that, tap "Go to authorize" button to allow MobieSync to access all files on the device. Now, your Android phone is connected successfully.

Click the Next button to continue.

Step 4. Select which device you want to transfer WhatsApp chats from (Source: Android) and which to transfer to (Target: iPhone).

Step 5. Click Transfer button to transfer WhatsApp messages straight from Android to iPhone. If you don't want to lose existing chats or any data you've already had on your Apple device, click Backup button when prompted.

To ensure a successful WhatsApp data migration, you need to do some works below.

iPhone:

Go to disable Find My iPhone.

Android:

  • Wait for WhatsSync to check the WhatsApp state.
  • Follow the onscreen wizard to turn off end-to-end encrypted backup in WhatsApp.
  • Turn on end-to-end encrypted backup again.
  • Tap End-to-end encrypted backup, and choose Use 64-digit encryption key instead. Then Click Next button in WhatsSync.
  • Tap Turn on and tap Generate your 64-digit key. Then, click Scan button in WhatsSync.
  • Your Android screen show present a 64-digit key. Tap I Saved My 64-digit Key > Create > Back up to create the end-to-end encrypted backup. Then hit Next button in WhatsSync.
  • The software will back up your WhatsApp messages from the source Android phone, after which you'll be able to restore WhatsApp backup to iPhone.

Step 6. When prompted, click Logged in. Continue button. On your iPhone, be sure to log into any account on WhatsApp.

Sit back and wait for the Android-to-iPhone WhatsApp copying process to finish. The "Congratulations! Transfer succeeded" message will appear on the software interface when all chat history and media files have been transferred over to WhatsApp iOS.

Once it's done copying, disconnect your devices. Then, go to your iPhone and verify that if the WhatsApp chats and messages you have on Android phone come with you.

That's it! Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer utility has done more than just move WhatsApp message history—it has offered a safe solution to let you make a direct transition after a new device setup without resetting iPhone or erasing your content.

Method 3. Use Export Chat feature

There's also a trick you can use for wirelessly migrating WhatsApp messages from an Android to your iPhone without a PC or without factory reset. The WhatsApp's built-in Export Chat feature allows you to send individual chats manually as a .txt file over your email, and then access the email account on your iPhone to view the WhatsApp you sent. You can't import the text file back to WhatsApp on the iOS device.

Another drawback is that your WhatsApp thread will have to be small in size, and you will probably have to send many emails with your file attached - especially if you have lots of chats to transfer.

  • First of all, open WhatsApp on your Android phone, then tap to select the message you wish to export to iPhone.
  • Tap the three dots in the top-right corner, then select More > Export chat.
  • Choose between Without Media or Include Media.
  • In the "Sent chat via..." menu, choose an email app or program and send an email with a WhatsApp message attached to yourself.
  • Now when you open your email app on your iPhone, you will see the email containing the .txt WhatsApp file. Download it onto your iPhone to have your WhatsApp chat transferred.

Which method is best for you?

Despite Android and iPhone devices having different operating systems that don't naturally facilitate the sharing of WhatsApp messages and chats across devices, there are three viable methods to choose from. We have covered options to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone with or without a PC. Read through these pros and cons of each method to help you decide the method that's best for you:

Move to iOS app

Pros

  • A good place to start when making a switch or upgrade from an Android to an iPhone.
  • Supports full data migration including WhatsApp from Android to iOS during the initial setup of your iPhone.
  • No need for computer or cable.

Cons:

  • Requires full reset of the new iPhone if you've already completed the iOS Setup Assistant.
  • Time-consuming if you've already configured the new device.

Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer tool

Pros:

  • Allows for the transfer of WhatsApp chats & data between Android and iPhone.
  • A robust way of transferring WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without factory reset after setup.
  • Preserves WhatsApp chats that are currently on the iPhone.
  • No reliance on an internet connection.

Cons:

  • Requires a computer and cable.

Export Chat feature

Pros:

  • Works perfectly sending individual WhatsApp chats between phones.
  • Wireless and convenient.

Cons:

  • The exported WhatsApp is saved as a readable-only .txt file of your conversation, and cannot imported into WhatsApp.
  • Tedious for large migrations if media files in WhatsApp are attached.

Fixed: How do you restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone

Unfortunately, it's impossible to restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to an iPhone, since WhatsApp backup doesn't support cross-platform transfers.

However, hope is not lost - if you're struggling to restore WhatsApp backup from Android to iPhone, there's still a possible fix. The foolproof way is to use Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer program. In addition to the seamless transfer of your WhatsApp messages across iPhone and Android, it also helps with WhatsApp backup & restore.

Check our complete guide on how to backup WhatsApp on Android and then restore WhatsApp backup to iPhone using Appgeeker WhatsApp Transfer.

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