How to Transfer WhatsApp and Telegram to a New Phone

Prepare and make a backup

WhatsApp advises creating a backup before switching to a new device. On Android, open WhatsApp and tap Settings → Chats → Chat backup → Create backup. On iPhone, the path is the same, and the backup is saved to iCloud. Once it’s created, the time and size of the last backup are shown there.

• Only one backup is stored in your account: a new one replaces the old one, and messages sent after it was created are not restored.
• Videos are included in the backup only if the “Include videos” option is turned on.
• For an iCloud backup, you need at least 2.05 times the backup’s size in free space, both in iCloud and on the iPhone.
• A backup made on Android can’t be restored on iPhone, and vice versa.

Result: You have a recent WhatsApp backup.

Choose a way to transfer WhatsApp

The choice depends on the pair of phones and on whether you still have your old phone.

From → to	Method	What to keep in mind
Android → Android	Transfer by QR code, or a Google backup	QR code: when both phones are at hand
iPhone → iPhone	Transfer by QR code, or an iCloud backup	Same
Android → iPhone	The “Move to iOS” app	The iPhone must be new or reset to factory settings
iPhone → Android	Transfer within WhatsApp by QR code	Requires Android 6 or later
No old phone	Backup from the cloud	Same operating system, same number and account

Result: You know which method to use to transfer WhatsApp.

Transfer WhatsApp chats

Android → Android: transfer by QR code

1. On the new phone, install WhatsApp, tap “Agree and continue”, enter your number, then tap “Next” and “Yes”.
2. If the app asks, connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Use the old phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the new phone’s screen. Don’t close the app until the transfer is complete.
4. Tap “Start transfer”, follow the prompts, then tap “Done” → “OK”.
5. Tap “Accept”, complete two-step verification if it’s turned on, and confirm your profile. On the “Transfer complete” screen, tap “Next”.

Once you sign in on the new phone, the session on the old one ends automatically.

iPhone → iPhone

The order is the same. After entering your number, tap “Next” → “Continue”; there is no “Accept” step.

Android → iPhone: “Move to iOS”

You need Android 5 or later, iOS 15.5 or later, and the “Move to iOS” app on Android. The iPhone must be new or reset: if you’ve already set it up, transferring history isn’t available. Connect both phones to power and to the same Wi-Fi network (the Android phone can be connected to the iPhone’s hotspot).

1. Open “Move to iOS” on Android and follow the prompts. Enter the code shown on the iPhone’s screen on the Android phone.
2. On the “Transfer Data” screen, select WhatsApp and tap “Start”. WhatsApp will prepare the data and sign out of the account on Android.
3. Tap “Next” to return to “Move to iOS”, then tap “Continue” and wait for confirmation.
4. Install WhatsApp from the App Store on the iPhone, sign in with your old number, tap “Start” and complete activation.

Call history, your display name and media from channels cannot be transferred. The data doesn’t go to the cloud: it will appear in iCloud only after you make a backup.

iPhone → Android: transfer within WhatsApp

You need Android 6 or later, your old number, the latest versions of WhatsApp on both phones, and a stable Wi-Fi connection.

1. On the iPhone, open WhatsApp and tap Chats → Transfer chat history → Move to Android.
2. When the chats are ready, tap “Continue” and allow camera access when asked. The iPhone must stay unlocked while the transfer is in progress.
3. On Android, open WhatsApp and verify the account with the same number. Allow device linking: a QR code will appear.
4. Scan the QR code with the iPhone’s camera, tap “Join” and wait for the transfer to finish. On Android, tap “Next”.

Statuses and your display name are not transferred, but call history can be.

If you don’t have the old phone: backup

Reinstall WhatsApp, confirm the same number and the same Google or Apple account. On Android, tap “Restore” when the app offers it; on iPhone, tap “Restore from backup”. WhatsApp may ask you to confirm your identity with a code sent by SMS or a call. A backup older than 120 days may not restore.

Result: WhatsApp chats have appeared on the new phone.

Sign in to Telegram on the new phone

Telegram chats are stored in the cloud, not on the phone: according to Telegram’s help, you just sign in with your main number on each device, and your cloud chats sync right away. There is nothing to transfer or copy.

1. Install Telegram on the new phone and enter the same number.
2. The code will arrive by SMS or, if Telegram decides to send it to the app, in the Telegram service chat on the old phone.
3. If two-step verification is turned on, also enter your cloud password: without it, sign-in won’t finish.

Secret chats won’t move: they’re tied to the device they were created on and will remain only on the old phone. You can sign in to Telegram on several devices at once.

Result: Telegram chats have loaded on the new phone.

Check the chats and close access on the old phone

On the new phone, open the important chats, groups and media in WhatsApp and Telegram. If something is missing, don’t reset the old phone or delete WhatsApp: WhatsApp can’t restore chats for you.

In WhatsApp, the session on the old phone closes automatically after you sign in on the new one. In Telegram, open Settings → Devices on the new phone and terminate the session on the old one: Telegram’s help describes this path. Only after that should you wipe or sell the old phone.

Result: All chats are on the new phone, and access on the old one is closed.