How to transfer WhatsApp chats from iPhone to Android: all methods 2026

The transition from iPhone to a smartphone Android is always an exciting step, especially when it comes to preserving long-term correspondence in WhatsApp. Unlike backups within the same ecosystem, cross-platform transfer requires a special approach: direct migration between iOS and Android has been officially supported only since 2021, and even then with restrictions. Many users encounter errors like “Failed to restore chats” or find that media files were not transferred. In this article we will look at all current methods transfer - from the official tool Move to iOS (yes, it works in the opposite direction!) to alternative methods using Google Disk and third-party utilities.

It is important to understand: the success of the operation depends not only on the chosen method, but also on OS versions, smartphone model and even regional settings. For example, on some devices Samsung or Xiaomi pre-installation of proprietary migration applications may be required. And owners iPhone with jailbreak will have to look for workarounds - official tools simply won’t see them. We tested each method on current firmware (iOS 17+ and Android 14+) and highlighted key nuances that will help avoid common mistakes.

If you are willing to spend 10-30 minutes on preparation, then the chances of a successful transfer reach 95%. The main thing is not to skip a single step and check the compatibility of devices in advance. Let's start with the most reliable (but not the fastest) method - official migration via Move to iOS.

1. Official method: transfer via Move to iOS (reverse migration)

Yes, the application Move to iOS from Apple is designed to migrate from Android to iPhone, but since 2021 it supports and reverse transfer — from iOS to Android. This method is recommended by myself WhatsAppas it guarantees that the entire history (including media files) is saved without compression or loss. However, it has strict requirements:

• 📱 iPhone must work on iOS 15.5 or newer (at the time of testing - iOS 17.4+).
• 🤖 Android smartphone - on Android 12 or newer (support required Google Play Services).
• 🔌 Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network (mobile data is not suitable!).
• ⚡ The batteries are charged at least 50% - the process may take up to hour.

The biggest pitfall: if WhatsApp was already installed on your Android device, you will have to completely remove it before migrating. Otherwise, the system will not offer the option of restoring from an iPhone backup. Also make sure that Android has enough free space - chat history can weigh tens of gigabytes.

Delete WhatsApp from your Android device (if installed)|Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network|Charge the devices to at least 50%|Update iOS to the latest version|Download Move to iOS on Android from Google Play-->

Step by step instructions:

1. On iPhone: Open Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Prepare for transfer to Android. The system will generate a confirmation code.
2. On Android: Install the application Move to iOS from Google Play, run it and enter the received code from iPhone.
3. In the list of data to transfer, select WhatsApp (other applications can be skipped). Wait for the process to complete - it can take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the volume of chats.
4. Once completed, install Android install WhatsApp from Play Market and log into the same account. The system will automatically offer to restore the history.

2. Transfer via Google Drive: when Move to iOS does not work

If the official method is not available for some reason (for example, you have an old version iOS or Android), you can use intermediate backup via Google Drive. This method is more complicated, but more reliable than alternative utilities. The main condition: the iPhone must have the latest version installed WhatsApp (not lower than 2.23.10).

The algorithm is as follows:

1. Create a backup on iPhone:
   • Open WhatsApp → Settings → Chat → Backup.
   • Click Create a copy and wait for completion (may take up to 30 minutes).
   • Connect iPhone to your computer and copy the backup file from the folder /var/mobile/Media/WhatsApp/Databases (required iTunes or Finder to access the files).

Convert the backup: The file with the extension .crypt14 needs to be converted to a format compatible with Android. To do this, use utilities like iMazing or Backuptrans (paid, but there are trial versions).

Download to Google Drive: Upload the converted file to your cloud storage.

Recover to Android: Install WhatsApp on a new smartphone, sign in and select recovery from Google Drive.

Why WhatsApp does not see the backup on Google Drive?

If, after downloading the file, WhatsApp does not offer to restore chats, check:

1. The file must be named msgstore.db.crypt14 (without additional characters).

2. Access for WhatsApp must be enabled in Google Drive settings on Android (Settings → Google → Backup → WhatsApp).

3. Make sure you are logged into the same Google account where you downloaded the file.

Disadvantages of this method:

• ⏳ Takes 2-3 times longer than Move to iOS.
• 💰 Requires the purchase of conversion software (free analogues often cannot cope with large files).
• 📁 Media files (photos, videos) are not always transferred - they will have to be copied separately.

Official (Move to iOS)|Via Google Drive|Third-party utilities (Dr.Fone, iMazing)|Not transferred yet|Another method-->

3. Alternative utilities: Dr.Fone, iMazing and others

If the official methods do not work, third-party apps come to the rescue. The most popular are Dr.Fone (from Wondershare), iMazing and Backuptrans. They allow you to transfer not only chats, but also media files, and also work on devices with outdated versions of the OS. However, they have significant drawbacks:

Utility	Cost	Supported OS	Transfers media	Cons
Dr.Fone	~$40 (one-time license)	iOS 9+ → Android 5+	Yes	Slow work with large chats (>10 GB)
iMazing	~$50 (lifetime)	iOS 12+ → Android 8+	Yes	Complex interface, requires a PC
Backuptrans	~$30 (annual)	iOS 10+ → Android 6+	Partially	Does not always restore stickers correctly

General algorithm for working with such apps:

1. Install the utility on computer (Windows or macOS).
2. Connect iPhone and create a backup copy through the app.
3. Connect Android smartphone and select the data transfer option.
4. Follow the wizard's instructions - the process usually takes 15-40 minutes.

Warnings:

⚠️ Attention: some utilities (for example, Dr.Fone) require disabling two-factor authentication in WhatsApp during the transfer. Don't forget to turn it back on after completing!

⚠️ Attention: if WhatsApp has already been installed on Android the apps may offer overwrite existing chats. Make a backup copy of your current history before starting.

4. Transfer without a computer: cloud services and email

If you do not have access to a PC, you can try to get by cloud services or even email. This method is suitable for transferring a small number of chats (up to 1–2 GB), as it has volume limitations.

Option 1: Export chats by email

1. On iPhone open the desired chat in WhatsApp.
2. Click on the name of the interlocutor → Export chat → select Without media (otherwise the file will be too large).
3. Send the exported file to your email.
4. On Android download the file and import it through the menu Settings → Chat → Chat history → Import chat.

Option 2: Cloud storage (Dropbox, OneDrive)

• 📁 Download a backup copy msgstore.db.crypt14 to the cloud from iPhone (via Files or special applications).
• 📥 Download the file to Android and place it in folder /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases (you will need a file manager with access to root folders).
• 🔄 Reinstall WhatsApp and wait for the offer to restore chats.

Limitations:

• 🚫 Media files are transferred only if their total weight does not exceed 100-200 MB (depending on the mail service).
• ⏱️ The process takes a lot time with a large amount of data.
• 🔒 Exported chats are saved in the format .txt, that is, formatting and attached files are lost.

5. Common errors and how to fix them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

Error	Cause	Solution
"Failed to restore chats"	Mismatching phone numbers or versions WhatsApp	Make sure that both devices have the same SIM card and the latest version of the application
The process is stuck on "Preparing data"	Weak Internet connection or lack of memory	Restart the devices, connect to another Wi-Fi network, free up space
Media files were not transferred	Cloud storage or file format limitations	Copy the folder Media from the backup manually via PC
"The device is not supported"	Old version of Android or iOS	Update the OS or use third-party utilities (see section 3)

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔌 USB cable: for transfer via Move to iOS or utility requires an original cable (non-Chinese analogues may not transfer data).
• 📶 Regional settings: on some devices Huawei or Xiaomi for migration you need to temporarily change the region on USA or Europe.
• 🔒 Access rights: on Android give WhatsApp permissions to access storage and contacts (Settings → Applications → WhatsApp → Permissions).

What to do if stickers are lost after transfer?

Stickers are stored separately from chats and are often not transferred automatically. To restore them:

1. On iPhone, find the folder WhatsApp/Stickers in the backup.

2. Copy it to Android to /sdcard/WhatsApp/Stickers.

3. Restart WhatsApp - stickers should appear in the menu.

6. Xiaomi, Google

Some manufacturers offer branded tools for migration, which work more efficiently than universal solutions. For example, Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi Mi Mover can transfer not only chats, but also other data (contacts, photos, notes).

For Samsung owners:

1. Install Smart Switch on both devices (iPhone and Galaxy).
2. On iPhone select Send datato Galaxy — Receive data.
3. Connect devices via cable or Wi-Fi and select WhatsApp in the list of data for transfer.

For Xiaomi owners:

• 📲 Use Mi Mover (pre-installed on most devices).
• 🔗 Connect iPhone to Xiaomi via Wi-Fi access point (cable not supported).
• 📁 Select WhatsApp in the list of applications for migration.

For Google Pixel devices:

There is no specialized tool, but Google recommends using Move to iOS in reverse mode (see section 1). The main thing is to make sure that the latest version of Pixel latest version installed Android 14+ and Google Play Services.

⚠️ is installed. Attention: proprietary utilities (for example, Smart Switchmay conflict with third-party backup applications. Before use, uninstall all apps like Titanium Backup or Helium.

7. How to transfer only media files (photos, videos, voice)

If you are only interested media transfer (and not chat histories), the process is simplified. All files from WhatsApp are stored in a folder Mediathat can be copied manually:

To iPhone:

1. Connect the device to the PC and open it via Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
2. Go to the folder Internal Storage → WhatsApp → Media.
3. Copy all subfolders (WhatsApp Images, WhatsApp Video etc.) to your computer.

On Android:

1. Connect your smartphone to the PC and go to the folder /sdcard/WhatsApp.
2. Create a folder Media (if it does not exist) and paste the copied files.
3. Restart WhatsApp —media files will appear in the corresponding chats.

An alternative way is through Google Photos:

• 📸 On iPhone enable automatic uploading to Google Photos (Settings → Backup and synchronization).
• 🔄 Wait for the synchronization to complete (may take several hours).
• 📱 On Android install Google Photos and download all files to the folder WhatsApp/Media.

Please note: voice messages are stored in the folder WhatsApp Voice Notes. They can also be transferred manually, but they will only be available as audio files - the link to chats will be lost.

8. What to do if nothing helps?

If all methods have been exhausted, and the chats have not been transferred, radical measures remain:

• 🔄 Resetting Android settings: Sometimes a complete reset of the smartphone to factory settings with subsequent restoration via Move to iOS. Attention: this will delete all data from the device helps!
• 📞 Contact WhatsApp support: Write to support through the menu Settings → Help → Contact us. Attach screenshots of errors and indicate device models - sometimes they provide individual instructions.
• 🛠️ Manual recovery from backup: If you have a backup copy msgstore.db.crypt14you can try restore it via ADB (command line skills required).

If chats are critical (for example, work correspondence), consider the option temporarily returning to iPhone:

1. Create a fresh backup on iPhone.
2. Return to use iOS devices until you find a reliable transfer method.
3. Check periodically updates WhatsApp —maybe new versions will have improved migration tools.

Last advice: if you are planning to migrate to Android, prepare in advance —create a fresh backup on iPhone, free up space on both devices and check model compatibility. This will save hours of nerves!

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp chats from iPhone to Android without a computer?

Yes, but with restrictions. The most reliable way without a PC is Move to iOS (see section 1). Alternatives (for example Google Drive or email) require manual steps and are only suitable for small amounts of data.

Will voice messages and stickers be transferred?

Voice messages are transferred only when used Move to iOS or third-party utilities (like Dr.Fone). Stickers are often lost - they need to be copied separately (see spoiler in section 5).

What happens if you interrupt the data transfer?

If the process is interrupted, the chat history may be damaged. In the best case, the transfer will have to start over; in the worst case, the backup copy will become unreadable. Always wait until the operation is completed!

Is it possible to transfer chats to Android if the iPhone is broken?

If you have a backup copy on iCloud or on your computer, there are chances. Use utilities like iMazing to extract data from a backup. If there is no copy, you won’t be able to restore chats.

Will the transfer work on custom firmware (for example, LineageOS)?

No guarantees. Official tools (Move to iOS) require a certified version Android. On custom firmware, try third-party utilities, but success is not guaranteed.