With the transition to a new Samsung smartphone, many users are faced with the same problem: how to save the entire accumulated communication history in the messenger. Losing valuable photos, work documents, or just memorable conversations can be a real stress if you don't prepare your device in advance.
Fortunately, the Android ecosystem and Samsung tools offer several reliable methods for migrating data. The process of transferring WhatsApp depends on whether you use Google Drive cloud storage or prefer a direct connection between devices via cable.
In this guide, we will analyze in detail each step of the procedure so that you can be sure of the safety of your data when changing gadgets.
Preparing the old device for data migration
Before starting any manipulations With data, it's critical to make sure your current device is fully prepared to transfer information. The main tool here is Google Drive, which serves as a cloud storage for messenger backups.
Go to the settings of the WhatsApp application itself on your old phone. You need to find the section Chats → Chat backup. This is where information about the last saved version of your conversations is stored.
Pay attention to the Google account that is listed in the backup settings. It should match the one you plan to use on your new Samsung smartphone. If the accounts do not match, data recovery will become impossible without complex manipulations.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that you have enough free space on your Google Drive. Backup copies of media files can take up several gigabytes, and if there is not enough space, the backup creation process will be interrupted automatically.
Press the button Backup and wait for the process to complete. The status should change to the current date and time. No files will be transferred if the last copy was created several days ago.
☑️ Check before transfer
Setting up backup in Google Drive
To successfully transfer data to a new smartphone Samsung Galaxy you need to correctly configure the backup creation parameters. By default, the application may not save videos, which significantly saves space, but deprives you of part of the history.
In the backup menu you will see a switch Add video. If a complete history of media files is important to you, activate this option. However, please note that this will significantly increase the loading time and the amount of space taken up.
It is also worth checking the frequency of automatic saving. It is best to select the option Dailyso that when you change your phone you have the most recent copy. Manual updates before moving are a must.
If you have slow internet, back up at night when connection speeds may be faster and the network is less congested.
Sometimes users encounter a synchronization error. In this case, try clearing the Google Play Services cache through your phone settings: Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Storage → Clear cache.
Using Samsung Smart Switch for direct transfer
Owners of Samsung devices have a unique advantage - utility Smart Switch. This proprietary application allows you to transfer data directly from your old phone to a new one without necessarily using the cloud, which is often faster and more reliable.
To work, you will need a USB-C to USB-C cable (or an OTG adapter if the connectors are different). Connect both smartphones to each other. On the new device, launch the setup wizard or the Smart Switch application, select the “Receiver” role.
On the old phone, also launch Smart Switch and select the “Sender” role. After connecting the devices, select the category of data to transfer. Make sure the checkbox opposite WhatsApp is active.
| Transfer method | Speed | Requirements | Risk of loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | Depends on the Internet | Google account, Wi-Fi | Low |
| Smart Switch (Cable) | High | USB cable, both phone | Minimal |
| Local copy (Files) | Medium | File manager, PC | Medium |
Direct transfer process via cable especially convenient if you do not have fast Internet or limited traffic on Google Drive. The system itself will create a temporary copy and unpack it on the new device.
The process of restoring chats on a new Samsung
When you turn on your new Samsung smartphone for the first time and sign in to your Google account, the system will offer to restore data from a backup. This is a key point for WhatsApp integration.
Install the WhatsApp application from the store Google Playbut do not open it yet. During the initial Android setup process, you will be asked if you want to restore your apps and data. Confirm this action.
After completing the basic setup, open WhatsApp. The app will automatically detect the presence of a Google Drive backup or a local file transferred via Smart Switch.
⚠️ Attention: Do not set up WhatsApp until the system data recovery is complete. If you log into the messenger earlier, it may create an empty database, and the offer to restore the old copy will disappear.
Click the button Restore in the window that appears. Wait for the process to complete, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the volume of chats. Only after this click Next.
What to do if the "Restore" button does not appear?
If the offer does not appear, check whether you are using the same phone number. Restoration is only possible to the same number to which the copy was created. Also check for the backup file in the Google Drive folder.
Transfer local files manually via PC
Sometimes cloud methods do not work due to synchronization errors or lack of Internet. In such cases, you can use the manual method of transferring folders via a computer. This method requires attention to the directory structure.
Connect your old phone to the computer and find the WhatsApp data folder. In modern versions of Android, the path looks like Android/media/com.whatsapp or WhatsApp/Databases.
Copy the entire folder WhatsApp (or contents com.whatsapp) to your computer’s hard drive. Then connect the new Samsung and paste the copied files into the exact same directory in the internal memory.
Old path: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.whatsapp
New path: /storage/emulated/0/Android/media/com.whatsapp
After copying the files, install WhatsApp on the new phone. When launched, the application will offer to restore data from a local copy, as it will detect files in the desired directory.
The folder structure on Android 11 and higher has changed. Database files are now located deeper in system folders, making manual migration without root access more difficult.
Solving common migration problems
Even if you follow all the instructions, technical difficulties may arise. Often, users complain that media files or recent messages disappear after recovery.
This may be due to the fact that Google Drive backup does not include videos by default. Check the settings on your old device again. If the problem is that the recovery process is stuck, try restarting your phone and starting the application again.
- 📱 Make sure that both devices have the latest version of WhatsApp from the official store installed.
- 🔋 Do not disconnect the phone from charging while restoring large amounts of data to avoid power failure.
- 📶 Use a stable Wi-Fi connection, mobile data may drop the connection when downloading gigabytes of information.
If you are transferring data from iPhone to Samsung, the process will be different and will require the use of a Lightning to USB-C cable and the Smart Switch application during the initial Android setup.
⚠️ Attention: App interfaces and menu options may vary slightly depending on the version of Android (One UI) and the version of WhatsApp itself. Always check the current prompts on the screen of your device.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer correspondence if I have changed my phone number?
Yes, but first you need to use the “Change number” function inside the WhatsApp settings on your old device. This will link your chat history to the new number, after which you can make a backup copy and restore it on the new phone.
How much space does conversation take up on Google Drive?
The volume depends on the number of media files. Text messages take up kilobytes, but photos and videos can take up gigabytes. Free 15 GB is usually enough for several years of active correspondence with photos.
What happens if I don’t restore the backup right away?
You can restore it later only if you delete the WhatsApp application and install it again. When installing again, you will be prompted to restore data from the found copy.
Are hidden chats transferred to the new phone?
Yes, hidden chats are also saved in a shared backup and will be restored along with other conversations, provided that the same Google account is used.