Transferring WhatsApp messages and large attachments between phones running the same operating system is set to become easier, thanks to a new chat transfer feature announced by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The feature bypasses cloud backups by enabling users to scan a QR code displayed on their old phone with their new phone. WhatsApp assures users that data is exclusively shared between the two devices and remains fully encrypted during the transfer process.
The introduction of this new process holds the potential to significantly enhance speed and convenience compared to the existing cloud-based alternative. The current method involves backing up chat history to services like iCloud or Google Drive and then downloading it onto the new device. The new chat transfer feature conveniently circumvents any cloud storage limits that users may encounter, especially when dealing with extensive chat and media backups that exceed the 5GB of free storage provided with iCloud accounts.
It is important to note that this feature exclusively works between devices operating on the same system, meaning transfers can occur between Android and Android or iOS and iOS devices. The specific process for transferring chat history differs depending on the direction of the data transfer. WhatsApp has provided separate help pages for moving from iPhone to Android and from Android to iPhone to assist users in this regard.
While WhatsApp’s announcement does not provide an exact release date for the new feature, previous reports from WABeta Info indicate that it has been gradually rolling out to beta testers on both Android and iOS platforms. The official announcement, combined with the ongoing testing, suggests that the wider availability of the feature is not too far off. Once released, users can access the feature by navigating to Settings, Chats, and selecting “Chat transfer” on their old device.
