WhatsApp, the globally recognized messaging platform, has officially introduced a new process for transferring chats from one device to another.
The freshly revealed chat transfer approach utilizes QR codes and allows data migration between devices running the same operating system. Users only require a local Wi-Fi connection to complete the process.
However, to successfully move chat histories, the old and new devices must be active and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Here is a simple guide on how to transfer chats:
- Launch WhatsApp on the original device, and navigate to Settings > Chats > Chat transfer.
- A QR code will be generated after completing this step.
- From your new phone, scan the presented QR code.
The transferred data is encrypted and exclusively shared between the two devices via your local network. This makes the QR code-based procedure more secure than using third-party alternatives.
This marks the company’s first instance of implementing a local method for data transfer. In the past, users could only migrate data between devices using cloud backups, requiring both devices to run the same operating system — either iOS or Android.
However, it’s worth mentioning that WhatsApp does offer iOS to Android and Android to iOS chat migration, but these methods are a bit more intricate.
In other updates, WhatsApp announced this year that it would roll out a multi-device feature, permitting users to access chats on several devices under a single account.
