Google’s Data Transfer Tool, the standard tool for copying files from one Android to another or from iOS to Android, is preparing to offer a way to copy your WhatsApp chats from your iPhone.

About APK Insight: In this “APK Insight” post, we’ve decompiled the latest version of an application that Google uploaded to the Play Store. When we decompile these files (called APKs, in the case of Android apps), we’re able to see various lines of code within that hint at possible future features. Keep in mind that Google may or may not ever ship these features, and our interpretation of what they are may be imperfect. We’ll try to enable those that are closer to being finished, however, to show you how they’ll look in the case that they do ship. With that in mind, read on.

Transfer WhatsApp chats from iOS to Android

One of the bigger shortcomings of WhatsApp is that you can only access your messages on one smartphone at a time. Even with the recently launched multi-device beta, which allows the WhatsApp web and desktop apps to work while your phone is offline, the one-smartphone limitation is still in place. This unfortunately means there’s no easy way to move your chats from one device to another if they’re not both Android or both iOS.

Android has a built-in device-to-device transfer app called “Data Restore Tool,” which is used by the Android setup wizard to copy photos, apps, and files from one phone to another, including from iOS. With its recent launch to the Play Store, the Data Restore Tool received an update to version 1.0.382048734, which includes preparation for copying your WhatsApp chats & history from an iPhone to an Android phone.

When you reach the new step, Android’s Data Restore Tool will show a QR code, which you’ll need to scan on your iPhone to launch directly into WhatsApp’s upcoming migration settings. As explained elsewhere in the app, those same settings can be reached manually.

Transfer WhatsApp chats

Scan the QR code with your iPhone to open WhatsApp, then tap Start

Getting chats ready

Keep your iPhone unlocked and WhatsApp open

The option to transfer your WhatsApp chats from iOS to Android likely won’t appear in the Data Restore Tool until WhatsApp properly launches the new migration settings. To that end, WABetaInfo has managed to spot the transfer options in development, meaning we may not have long to wait.

Trouble scanning? On your iPhone, open WhatsApp, then go to Settings > Chats > Move Chats to Android

It was already interesting to see WhatsApp make it easy to move between Android and iOS, but this direct integration from Google’s own tool takes things up another level.

WhatsApp is developing a feature to migrate your chats between different platforms.This video shows how chats are migrated from iOS. It’s needed a cable: are new tools for PC coming or what?

It’ll be available for beta testers in a future update. Follow @WABetaInfo for more 💚 pic.twitter.com/Bu6xGxkpWE

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 2, 2021

Thanks to JEB Decompiler, from which some APK Insight teardowns benefit.

More on WhatsApp:

  • WhatsApp begins testing end-to-end encryption for cloud backups
  • WhatsApp multi-device support begins rolling out to select beta testers
  • WhatsApp beta on Android adds voice note waveforms, ability to forward sticker packs

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