WhatsApp: In a recent announcement, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed an upcoming feature that will make transferring WhatsApp messages and large attachments between phones running the same operating system a breeze. For instance, if you want to switch from an iPhone to another iPhone, you will be able to do so simply by scanning a QR code. Similarly, you will be able to transfer your chat histories within minutes on Android phones as well.
This new chat transfer feature bypasses the need for cloud backups by simply scanning a QR code displayed on your old phone with your new device. WhatsApp assures users that data is shared exclusively between the two devices and is fully encrypted during the transfer process.
Compared to the current cloud-based alternative, this new process has the potential to be significantly quicker and easier. Previously, users had to back up their chat history to iCloud or Google Drive and then download it onto the new device. However, this method often met with limitations posed by cloud storage, such as the 5GB cap on free iCloud accounts. With the new chat transfer feature, these hassles are eliminated, providing a seamless experience for users.
It is important to note that this feature is only compatible between devices running the same operating system, meaning it works for Android to Android transfers or iOS to iOS transfers. If you wish to transfer your chat history between the two operating systems, the process differs slightly depending on the direction you are moving your data. WhatsApp provides a dedicated help page for moving from iPhone to Android, as well as one for transferring from Android to iPhone.
While an exact release date for this feature has not been provided in WhatsApp’s announcement, reports from WABetaInfo suggest that it has been gradually rolling out to beta testers on both Android and iOS platforms. This, combined with the official announcement, indicates that widespread availability of the feature is not far off. Once it becomes accessible, users can activate the chat transfer feature by navigating to Settings, Chats, and selecting “Chat transfer” on their old device.
