How to back up or restore WhatsApp data

If you want to transfer your WhatsApp chat history when you switch to a new phone, there are several solutions. The easiest option is to transfer your WhatsApp data to a new phone by restoring your data from Google Drive.

Step 1: Transfer WhatsApp from a Google Drive backup

If you have a Google account, you are able to transfer WhatsApp between two phones via Google Drive. Since WhatsApp backs up all your messages and photos to Google Drive by default, transferring WhatsApp to your new phone in this way provides an easy solution. The transferring process consists of two stages; first, you need to back up your WhatsApp messages, and then transfer it to another Samsung device.

Before you begin your Google Drive WhatsApp backup, you need to check the following are in place:

  • Your phone is signed into Google Drive
  • Google Play must be installed (only available for Android OS 2.3.4 and higher). You can find out which version of Android you are using here
  • Your Google Drive must have enough space for your WhatsApp data
  • Your phone must have enough free space to create the backup. You can check the amount of storage space on your device here
  • Your new phone has the same phone number and Google account as the original one
1 Launch WhatsApp on your original phone
WhatsApp icon
Tap the More Options icon Tap the More Options icon

2. Tap the More Options icon

Tap Settings Tap Settings

3. Tap Settings

Tap Chats Tap Chats

4. Tap Chats

Tap Chat backup Tap Chat backup

5. Tap Chat backup

Tap Back up to Google Drive Tap Back up to Google Drive

6. Tap Back up to Google Drive

Set the backup frequency Set the backup frequency

7. Set the backup frequency

Choose an account Choose an account

8. Choose an account

Tap Back up Tap Back up

9. Tap Back up

Stage 2: Transfer and restore your WhatsApp backup

1 Launch WhatsApp on your new phone
WhatsApp icon
Select your language, then tap the arrow Select your language, then tap the arrow

2. Select your language, then tap the arrow

Tap Agree and continue Tap Agree and continue

3. Tap Agree and continue

Enter your phone number and tap NEXT. When prompted, enter the verification code Enter your phone number and tap NEXT. When prompted, enter the verification code

4. Enter your phone number and tap NEXT. When prompted, enter the verification code

Tap Continue in the Contacts and media popup Tap Continue in the Contacts and media popup

5. Tap Continue in the Contacts and media popup

Tap Allow on the popups Tap Allow on the popups

6. Tap Allow on the popups

Tap Restore Tap Restore

7. Tap Restore

WhatsApp will restore your chats and media to your new phone from Google Drive WhatsApp will restore your chats and media to your new phone from Google Drive

8. WhatsApp will restore your chats and media to your new phone from Google Drive

Tap Back up Tap Back up

9. Tap Back up

Yes. Smart Switch allows you to transfer a plethora of data effortlessly between an old and new Galaxy device, and you can now use it for transferring WhatsApp data also. 

If you are making the switch from an iPhone to Samsung Galaxy device and looking to move WhatsApp to your new phone, we recommend that you transfer your WhatsApp data via Google Drive, following the instructions above. 

More information on transferring WhatsApp to a new phone can be found by referring to the WhatsApp About changing phones guide. 

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