Free WhatsApp Transfer from Android to iPhone

Updated 8 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

You can transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone for free using Apple’s Move to iOS app during the iPhone’s initial setup. The transfer copies supported WhatsApp account information and chat history; it does not restore an Android Google Drive backup directly onto an iPhone.

How the free transfer works

WhatsApp’s supported Android-to-iPhone migration uses Move to iOS, Apple’s Android app for moving data to a new or erased iPhone. During iPhone setup, the devices connect privately so selected data can move across. WhatsApp is one of the data categories that may be transferred. The WhatsApp app itself is installed on the iPhone separately, and you verify the same phone number there to import the chats.

The important limitation is timing: Move to iOS works as part of iPhone setup. If you have already finished setting up the iPhone, the supported route generally requires erasing it and starting setup again. Erasing removes data currently on the iPhone, so save anything important first. If you do not want to reset it, you may need to keep the Android phone as your archive or decide whether losing the existing iPhone setup is worthwhile.

Before you start

Check these requirements before beginning. Exact prompts can vary with software versions, but the core process depends on both devices being ready and the account details matching.

Update WhatsApp on the Android phone and install Apple’s Move to iOS app from Google Play.
Use an iPhone that is new or has been erased and is at its initial setup screens.
Have both phones charged or connected to power. Keep them near each other and avoid switching apps or interrupting the transfer.
Connect the Android phone to Wi-Fi. The iPhone creates a temporary connection for migration; follow the on-screen directions rather than changing network settings unnecessarily.
Make sure the iPhone has enough available storage for the WhatsApp data and other items you select.
Use the same phone number for WhatsApp on the iPhone that you used on Android. If you need to change numbers, use WhatsApp’s number-change process on the old phone before migrating.
Keep the Android phone and its WhatsApp data available until you have checked the chats on the iPhone.

A Google Drive backup can be useful for restoring WhatsApp on Android, but it is not an iPhone restore file. Backups are tied to their platform and account setup; for this move, use the cross-platform migration flow instead.

Step-by-step transfer

On Android, install and open Move to iOS. Read the prompts and allow the requested access needed to find and move data.
Turn on the iPhone and proceed through setup. At the “Transfer Your Apps & Data” screen, choose the option to move data from Android. If the iPhone is already set up, stop here unless you are prepared to erase it and begin again.
On the iPhone, wait for a code to appear. Enter that code in Move to iOS on Android, then let the phones connect.
When the data-selection screen appears on Android, select WhatsApp. In WhatsApp, follow the prompt to prepare the data for export, then return to Move to iOS and continue. Leave both phones alone while the transfer runs.
Finish the iPhone setup. Download WhatsApp from the App Store, open it, and verify the same phone number used on Android.
When WhatsApp offers to import the transferred chats, start the import and wait for it to finish. Check several conversations and media items before removing WhatsApp or its data from Android.

The transfer does not mean every item from your Android phone becomes an iPhone item. WhatsApp chat history and supported media are the focus. Some account-related details and data types may not move, so review WhatsApp’s current migration information if a specific item is essential.

What transfers, and what does not

The migration is designed to bring over personal chat history and supported WhatsApp data, including many photos and videos in conversations. WhatsApp’s exact supported categories can change, and not every kind of data or setting is guaranteed to transfer. For example, call history is not part of the chat migration, and some account or payment-related information may not be carried over.

Moving chats also does not combine two WhatsApp histories. If the iPhone already has a separate WhatsApp history, do not assume the Android chats will merge with it. The supported import is intended for a setup flow, and you should treat the Android history as the source being migrated. Keep a separate copy of any important iPhone information before resetting the device.

Common problems and fixes

No “Transfer from Android” option: The iPhone may already be past initial setup. To use Move to iOS, you generally need to erase it through its settings and set it up again. Back up anything you need first.
The phones disconnect or the transfer stalls: Keep both devices powered, close other tasks, keep them close together, and do not answer calls or switch away from Move to iOS. Restart both phones and retry if the process fails.
WhatsApp is missing from the transfer choices: Update WhatsApp and Move to iOS, restart the Android phone, and begin again from the iPhone’s Android-transfer screen. Confirm the Android WhatsApp account is active and has the chats you expect.
The chats do not appear after setup: Make sure WhatsApp is installed on the iPhone and that you verified the same number. Look for the import prompt and complete it; simply signing in without importing may leave the transferred history unused.
Not enough iPhone space: Check iPhone storage before starting. Reduce other selected data or make room, then repeat the setup transfer if needed. Do not delete the only copy of important chats from Android before confirming the result.

Cost, safety, and alternatives

The official Move to iOS method and WhatsApp’s transfer process do not require buying a transfer utility. You do need internet access to download apps and may use mobile data if Wi-Fi is unavailable, so prefer Wi-Fi where practical. Be cautious of third-party tools that promise a one-click transfer: they may charge, request access to private messages, or make claims that are difficult to verify. Avoid sharing verification codes or account credentials with a transfer service.

If you cannot erase an already configured iPhone, there is no equivalent official Google Drive restore that imports Android WhatsApp chats directly into the iPhone app. Practical alternatives are to retain the Android phone for reference, export individual chats for readable records (exports do not restore them as live WhatsApp conversations), or wait until you can perform the supported migration during a fresh iPhone setup. Exported chat files are not a substitute for a full account migration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without paying?
Yes. The supported Move to iOS method is free. You need both phones, the required apps, and an iPhone at its initial setup stage.

Can I transfer chats without resetting my iPhone?
Generally, no. Move to iOS is used during initial iPhone setup. If setup is already complete, using this route typically means erasing the iPhone first, which deletes its current contents unless they are backed up.

Can I restore my Google Drive WhatsApp backup on an iPhone?
No. An Android Google Drive backup is not directly restored by WhatsApp on iPhone. Use the supported Android-to-iPhone migration process instead.

Do I need the same phone number on both phones?
Yes, for the standard migration, verify WhatsApp on the iPhone with the number associated with the Android account. If changing numbers, change the number in WhatsApp on Android before transferring.

Will my WhatsApp call history move?
No. WhatsApp call history is not included in the Android-to-iPhone chat transfer. The migration focuses on supported chats and media.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.