How to back up or restore WhatsApp data on your Samsung Galaxy phone
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.
Back up WhatsApp to Google Drive
Stage 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 transfer 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:
- 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.
- Your new phone has the same phone number and Google account as the original one
2. Tap the More Options icon
3. Tap Settings
4. Tap Chats
5. Tap Chat backup
6. Tap Back up to Google Drive
7. Set the backup frequency
8. Choose an account
9. Tap Back up
Stage 2: Transfer and restore your WhatsApp backup
2. Select your language > Tap the arrow icon
3. Tap Agree and continue
4. Enter your phone number > Tap Next. When prompted, enter the verification code
5. Tap Continue in the "Contacts and media" popup
6. Tap Allow on the popups
7. Tap Restore
8. WhatsApp will restore your chats and media to your new phone from Google Drive
Can I use Samsung Smart Switch to transfer WhatsApp data?
Samsung Smart Switch can transfer the WhatsApp app itself, but it does not transfer your WhatsApp data, such as chats and media.
Before switching phones, you'll need to back up WhatsApp to your Google Account on your old device. Once you've set up your new phone, sign in with the same Google Account and install WhatsApp. During setup, WhatsApp will detect the backup and ask whether you'd like to restore your chat history from the Google Account or set up the app as a new installation.
If you're creating a new Google Account on your new phone but want to keep your existing WhatsApp data, you'll first need to add and sign in to the new Google Account on your old phone. Then, change WhatsApp's backup settings so it backs up to the new Google Account. Once the backup has completed successfully, sign in with that same Google Account on your new phone and restore the WhatsApp backup during setup.
Can I transfer WhatsApp from an iPhone to Samsung?
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 iCloud. Please refer to the WhatsApp FAQ on How to move chats from an iPhone to an Android device.
More information on transferring WhatsApp to a new phone can be found by referring to the WhatsApp About changing phones guide.
Thank you for your feedback!
Please answer all questions.