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Need to move your WhatsApp Business account across to a new device? Let’s take a look at how to transfer your account, plus what data you can and can’t move across.
Why would I need to transfer WhatsApp Business?
There are many situations in which you might like to transfer your WhatsApp Business account to a new phone. Some examples include:
- Upgrading to a new phone
- Lost or broken your old phone
- Change of job or job responsibilities
- Taking on a new employee to manage your WhatsApp Business account
- Selling your business
In all these examples, you need a quick and easy way to get your old data onto a new device, with minimal stress or hassle.
How to transfer your WhatsApp Business app to a new phone
If you’re moving between the same type of phone, such as Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone, you’ll be able to transfer your full chat history. Before you transfer your data, make sure you follow the steps below to backup your chat history.
How to manually backup your chat history on iPhone
- Open the WhatsApp app.
- Tap WhatsApp Settings, then choose Chats.
- Tap Chat Backup, then choose Back Up Now.
- This will create a backup on iCloud.
How to manually backup your chat history on Android
- Open the WhatsApp app.
- Tap menu (three dots icon), then Settings, then Chats.
- Tap Chat Backup, then Back up.
- This will create a backup on your connected Google Drive.
Now that you’ve securely created a backup, you’re ready to transfer your data. Follow the steps below to transfer WhatsApp Business data to a new phone.
Tip: For security reasons, when you try to change devices, WhatsApp may send you a notification on your old phone. This will ask if it is you who is trying to change devices. Simply confirm that you’re moving WhatsApp to a new phone.
Transferring from iPhone to iPhone
You can transfer all your chat and media history from an iPhone to another iPhone by using WhatsApp’s Chat Transfer feature.
You could restore your chat data from a backup, but the Chat Transfer feature also allows you to move your full account information across. This includes your personal messages, videos, photos and documents.
Peer-to-peer payment messages and call history can’t be transferred from iPhone to iPhone.
You’ll need to:
- Install iOS 2.23.9.77 or above on both devices.
- Use the same phone number for both devices.
- Make sure WhatsApp isn’t registered on your new phone before you begin the migration.
- Make sure your iPhones are physically close to each other.
- Make sure both your iPhones are connected to power.
- Make sure both your iPhones are connected to the internet via WiFi.
Then follow these steps to transfer your chat history:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your old phone.
- Go to Settings, then Chats, then Transfer Chats to iPhone. Choose Start.
- Allow WhatsApp to access the camera if this isn’t already enabled. This means you can scan the QR on your new phone using the camera on your old phone.
- Open the WhatsApp app on your new phone.
- Accept the terms and conditions and verify your phone number.
- Choose Continue when you are asked to Transfer chat history to iPhone.
- Accept local network permissions when prompted.
- Use the camera on your old phone to scan the QR code displayed on your new phone.
- Accept local network permissions when prompted.
- Your chat history will start to transfer, showing the progress on a percentage bar.
- Keep both phones together, make sure they are unlocked, and don’t leave WhatsApp on either phone.
- When the Transfer is complete, choose Next. You can then go to the Setup Profile page to enter your name, and access your chat list with your full chat history.
TIP: Your WhatsApp data will still be stored on your old iPhone unless you delete WhatsApp or reset the device.
How to transfer from Android to Android
You can transfer all your chat and media history from an Android phone to another Android phone by using WhatsApp’s Chat Transfer feature.
You could restore your chat data from a backup, but the Chat Transfer feature also allows you to move your full account information across. This includes your personal messages, videos, photos and documents.
Peer-to-peer payment messages and call history can’t be transferred from Android to Android.
You’ll need to:
- Install Android OS Lollipop 5.1, SDK 23 or above, or Android 6 or above on both devices.
- Use the same phone number for both devices.
- Make sure WhatsApp isn’t registered on your new phone before you begin the migration.
- Make sure your Android phones are physically close to each other.
- Make sure both your Android phones are connected to power.
- Make sure both your Android phones have WiFi enabled.
Then follow these steps to transfer your chat history:
- Open the WhatsApp app on your old phone.
- Go to More Options, then Settings, then Chats, then Transfer Chats. Choose Start.
- Accept the permissions that are requested. This means you can scan the QR on your new phone using the camera on your old phone.
- Open the WhatsApp app on your new phone.
- Accept the terms and conditions and verify your phone number.
- Choose Start on Transfer chat history from old phone.
- Accept the requested permissions. You should now see a QR code.
- Use the camera on your old phone to scan the QR code displayed on your new phone.
- Accept the invitation to connect your new phone to link your new Android device with the old one.
- Your chat history will start to transfer, showing the progress on a percentage bar.
- Keep both phones together, make sure they are unlocked, and don’t leave WhatsApp on either phone.
- When the Transfer is complete, tap Done. You can now use WhatsApp on your new phone.
TIP: Your WhatsApp data will still be stored on your old Android phone unless you delete WhatsApp or reset the device.
How to transfer from iPhone to Android
You can transfer your account information, profile photo, personal messages, individual chats, group chats, chat history, media and settings from an iPhone to an Android phone.
You won’t be able to transfer your call history, display name, status or peer-to-peer payment messages from iPhone to Android.
You’ll need to:
- Use a Samsung Android, Google Pixel, or a device with Android 12 or above installed
- Make sure Samsung Smart Switch app version 3.7.11.1 or above is installed on your new device, or Google’s Data Restore Tool, which comes installed on Google Pixel and devices with Android 12 or above
- Make sure WhatsApp iOS version 2.21.160.17 or above is installed on your old device
- Make sure WhatsApp Android version 2.21.16.20 or above is installed on your new device
- Use a USB-C to Lightning cable (or alternative adapter)
- Use the same phone number on the new device and the old device
- Make sure the device is set as factory new or reset to factory settings (if transferring to Google Pixel or non-Samsung Android 12
Then follow these steps to transfer your chat history:
- Reset your Google Pixel or Android 12 and above device to factory settings if you’re not setting it up new.
- Complete device set up and choose restore data when prompted
- Unlock the iPhone.
- When you’re asked to Copy apps and data, connect the devices by cable.
- Tap Trust if prompted by the iPhone.
- Continue through the copying screens to complete the process.
- Keep the iPhone unlocked while the transfer completes.
- When prompted, use the iPhone camera app to scan the QR code.
- Open WhatsApp iOS to export the data.
- Finish the transfer and disconnect the cable.
- Open the WhatsApp app on your Pixel or Android 12 or above device.
- Log on using the same phone number you used on your old device.
TIP: Your WhatsApp data will still be stored on your old iPhone unless you delete WhatsApp or reset the device.
How to transfer from Android to iPhone
You can transfer your account information, profile photo, personal messages, individual chats, group chats, chat history, media and settings from an Android to iPhone.
You won’t be able to transfer your call history, display name, status or peer-to-peer payment messages from iPhone to Android.
You’ll need to:
- Make sure Android OS Lollipop, SDK 21 or above, or Android 5 is installed on your Android device.
- Make sure iOS 15.5 or above is installed on your iPhone.
- Use the Move to iOS app (installed on your Android phone).
- Make sure WhatsApp iOS version 2.22.10.70 or above is installed on your new device.
- Make sure WhatsApp Android version 2.22.7.74 is installed on your old device.
- Use the same phone number on both devices.
- Make sure your iPhone is factory new or reset to factory settings. This will allow it to pair with the Move to iOS app.
- Make sure both devices are connected to power.
- Make sure both devices are connected to the same WiFI network, or connect your Android device to your iPhone’s hotspot
Then follow these steps to transfer your chat history:
- Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone. Follow the prompts.
- When prompted, enter the code which is displayed on your iPhone on your Android phone. Choose Continue.
- Select WhatsApp when the Transfer Data screen is displayed.
- Tap START on your Android phone. Wait as WhatsApp prepares the data for export.
- Once the data is ready, you’ll be signed out from your Android phone.
- Choose NEXT to return to the Move to iOS app.
- Choose CONTINUE. This will transfer the data from your Android phone to your iPhone. Wait for the Move to iOS app to confirm the transfer has been successful.
- Go to the App Store and install the latest version of WhatsApp.
- Open WhatsApp and log in using the same phone number as your old device.
- Choose START to allow the process to complete.
- Once your device is activated, you’ll be able to access your WhatsApp chat history.
TIP: Your WhatsApp data will still be stored on your old Android phone unless you delete WhatsApp or reset the device.
What to consider when transferring WhatsApp Business to a new phone
When you transfer your WhatsApp Business account to a new phone, you’ll be able to transfer most of the data in your WhatsApp Business account, but there are some exceptions.
What can I transfer?
You can transfer your:
- Account information
- Profile photo
- Personal messages
- Individual chats
- Group chats
- Chat history
- Media
- Settings
What can’t I transfer?
You can’t transfer your:
- Call history
- Display name
- Status
- Peer-to-peer payment messages
How can I run WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Messenger on the same phone?
Don’t want the hassle of setting up two separate devices? Luckily, you can run WhatsApp Messenger and WhatsApp Business on the same phone – you’ll just need a second phone number to verify your new account.
Having a second business phone number brings so many benefits to small or medium-sized businesses. You can more effectively separate out your professional and personal chats, and create a better work-life balance than ever. You’ll also be able to harness all the incredible organisation, sales and support features that WhatsApp Business offers you and your team. Once you’ve discovered the many tools it makes available to your business – from automatic responses to full catalogues, and more – you’ll never look back.
At YourBusinessNumber, we make it easy to get your WhatsApp Business account up and running in minutes. In just a few clicks you can generate a new second phone number and receive it via SMS. And with flexible, cost-effective contracts, you’ll stay in complete control every step of the way. Don’t wait any longer to unlock the power of WhatsApp Business – get your number today!
Author:
George Lineker
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