WhatsApp is soon rolling out a much requested feature: chat history migration between Android and iOS.
Facebook-owned WhatsApp is reportedly working on a new feature that will allow users to transfer their chats between Android and iOS devices, according to WABetaInfo—the portal that keeps us informed about the application’s upcoming features.
For now, it seems that the tool is functioning on WhatsApp Beta for Android 2.21.9.7.
WhatsApp says that the main challenge for enabling the feature is “difference in data formats”— Android backups go to Google Drive, while Apple users’ chats go on iCloud. This chat history migration is part of the multi-device support system. As previously reported by WABetaInfo, the feature will be available through an update for Android and iOS after multi-device support is rolled out.
According to WABetaInfo, aside from the seamless transfer of chats between two devices, WhatsApp will also sync them—chats on two different phones with the same WhatsApp account—for ease of usage. This is also going to include pinned and starred messages. However, if a chat is deleted on one device, it will be deleted from the other device as well, unless the deletion occurs for everyone (the sender and all recipients).
The website has also shared snapshots of the feature, explaining that while the exact method of transfer is not known yet, WhatsApp is likely to “use Google Drive to momentarily store the chat history to import to WhatsApp for Android.”
Interestingly, the new feature will allow WhatsApp Web (including WhatsApp Portal) to be used without an Internet connection on devices. This will be followed by a future update wherein WhatsApp will permit linking of other iOS and Android mobile devices. Additionally, WhatsApp is also testing a feature to allow users to search for stickers more easily. This will basically happen by analyzing the first word typed out in the chat bar, based on which stickers will be suggested.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a release date for the upcoming Android to iOS and vice-versa chat migration feature. But hopefully, it is rolled out soon so that users are finally able to migrate their chat history without losing precious photos and other information.
