Those looking to switch from an iPhone to an Android smartphone will now be able to keep their WhatsApp chats, if they choose a device running on Android 12.
Google announced that it had been working with the instant messaging service to enable secure transfers that ensure user data – from text chats to photos and other media – remains protected throughout the process.
During the transfer, users will not receive messages on their old device, so that no data gets left behind.
To start a transfer, users would need a USB-C to Lightning cable to connect the two phones.
Next, when prompted while setting up the new Android device, users need to scan a QR code on the iPhone to launch WhatsApp and move the chat history.
This feature is part of the Android 12 operating system (OS) that also enables users to automatically match and install the same iOS apps from Google Play, and transfer other media like SMS, iMessage history, photos, contacts and more.
Google added that this enabled the transfer of data that was previously impossible to bring across.
“Things like your WhatsApp chat history – those cherished memories, photos, voice messages and conversations with friends and family – can be really tough to leave behind, and that’s something we wanted to fix,” it said, on the Keyword blog.
Google states that the feature is currently available on all Samsung Galaxy devices and Pixel phones, and will be available on new smartphones that launch with Android 12.
Android 12 is the latest OS by the company, which launched on select phones on Oct 19.
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