Switching from iPhone to Pixel 3 XL - WhatsApp Migration?

[johnsamuels]

So, I'm making the switch. I understand that WhatsApp on the iPhone and Android do not share backups (iCloud v Google Drive). What's the best way to migrate my 3 GB of WA data (text, images, video) for my soon to arrive Pixel 3 XL? I sure a number of you have made a similar switch and could help me better understand what's ahead. Thanks.

 

[SpookDroid]

You can transfer the Whatsapp files from your iPhone, but conversations will not, unfortunately, be migrated. Only files that have been locally saved to the iPhone's memory can be transferred to a new device (just like normal downloaded media or camera pictures).

And remember to keep pestering Whatsapp to let them know cross-back up is a wanted feature.

https://faq.whatsapp.com/en/android/20887921/

 

[johnsamuels]

Thanks for your reply. Are you sure about this? I know that’s The official WhatsApp position but I’ve read several articles about transferring files from an iOS iTunes backup and running a freeware program to reconstruct conversations. I’ve also heard that Dr Fone will do this. I was hoping that someone here would know for sure. A couple of years ago I went in the other direction, Android to iOS with success, but that was four or five years ago.

 

[SpookDroid]

That's the extent of my knowledge and can only recommend the 'official' routes. If some other software (3rd party) exists, I wouldn't know. BUT since now Whatsapp conversations are super encrypted, it might be harder to do so.

 

[johnsamuels]

Thanks, again. I hoping to find some kind of solution. Appreciate your help!

 

[Martin_F]

I'm in the same boat. iOS to Pixel.
I looked into it some, but couldn't find any options.
When I finally downloaded WhatsApp on the Pixel and signed in, there were 4 threads in my messages, but no content at all. Thought it was kinda strange it would remember something.

Have you ever tried WhatsApp for the web? Where you can see all your messages and respond on a computer?
Maybe there is a backup available on there?

 

[johnsamuels]

WhatsApp web just reads the treads from your phone and doesn't create a backup.

This articles lists several possible options. Of course, they sell a product which they claim will do what I'm looking for. The second option that uses Wazzap Migrator sounds like a possibility. Involves making an unencrypted iTunes backup, extracting the appropriate files to the Android device, and then running Wazzap Migrator. I think I'll give this a try when my Pixel 3 XL arrives.

Still hoping to find someone who has completed a successful, complete migration.

https://drfone.wondershare.com/whatsapp-transfer/transfer-whatsapp-from-iphone-to-android.html

 

[SpookDroid]

I'm in the same boat. iOS to Pixel.
I looked into it some, but couldn't find any options.
When I finally downloaded WhatsApp on the Pixel and signed in, there were 4 threads in my messages, but no content at all. Thought it was kinda strange it would remember something.

Have you ever tried WhatsApp for the web? Where you can see all your messages and respond on a computer?
Maybe there is a backup available on there?

I think group chats are the ones that show up (with no content) because you are re-added to the group, so your app re-creates the thread. But without the backup to restore, the contents are not loaded.

 

[SpookDroid]

WhatsApp web just reads the treads from your phone and doesn't create a backup.

This articles lists several possible options. Of course, they sell a product which they claim will do what I'm looking for. The second option that uses Wazzap Migrator sounds like a possibility. Involves making an unencrypted iTunes backup, extracting the appropriate files to the Android device, and then running Wazzap Migrator. I think I'll give this a try when my Pixel 3 XL arrives.

Still hoping to find someone who has completed a successful, complete migration.

https://drfone.wondershare.com/whatsapp-transfer/transfer-whatsapp-from-iphone-to-android.html

If it works for you please let us know! We can make it a reference guide to help others in the same boat

 

[Martin_F]

I think group chats are the ones that show up (with no content) because you are re-added to the group, so your app re-creates the thread. But without the backup to restore, the contents are not loaded.

Yep, that makes sense. That's the ones that showed up.

 

[boourn]

A few friends suggested Wazzap Migrator to me too. I'll report back when my Pixel arrives in a few weeks.

 

[johnsamuels]

I'll report back. My Pixel 3 XL is still two weeks away.

 

[boourn]

Here's my update as promised! I used Wazzap Migrator and though the process can be quite cumbersome, it did indeed work out very nicely. All my chats, pics and media are now on my Pixel.

My advice first and foremost is that the Wazzap Migrator website provides very detailed (and helpful) steps to follow and I'd recommend paying attention and not trying to do your own thing. There are tutorial videos too which are helpful.

Below are some of my tips which you may find useful.

• You can use email, Google Drive or Dropbox but the quickest and best way to complete migration is by transferring files from your computer to your Android phone. My laptop doesn't have a USB-C port so I had to go and buy a USB-A to USB-C cable.
• Make sure you have set aside plenty of time to do the transfer, perhaps an hour to be safe. The process has quite a few steps plus I had quite a lot of media in my archives so the process took much longer than expected.
• I'd recommend not buying the app until you're sure you can extract the required files from your backup.
• Tell your loved ones to stop Whatsapping you until you've migrated over as you won't get their messages after your Whatsapp is set up on your new phone.
• iTunes Backup - this must be an unencrypted backup otherwise it won't work. I nearly screwed myself over here as I'd set a password for the encryption ages ago and totally forgot it but managed to guess it. If you are running iOS 11 and later you can reset your password (but of course I was using an older iOS!)
• It's best to complete the migration straight after you do your backup to ensure you don't lose any messages.
• Extracting Files from Backup - there are two suggested programs listed on the website. I used iBackup Viewer which was pretty straightforward but there are a lot of folders to choose from so pay attention. This can take a while if you have a lot of media files like me.
• Transfer Files to Android Phone - when you connect your cable to your PC it may not show any folders. You can remedy this going to Settings > USB Preferences > Select Use USB for "File Transfer".

I was pretty impressed with customer support - I had accidentally placed all my media files in my Download Folder which in turned created thousands of albums in my Gallery and had stressed me out. I messaged their support and basically received a reply 10 minutes later.

I have absolutely no affiliation to Wazzap Migrator and paid for the app like everyone else to use it. Hopefully this helps someone out.

 

[johnsamuels]

Thanks for the update. After 5 delivery date changes, my Pixel 3 XL should arrive on Wednesday. I'll try the migration as soone as I can and share my results.
Again, thanks.

 

[johnsamuels]

My Pixel 3xl arrived and I successfully completed the migration of my WhatsApp messages and media using iBackup Viewer and Wazzap Migrator. It's pretty straightforward as long as you take it step-by-step and exactly follow the directions on the Wazzap Migrator website. The only thing that caught me by surprise was the need to install an old version of WhatsApp after migrating the data to the new phone and after running Wazzap Migrator. That is not clear on their website but becomes clear from within the Wazzap Migrator app. As I have a rather large WhatsApp history with lots of media attachments (about 2GB) the entire process took about an hour including a couple of redos since I didn't follow the directions precisely at first.
Thanks to boorn for his post above.

 

[TheRock8969]

My Pixel 3xl arrived and I successfully completed the migration of my WhatsApp messages and media using iBackup Viewer and Wazzap Migrator. It's pretty straightforward as long as you take it step-by-step and exactly follow the directions on the Wazzap Migrator website. The only thing that caught me by surprise was the need to install an old version of WhatsApp after migrating the data to the new phone and after running Wazzap Migrator. That is not clear on their website but becomes clear from within the Wazzap Migrator app. As I have a rather large WhatsApp history with lots of media attachments (about 2GB) the entire process took about an hour including a couple of redos since I didn't follow the directions precisely at first.
Thanks to boorn for his post above.

Congrats on a successful transfer. I'm glad things worked out for you. I tried the same thing, for my Mother's phone. Using Wazzap migrator , the chats are here. But media isn't. It's non existent, in the iPhone it was set as " do not save media to galley" meaning all media was within whatsapp itself to save space. What do you think should I do? I followed the same steps from their video. But the media does not restore, can you please help? I used Ibackup viewer and all that. No luck with the media

 

[Rukbat]

Try switching the iPhone to "save media to gallery" and see if it downloads what's in the cloud. If it does, Wazzap should transfer it. If it doesn't, there's nothing you can do.