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flav14
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

Move to iOS: WhatsApp missing from the transfer list (Samsung Android 16 to iPhone 18 Pro Max) / WhatsApp absent de la liste de transfert

Bonjour, je migre d'un Samsung Galaxy (SM-G990B2, Android 16, One UI 8.0) vers un iPhone 18 Pro Max avec « Passer à iOS ». WhatsApp (version 2.26.41.77, à jour) n'apparaît pas dans la liste « Sélectionnez les éléments à transférer », alors que Messages, Contacts, Journal d'appels, Agenda et Photos y sont. L'iPhone a été réinitialisé plusieurs fois, les deux téléphones sont sur secteur et sur le même Wi-Fi, et mes conversations sont bien présentes sur l'Android. Par ailleurs, la connexion de mon numéro à WhatsApp sur l'iPhone échoue, même si je reçois bien le SMS de vérification sur l'Android (SIM encore dedans, pas d'eSIM sur l'iPhone). Je veux garder mon historique complet : que dois-je faire pour que WhatsApp soit proposé dans le transfert ?


English: I'm moving from a Samsung Galaxy (SM-G990B2, Android 16, One UI 8.0) to an iPhone 18 Pro Max using Move to iOS. WhatsApp (v2.26.41.77, up to date) does not appear in the "Select the items to transfer" list, while Messages, Contacts, Call history, Calendar and Photos do. The iPhone has been factory reset several times, both phones are plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi, and my chats are present on the Android. Also, logging in with my number on WhatsApp on the iPhone fails even though I receive the verification SMS on the Android (SIM still in the Android, no eSIM on the iPhone). I want to keep my full chat history: what should I do so that WhatsApp is offered in the transfer?

Posted on Oct 26, 2026 9:44 PM

1 reply

SravanKrA
User level: Level 10 (454,138 points)

Oct 27, 2026 1:12 AM in response to flav14

There are two scenarios.

  • WhatsApp Chat is on the Android Device
  • WhatsApp Chat is backed up on Cloud Drives



WhatsApp Chat is on the Android Device:

  • Move to iOS only transfers WhatsApp chats that are locally present on the Android device.
  • If the chats exist only in Google Drive and are not restored onto the Android phone first, Move to iOS cannot see or move them.


If all your WhatsApp chats are on the Android Device and have not taken a chat backup then... Please use --> Move from Android to iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple ... Select the WhatsApp App while selecting which data you want to transfer from an Android device to iOS.



WhatsApp Chat is backed up on Cloud Drives


  • Google Drive backups cannot be read or imported by iOS.
  • Android → Google Drive and iOS → iCloud are two separate worlds that do not speak to each other. No official bridge exists.
  • iOS cannot restore an Android WhatsApp backup directly.
  • A Google Drive backup cannot be signed into or restored on an iPhone.


WhatsApp Chat backed up on any Cloud Drive may not get fetched. The Move process cannot extract data from Google Drive or any other Drive where the chat backups are stored using an Android device; I presume iCloud Drive is not one of them. My experience says you can't transfer the WhatsApp Backup which was done using an Android because on Android, WhatsApp chat history is not stored on iCloud, on iOS it is.


That may be possible with third-party software. Warning!; WhatsApp data through third-party software has the risk of data being compromised. Because the data will be churned through third-party servers, which may or may not be encrypted. Be judicious while selecting the software and taking this call.



If WhatsApp Chat backup has been enabled on your Android device and some chats are missing, please contact the app developer via the --> App Support or WhatsApp FAQ  , Or Restoring your chat history - WhatsApp FAQ or Contact WhatsApp


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256383703