How to Transfer WhatsApp Messages to New Phone Without Backup

Quick Tips

• You can use the QR scanning method to transfer WhatsApp messages without backup. However, it can only move chats from Android to Android and iPhone to iPhone.
• First, prep your old device, go to WhatsApp Settings → Chats → Transfer Chats → give necessary permissions.
• Now generate a QR on the new phone, set up WhatsApp with the same number → select Transfer chat history from the old phone → scan this QR from the old phone.

Note Before Transfering WhatsApp Chat History

• You can transfer
  • All chats – Personal messages, media files, documents, etc.
  • Full account information – Profile picture, about, etc.
• You can’t transfer
  • Peer-to-peer payment messages.
  • Call history.
  • Media from WhatsApp Channels.
• It’s currently not possible to transfer chats on WhatsApp Business.
• Don’t delete the old phone’s data or uninstall WhatsApp, until the data transfer is successful. If the transfer fails or gets stuck, data should still be available on the old phone.

Transfer WhatsApp Messages to New Android or iPhone Without Backup

To transfer WhatsApp messages to a new phone without a backup, you’ll have to generate the QR code on the new phone. However, you can only use this method to move data from Android to Android and iPhone to iPhone.

What You Need

• The latest version of WhatsApp and device OS.
• Use the same phone number as your old phone. You can’t change your WhatsApp number in this manner.
• Don’t register your new phone on WhatsApp before you start the migration on your old phone.
• Keep both phones close to each other.
• Enable Wi-Fi for both devices. They don’t need to be connected to a network.
• Connect both the devices to a power source, to avoid any battery-related issues.
• Devices may need permission to access the local network, precise location, etc.

Part 1: Initiate WhatsApp Chat Transfer from Old Phone

Step 1. Open WhatsApp. Tap the three-dot icon → Settings (Android) or Settings from the bottom-right corner (iPhone).

Step 2: On the Settings page, tap Chats.

Step 3: Scroll down and select Transfer chats (Android) or Transfer Chats to iPhone (iPhone). Tap Start.

Step 4: Give the necessary permissions to WhatsApp.

Step 5: The QR code scanner will open on your old phone with WhatsApp. Now, let’s move to your new phone and follow along.

Part 2: Generate the QR Code to Transfer WhatsApp Chat History

Step 1: Install WhatsApp on your new phone and launch it. Select the preferred language and tap the next arrow.

Step 2: Tap Agree and continue.

Step 3: Next, enter your phone number. Remember it should be the same number as the old device. Tap Next.

Step 4: Enter the six-digit verification code.

Step 5: Now, the phone will ask you to transfer your chat history from your old phone. Tap Continue. Give the new phone the location permission to resume the transfer.

Step 6: A QR code will be generated on your new phone.

Step 7: Scan the QR code from your old phone. Leave both devices in peace to allow smooth transfer, it may take some time, say three to four minutes.

Step 8: Once the transfer is completed, tap Next.

Step 9: Set up your account and tap Next to open WhatsApp with the transferred messages from your old phone.

Note: You can also move chats from an iPhone to an Android device via USB without backup. For that select Move Chats to Android from the Transfer chat window and follow the on-screen instructions.

FAQs on Transferring WhatsApp Messages Without Backing Up