Transfer WhatsApp Chats from iPhone to Samsung S21

This guide walks you through moving your WhatsApp chat history from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy S21. You’ll need your iPhone, your S21, a USB Lightning-to-USB-C cable (or a computer), and the Samsung Smart Switch app (pre-installed on the S21). The process uses Apple’s Move to iOS data migration, which WhatsApp supports for a one-time transfer.

What You’ll Need

iPhone with WhatsApp installed and logged in
Samsung Galaxy S21 with Smart Switch (usually pre-installed)
USB Lightning-to-USB-C cable (the one that charges your iPhone works)
Both phones charged above 50% and connected to Wi-Fi
Your WhatsApp backup (iCloud) – optional but recommended

Step-by-Step

Prepare your iPhone: Update WhatsApp to the latest version from the App Store. Go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and ensure iCloud Backup is enabled. Do a manual backup: open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now. This ensures your latest messages are safe.
Prepare your Samsung S21: Turn on the phone and complete the initial setup until you reach the home screen. Make sure Smart Switch is installed (if not, download it from the Galaxy Store). Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network.
Connect the phones: Use the Lightning-to-USB-C cable to connect your iPhone to the S21. If the S21 asks for permission, tap Allow. On your iPhone, tap Trust This Computer if prompted.
Start Smart Switch: On the S21, open Smart Switch. Tap Receive data and choose iPhone as the source. The app will detect your iPhone.
Select WhatsApp data: Smart Switch will list what can be transferred. Ensure WhatsApp is checked. You can also select other data like photos, contacts, and messages, but WhatsApp is the focus here.
Begin the transfer: Tap Transfer and wait. This can take several minutes depending on your chat history size. Do not disconnect the cable or use either phone during the process.
Install WhatsApp on S21: After the transfer completes, open WhatsApp on the S21. If it’s not installed, download it from the Play Store first.
Verify your number: Open WhatsApp and verify your phone number (the same one used on iPhone). The app will detect the transferred data and prompt you to import it. Tap Import and wait for the process to finish.
Check your chats: Once import completes, your chats, media, and group conversations should appear. Send a test message to confirm everything works.

Common Mistakes

Not updating WhatsApp: An outdated version on either phone can fail the transfer. Always update first.
Skipping the iCloud backup: If the cable transfer fails, the backup is your fallback. Never skip it.
Disconnecting the cable early: Letting go during transfer can corrupt the data. Wait for the completion screen.
Using the wrong cable: A standard USB-C to USB-C cable won’t work; you need the Lightning end for the iPhone.
Not keeping both phones awake: If the iPhone locks, the transfer may pause. Set auto-lock to ‘Never’ temporarily.

Tips

This transfer works only once per iPhone. If you need to redo it, you’ll have to reset the S21 to factory settings and start over.
Ensure your iPhone has iOS 15.5 or later and your S21 runs Android 10 or later for best compatibility.
Transfer over Wi-Fi can be slow for large histories. The cable method is faster and more reliable.
After the transfer, keep both phones charged; the process can drain battery quickly.
If you have a lot of media, consider deleting large videos from WhatsApp before transferring to speed things up.

Troubleshooting

Smart Switch doesn’t detect the iPhone: Reconnect the cable, unlock the iPhone, and tap Trust again. Restart both phones and try again.
Transfer stuck at a percentage: Leave it for 10 minutes; if no progress, cancel and restart. Ensure Wi-Fi is stable and both screens stay on.
WhatsApp on S21 says ‘No backup found’: The transfer may have failed. Repeat the Smart Switch process, making sure WhatsApp is checked. If it still fails, use the iCloud backup method: on the S21, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and when prompted, tap Restore from iCloud (you’ll need to sign in to iCloud).
Chats appear but media is missing: This can happen if the cable transfer didn’t include media. Check your iPhone’s WhatsApp settings for ‘Media visibility’ and ensure ‘Show media’ is on. You may need to manually transfer media via a computer.
Phone number verification fails: Make sure you have a SIM card with that number in the S21. If you’re using the same number, it should work. If not, contact your carrier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer WhatsApp chats without a cable?

Yes, you can use the iCloud backup method. Back up on iPhone, then on the S21 install WhatsApp and sign in with the same number. WhatsApp will offer to restore from iCloud. This requires you to log into iCloud on the S21, which is less secure but works.

Will my chat history transfer if I change my phone number?

Yes, as long as you use the same Apple ID and iCloud account for the backup, and you verify the new number on the S21. The chats are tied to your account, not the number.

Does this transfer include media like photos and videos?

Yes, Smart Switch transfers media included in your chats. However, some media may be compressed. For full quality, use the iCloud backup method, which keeps original files.

What if my iPhone is already set up and I don’t want to reset it?

The Smart Switch method doesn’t require resetting your iPhone. You just connect and transfer. The S21, however, must be in its initial setup or you can use Smart Switch after setup – it works both ways.

How long does the transfer take?

It varies. A small chat history (a few hundred MB) can take 10-15 minutes. Large histories with many videos can take over an hour. The cable method is faster than Wi-Fi.

Can I transfer from iPhone to Samsung if I already used WhatsApp on the S21?

No, the transfer only works if WhatsApp is not yet set up on the S21. You’ll need to clear WhatsApp’s data (Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Data) or uninstall and reinstall it before attempting the transfer.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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