How to Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone 16/17 Free - 2026

Way 1: Transfer WhatsApp Data from Android to iPhone Free via Move to iOS

Move to iOS is Apple's official free method for transferring supported WhatsApp data from Android to a new or factory-reset iPhone. The process can transfer WhatsApp messages and media along with other supported content, but it must be completed during iPhone setup.

Apple now also supports direct Android-to-iOS data transfer without the Move to iOS app on some compatible Android 17 devices. However, Apple's current instructions for that no-app path do not specifically list WhatsApp messages and media, so use the supported Move to iOS workflow when WhatsApp transfer is the goal.

Here are the steps to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone free via Move to iOS.

• To transfer WhatsApp with Move to iOS, your iPhone must be new or factory-reset. If it is already set up, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and select Erase All Content and Settings.

• To do so, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and select Erase All Content and Settings.


• Set up your iPhone. When you reach the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, tap From Android.
• On the iPhone, continue until the transfer code appears. Then move to the Android phone.


• Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone, follow the prompts, and enter the code shown on the iPhone.

• When the Transfer Data screen appears on Android, select WhatsApp and tap Start. After WhatsApp prepares the data, return to Move to iOS and tap Continue to transfer it. The transfer time depends on how much WhatsApp data you have.



• Finish setting up the iPhone. Install the latest version of WhatsApp from the App Store, sign in with the same phone number, and follow the prompt to start importing the transferred chats and media.

Related read: How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone after Setup

Way 2: Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone Free Using Google Drive

Google Drive cannot directly restore an Android WhatsApp backup to WhatsApp on an iPhone. Android WhatsApp backups use Google Drive, while iPhone WhatsApp backups use iCloud. If you only have a Google Drive backup, you need to restore it to Android first or use a transfer tool that supports Google Drive backup restoration.

• First, restore the WhatsApp backup to an Android phone by verifying the same WhatsApp number used for the backup.
• After the chats are available on Android, you can use Export chat for individual conversations, or use a dedicated transfer tool for a full cross-platform transfer.
• Open the chat you want to export, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, select More, and choose Export chat. Select whether to include media.
• Choose Gmail or another email app and send the exported conversation to an email address you can access on your iPhone.
• If you need to move a full WhatsApp backup rather than export individual chats, see restore WhatsApp backup from Google Drive to iPhone for a dedicated transfer workflow.

Note:

This method does not import a Google Drive backup into WhatsApp on the iPhone. Email export is limited to individual chats. For a full transfer or backup restore, consider using iCareFone WhatsApp Transfer. This tool is specifically designed to facilitate the transfer of WhatsApp messages between Android and iPhone.

Way 3: Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone Free via Email (Only Messages)

Email export is a free way to keep a readable copy of an individual WhatsApp conversation on your iPhone. It does not import the conversation into the iPhone WhatsApp app, so it is useful for reference rather than a full WhatsApp migration.

These are the steps to export WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone by email.

• Launch WhatsApp on your Android phone and open the chat you want to export.
• Tap the three dots menu in the top-right corner, select More, and then choose Export chat.
• Select whether to include media, choose Gmail or another email app, and send the exported conversation to an email address you can access on your iPhone.

Note:

Email export creates a separate chat archive. You can read the exported conversation on your iPhone, but you cannot import that exported file into the iPhone WhatsApp app as an active chat history.

Way 4: Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone Without Factory Reset

If your iPhone is already set up and you do not want to erase it, Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer provides a dedicated way to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without a factory reset. The current version supports iOS 27 and Android 16, and it also supports Google Drive backup restoration, WhatsApp Business, and merging old and new WhatsApp data.

Unlike Move to iOS, this route is designed for users who have already completed iPhone setup or need more control over the transfer process.

If you want to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without a computer, iCareFone also offers a mobile app called iCareFone Transfer to iPhone. This is a separate mobile workflow from the desktop transfer process, so check the current app requirements before starting.

Downloads:

iCareFone Transfer - WhatsApp Transfer, Backup & Restore

rated on Trustpilot >

• Transfer WhatsApp between Android and iPhone;
• Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone;
• Backup WhatsApp iPhone to PC/Mac Freely & Easily;
• Supports 6000+ Android & iOS phone models, like iOS 26 & iPhone 16.

Here’s how to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone without a factory reset using Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer.

• First of all, you’ll need to download the iCareFone Transfer on your computer and install it. Launch the program and connect the both Android (source device) and iPhone (destination device) using the data cable that came with the phones.

  

  

  

• Before transferring WhatsApp data from Android to the iPhone, create a recent WhatsApp backup on the Android phone so the program can prepare the data. If your WhatsApp backup is already stored in Google Drive, iCareFone also supports restoring a Google Drive backup to iPhone.
• On the Android phone, navigate to Settings >> Chats >> Chat backup and select the option to back up to Google Drive.

  

• Next, verify your WhatsApp account via the program using the account number you wish to transfer to the iPhone. Enter the six-digit verification code to verify your account.

  

• Once you have verified your WhatsApp account, iCareFone Transfer prepares the data for the target iPhone. Follow the on-screen instructions and keep both devices connected during the transfer.

  

• Now you can select the data you want to transfer.

  

• Make sure WhatsApp is logged in on the target iPhone when the program asks you to complete the restore. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the transfer.

  

• If the program asks you to turn off Find My on the iPhone, go to Settings >> [your name] >> Find My >> Find My iPhone and follow the on-screen instructions.

  

What Is the Best App to Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone

The right method depends on whether your iPhone is new, already set up, or only has an existing WhatsApp backup available. The table below compares the official Move to iOS route with iCareFone Transfer by setup requirements, backup support, and transfer controls.

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Conclusion

The best way to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone depends on your iPhone's setup status. If the iPhone is new or factory-reset and you want a free official method, Move to iOS is the clearest choice. If the iPhone is already set up, you need to restore a Google Drive backup, or you want features such as cross-platform transfer and data merging, iCareFone Transfer provides an alternative without requiring a factory reset.

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