WhatsApp rolls out new QR code-based chat transfer feature
WhatsApp's new QR code-based chat transfer feature does not require you to backup to Google Drive or iCloud.
Note: This article was first published on 1 July 2023.
Screenshot taken from Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook.
WhatsApp is introducing a new chat transfer feature that does not require any cloud backup.
According to a video posted by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, WhatsApp users can scan a QR code shown on their old device with their new device. Zuckerberg added that the data transfer is fully encrypted. The new QR code-based chat transfer feature only works between devices running the same OS.
WABetaInfo actually spotted this feature in May when some beta users stumbled upon an option that allowed iPhone users to migrate their chat history to a new iPhone without iCloud.
The current chat transfer process involves users backing up the chat history to Apple iCloud or Google Drive, and then restoring it on their new device when setting up WhatsApp. WhatsApp introduced the Move to iOS app in June 2022 for Android users who are switching to the iPhone.
At time of publication, WhatsApp's new QR code-based chat transfer feature is available for Android and iOS users in Singapore.
The QR code-based chat transfer feature is now available for iOS users in Singapore!
Source: Mark Zuckerberg
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