What you’ll need before starting

Switching from iPhone to Samsung is a decision that involves more than learning a new operating system. WhatsApp has accumulated years of conversations, photos, audio messages, and documents that you probably don’t want to lose. The good news is that the process has become much simpler in recent years, thanks to official tools from both Samsung and WhatsApp itself. The bad news is that there are still real limitations, and understanding this before you start avoids unpleasant surprises.

This tutorial covers the official and free method available in 2026, using Smart Switch (Samsung’s data migration app) combined with WhatsApp’s native transfer functionality. You’ll be able to migrate conversation history, photos, videos, and files sent through the app, but there are some caveats about what doesn’t come along, explained throughout the text.

Requirements before starting:

• iPhone with iOS 15.1 or higher (older versions may have compatibility issues)
• Samsung Galaxy with Android 10 or higher and Smart Switch app installed (available free in Galaxy Store and Play Store)
• WhatsApp updated to the latest version on both devices
• Lightning to USB-C cable, or equivalent adapter (check what comes with your Samsung box)
• Both devices with battery above 50%, preferably plugged in during the process
• Free space on Samsung equivalent to twice the size of WhatsApp backup on iPhone

Official method: Smart Switch + native WhatsApp transfer

This is the path recommended by Samsung and WhatsApp itself for 2026. The process happens in two connected stages: first you start the migration through Smart Switch, and within it WhatsApp opens its own transfer assistant.

Step 1: Install and open Smart Switch on Samsung

1. On your new Samsung, open Galaxy Store or Play Store and search for “Smart Switch”. Install the app if it’s not already present (on newer Galaxy devices, it comes pre-installed).
2. Open Smart Switch and tap “Receive data”.
3. On the next screen, choose “iPhone/iPad” as the data source.
4. The app will ask how you want to transfer: choose “Cable” for the most stable and fast migration. The Wi-Fi option exists, but it’s less reliable for large WhatsApp files.

Step 2: Connect both devices

1. Connect the cable between iPhone and Samsung. A Lightning to USB-C adapter is usually necessary; some Samsung models include this cable in the box, but check before starting.
2. On the iPhone, a notification will appear asking if you trust the connected device. Tap “Trust” and confirm with your password or Face ID.
3. Smart Switch will automatically detect the iPhone and display a confirmation screen on Samsung.

Step 3: Start WhatsApp transfer

1. In Smart Switch, you’ll see a list of data categories to migrate (contacts, photos, messages, apps, etc.). Select “WhatsApp” specifically. You can mark other categories together, but to focus on WhatsApp, it’s safer to do in stages.
2. Smart Switch will automatically open WhatsApp on iPhone to start the transfer process. Follow the instructions that appear on the iPhone screen.
3. WhatsApp will prepare your data for export. Depending on the size of your history, this can take from a few minutes to over half an hour. Don’t lock the screen or exit the app during this process.

Step 4: Wait for migration and configure WhatsApp on Samsung

1. While iPhone prepares the data, Smart Switch shows a progress bar on Samsung. Keep both devices connected and with screens active.
2. When the transfer is complete, Smart Switch will notify both devices. Disconnect the cable only after this confirmation.
3. On Samsung, open WhatsApp and register with the same phone number you used on iPhone. During initial setup, WhatsApp will detect that there’s a recently transferred local backup and offer the option to restore it. Tap “Restore”.
4. Wait for the restore to complete. Your conversations, photos, and files will appear once the process finishes.

What gets migrated and what’s left behind

Before celebrating, it’s important to know what the official method transfers and what it doesn’t cover.

What comes along:

• History of individual and group conversations
• Photos, videos, and documents sent and received
• Voice messages and stickers
• Message read status

What is not transferred:

• Calls (WhatsApp call history does not migrate)
• Temporary messages that have already disappeared
• Data from other apps other than WhatsApp (this is transferred separately by Smart Switch)

If your WhatsApp history is very extensive, it may be worth freeing up space on Android before completing the restore to ensure the process isn’t interrupted by lack of storage.

Alternative: wireless method via Wi-Fi

If you don’t have the cable or prefer to do it wirelessly, the process is similar, but the connection is made through a local Wi-Fi network created by Smart Switch between the two devices.

1. Open Smart Switch on Samsung and choose “Receive data” > “iPhone/iPad” > “Wi-Fi”.
2. On the iPhone, a QR code will be displayed. Point the Samsung camera at it to pair the devices.
3. From here on, the flow is identical to the cable method: WhatsApp opens on iPhone, prepares the data, and sends it to Samsung.

The real disadvantage of this method is speed and stability. Large histories, with videos and audio accumulated over years, can take hours. If Wi-Fi drops or one of the devices freezes, you may need to start over. Cable is always preferable when available.

Common problems and how to solve them

Smart Switch doesn’t detect iPhone

Check if the cable is working correctly by testing with another device. Cheap charging cables often don’t transmit data. Also try restarting both devices before connecting again. If the problem persists, update Smart Switch to the latest version.

WhatsApp doesn’t open during migration

This usually happens when WhatsApp on iPhone is outdated. Go to App Store, update the app and restart the process through Smart Switch. In some cases, completely closing WhatsApp and reopening it through Smart Switch solves it.

Restore on Samsung hangs or fails

The most common reason is lack of space on the device. Confirm that Samsung has enough free space (at least twice the estimated backup size). Another frequent cause is Samsung entering power saving mode during the process: keep the device plugged in and screen active.

Photos appear but are blurry or reduced quality

This is not a migration problem itself. WhatsApp compresses images when sending, and it’s the compressed version that stays stored in history. Original iPhone photos remain in the device gallery and need to be transferred separately, through Smart Switch or via iCloud.

WhatsApp asks for a new number on Samsung

This happens when the phone number entered in initial setup is not the same as the iPhone. WhatsApp links the backup to the number, so use exactly the same one so the restore is offered.

Frequently asked questions about transferring WhatsApp from iPhone to Samsung

Do I need to pay anything to do this transfer?

No. Smart Switch is free, and the WhatsApp transfer functionality between iOS and Android has no cost. You’ll only need the appropriate cable, which can be purchased at affordable prices in any electronics store in Brazil.

Can I use iCloud backup to restore on Samsung?

Not directly. WhatsApp backup on iCloud can only be restored on another iPhone. To migrate to Android, the process must be done via direct transfer between devices, as described in this tutorial. iCloud backup is not read by WhatsApp on Android.

What happens to WhatsApp on my iPhone after migration?

The phone number can only be active on one device at a time. When you register the number on Samsung and receive the verification SMS, WhatsApp on iPhone will be automatically disconnected. You can continue viewing old conversations on iPhone, but won’t be able to send or receive messages through it.

What if I have an older Samsung without support for the latest Smart Switch?

On devices with Android below version 10, compatibility with the official method may be limited. In this case, check the minimum supported version on Samsung’s official Smart Switch page. If your model is very old and you’re thinking about upgrading, it’s worth checking options for Android phone with good camera up to R$ 1,500 in 2026 before deciding.

Before turning off your iPhone for good

Once migration is complete, take a few minutes to confirm that everything arrived on Samsung before resetting the iPhone. Open old conversations, verify that photos are loading correctly, and try listening to some saved audio. If everything is in order, you can do the factory reset on the iPhone with peace of mind.

If any conversation didn’t appear or the process failed in the middle, don’t reset the iPhone yet: try again with the cable and both devices plugged in. The history is still on the iPhone as long as you don’t wipe the device. This safety window is the most important reason not to rush this last step.