Cannot get WhatsApp chat history to transfer to new phone

[Nicmer]

Hi there, I'm hoping someone can help. I've just upgraded from a Huawei to an Honor 200 Lite. After trying various methods to transfer my WhatsApp chat history and so far failing dismally, I'm hoping some tech genius out there will be able to put an end to my frustration. I've watched YouTube videos, contacted WhatsApp, Huawei, and Honor but it feels like I'd have more luck hitting my head up against a brick wall.

Thanks in advance (I'm thinking positively).

 

[Bernoldus Niemand]

Plug it into a PC and copy the folder across.

 

[Rickster]

I was setting up a Honor 200 Lite for my mom two nights ago.

It was from a Samsung, all i did was run a backup in whatsapp and then a restore on the Honor.

I assume because the Huawei doesnt have Google services you can't make a backup, as mentioned above you have to try do it manually somehow.

 

[Mike Angelo]

Disable your data/internet/wifi and do a backup, it will backup locally then you can copy the folders over and restore the local backup. You can also try to transfer the chat history but I don't know how well that works.

 

[ronz91]

yeah there are like 3 methods atleast

much better than years before

 

[Nicmer]

Disable your data/internet/wifi and do a backup, it will backup locally then you can copy the folders over and restore the local backup. You can also try to transfer the chat history but I don't know how well that works.

Thanks for your advice. I backed up my WhatsApp to a USB, copied it across to the Honor's internal storage, and activated my WhatsApp on the Honor. The problem is that there is no prompt to restore my data when working with WhatsApp on the Honor. It automatically 'initialises' and my WhatsApp contacts are visible with zero history.

 

[Mike Angelo]

Thanks for your advice. I backed up my WhatsApp to a USB, copied it across to the Honor's internal storage, and activated my WhatsApp on the Honor. The problem is that there is no prompt to restore my data when working with WhatsApp on the Honor. It automatically 'initialises' and my WhatsApp contacts are visible with zero history.

Normally when you log in for the first time it should give you a prompt to restore a backup and will then search for one locally or on Google Drive. Usually it chooses the local backup...

 

[Nicmer]

I was setting up a Honor 200 Lite for my mom two nights ago.

It was from a Samsung, all i did was run a backup in whatsapp and then a restore on the Honor.

I assume because the Huawei doesnt have Google services you can't make a backup, as mentioned above you have to try do it manually somehow.

That's fatastic! The gentleman I dealt with at MTN while organising my upgrade, also bought the Honor 200 Lite. He did a transfer from his Samsung... and he's sitting with the same problem I have. WhatsApp contacts are there with absolutely no history. So glad you had better luck.

Have tried to do it manually (via USB), but the Honor is not prompting me to restore my data - have no idea if this is a geberal problem or if it's isolated to my phone.

Thank you for your response.

 

[Nicmer]

Plug it into a PC and copy the folder across.

Thanks for your assistance. I tried doing it with a USB - and I'm still out of luck. The Honor doesn't prompt to restore my data when activating my WhatsApp. It automatically 'initialises' abd my WhatsApp contacts are visible with no history.

 

[Mike Angelo]

Thanks for your advice. I backed up my WhatsApp to a USB, copied it across to the Honor's internal storage, and activated my WhatsApp on the Honor. The problem is that there is no prompt to restore my data when working with WhatsApp on the Honor. It automatically 'initialises' and my WhatsApp contacts are visible with zero history.

Maybe uninstall WhatsApp and try again.

 

[Fulcrum29]

The easy way to change devices is by doing this:

How to transfer your chat history | WhatsApp Help Center

faq.whatsapp.com

Transfer your chat history​

Old phone

1. • Open WhatsApp on your old phone.
   • Tap More Options > Settings > Chats > Transfer chats > Start.
   • Accept requested permissions and prepare to scan the QR code that will be shown on your new phone.

New phone

1. • Download and then open WhatsApp on your new phone. Go through the setup.
   • Tap Agree and continue > Verify your phone number.
   • Tap Start on Transfer chat history from old phone.
   • Accept requested permissions and then you’ll see a QR code.
   • On your old phone scan the QR code shown on your new phone.
   • Accept the invitation to connect on your new phone to link your new phone to your old phone.
   • While your chat history is transferring, a percentage bar will track the progress. Keep both phones unlocked and don’t leave WhatsApp. Messaging is paused during the chat history transfer. You can Cancel the process at any time.
   • Once the import is complete, tap Done.

Note:

• If you're having issues with the chat transfer, try restarting both phones. Turn them off, wait 30 seconds, and turn them back on. Then, try the chat transfer again.
• Don't delete your old phone's data, reset your old phone, or uninstall WhatsApp on your old phone until you can confirm the data has successfully transferred to your new phone. In case your transfer fails, gets stuck, or you receive an error, your data will still be available on your old phone.
• It’s currently not possible to transfer chats on WhatsApp Business.

For all things Hauwei you need Phone Clone, ever since HarmonyOS 3.1, Hauwei have been 'kinda' using MicroG-hw (lh might work on older devices, pending on the hardware) to replicate Google Services. Google Backups work, there are like one or two quirks in which APIs don't work as intended. No more emulation, all on the device. The same with Aurora Store which I think tells Google that you are using a Pixel device. Licensing and all works.

You can still do the physical copy, but it will remove current messages on the new device. Unless you haven't set it up.

Follow the guide and you will be all good.