Historically, a WhatsApp backup stored in Google Drive on Android could not be restored directly into WhatsApp on iPhone because iPhone used a different backup system. The supported solution is WhatsApp’s Android-to-iPhone chat-transfer process, not downloading a Google Drive backup onto iOS.
Steps
- Keep the Android phone that contains the WhatsApp chats and update WhatsApp on both phones.
- Use Apple’s supported Move to iOS/WhatsApp migration process during iPhone setup, following WhatsApp’s current requirements for phone numbers, power, network, and versions.
- Choose WhatsApp data when the migration workflow offers it and let the Android device prepare/transfer the chats.
- Finish iPhone setup, install/open WhatsApp, verify the same phone number, and import the transferred chat history when prompted.
- After verifying chats/media on iPhone, configure iCloud backup in WhatsApp for future iPhone backups.
How it works
The Google Drive cloud backup itself is not converted/restored directly by iOS. The supported transfer moves eligible data device-to-device as part of migration.
Important considerations
Do not upload private WhatsApp backups to third-party ‘converter’ websites or give unknown desktop tools account credentials. Check current WhatsApp/Apple instructions because migration requirements change.
Practical guidance
Move to iOS generally applies during initial iPhone setup; if the iPhone is already fully configured, the supported migration may require erasing/resetting it and starting setup again. Back up existing iPhone data before doing that. Confirm current WhatsApp requirements before erasing either phone.
Additional details
Not every WhatsApp data type is necessarily transferred in every migration release; payment/call-history or other categories may have limitations. Verify critical chats/media after migration before wiping the Android phone. Future backups on iPhone go to iCloud according to WhatsApp’s iOS backup settings, not back to Google Drive.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.