Switching from Android to iPhone often requires transferring your WhatsApp chats to maintain your messaging history. Many users experience errors during this process, such as transfers getting stuck at 40% or displaying messages like “Something went wrong.” If you encounter WhatsApp import errors, you can resolve most issues by following these steps:
- Factory Reset your iPhone: This can help clear any temporary glitches.
- Reinstall WhatsApp on your Android device: This ensures that you have the latest version.
- Use the Move to iOS App: Start a new transfer using this app, which is designed to migrate your WhatsApp data along with other content.
Problems often arise when the connection between the devices breaks or when the WhatsApp versions are incompatible. It’s important not to delete any data on your old phone or uninstall WhatsApp from your Android device until you have confirmed that the transfer to your iPhone was successful.
Here are several troubleshooting steps to help resolve import errors:
- Restart both devices.
- Ensure that both phones have sufficient battery power and available storage space.
- Make sure both devices are running the latest software versions.
The WhatsApp Help Center also recommends keeping both devices connected to power and on the same Wi-Fi network throughout the transfer process to avoid interruptions.
Importing WhatsApp on Android: How to Fix It
If you’re getting errors while trying to import your WhatsApp chat history on Android—whether it’s from a local backup or transferring from another phone—you’re not alone. Users often run into problems during setup, restoration, or device-to-device migration. This guide explains the most common issues and how to fix them.
Common WhatsApp Import Issues on Android
- “Couldn’t restore messages” error
- Stuck on “Restoring messages…” screen
- Backup not found, even though it exists
- App crashes during import
- Transfer interrupted when switching phones
- Backup found but no messages appear after import
Fix 1: Check Your Backup Location
WhatsApp restores chat history from two main sources:
- Google Drive: For cloud backups
- Local storage: For device backups
Make sure you’re signed in with the same Google account that was used for the original backup. Also, confirm that Google Drive backup permissions are enabled in both your phone settings and WhatsApp.
Fix 2: Use the Same Phone Number
You can only restore a backup to WhatsApp if you’re using the same phone number that created it. A mismatch will prevent the import process.
Fix 3: Enable Permissions and Internet Access
Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions and make sure Storage, Contacts, and Network Access permissions are granted. Also ensure you have a stable internet connection—preferably Wi-Fi—for restoring from Google Drive.
Fix 4: Restore from a Local Backup (Manually)
If cloud restore fails, try restoring from a local backup:
- Use a file manager and go to:
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ - Rename the backup file you want to restore from:
msgstore-YYYY-MM-DD.1.db.crypt14 → msgstore.db.crypt14 - Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp.
- During setup, tap Restore when prompted.
If your backup was on an old device, copy the Databases folder to the same location on the new phone before reinstalling.
Fix 5: Update WhatsApp
Outdated versions of WhatsApp can sometimes fail to recognize newer backup formats or encryption methods. Go to the Google Play Store and update to the latest version.
Fix 6: Clear Cache and Try Again
- Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage
- Tap Clear Cache
- Open WhatsApp and attempt the import again
Note: Don’t clear data, or you’ll remove local backups.
Fix 7: Ensure Google Play Services Are Working
If you’re restoring from Google Drive, Google Play Services must be updated and functioning. Go to:
Settings > Apps > Google Play Services
Make sure it’s enabled and not restricted in background usage or data access.
Fix 8: Transfer Using QR Code (Phone-to-Phone)
WhatsApp now supports QR code transfer between Android devices. Both phones must have:
- The latest version of WhatsApp
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled
- The same phone number
Start the transfer on the new phone and follow the instructions to scan the QR code from the old device.
Fix 9: Avoid Battery Savers and Network Switches
During restoration, keep the screen awake and disable any:
- Battery optimization settings for WhatsApp
- Power-saving modes
- Network switching tools (e.g., VPNs or private DNS)
These can interrupt the import and cause it to fail.
Fix 10: Backup Format Mismatch
If you used a third-party backup tool or transferred files between devices manually, WhatsApp may not recognize the backup format. Only use native WhatsApp backup options for best compatibility.
If all else fails, consider contacting WhatsApp Support through the app:
Settings > Help > Contact Us
Or use their web support for recovery-related issues.
Key Takeaways
- Factory reset your iPhone and reinstall WhatsApp on Android before attempting another transfer.
- Keep both devices connected to power and the same Wi-Fi network during the transfer process.
- Don’t delete data from your Android phone until you confirm the successful transfer to iPhone.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Import Errors on Android
When importing WhatsApp data encounters problems on Android devices, users need systematic approaches to resolve these issues. Transfer failures can happen at various stages of the process, but most can be fixed with the right troubleshooting steps.
Verifying Network Connection and Settings
Network connectivity issues often cause WhatsApp import errors.
Users should first check if their device has a stable internet connection by opening a browser or another app that requires internet access.
Toggling Airplane Mode on and off can refresh network connections. This simple step clears temporary connection problems that might interfere with the data transfer process.
Users should verify their Wi-Fi connection is working properly.
Mobile data may not provide sufficient bandwidth for large WhatsApp backups, so connecting to a strong Wi-Fi network is recommended for successful imports.
Resetting network settings can solve persistent connection issues. To do this, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth. Note that this will remove all saved networks and paired devices.
Ensuring Backup and Restore Integrity
WhatsApp backups must be complete and uncorrupted for successful imports.
Users should verify their Google Drive backup is up-to-date by checking the last backup date in WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Chat backup.
Insufficient storage space often causes backup failures.
Users should free up space on both their device and Google Drive account before attempting to restore messages.
The backup process requires uninterrupted power and network connection.
Users should keep their phone charged and connected to Wi-Fi throughout the entire backup and restore process.
For local backups, ensure the backup file is intact in the WhatsApp > Databases folder. Corrupted backup files may need to be replaced with older versions that still work properly.
Resolving Verification and Unknown Errors
“Something went wrong” errors often appear during verification steps.
Users should ensure their phone number is correctly entered and formatted with the proper country code.
If verification code issues persist, users can request a call instead of SMS verification. This alternative method can bypass SMS delivery problems that might be affecting the process.
Clearing the WhatsApp cache can resolve many unknown errors. Go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Cache without clearing data to preserve your information.
System time discrepancies can cause verification failures. Ensure your device’s date and time settings are set to “Automatic” to synchronize with network time.
Migrating WhatsApp Data from Android to iPhone
The “Move to iOS” app is essential for transferring WhatsApp data from Android to iPhone.
Both devices must remain active and the app must stay open during the entire transfer process.
Disable auto-lock on both devices to prevent interruptions. As mentioned in search results, transfers that get stuck at 40% often fail because the device goes to sleep or another app takes focus.
Both devices must be connected to power throughout the migration. The transfer process is power-intensive and may fail if either device’s battery gets too low.
If the transfer gets stuck, don’t immediately cancel. Wait at least 30 minutes, as large data transfers can take significant time. If problems persist, restart both devices and try again from the beginning.
Reinstalling WhatsApp on Android Devices
Completely uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp can fix persistent import errors.
Before uninstalling, ensure your chats are backed up to Google Drive.
After reinstalling, grant WhatsApp all necessary permissions during setup.
Missing permissions for storage or contacts can prevent proper restoration of messages and media.
When prompted, choose to restore from backup.
If the most recent backup doesn’t work, try restoring from an older backup that might be more stable.
WhatsApp updates often contain fixes for known issues.
Before attempting another import, check the Play Store to ensure you’re using the latest version of WhatsApp, as mentioned in the search results.
