Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, unveiled a new feature for WhatsApp on Friday, enhancing the platform’s instant messaging capabilities. Users will now have the ability to seamlessly and securely transfer their chat histories between devices without the current requirement that both devices operate on the same operating system. This update aims to simplify and speed up the process for transferring not only messages but also larger attachments between devices.
In a post on his official Facebook account, Zuckerberg stated, “If you want to move your WhatsApp chats to a new phone, you can now do it more privately without your chats ever leaving your devices.” The introduction of QR code authentication for sharing chat history is a notable change. Zuckerberg also shared a demonstration video to illustrate the new transfer method.
Previously, WhatsApp permitted users to transfer their chat histories, but the introduction of QR codes enhances the safety of this process. Users had the option to use third-party applications or rely on cloud backup for transferring their data, which may have added complexity and security concerns.
The upgraded transfer procedure allows users to maintain their app session on the original device while transferring data to the new one. The data remains confined to the two devices involved in the transfer, eliminating the need for third-party applications or cloud services, thereby improving security.
Moreover, users will no longer need to create a backup in order to facilitate the transfer of their chat history or media files. To use the QR code feature, both devices must be physically connected via Wi-Fi and have location services enabled. Users can initiate the transfer by navigating to Settings > Chats > Chats Transfer > Scan the QR code on the new device.
