WhatsApp to a new Android phone — Google Drive restore vs direct transfer

Android to Android is the one transfer WhatsApp handles well on its own: back up to Google Drive on the old phone, restore on the new one. Same account, same number, same backup format — no conversion needed.

The failure mode is boring but common: the restore option never appears on the new phone because the backup was made under a different Google account, or the backup ran over mobile data and stalled, or the new phone's WhatsApp version is older than the backup's.

There's also a faster route that skips the cloud entirely: WhatsApp's built-in chat transfer moves everything phone-to-phone over Wi‑Fi, and it takes minutes instead of an upload-plus-download round trip.

How to do it, step by step

1. Force a fresh backup on the old phone. WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat backup → Back up to Google Drive → 'Only when I tap Back up'. Tap it, wait for 100%.
2. Install WhatsApp on the new phone and verify. Same phone number, same Google account. When prompted, tap Restore.
3. If restore isn't offered. Check the Google account matches, check Play services, and check the backup timestamp shown on the restore screen — WhatsApp silently keeps several backups; pick the freshest.
4. Keep the old phone for a week. Transfers that look complete sometimes lose media later. Don't wipe the old device until every important chat has been opened on the new one.