Hi Stephen, If he just signed in to WhatsApp on the new iPhone - then goes to “Link New Device” - it should automatically sync all the chats from the old phone - without needing to “transfer it”. That’s the way I’ve done it for other clients. Just sign in to WhatsApp on the new iPhone and go through the steps to sign in again - and all their chats appeared automatically. Didn’t need to “back up” or do anything. That all worked.
So I’d recommend perhaps trying that first and see how it goes. You can find the steps to it here - https://faq.whatsapp.com/1317564962315842/?cms_platform=iphone&helpref=platform_switcher • Go to Settings (the gear icon). • Tap Linked devices. • Tap Link device. • You may be prompted to verify your identity using your phone's passcode or Face ID/Touch ID. • Scan the QR code that is displayed on the new iPhone's screen. Otherwise some steps here also - https://faq.whatsapp.com/209942271778103/?cms_platform=iphone&helpref=platform_switcher Other thing that could be causing an issue could be things like - 1. Some “corrupted” chat or data is blocking it. 2. If it’s a very large “chat history” and data, or photos (lots of photos). 3. Corruption of an image or attachment with in. 4. Privacy settings are set correctly on both iPhones. 5. Encryption of a particular chat is “blocking” it. 6. Not enough storage on either device - even though it’s going to iCloud - the old iPhone would still need enough storage on the iPhone to “save” it into iCloud Drive so it can be accessed on the new phone. So if the old phone has limited storage, it could be “stopping it”. But they would be some of the things I would try and work through first. Kind regards Daniel Sent from my iPhone 16 Pro --- Daniel Kerr MacWizardry p : 0414 795 960 e : <daniel AT macwizardry.com.au> w : <http://www.macwizardry.com.au> **For everything Apple** NOTE: Any information provided in this email may be my personal opinion and as such should be taken accordingly, and may not be the views of MacWizardry. Any information provided does not offer or warrant any form of warranty or accept liability. It would be appreciated that if any information in this email is to be disseminated, distributed or copied, that permission by the author be requested. *** Avoid Scams! - Get my latest eBook to help protect yourself, your finances and what things to look out for. Grab your copy today from - https://ebooksonline.com.au/ *** > On 19 Oct 2025, at 10:51 pm, STEPHEN CHAPE via WAMUG > <[email protected]> wrote: > > My son bought a new iPhone 16 a few months ago. > > He has been able to transfer everything from his old iPhone except > WhatsApp chats. > > Even his local Apple store could not help him. > > When transferring from phone to phone via WiFi it stops at 37% > consistently. > > When uploading to iCloud (200GB capacity) the phone compresses the > chats first. > > And stores the compressed folder on his old phone before uploading. > > Problem is that the old phone does not have the capacity to store the > folder. > Does anyone have another idea that might work please ? > Regards, > Stephen Chape > Mac by choice > Windows because my employer knew no better > -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- > Archives - <https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/> > Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> > Settings & Unsubscribe - <https://lists.wamug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/wamug> -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - <https://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/> Guidelines - <http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml> Settings & Unsubscribe - <https://lists.wamug.org.au/mailman/listinfo/wamug>
