Help Whatsapp: Can't restore backup on new phone

[Danieljhill]

Hello. URGENT. I have a new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and I can't get Whatsapp to transfer my chats from the old phone: Samsung Galaxy S20fe. I've tried everything.

I've tried backing up the old phone, and it doesn't do a complete backup: only 828MB when it should be about 1.4GB. I then install Whatsapp on the new phone, obtain the six digit code from the old phone, enter my phone number, then password.

After that, Whatsapp opens, but with only 32MB of chats from the past few days, not my (incomplete) backed up database. Also, after I enter my phone number and six digit code, Whatsapp goes straight to the list of chats. My phone doesn't show the additional screens: the option for Whatsapp to access contacts and media; and also, Backup found and option to restore it from Google Drive.

I spent two hours with a nice, knowledgeable guy in the T-Mobile store yesterday. He couldn't solve the problem. I have to return the old phone within the next two days or I lose my $800 credit on the new phone. Help! Thank you.

 

[olbriar]

Hello Danieljhill and welcome to Android Forums. Samsung Smart Switch does a great job of moving data from old to new. I don't know about the app Whatsapp.

 

[mikedt]

I've used Samsung Smart Switch, and that transferred all my Whatsapp chats, etc. from a Huawei to a Samsung phone.

 

[datauptime123]

If WhatsApp doesn't detect a backup, it might be because: You aren't logged into the same Google account. You aren't using the same phone number that was used to create the backup. Your SD card or chat history is corrupted.

 

[Danieljhill]

Thank you for trying to help, olbriar, mikedt and datauptime123. Smart Switch excluded Whatsapp from the transfer, and I'm logged into the same Google account and using the same phone number. Maybe the chat history is corrupted. If so, I guess there's to be done?