How to Migrate from WhatsApp to Telegram, Signal, and Viber
There can be a lot of reasons why you decide to transfer data from WhatsApp to Telegram, Signal, Viber. And it does make sense, since there is some difference between Telegram and Whatsapp (or [put here another chatting app] and WhatsApp) in features, interface, etc. Of course it's a matter of convenience or a response to WhatsApp’s strict privacy policy and limitations.
For example, WhatsApp rules do not allow Notify.Events to send notifications there. But Telegram, Signal, and Viber are not so strict. These apps do a good job and therefore can be easily found among the available notifications recipients.
Anyway, if you're considering making the switch, the first thing you would be upset about is the possible loss of your chat history. Fortunately, there is a way out. Sometimes WhatsApp chats, media, and contacts can be exported to other messengers.
Well, let's figure out how to make the switch:
From WhatsApp to Telegram
Telegram is one of the few messengers that allow the complete transfer of data (text messages and media, except for voice messages) from any social media app. This is true for WhatsApp as well. One advantage is that the transferring process does not occupy extra space.
Still there is a snag as well. The transfer is possible for each chat separately, so prepare to spend some time if you have a lot of chats. So, here’s how Telegram users can export chats from WhatsApp to Telegram app.
On iOS:
- Open WhatsApp and select a chat in WhatsApp which you want to transfer.
- Tap the person/group name on the top.
- Scroll down and tap Export Chat.
- Select Telegram in the Share menu.
- Choose whether you want to move the chat with or without media.
- Select the Telegram chat where the messages will be imported and confirm the action.
There is one more (but similar) way to move a chat from WhatsApp on iOS to your Telegram account. Just follow the given steps:
- Open WhatsApp, go to the Settings tab and tap on Chats.
- Tap on Export Chat and select a chat to export to.
- Then repeat the steps 4-6 above.
On Android:
- Similarly to iOS devices, open a WhatsApp and go to the desired chat.
- Tap the three dots at the top of the screen (⋮) > More > Export Chat.
- Then choose Telegram in the Share menu.
- Choose whether you want to move the chat with or without media.
- Select a Telegram chat to export to and confirm the action
Once the import is finished, the imported messages and media will appear among Telegram chats at the time and date when they were sent, mixed with the existing message history. Such messages will be specially marked. Both you and the other participants of the chat/group will see them through the mobile app or Telegram desktop app.
From WhatsApp to Signal
Unlike Telegram, Signal does not allow users to integrate WhatsApp chats into its interface. However, if you still want to completely stop using WhatsApp, there is a way to send the chat history including attached media files to Signal.
To do this, use the Export Chat menu, similar to Telegram:
On iOS:
- Open WhatsApp and select a chat in WhatsApp which you want to transfer.
- Tap the person/group name on the top.
- Scroll down and tap on Export Chat.
- Select Signal in the Share menu.
- Choose whether you want to move the chat with or without media.
- Select the Signal chat where the messages will be imported and confirm the action.
On Android:
- Similarly to iOS devices, open WhatsApp and go to the desired chat.
- Tap the three dots at the top of the screen (⋮) > More > Export Chat.
- Then choose Signal in the Share menu.
- Choose whether you want to move the chat with or without media.
- Select a Signal chat to export to and confirm the action.
The selected chat history will be sent to Signal as a ZIP archive. It can contain both images and a separate text document with correspondence.
In addition, Signal enables users to move group contacts from WhatsApp by sending out a link. Let’s see how you can do this:
On iOS:
- Open the Signal messaging app, tap on the pencil icon in the top right corner > New Group.
- Once the group is created, tap the group name on the top and click on Group Link.
- Drag the slider to see the link and tap on the Share option.
- Share the link with the desired WhatsApp chat right away or copy it and paste into the chat manually.
On Android:
- Open the Signal app, tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner > Create Group.
- Once the group is created, tap on the three dots (⋮) in the top right corner, select Settings, and click on Group Link.
- Drag the slider to see the link and tap on the Share option.
- Share the link with the desired WhatsApp chat right away or copy it and paste into the chat manually.
You can rotate or disable the link any time.
From WhatsApp to Viber
In Viber, seamless transfer of chats from WhatsApp is also not available. But just like with Signal, you can send your chat history in ZIP format to a new Viber chat:
On iOS:
- Open WhatsApp, go to the Settings tab and tap on Chats.
- Tap on Export Chat and select a chat to export to.
- Select Viber in the Share menu.
- Choose whether you want to move the chat with or without media.
- Select the Viber chat where the messages will be imported and confirm the action.
On Android:
- Similarly to iOS devices, open WhatsApp and go to the desired chat.
- Tap the three dots at the top of the screen (⋮) > More > Export Chat.
- Then choose Viber in the Share menu.
- Choose whether you want to move the chat with or without media.
- Select a Viber chat to export to and confirm the action.
The ZIP archive will include both images (if chosen) and a text document.
Another thing that you can do to make it easier for you to switch from WhatsApp to Viber is to invite your WhatsApp interlocutors to a new Viber group chat via a link (Viber groups links).
On iOS:
- Open Viber, tap the new chat icon in the top right corner, Create Group.
- Choose participants to add.
- Tap Group > Add participants via link.
- Choose Copy link or Share Link to send the link to the desired WhatsApp chat.
On Android:
- Open Viber, tap the purple bubble on the bottom right corner > New group.
- Choose participants to add.
- Tap on the 3 dots (⋮) at the top corner, select Chat info and tap on Add participants via link.
- Choose Copy link or Share Link to send the link to the desired WhatsApp chat.
The link gives WhatsApp users access to your new Viber chat.
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