WhatsApp begins testing its cross-device chat migration tool on Android

The leaker suggests that WhatsApp might use Google Drive to “momentarily” store the chat history while transferring them from one device to another as part of the feature which is still in development.

WhatsApp's chat migration tool is being tested on Android devices. 

Facebook has long been working on integrating three of its chat apps -- WhatsApp. Instagram DMs and Facebook Messenger to be interoperable so users can send end-to-end encrypted messages across services. Meanwhile, WhatsApp has also been working on multi-device support, and the company is now reportedly working on a feature to transfer chats from an Android device to an iPhone.

Earlier this month, we reported that WhatsApp was working on a new feature for iPhones, which would allow them to migrate their chats to an Android device, something that is currently not possible. According to a report by noted WhatsApp feature leaker WABetaInfo, the service is now working to allow users to migrate chats from Android to iPhones.

Here's what the migration feature could look like on Android devices.  (WABetaInfo)

Here's what the migration feature could look like on Android devices.  (WABetaInfo)

Sharing a screen of the migration process on an Android device, the report states that version 2.21.9.7 of the latest WhatsApp beta app contains a screen with a caricature of a notched device resembling an iPhone and a device with a punch-hole display that resembles a Pixel 4a device. The screen shows chats bubbles between the two devices. However, as with all software in testing, it appears that the feature isn't fully functional as the screenshot also shows a ‘Retry' button at the bottom.

According to the report, the leaker seems to think that WhatsApp will use Google Drive to “momentarily” store the chat history while transferring them from one device to another, but there is no way to confirm this at the moment. The feature is likely to be released around the same time WhatsApp releases multi-device support for Android, according to the report.