Telegram's new feature lets you import chats from WhatsApp

Telegram users on iOS can now import chats from WhatsApp, and other messaging apps.

The Telegram Messenger app on an iPhone. (Bloomberg)

Telegram is working on a new feature that will let users import chats from WhatsApp and other messaging apps. The new feature comes amid WhatsApp users switching to alternatives such as Telegram and Signal.

Telegram's new feature was rolled out as an update to iOS users on the App Store. It was, however, quickly pulled back and a new update without this feature was rolled out. But 9to5Mac managed to try out the new feature before it was pulled back. Telegram users on iOS who are still on version 7.4 may have access to it.

The release notes of Telegram 7.4 say that users will be able to import chats from WhatsApp, Line, KakaoTalk and other apps. On WhatsApp, this feature works with the ‘Export Chat' functionality. Users can open a chat, select the ‘More' menu and choose Export Chat. A ZIP file of that particular chat will be created and exported to Telegram through the iOS Share Sheet.

Once this is done, you can choose which contact or group chat you want the WhatsApp chat exported to on Telegram. All the messages from that chat will then be added to Telegram, and in the specific chat chosen. Telegram will also highlight these chats as “imported.”

The new feature is pretty easy to use, and it can be helpful for those switching from WhatsApp or any other app to Telegram. 9to5Mac adds that some iPhone users can import chats on Telegram in the latest version of the app but the feature hasn't been made official yet.