How to Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone [including iPhone 17] | IT News Africa

September 26, 2025

Switching from Android to iPhone 17 is exciting, but moving your WhatsApp chats can be a headache. But don’t worry! If you’re moving from an Android phone to a new iPhone 17, this guide will walk you through restoring your WhatsApp chats step by step—no tech skills required.

Why WhatsApp Backup Transfer from Google Drive to iPhone 17 is Difficult?

WhatsApp Backup Transfer from Google Drive to iPhone 17, the main reason for the difficulty is platform incompatibility. Google Drive backups are specifically designed for Android devices, while iCloud backups are intended for iPhone 17. WhatsApp encrypts these backups differently depending on the operating system, so you can’t directly restore a Google Drive backup to iOS.

Another factor is timing. The official Move to iOS app only works during the initial setup of a new iPhone. If your iPhone 17 is already set up, you’ll need a third-party tool to move your chats. Let’s dive into both solutions.

Method 1: Using the Move to iOS App to restore WhatsApp (During iPhone 17 Setup)

You can’t directly restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to an iPhone because Google Drive backups are Android-only. However, you can use Apple’s Move to iOS app during iPhone setup to transfer your WhatsApp chats from Android. However, this method only works on a new iPhone 17 or one that has been reset to factory settings.

What You Can Transfer:
With Move to iOS, you can transfer your WhatsApp account information, profile photo, individual and group chats, updates from Communities and WhatsApp Channels, media such as photos, videos, and audio, as well as your WhatsApp settings.

What Can’t Be Transferred:
However, you cannot transfer your call history, display name, media received from Channels, or peer-to-peer payment messages.

Here are the steps to use the Move to iOS App:

Step 1: Prepare Your Android Device

Install the latest version of WhatsApp on your Android phone.
Make sure your chat history is backed up to your Google Drive account.
Download and install the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store.

Step 2: Start the Transfer on Your iPhone 17

During your iPhone 17’s initial setup, select Move Data from Android when prompted.
Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and follow the on-screen instructions.
Enter the code displayed on your iPhone 17 into the Android app.

Step 3: Select WhatsApp and Transfer

On the Transfer Data screen, select WhatsApp chat data.
Tap Start on your Android device and wait while WhatsApp prepares your data.
Once the transfer is complete, tap Continue to finish moving the data to your iPhone 17.
Install WhatsApp from the App Store on your iPhone 17, log in with the same phone number, and your chats should be restored.

Pros and Cons of the Move to iOS App:

Pros:

Official and fully supported by Apple and WhatsApp.
Free to use.
No need for a computer.

Cons:

Only works during iPhone 17 initial setup.
It can be slow for large backups.
Limited control over selective transfer.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Tools (100% works for all iPhones, no data loss]

If your iPhone is already set up or you prefer more flexibility, third-party tools like Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer are excellent options. This software allows you to transfer WhatsApp data from Google Drive or directly from an Android device to an iPhone 17 safely.

Why Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer? Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer is a reliable, user-friendly tool that offers several advantages， such as transferring WhatsApp messages, photos, videos, and attachments between Android and iPhone 17.

Works even after iPhone 17 setup.
Avoids the limitations of Google Drive and iCloud.
Protects your data without overwriting existing content on your iPhone 17.

How to Use Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer to Restore WhatsApp from Google Drive to iPhone 17？

Step 1. Download and installiCareFone Transferon your Windows PC or Mac. Connect both your Android device and iPhone 17 to your computer using USB cables.

Step 2. Open iCareFone Transfer and select WhatsApp Transfer. Follow the prompts to download your Google Drive backup to the computer (if needed).

Step 3. Click Start Transfer and wait for the process to complete. Once finished, your WhatsApp chats will be fully restored on your iPhone 17.

Pros and Cons of Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer:

Pros:

Works anytime, not just during setup.
Compatible with the latest iOS versions, including iOS 18/26.
Allows selective backup and preview before transferring.
Avoids direct dependency on Google Drive or iCloud.

Cons:

Paid software (but offers a free trial for basic transfers).
Requires a computer.

Comparing Move to iOS vs Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer

Feature	Move to iOS	Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer
Setup Requirement	Only during iPhone 17 initial setup	Works anytime, even after setup
Platform Support	Android to iPhone 17	Android to iPhone 17, iPhone 17 to Android
Data Types	WhatsApp, contacts, photos, some apps	WhatsApp messages, media, attachments, contacts, apps
Cost	Free	Paid (with trial)
Ease of Use	Moderate	Very easy, step-by-step guide
Selective Transfer	No	Yes

From the table above, Tenorshare iCareFone Transfer is the more flexible and reliable solution, especially if your iPhone 17 is already set up or you want more control over your WhatsApp data.

How to Back Up WhatsApp to Google Drive

Before you can transfer WhatsApp messages from Google Drive to your phone, you need to make sure you’ve got a WhatsApp backup on Google Drive. Don’t worry—it’s super easy. Here’s how:

Open WhatsApp and tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
Go to Settings → Chats → Chat Backup.
Under Google Drive settings, tap Backup to Google Drive. Here, you can choose how often you want WhatsApp to back up automatically—Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or only when you tap Back Up.
Select the Google account you want to use for the backup.

Once your backup is done, you can restore it anytime. Just remember: you must use the same phone number and Google account that you used to create the backup. You can’t restore a backup to a new number or a different Google account.

Important Considerations

Phone Number and Account: Always use the same phone number and Google/iCloud account associated with your original backup.
Data Security: If using third-party tools, download software from official sources to avoid data compromise.
Backup First: Even though tools like iCareFone protect your data, it’s wise to back up both devices before starting the transfer.