(How) Can I Transfer iMessages and Whatsapp Chats From iPhone?

Using /e/OS User Queries
, ,
1

I’ve been a longtime Apple user and am in the process of migrating to /e/OS. I currently have an Xperia 10 with /e/ preinstalled which I purchased on eBay. Not to replace my iPhone, but to replace my iPod (I’m one of those people that likes a separate device for music). I’m very happy with it so far and plan to purchase a phone directly from Murena, probably a Fairphone 5, to replace my iPhone which I’m still using.

I am really not a techie. I figured out how to migrate my Contacts into Murena, which just leaves my iMessages and Whatsapp history. I’d like to know if and how I can transfer these to my new phone before I go and purchase it. I can’t find any guide on here and internet search results are all related to stock Android and tend to require third-party software I have no reason to trust. I’m hoping the lack of /e/ guide is just because no-one’s written it yet, and not because it’s not possible.

If it’s not possible to transfer them into /e/, can anyone suggest a way of at least saving my message histories in some form so I don’t lose them completely?

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the deGoogled mobile OS and online servicesphone

2

There was a recent thread on iOS Whatsapp. The short of it is: third-party costs some bucks, but is the path of least resistance: Impossible to transfer WhatsApp data from iOS to /e/OS - #9 by Hoogan

If you have a regular Android phone around (or before switching to /e/OS) you could probably do iOS → Stock Android (with Android Switch) → backup WhatsApp archive, use Android export tooling for iMessage and else → /e/OS Android.

The forum has some “ios” migration threads (this one), but not much bundled solutions, frankly the iOS section at Migrate to /e/OS is slim.

3

Thanks very much @tcecyk! Never occurred to me to go via a stock Android device. I’ve got an old Samsung sitting in a drawer so I’ll have a go with that.

4

as for that spare: I think Android Switch requires the minimal Android version it initially shipped with (Android 12). Then Samsung had their own migration tool, not sure if that interferes.

Looking forward to feedback if iMessages media attachments are transfered? SMS messages yes, but unsure about attachment.

5

Thanks, I’ll bear that in mind. It might be a couple of months before I have the new phone to play with; I’ll try to remember to post feedback here when done.