Most private/best way to use and restore WhatsApp Business on Fairphone 6 Murena

[Jox]

Hi All,

I’ve been searching the threads, however am still confused (and some of them are quite old, so there maybe updates).

I know it’s not ideal to use WhatsApp full stop, however as someone not great with technology my new phone is a minefield and I have already had it 2 weeks without being contactable (customers, family and friends use WhatsApp), so for now it’s a temporary solution to reinstall.

I’m obviously not logged into my new phone with a google account, I can download the app anonymously via app lounge. Is this the best way to have it?

Then what?

I have my old WhatsApp backed up to google drive. What is the best way to restore my chats and information?

Once that is done is there anything I can use in Advance privacy settings of Murena/Fairphone to help with privacy?

Or is it a case of I need to login to Google to restore, and if this is the case can I then log out and continue to use my WhatsApp Business? Or is this completely pointless and google are on my phone?

I am currently carrying my old phone around (it’s on its last legs) and hot spotting from my new phone to use. In your opinion should I buy a separate phone to use for apps like WhatsApp and keep my Fairphone private, or can I use for now and it will not affect the future of my phone (later down the line I can work towards not having WhatsApp on it).

Guidance appreciated.

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

[tcecyk]

been looking at past “Whatsapp migration” threads and this never having received an answer:

one way to migrate is placing the “Whatsapp” Folder on the new phones base level, insert SIM and then install WhatsApp and let it pick up that Folder on first startup.
This method is linked at the bottom of Migrate to /e/OS

I haven’t seen much reports of restoring from Google drive with a Google account, but maybe that is just bias as those do not feedback. As you asked for “most private” method, using device-to-device certainly is more private than the cloud backup.

The official transfer help in 2025 for A->A proposes using the same Wifi and side-by-side actions.

Unsure if that uses “Android Switch” underneath (that isn’t available with /e/OS), would need yet more feedback from active Whatsapp users that made the transfer that way.