How do I transfer all my WhatsApp contacts to my new phone

If people change to a different phone, the most frequent confusion is "Why didn't my WhatsApp contacts transfer?"
WhatsApp does not save your contacts in the app. The contacts are stored in your phone's address book, not in WhatsApp. Therefore, if you purchase new phones and your contacts aren't showing up most likely because the phone's contacts weren't synced, not because WhatsApp failed.
This article shows you how to do a WhatsApp contact download from Android to Android and iPhone to iPhone. It also explains ways to manually export if sync does not work.

How Does WhatsApp Contacts Work? (Important Before You Transfer)

Before transferring, it is important to understand how WhatsApp manages contacts. WhatsApp reads your saved contacts from your phone’s address book, and there is no way to keep contacts saved in the app. So, if you change phones, it is necessary to transfer contacts from your phone, and then WhatsApp will sync them automatically.
Common Issues Users Face:

• WhatsApp displays only numbers, but not the names.
• Contacts aren't visible when you switch phones.
• WhatsApp constantly asks for permissions.

• Contact sync was not enabled.
• Contacts were not restored correctly.
• WhatsApp isn't authorized to get access to the phone's contact list.

How to Transfer WhatsApp Contacts to a New Android Phone

Below is an easy step-by-step procedure for moving all WhatsApp contacts from one Android phone to another phone.

Step 1 - Backup Contacts to Your Google Account

1. Open Settings > Passwords & Accounts (or "Users & Accounts").
2. Connect the Google Account.
3. Turn on Sync Contacts.
4. Open your (Android) Contacts application.
5. Visit Fix and manage Sync and Sync, now (naming is different for each brand).

Step 2 - Restore Contacts on Your New Android Device

1. Connect to the same Google account as on the old phone.
2. Go to Settings - Google - Sync.
3. Check that Contacts is turned on.
4. Then wait for the sync to be completed.

Step 3 - Open WhatsApp & Grant Contact Permissions

WhatsApp will recognize the contacts on its own - however, only when permissions are granted.

1. Go to Settings - Apps - WhatsApp.
2. Tap Permissions.
3. Allow Contacts.

Fix: Contacts Showing Only Numbers on the New Phone

If you are still having trouble, try these suggestions: WhatsApp isn't working:

1. Refresh Contacts Inside WhatsApp
   • Open WhatsApp - New Chat, Three dots, Refresh.
2. Resync Google Contacts
   • Go to Settings - Google - Sync - Contacts - Sync Now.
3. Make Sure "Show All Contacts" Is Enabled
   • Open Contacts App - Settings - Display Preferences - enable all groups.

How to Transfer WhatsApp Contacts to a New iPhone

iPhones utilize iCloud to back up contacts and for the ability to sync.

Step 1 - Enable iCloud Contact Backup

1. Open Settings
2. Tap on your Apple ID name
3. Visit iCloud.
4. The toggle to turn on contacts is turned on.

Step 2 - Set Up the New iPhone & Restore Contacts

After you have signed in using the Apple ID on the new device:

• Contacts are automatically downloaded via iCloud.
• Also, you can make contact sync happen by switching Contacts off, then on.

Step 3 - Open WhatsApp & Sync Contacts Automatically

WhatsApp for the iPhone will immediately recognize your contacts if they meet the following criteria:

• iCloud contact sync is completed
• WhatsApp can access contacts: Settings - Privacy & Security - Contacts - Enable WhatsApp

If Contacts Do Not Appear

• Force-closing WhatsApp
• Restarting the iPhone
• Enabling iCloud Contacts to sync