Complete and updated guide to transfer your WhatsApp chats to Telegram without losing any messages or files.

Last update: 11 May 2025
  • Transferring your WhatsApp chats to Telegram lets you keep your messages, photos, and files, enjoying greater privacy and cross-platform access.
  • The export process is straightforward on both Android and iOS, but it must be done on a chat-by-chat basis, carefully selecting whether to include media files.
  • Telegram offers advanced backup options, easily exporting your entire history in HTML format from the desktop version.

Telegram and WhatsApp icons on mobile screen

Switching messaging apps is an important decision for any user, especially if you want to keep your message history and all the memories, documents, photos, and important conversations accumulated over the years on WhatsApp. Luckily, Telegram has developed a function that allows import your chats from WhatsApp easilyWhether you're using an Android or iPhone, in this detailed guide, you'll learn not only how to transfer your conversations step-by-step, but also everything you need to know to avoid losing information and files, and how to make the most of Telegram's benefits.

Guide to transferring chats from WhatsApp to Telegram

What are the benefits of transferring your WhatsApp chats to Telegram?

WhatsApp remains the leader in instant messaging, but more and more users are looking for alternatives. reasons of privacy, flexibility and new features. Telegram not only stands out for its focus on the security and privacy, but offers:

  • Unlimited cloud storage: Access all your chats and files from any device without taking up local space.
  • Without relying on external backups: You don't need Google Drive or iCloud to keep your messages safe.
  • Ability to access from multiple devices at the same time, without losing a single piece of data.
  • Advanced chat organization, with folders, labels, channels, supergroups y automated bots.
  • Function of importing chats from WhatsApp, Line and other compatible platforms.

Furthermore, many users are deciding to migrate due to recent changes in WhatsApp's privacy policies, which have raised concerns about the use and storage of personal data by third parties.

Migrate WhatsApp chats to Telegram step by step

How to transfer WhatsApp chats to Telegram on Android

The process for Export and transfer your WhatsApp conversations to Telegram On Android it is intuitive, although it includes relevant nuances that you should know to avoid errors:

  1. Open WhatsApp and locate the conversation you want to transfer.
  2. Tap the three vertical dots (menu) icon in the top right corner.
  3. Choose More & AFTER Export chat.
  4. choose if you want include media files (photos, videos, audios) or just text messages. If you are interested in keeping photos and videos, select include files.
  5. In the share menu, select the app TelegramIf it doesn't appear, make sure you have Telegram installed and updated.
  6. Select the desired Telegram chat or group. You can choose an existing conversation or create a new one at that time.
  7. Confirm the import of the messages and wait for the process to complete. Be patient, since if your history is large, it could take several minutes.

This process must be repeated for each individual conversation you wish to transfer. If you want to transfer a group conversation, Follow the same procedure but choose the Telegram group to which you want to assign the history. You can also choose to create a new Telegram group and import the entire history there, which is ideal if several members want to keep the WhatsApp group messages.

How to transfer WhatsApp chats to Telegram on iPhone

On iOS devices, the procedure is similar although the interface is slightly different:

  1. Open WhatsApp and locate the chat you want to export.
  2. Tap the contact or group name at the top to access the details.
  3. Scroll down and select the option Export chat.
  4. Choose if you want attach media files or export only the messages.
  5. Choose Telegram in the share menu that appears.
  6. Choose the destination conversation or group in Telegram and confirm the import.
  7. Wait for the process to complete. Telegram will notify you when the history has been added to the selected chat or group.

An important detail on iOS is that you can choose to transfer both individual and group chats. As on Android, you can create new groups in Telegram and import them directly, thus preserving the structure and dynamics of your WhatsApp conversations.

Transfer group chats and media from WhatsApp to Telegram

Key aspects and limitations of migration between WhatsApp and Telegram

Before importing your chats, it is advisable to take into account a series of relevant considerations To avoid surprises or loss of information:

  • Messages imported into Telegram appear with the label 'Imported' next to the date, which allows them to be distinguished from the rest.
  • Chronology of messages: Telegram organizes imported messages by their original sending date. If your Telegram chat already had previous conversations, they will be mixed chronologically, which can cause some temporal clutter.
  • Media files: Make sure you select the "Include Files" option if you want to keep photos, videos, and other documents in the transfer. If you choose text only, you'll lose all media.
  • Manual transfer: You must export each conversation individually. It's not possible to bulk import all your chats at once.
  • Careful selection of the target conversation: Choose the right chat in Telegram to avoid sharing sensitive information with the wrong contact. If you make a mistake, quickly delete the imported content.
  • Integration of conversations: If the destination Telegram chat already contained content, imported messages will be mixed together, which can make them difficult to identify. Use the "Imported" label to easily locate them.
  • Security and privacy: Once you've transferred your chats to Telegram, you can delete the original WhatsApp chats to free up space and keep your information under better control.
  • The feature requires the Telegram app to be installed on the device.If you're using Android and don't see the option, make sure your Telegram is updated to the latest version available.

In addition, by moving your conversations from WhatsApp to Telegram, you will enjoy a cross-platform access, since all messages are stored in the cloud and can be accessed from any device you log in to, including Telegram Desktop and Telegram Web.

How to export chats from Telegram for advanced backups

One of the great strengths of Telegram is the Versatility to export chats from your desktop appIf you want to make a more professional backup or save your conversations for posterity, follow these steps on Telegram Desktop:

  1. Open Telegram Desktop and go to the chat or group whose conversations you want to export.
  2. Click on the conversation menu and choose Export chat history.
  3. Select the export format (HTML is recommended for viewing in any browser).
  4. You can select the type of content you want to export—photos, videos, voice messages, files, stickers, GIFs, and more—as well as set a date range or minimum file size.
  5. Confirm the action and, for security reasons, you may need to verify authorization for the process on your mobile phone.
  6. After the export is complete, you'll receive a folder containing all your selected items and an HTML file that displays the chat in a visually appealing way.

This feature is especially useful if you want to transfer your history to another device, make a physical copy of your conversations, or view them offline. Plus, unlike WhatsApp, Telegram allows you to export entire groups and channels including multimedia files, which makes it easier to organize and consult large volumes of information.

Imported chats and backups in Telegram

Frequently asked questions and additional tips for migrating from WhatsApp to Telegram

  • Are messages lost when transferring a chat? No, but be sure to select to include media files if you want to keep all content.
  • Can other contacts see my imported messages? Yes, if you move your history to a group or shared chat, all members will be able to see the imported messages.
  • Can I import my chats from WhatsApp Web or Desktop? No, the export feature is only available on WhatsApp mobile apps and can then be transferred to any Telegram platform.
  • Why is it recommended to delete the original chats after the transfer? Telegram stores messages in the cloud, freeing up space on your phone and maintaining a more secure and organized environment.
  • What happens if I make a mistake in the transfer? You can delete imported messages for both yourself and the other participant in Telegram, or repeat the process correctly.
  • Does Telegram retain the date and time of original messages? Yes, imported messages retain their original date for better chronological organization.

Tips and FAQs about transferring chats to Telegram

Once you've transferred your conversations, you can take advantage of all the powerful features Telegram has to offer:

  • No storage limits or size restrictions for shared files.
  • Chats, files, photos, and videos stored securely and accessible on any device.
  • Advanced moderation tools, bots, and automations.
  • Information channels, supergroups, and the ability to manage communities.
  • Transparency and greater control over privacy compared to other apps.

Moving your WhatsApp conversations to Telegram is a simple process, but it requires careful attention to detail to avoid data loss. Enjoy cross-platform access, advanced file management, and a much more personalized experience. Now that you know all the keys and steps, you can make the jump to Telegram with the confidence of keeping all your memories and messages intact. If you follow this complete guide, the migration will be a quick, efficient, and, above all, secure process.

How to transfer photos from iCloud to Google Photos
Related articles:
How to Transfer WhatsApp from iPhone to Android: Ultimate Guide to Keep All Your Chats and Files