Telegram Working on Tool That Lets You Import WhatsApp Chats

Telegram is working on a way to let users import their chat history from WhatsApp so they won't lose old conversations if they switch messaging platforms.

Telegram app
An update to the app briefly appeared in the App Store on Wednesday detailing the new import tool, but another update was swiftly issued that removed all mention of the tool, suggesting Telegram is still developing it.

WABetaInfo was first to spot the feature and managed to play around with it to see how it works. Users will need to export individual WhatsApp chats using WhatsApp's Export Chat option, then select Telegram from the Actions menu.

Telegram then asks where the imported messages should go to, and offers options to choose an existing conversation or group or to create a new one. After the process is completed, all messages and media (if media was selected as part of the WhatsApp export) can be seen in the chat list labeled as "Imported."

whatsapp telegram import chats scaled
The import tool will be seen by many as a timely addition, after the recent exodus from WhatsApp prompted by the service's poorly explained privacy policy update. Rival encrypted messaging services Telegram and Signal both experienced a surge in signups following the controversy.

WhatsApp has since decided to delay the privacy policy changes for three months while it attempts to deal with the fallout, but it seems likely that for many former users of the Facebook-owned platform, the horse has already bolted.

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Where's the New Apple TV?

Monday December 22, 2025 11:30 am PST by
Apple hasn't updated the Apple TV 4K since 2022, and 2025 was supposed to be the year that we got a refresh. There were rumors suggesting Apple would release the new Apple TV before the end of 2025, but it looks like that's not going to happen now. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said several times across 2024 and 2025 that Apple would...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Next Year With These 12 New Features

Tuesday December 23, 2025 8:36 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another nine months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models. The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID Front camera in...
maxresdefault

Hands-On With a Rough iPhone Fold Mockup

Monday December 29, 2025 10:55 am PST by
Apple is rumored to be introducing a foldable iPhone in September 2026, and since it will bring the biggest form factor change since the iPhone was introduced in 2007, curiosity about the design is high. A 3D designer created an iPhone Fold design based on rumors, and we printed it out to see how it compares to Apple's current iPhones. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more ...
apple intelligence black

Report: Apple's AI Strategy Could Finally Pay Off in 2026

Tuesday December 30, 2025 9:01 am PST by
Apple's restrained artificial intelligence strategy may pay off in 2026 amid the arrival of a revamped Siri and concerns around the AI market "bubble" bursting, The Information argues. The speculative report notes that Apple has taken a restrained approach with AI innovations compared with peers such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta, which are investing hundreds of billions of dollars in data...
apple fitness 2026 1

Apple Teases 'Something Big' Coming Soon to Apple Fitness+

Tuesday December 30, 2025 2:11 pm PST by
The Apple Fitness+ Instagram account today teased that the service has "big plans" for 2026. In a video, several Apple Fitness+ trainers are shown holding up newspapers with headlines related to Apple Fitness+. What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year? Something Big is Coming to Apple Fitness+ The Countdown Begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is Almost Here 2026 Plans Still Under ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Monday December 22, 2025 8:47 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 26.2, following more than a month of beta testing. It is a big update, with many new features and changes for iPhones. iOS 26.2 adds a Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. Below, we have highlighted a total of eight new features. Liquid Glass Slider on Lock Screen A new slider in the Lock...
airpods color prototypes

Apple Tested AirPods in Bright Colors

Saturday December 27, 2025 6:06 am PST by
Apple reportedly tested a version of the first-generation AirPods with bright, iPhone 5c-like colored charging cases. The images, shared by the Apple leaker and prototype collector known as "Kosutami," claim to show first-generation AirPods prototypes with pink and yellow exterior casings. The interior of the charging case and the earbuds themselves remain white. They seem close to some...
tesla red orange bg feature

Tesla Could Be Planning to Support Apple Car Keys

Sunday December 28, 2025 4:24 am PST by
Support for Apple Car Keys may now be more likely to come to Tesla vehicles, amid new evidence that the automaker is embracing native, system-level digital car keys. According to Not a Tesla App, 4.52.0 of Tesla's mobile app contains multiple code references to Harmony Wallet Key Cards. The discovery is notable because it represents a shift in how Tesla appears to be approaching mobile...

Top Rated Comments

Nozuka Avatar
64 months ago
Looking at that list, i don't think telegram is the best option.
https://www.securemessagingapps.com/
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yaxomoxay Avatar
64 months ago
Yep. The horse is bolted. Not going back, Zuck.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
64 months ago

I just don't get why Telegram should be that much better than Facebook, considering their history.
Personally I'd love my circle of friends to change to Signal.
Unfortunately for many kids and Millennials, popular is more important than safety.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cheesyappleuser Avatar
64 months ago
I just don't get why Telegram should be that much better than Facebook, considering their history.
Personally I'd love my circle of friends to change to Signal.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TiTwo102 Avatar
64 months ago

I just don't get why Telegram should be that much better than Facebook, considering their history.
Personally I'd love my circle of friends to change to Signal.
What « history » are you talking about ?

Personnally, I have choosen Telegram over Signal years ago because it offers true multi-devices support, possible because of the cloud system.

Of course it’s less secure than E2E encryption, but for now I have no reason to not trust Telegram. The day I will, I’ll switch to Signal.
And, if I want to, secret chat are available in Telegram.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GadgetBen Avatar
64 months ago
How long before Zucker pulls the plug on the chat export I wonder.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)