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

Apple Creator Studio

Apple Introduces New 'Creator Studio' Bundle of Apps for $129 Per Year

Tuesday January 13, 2026 6:11 am PST by
Apple today introduced a new Apple Creator Studio bundle that offers access to six creative apps, as well as exclusive AI features and content, as part of a single subscription. In the U.S., pricing is set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year. Here are the six apps included with an Apple Creator Studio subscription:Final Cut Pro on the Mac and iPad Logic Pro on the Mac and iPad Pixelmator...
Verizon New

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by
Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
iOS 26

Here's What's New in iOS 26.3 So Far

Monday January 12, 2026 1:15 pm PST by
Apple today seeded the second beta of iOS 26.3, nearly a month after the first beta. So far, the update includes a couple of new features for iPhones. iOS 15.3 through iOS 18.3 were all released in late January over the years, so it is thereby likely that iOS 26.3 will be released towards the end of this month as well. The update is compatible with the iPhone 11 series and newer. Below,...
airpods pro 3 design

Apple Releases New AirPods Pro 3 Firmware Update

Tuesday January 13, 2026 11:29 am PST by
Apple today released a firmware update for the AirPods Pro 3. The latest firmware has a version number of 8B34, up from the previous version 8B30. Apple has a support document for AirPods firmware updates, and it indicates that the 8B34 update contains unspecified "bug fixes and other improvements." No other AirPods models received firmware updates today. How to install AirPods Pro...

Top Rated Comments

Nozuka Avatar
65 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
65 months ago
Yep. The horse is bolted. Not going back, Zuck.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
65 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
65 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
65 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
65 months ago
How long before Zucker pulls the plug on the chat export I wonder.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)