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WhatsApp will let you move chat history between iOS and Android

The feature will be available first on Samsung's newest devices.

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Headshot of Dashia Milden
Dashia Milden Editor
Dashia is the consumer insights editor for CNET. She specializes in data-driven analysis and news at the intersection of tech, personal finance and consumer sentiment. Dashia investigates economic shifts and everyday challenges to help readers make well-informed decisions, and she covers a range of topics, including technology, security, energy and money. Dashia graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She loves baking, teaching spinning and spending time with her family.
Dashia Milden
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WhatsApp made the announcement during the Samsung Unpacked event. 

 Angela Lang/CNET

WhatsApp users will soon be able to move their chat history between iOS and Android devices if they decide to switch mobile operating systems.

The announcement came during Wednesday's Samsung Unpacked event. Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp at Facebook, also posted about the feature in a tweet: "Want to securely take your WhatsApp history from one platform to another? We're working to make this possible starting with @SamsungMobile devices, and it's coming to @Android and iOS phones soon."

The messaging platform plans to keep users' chat history secure with end-to-end encryption, according to a WhatsApp spokesperson. Users will be able to move photos and voice messages between platforms, too. The feature will be launched on Android and the new Samsung Galaxy phones first. 

The ability to move your chat history is just the latest new feature in WhatsApp. Earlier this year, the app unveiled a new Shops feature, to let customers ask businesses questions before buying, and View Once, to show photos and videos one time before they disappear, similar to Snapchat's disappearing messages. 

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