Switching from Android to iPhone doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Your contacts, photos, messages, calendars, and most of your other data can come with you. Apple built a free app called Move to iOS specifically for this, and Google’s cloud services handle a lot of the heavy lifting too.
The method you pick depends on timing. If you haven’t set up your new iPhone yet, Move to iOS is the easiest path. If your iPhone is already up and running, Google account sync and manual transfers get the job done. Here’s how each method works and what actually moves over.
What Data Transfers from Android to iPhone
Before you start moving anything, it helps to know what can transfer and what can’t. Not every file type or app crosses the Android-to-iOS divide cleanly.
| Data type | Move to iOS | Google sync | Google Photos | Manual transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (VCF file) |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (AirDrop alternative apps) |
| Message history (SMS/MMS) | Yes | No | No | No |
| Calendar events | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Email accounts | Yes | Yes | No | Yes (manual setup) |
| Web bookmarks (Chrome) | Yes | No | No | Yes (Chrome sign-in) |
| Free apps (available on both) | Yes (adds to wishlist) | No | No | Manual download |
| WhatsApp chats | Yes (built-in option) | No | No | No |
| Music files | No | No | No | Yes (iTunes or streaming) |
| App data and game progress | No | No | No | Only if app syncs to cloud |
| Purchased apps | No | No | No | Re-purchase on App Store |
The biggest gap is app data. Even if a free app exists on both platforms, your saved progress, settings, and in-app purchases won’t carry over automatically. Games that use a cloud save system (like those linked to a Google Play Games or Facebook account) are the exception – sign in on iPhone and your data is usually there.
How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone Using Move to iOS
Move to iOS is Apple’s official transfer tool. It works over a direct Wi-Fi connection between your Android phone and your new iPhone. The catch is that it only works during the initial iPhone setup process – the screen where you choose your language, connect to Wi-Fi, and configure Face ID or Touch ID. If you’ve already finished setting up your iPhone, you’d need to factory reset it to use this method.
What You Need
Your Android phone needs to be running Android 4.0 or later (almost every phone made after 2012 qualifies). Both devices need to be charged or plugged in, because the transfer can take a while depending on how much data you have. Keep both phones near each other and connected to the same Wi-Fi network during the process.
Steps to Transfer Using Move to iOS
- On your Android phone, download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store.
- Start setting up your new iPhone. When you reach the Apps and Data screen, select Move Data from Android.
- Your iPhone displays a six-digit or ten-digit code on screen.
- Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and tap Continue. Agree to the terms and tap Next.
- Enter the code shown on your iPhone into your Android phone. The two devices will establish a private Wi-Fi connection.
- On your Android phone, select what you want to transfer – contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, and free apps.
- Tap Next and let the transfer run. A loading bar appears on both devices. Keep both phones alone until the bar on the iPhone finishes, even if your Android shows that the process is complete.
- Once the transfer finishes, tap Done on Android and continue setting up your iPhone.
Transfer time depends on how much data you’re moving. A phone with a few thousand photos and basic contacts might take 10-15 minutes. A phone with 50GB or more of photos and videos could take an hour or longer.
How to Transfer Contacts and Calendars After iPhone Is Already Set Up
If your iPhone is already set up and you don’t want to erase it to use Move to iOS, Google account sync is the next best option. This works especially well for contacts, calendars, and email – the things most people care about most.
Sync Everything to Google on Android First
- On your Android phone, open Settings and tap your Google account at the top (or go to Settings > Accounts > Google).
- Tap Google Account Sync (some phones label this differently).
- Make sure Contacts, Calendar, and Gmail are all toggled on and showing a recent sync date.
- Tap Sync now to force a fresh sync if the dates look old.
Add Your Google Account to iPhone
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts (on older iOS versions, this might be under Settings > Passwords and Accounts).
- Tap Add Account and select Google.
- Sign in with the same Google account you use on your Android phone.
- Toggle on Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Notes – whichever categories you want to sync.
- Tap Save. Your contacts and calendar events will start appearing on your iPhone within a few minutes.
This method keeps everything synced going forward. Any contact you add or calendar event you create on either device will show up on the other as long as you’re saving to your Google account.
How to Transfer Photos from Android to iPhone
Photos are usually the biggest concern when switching phones. Nobody wants to lose years of pictures. Google Photos makes this transfer painless if you’ve been backing up to it on your Android phone.
- On your Android phone, open Google Photos and go to Settings > Backup. Make sure backup is turned on and that your photos are fully uploaded (check for any “waiting for Wi-Fi” or upload progress indicators).
- On your iPhone, download Google Photos from the App Store.
- Sign in with the same Google account. All of your backed-up photos and videos will be accessible immediately.
Your photos stay in Google Photos and don’t automatically save to the iPhone’s camera roll. If you want them in the native Photos app, open Google Photos on iPhone, select the photos you want, and use the Save to device option. For large libraries, this is easier to do in batches.
For related tips, check out our full guide on how to turn off 5G.
If you weren’t using Google Photos backup, you can also transfer photos by plugging both phones into a computer and manually copying files, or by using a USB-C to Lightning (or USB-C to USB-C for iPhone 15 and later) cable with Apple’s file transfer support.
How to Transfer Music and Other Files Manually
Music files, documents, and downloads don’t have a one-tap transfer method. Here are the practical options for each type.
Music: If you use a streaming service like Spotify, YouTube Music, or Apple Music, just download the app on iPhone and sign in. Your playlists and library carry over through your account. For locally stored MP3 or FLAC files on your Android phone, connect the Android to a computer, copy the music files to the computer, then sync them to your iPhone through iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
Documents and files: Upload them to a cloud service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud Drive from your Android phone, then access them on your iPhone through the same service’s app. For a direct transfer, email them to yourself or use a service like Snapdrop or LocalSend for wireless file sharing between devices.
Contacts via VCF: If you don’t want to sync a Google account, export your contacts from Android as a .vcf file (go to Contacts > Settings > Export), email the file to yourself, open it on your iPhone, and it imports directly into the Contacts app.
Best Transfer Method for Each Data Type
| Data type | Best method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Google sync or Move to iOS | Google sync keeps them updated on both platforms |
| Photos and videos | Google Photos backup | Keeps your full library accessible on both devices |
| SMS/MMS messages | Move to iOS | Only method that transfers text message history |
| Calendar events | Google sync | Ongoing sync works better than a one-time transfer |
| Google sync | Add your Gmail account to iPhone Mail | |
| WhatsApp chats | Move to iOS (or WhatsApp transfer) | WhatsApp has a built-in chat transfer feature |
| Music (streaming) | App sign-in | Download the same streaming app on iPhone |
| Music (local files) | iTunes or Finder sync | Copy files to computer, then sync to iPhone |
| Web bookmarks | Chrome sign-in or Move to iOS | Sign into Chrome on iPhone for ongoing sync |
| App data | Cloud save (if supported) | Depends on the individual app |
What You Can’t Transfer from Android to iPhone
Some things simply don’t cross over between platforms, and knowing this upfront saves frustration.
Purchased apps: Apps you paid for on Google Play need to be repurchased on the App Store. Apple and Google don’t share purchase history. Free apps that exist on both platforms can be downloaded again at no cost.
In-app purchases: Most in-app purchases are locked to the platform where you bought them. Some games and apps that use a cross-platform account system (like Fortnite or Netflix) will carry your purchases over when you sign in, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
DRM-protected content: Movies or TV shows purchased through Google Play won’t be available in Apple’s TV app. You can still watch them through the Google Play Movies app on iPhone or through a web browser.
App-specific data: Health data from Samsung Health or Google Fit doesn’t transfer to Apple Health directly. Some third-party health apps offer export and import tools, but there’s no universal method.
Our article on how to check WiFi router history on Android covers related ground and is worth a look.
Move to iOS Not Working – How to Fix Common Problems
The Move to iOS app works reliably for most people, but Wi-Fi issues and phone settings can interfere. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them.
Transfer gets stuck or freezes: This usually happens because of a Wi-Fi conflict. On your Android phone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and forget any networks that start with “Apple” or “iOS.” Turn off mobile data on the Android phone, because cellular data can interfere with the direct Wi-Fi connection that Move to iOS creates. Restart both phones and try again.
Wi-Fi disconnects during transfer: Some Android phones aggressively switch Wi-Fi networks or drop connections they perceive as having no internet. Turn off Smart Network Switch or Wi-Fi Assistant in your Android Wi-Fi settings (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Also disable any VPN apps running on the Android phone.
Code doesn’t appear on iPhone: Make sure you’re on the Apps and Data screen during iPhone setup. If you’ve already passed that screen, you’ll need to erase the iPhone (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings) and start setup over.
Missing contacts after transfer: Check if your contacts were stored on the SIM card rather than in your Google account. On Android, open Contacts, go to Settings > Import, and import SIM contacts to your Google account. Then sync that Google account on your iPhone.
“Unable to migrate” error: Make sure both phones are plugged in or fully charged, that you have enough storage on the iPhone for the data being transferred, and that both phones are running their latest software updates.
How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone FAQs
Can I transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone?
Yes. WhatsApp has a built-in transfer feature that works during iPhone setup through Move to iOS. When you reach the data selection screen in Move to iOS, WhatsApp will appear as a transferable app. You can also transfer WhatsApp separately by opening WhatsApp on your Android phone, going to Settings > Chats > Move chats to iPhone, and following the prompts. Both methods require both phones to be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Will I lose my photos when switching from Android to iPhone?
No, as long as you back them up first. The safest approach is to confirm Google Photos backup is complete on your Android phone before switching. Your photos stay in your Google account and are accessible through the Google Photos app on iPhone. Move to iOS also transfers photos directly. Your Android phone keeps its photos after the transfer – nothing gets deleted from the old device.
Do my Android apps transfer to iPhone?
Not exactly. Move to iOS checks which free apps on your Android phone are also available on the App Store and adds them to your download wishlist. You still need to download each one individually. Paid apps need to be repurchased. App data, login info, and in-app purchases don’t carry over between platforms unless the app uses a cloud-based account system.
How long does the Android to iPhone transfer take?
It depends on how much data you’re moving. A basic transfer with contacts, messages, and a few hundred photos takes about 10-20 minutes. Large photo and video libraries (30GB+) can take an hour or more. Both devices need to stay awake and near each other during the entire process. Keep them plugged in to avoid battery-related interruptions.
Can I transfer data from Android to iPhone without Move to iOS?
Yes. Add your Google account to your iPhone to sync contacts, calendars, and email. Use Google Photos to access your photo library. Sign into Chrome on iPhone to get your bookmarks. Transfer music through iTunes or a streaming service. The only thing you genuinely can’t transfer without Move to iOS is your SMS/MMS message history.
Do I need to factory reset my iPhone to use Move to iOS?
Only if you’ve already completed the initial setup. Move to iOS runs during the setup process, on the Apps and Data screen. If your iPhone is already set up, you’d need to erase it through Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings and start fresh. If you’d rather not erase your iPhone, use Google sync and manual methods instead.
Sources
Apple – Move from Android to iPhone | Google – Switch to iPhone
