Do you dream of design iPhone 12, but are not ready to part with flexibility Android? Or just want to experiment with the interface iOS 14 on your device? It is possible to turn an Android smartphone into a visual and functional copy - and you don’t need to buy a new device for this. In this article we will analyze iPhone 12 it’s possible – and you don’t need to buy a new device for this. In this article we will look at step-by-step transformation process: from changing the launcher and icons to setting up gestures, sounds and even imitation Face ID.

It is important to understand: a full replacement of the firmware on iOS on Android devices technically impossible without hacking the bootloader and installing hackintosh systems, which will lead to loss of warranty and unstable operation. However, with the help of special applications, themes and settings, you can achieve 90% similarity - down to animations and system sounds. We will focus on legal methods that do not require root access, but will also indicate options for advanced users.

Before you begin, check:

  • 📱 Android version: minimum required Android 9 Pie (for full gestures - Android 10+). On older versions, some functions will not be available.
  • 🔋 Battery charge: the setup process may take 1-2 hours, make sure the charge is at least 50%.
  • 📲 Backup: some changes (for example, resetting the launcher) may remove widgets and layout icons.

📊 Why do you want to make Android look like an iPhone?
I like the iOS design
I want to try something new
The standard one is annoying Android
Other
Just for the sake of experiment

1. Installing a launcher with the iOS 14 interface

The basis of the transformation will be launcher an application that replaces the standard Android desktop. For imitation iPhone 12 the following are suitable:

  • 🔝 Launcher iOS 14 (from iLauncher) - copies the design down to the smallest detail, including App Library and widgets.
  • 🎨 Neon Launcher - supports dynamic wallpapers and animations like on iOS.
  • 📱 X OS Launcher - adds gestures and a control panel in the style Control Center.

How to install and configure:

  1. Download the selected launcher from Google Play.
  2. When you first start, select it as the default launcher (the system will offer to do this automatically).
  3. In the launcher settings, activate:
    • 📂 App Drawer → Disable (to remove the application menu, like on the iPhone).
    • 🖼️ Dock → Enable and install 4-5 icons (as in the bottom panel iOS).
    • 🔄 Gestures → Swipe Up to simulate the gesture of returning to the main screen.

Install launcher from Google Play|

Make it the default launcher|

Disable App Drawer|

Customize the "Swipe Up" gesture|

Add iOS-style widgets (weather, calendar)

-->

Important: some launchers may conflict with proprietary shells (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS). If lags occur after installation, try disabling animations in the developer settings (Settings → System → For developers → Animation = Off).

What to do if the launcher does not install?

If Google Play displays a "Device incompatible" error, download the APK file of the launcher from the official website (for example, apkmirror.comBefore installation, allow installation from unknown sources in Settings →). Security.

2. Replacing icons with the iOS 12/14 style

Standard Android icons contrast sharply with the minimalistic design iOSTo replace them:

  1. Install an icon pack:
    • 🎨 iOS 14 Icon Pack (from Driftoid).
    • 🖌️ Elite iOS - supports adaptive icons.
    • 📱 iCons for iOS - more than 5000 Apple style icons.
  2. Apply the pack:
    • Open the launcher → Settings → Icons → Select pack.
    • If some icons have not changed, manually assign them via Long press on the icon → Edit → Select from pack.

For complete authenticity:

  • 📌 Install wallpaper with iPhone 12 (you can download on wallpapercave.com).
  • 🔄 Set up widgets:
    • Weather widget: Transparent Clock & Weather ("iOS" style).
    • Calendar widget: Month: Calendar Widget.

Element Application for Android Settings
Icons iOS 14 Icon Pack Apply through launcher settings
Wallpaper WallpapersCraft Select the "iPhone 12" section
Weather widget Transparen Clock Style "Minimal iOS"
Sounds iOS Sounds for Android Set as system (required Zedge)
💡

To make the icons look even more natural, enable it in the launcher settings option Icon Shape → Squircle (rounded square, like on the iPhone).

3. Setting up gestures and animations like on the iPhone 12

iPhone 12 uses navigation gesturesdifferent from the standard ones for Android To imitate them:

  1. Activate full-screen gestures:
    • Go to Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation.
    • Select Swipe gestures (on Android 10+) or 2-button navigation (on Android 9).
  2. Set up additional gestures via launcher:
    • 🔙 Swipe Down → opening the notification panel (like Control Center on iPhone).
    • 🔚 Swipe Up & Hold → multitasking (like iOS).

For advanced users (required root or ADB):

  • 🛠️ Install Xposed Framework + module iOS 14 Gestures for accurate simulation.
  • 📱 Use adb shell to change system animations: 
    adb shell settings put global window_animation_scale 0.5

    adb shell settings put global transition_animation_scale 0.5

    This will speed up transitions between screens, as on iPhone.

💡

On Android 12+, gestures work smoother than on older versions. If your device is slow, turn off background animation in the developer settings (Settings → System → For developers → Window animation = Off).

4. Replacing system sounds on iOS

The sounds of notifications, locks and keyboards on iPhone 12 are unique. To transfer them to Android:

  1. Download the archive with sounds iOS 14 (for example, with Zedge or iOS Sounds for Android).
  2. Extract the files into a folder /sdcard/Ringtones (for ringtones) and /sdcard/Notifications (for notifications).
  3. Assign sounds to settings:
    • 🔔 Settings → Sound → Ringtone → select Marimba (standard iPhone sound).
    • 📳 Settings → Sound → Notifications → select Tri-tone.

To replace keyboard sounds:

  • Install the keyboard Gboard.
  • Go to Gboard Settings → Sounds when pressed → Download iOS sounds (available in some theme packs).

💡

If the sounds are not applied, restart the device or clear the application cache Settings → Applications → Media storage → Clear cache.

5. Simulate Face ID and other functions. iPhone

iPhone 12 is famous for its facial recognition system Face ID. On Android it can be partially imitated:

  • 👤 Face recognition:
    • Use Smart Lock (Settings → Security → Smart Lock → Face recognition).
    • For greater accuracy, install Face Unlock (from Google), but remember: this is less secure than Face ID.
  • 🔒 Control Center:
    • Install Control Center iOS 14 from Google Play.
    • Set up a quick call by swiping from top to bottom (like on an iPhone).
  • 📶 Network indicator:
    • Use SystemUI Tuner (required ADB) change the style of the indicators to "iOS-like".

Warning:

⚠️ Attention: Smart Lock and similar applications for facial recognition on Android does not provide the same level of security as Face ID. They can be deceived by a photograph or a mask. Do not use this method to protect financial applications or critical data.

6. Performance optimization for iOS

iOS is known for smooth operation even on weak devices. To make Android work just as fast:

  • 🧹 Background clearing:
    • Disable background activity of unnecessary applications: Settings → Applications → [Select application] → Battery → Background activity = Limit.
  • ⚡ Accelerating animations:
    • Enable developer mode (Settings → About phone → Build number → Tap 7 times).
    • Install Window animation = 0.5x, Animation of transitions = 0.5x.
  • 🔋 Battery optimization:
    • Activate adaptive battery: Settings → Battery → Adaptive battery.
    • Disable autostart for social networks and instant messengers.

For devices with root access:

  • 🛠️ Install the kernel FrancoKernel or ElementalX for better processor management.
  • 📉 Use Greenify to hibernate background applications.

Why can Android slow down after changing the launcher?

Some launchers (especially with animations) consume more RAM If the device is weak. (less than 3 GB of RAM), select a lightweight launcher, for example Nova Launcher with effects disabled.

7. Transferring data from iPhone to transformed Android

If you are switching from iPhone to Android, but want to save the data, use:

  • 📱 Transfer contacts:
    • Export contacts from iPhone to iCloud, then import via Google Contacts.
    • Or use Move to iOS (yes, this app works the other way too!).
  • 📷 Photos and videos:
    • Upload media to Google Photos iPhone, then sync to Android.
  • 🎵 Music and notes:
    • Transfer music via iTunes → Google Play Music (or YouTube Music).
    • Export notes from Apple Notes to Google Keep via iCloud.com.

⚠️ Attention: When transferring data via Move to iOS some formats (for example, HEIC for photos) may not be supported on Android. data-i="244">using applications like JPEG using apps like HEIC to JPG Converter.

8. Comparison: what you can’t copy from the iPhone 12

Despite all efforts, some functions iPhone 12 remain unique to iOS:

iPhone 12 function An alternative on Android Limitations
Face ID Smart Lock / Face Unlock Less security, does not work on all devices
AirDrop Nearby Share Slower, fewer supported devices
iMessage Google Messages (RCS) Not all operators support RCS
Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, Watch) Google Ecosystem (Chrome, Pixel, Wear OS) Less integration between devices

Also not possible on Android:

  • 🔒 Fully integrate Apple Pay (an alternative is Google Pay, but not all banks support contactless payments).
  • 🎮 Launch games and applications available only in App Store (for example, iMovie or GarageBand).
  • 📡 Use 5G on models where it is blocked by the manufacturer (for example, on some Samsung for the Russian market).

💡

Android offers more freedom than iOS, but this comes at the cost of fragmented functions. For example, navigation gestures can. differ even on devices from the same manufacturer (Samsung vs Xiaomi).

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Is it possible to completely replace Android with iOS without buying an iPhone?

No, a complete replacement of the operating system is impossible. iOS developed exclusively for devices Apple with processors A-series. The maximum that can be done is a visual and functional imitation using launchers and themes. This does not require root access, but some functions (for example, gestures) may work unstable.

Will the iOS launcher slow down on a weak smartphone?

Yes, some launchers (especially with animations) can slow down on devices with less than 3 GB of RAM. We recommend choosing lightweight options, for example Nova Launcher with disabled effects, or using Lawnchair - it is optimized for weak devices. Also clear the cache and disable the background activity of unnecessary ones. applications.

How to return standard Android after experiments?

To roll back changes:

  1. Delete installed launchers and icon packs.
  2. Return system sounds in Settings → Sound → Reset.
  3. Disable gestures in Settings → System → Gestures → System navigation → Buttons (3-button).
  4. Reset the launcher settings by default: Settings → Applications → [Your launcher] → Reset settings.

If widgets disappear after changing the launcher, reboot the device.

Can I install Siri on Android?

It is impossible to install a full-fledged one, but there are alternatives: Siri cannot be installed, but there are alternatives:

  • Google Assistant - supports voice commands and is integrated into the system.
  • Hey Siri for Android (unofficial applications) - imitate a voice assistant, but with limited functions.
  • Bixby (on devices Samsung) - has similar capabilities, but works only on branded devices.

To activate the voice assistant using the phrase "Hey Google" go to Settings → Google → Settings for applications → Voice assistant → Voice match.

Why did some applications remain unchanged after changing icons?

This happens because not all icon packs cover all applications. Solutions:

  • Manually change the icon. through a long press → Change → Icon → Select from pack.
  • Use a launcher that supports adaptive icons (for example, Nova Launcher or Action Launcher).
  • Download additional icon packs, for example Minimal O Icon Pack or Lines Icon Pack.

If the application icon does not change even manually, try clearing the launcher cache.