The transition from Android to iPhone is a responsible step that requires not only getting used to the new interface, but also competently transferring all important data. Many users get lost trying to find in the settings iOS tools for migrating contacts, photos, messages and applications from a previous smartphone. In fact Apple has provided a special transfer wizard, but its location and operating logic differ from the usual solutions on Android.

In this article we will look at where exactly in the settings iPhone the data transfer function is hidden, how to activate it on different versions. iOS, and what pitfalls may arise during migration. You will learn how to avoid information loss, what data can be transferred automatically, and what data will have to be copied manually. We will pay special attention device compatibility to the requirements for the software version - this is critical for a successful transfer.

Where in iPhone to look for settings for transferring data from Android

Checkpoint for migrating data from Android on iPhone is hidden not in the main settings menu, but in Initial setup wizard. This means that It makes sense to look for the transfer function only when you turn on the new iPhone for the first time or after a full reset. If the device is already configured, you will have to reset it to factory settings - otherwise the option will not be available.

Here's how to find the transfer wizard:

  • 📱 New iPhone: at the first After turning on, follow the instructions until the “Applications and data" screen. Here select “Transfer data from Android».
  • 🔄 Already configured iPhone: go to Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Erase content and settings. After the reset, repeat the initial setup and select the transfer option.
  • 🤖 On an Android device: you will need to install the application Move to iOS from Apple (available in Google Play).

It is important to understand that Apple does not provide a separate section in the settings for transferring data after completing the initial configuration. This is a fundamental difference from Androidwhere migration is often available at any time via menu Google Account or Backup.

📊 How do you usually transfer data between smartphones?
Via cloud services (Google Drive, iCloud)
I use special applications (Move to iOS, Smart Switch)
I copy files manually to the computer
I have never transferred data

Device requirements for successful transfer

Even if you found the transfer wizard in the settings iPhone, this does not guarantee successful migration. Apple makes strict demands to both devices:

Parameter Requirements for iPhone Requirements for Android
OS version iOS 15 or newer Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or later
Free space At least 10% of the amount of transferred data Enough for installation Move to iOS (~50 MB)
Battery status Charge ≥ 50% Charge ≥ 50% or connected to the network
Connected to the network Wi-Fi (not mobile data) Wi-Fi (same network as the iPhone)

Pay special attention version Android. On devices older than 2015 (with Android 4.4 and below), the application Move to iOS is not supported. In this case, you will have to use alternative methods - for example, transfer via Google Account or computer.

⚠️ Attention: If the Androiddevice is enabled Energy saving or Battery optimization for the application Move to iOS, the transfer process may be interrupted. Disable these features before starting the migration.

Step-by-step guide: how to transfer data from Android to iPhone

When all conditions are met, you can begin the transfer. Let's look at the process step by step:

  1. Preparing an Android device:
    • 📲 Install Move to iOS from Google Play.
    • 🔌 Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
    • 🔋 Make sure that Android there is enough charge or it is connected to an outlet.
  2. Activation of the wizard on iPhone:
    • 📱 On the "Applications and data" screen, select "Transfer data from Android».
    • 🔢 Wait for the 6- or 10-digit code to appear.
  3. Connecting devices:
    • 🔗 Enter the code on the Androiddevice in the application Move to iOS.
    • 📶 Wait for a private network to be created between the devices (may take 1–2 minutes).
  • Selecting data to transfer:
    • 📋 Tick the required categories: contacts, messages, photos, videos, bookmarks, email accounts, calendars.
    • ⚠️ Applications are transferred only as links to App Store (APK files themselves are not copied!).

    Disable VPN on both devices

    Make sure there is enough space on the iPhone

    Close all background applications on Android

    Connect both devices to charge (recommended)

    Synchronize data with Google Account (in case of failure)

    -->

    The transfer process can take from 10 minutes to several hours - depending on the amount of data and Wi-Fi speed. Do not interrupt the connection and do not block the screen on Android-device. If the transfer is stalled, try restarting the application Move to iOS and reconnect.

    Which data can be transferred automatically and which cannot

    The Transfer Wizard from Apple does not support all data types. Here's what can be transferred without additional manipulation:

    • 📞 Contact (including profile photos, if they are saved in Google Contacts).
    • 💬 Messages (SMS and MMS, but not messages from instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram).
    • 📷 Photos and videos (in original resolution, but without geolocation metadata).
    • 📅 Calendars and reminders (if they are synchronized with Google Account).
    • 🌐 Bookmarks from Chrome (transferred to Safari).
    • 📧 Mail accounts (settings Gmail, Yahoo and other services).

    And now - what can cannot be transferred through the standard wizard:

    • 🎵 Music (even purchased in Google Play Music it will have to be downloaded again through Apple Music or iTunes).
    • 📱 Applications and their data (only links to analogues are transferred to App Store, but saving games and settings is not).
    • 🔐 Passwords from Google Smart Lock (they need to be exported manually via Google Settings).
    • 📊 System settings (wallpaper, sound schemes, gestures - everything will have to be configured again).
    💡

    If it is critical for you to transfer chat history from WhatsApp, use the official migration tool from Meta. It works separately from Move to iOS and requires a backup copy in Google Drive.

    For transfer unsupported data you will have to use workarounds: cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox), a computer with iTunes or specialized applications like AnyTrans (paid solution with advanced capabilities).

    Common errors and how to avoid them

    Even if all instructions are followed, users encounter problems. Here are the most common errors and ways to solve them:

    1. The connection code does not appear on the iPhone:

      Check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the problem persists, reboot the router or try using a mobile hotspot (but not the mobile data directly!).

    2. The transfer is interrupted by 99%:

      This problem occurs when transferring large volumes of photos/videos. Solution: transfer media files separately via Google Photos or iCloud, and the remaining data via Move to iOS.

    3. Contacts are not transferred:

      Make sure that contacts are saved in Google Account, and not in the device memory or SIM card. Check synchronization in settings Android: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contacts synchronization.

    4. Application Move to iOS does not see iPhone:

      Disable your Android firewall, antivirus and VPN. If you are using Android 12+, temporarily disable the function Private DNS in the network settings.

    ⚠️ Attention: If you are using a Androiddevice with a custom firmware (for example LineageOS), the transfer wizard may not work. In this case, the only reliable way is manual transfer via a computer.
    What to do if the transfer is stuck at the "Data Preparation" stage?

    If the process is stuck at this stage for more than 10 minutes, try the following:

    1. Close Move to iOS on Android and restart the wizard on iPhone.

    2. Make sure Do Not Disturb is turned off on Android and there are no active low battery notifications.

    3. If used Android 10+, try disabling the "Adaptive Battery" option in the power settings.

    4. As a last resort, reset the network settings on both devices.

    Alternative methods of transferring data without Move to iOS

    If the standard wizard does not work or does not cover your needs, use alternative methods:

    1. Transfer via Google Account:

    • 📱 On Android make sure all data is synchronized with Google (Settings → Accounts → Google).
    • 📱 On iPhone add Google Account to Settings → Passwords and accounts → Add account → Google.
    • 🔄 Enable synchronization of contacts, calendars and mail.

    2. Transferring photos and videos via Google Photos:

    • 📷 Install Google Photos to Android and upload all media files to the cloud.
    • 📱 On iPhone install the same application and download the files to the device.
    • 💾 Alternative: use iCloud for Windows on a PC to transfer photos from Android via a computer.

    3. Manual transfer via computer:

    • 🖥️ Connect Android to your PC and copy files (photos, music, documents) to your hard drive.
    • 📱 Connect iPhone and use iTunes (or Finder on macOS) to synchronize your media library.
    • 📂 For contacts, export them to a file .vcf on Android, and then import via iCloud.com.

    4. Third party applications:

    • 🛠️ AnyTrans (paid, but supports transferring messages from instant messengers).
    • 🛠️ Copy My Data (free, for contacts and calendars).
    • 🛠️ Send Anywhere (for transferring files over Wi-Fi without the cloud).
    💡

    If you need to transfer data from a specific application (for example, WhatsApp or Viber), look for official migration tools from the developers of these services. They often work more reliably than universal solutions.

    What to do after data transfer

    When the migration is completed, do not rush to reset or sell the old Androidsmartphone. Perform several checks:

    1. Check data integrity:
      • 📞 Open Contact and make sure that all records are in place (including profile photos).
      • 📷 View Photo in the application "Photo" on iPhone.
      • 💬 Make sure that SMS messages are displayed in Messages (they can be located in the folder "Unknown»).
    2. Set up backup:
      • ☁️ Activate iCloud in Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Backup to iCloud.
      • 🔄 Enable automatic synchronization for Contacts, Calendars and Photo.
  • Delete unnecessary data from Android:
    • 🧹 If the transfer was successful, reset the Androiddevice to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset).
    • 🔒 Unlink all accounts first (Google, Samsung etc.) to avoid blocking after the reset.

    If you find that some data has not been transferred, do not panic. You have 14 days after activation iPhoneto repeat the migration process via Move to iOS (assuming the device has not been reset). After this period, you will have to use alternative methods.

    FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

    Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone after initial setup?

    No, standard wizard Move to iOS works only during the first power-on iPhone or after a complete reset. If the device is already set up, use alternative methods: synchronization via Google Account, manual transfer via a computer, or third-party applications like AnyTrans.

    Are passwords transferred from Google Chrome to Safari?

    No, passwords are not transferred automatically. To save them, export them from Chrome to Android (Settings → Passwords → Export passwordsand then import them to iCloud Keychain via iCloud for Windows or manually enter them in iPhone.

    Is it possible to transfer applications from Android to iPhone?

    Applications in the format .apk cannot be transferred, but Move to iOS creates a list of those installed on Android applications and offers to download their analogues from App Store (if they exist). Data inside applications (for example, game saves) is not transferred - they will have to be restored through developer accounts or cloud saves.

    How long does data transfer take?

    Time depends on the amount of data and Wi-Fi speed:

    • 📱 1–5 GB: 10–30 minutes.
    • 📱 5–50 GB: 30 minutes – 2 hours.
    • 📱 50+ GB: 2+ hours (it is recommended to transfer media files separately via the cloud).

    If the process takes a long time, check the stability of the Internet connection and battery charge on both devices.

    What to do if Move to iOS does not see the iPhone?

    Try these steps:

    1. Reboot both devices.
    2. Make sure VPN, firewall, and power saving modes are turned off. Android VPN, firewall and power saving modes are disabled.
    3. Connect both devices to a different Wi-Fi network (for example, to a mobile hotspot).
    4. If you are using Android 10+, disable the function Private DNS in the network settings.
    5. Uninstall and reinstall application Move to iOS.

    If all else fails, use alternative transfer methods.