Change ecosystems are always stressful for the user, especially when it comes to moving from an open platform Android to a closed system iOS. Many people fear that when they change devices, they will lose important contacts, chat history, or favorite photos. However, modern data migration tools have made this process as simple and automated as possible. You can transfer the lion's share of content in just a few clicks, while maintaining your folder structure and settings.
The migration procedure requires some preparation, but it is not technically difficult. The most important thing is to understand that the transfer is carried out directly between two devices via a temporary Wi-Fi network created by the new smartphone. This provides high transfer speeds that are significantly superior to cloud-based file upload and download methods. In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages, from preparation to the final check of data integrity.
It is worth noting right away that although the system tries to transfer as much information as possible, some specific data may require manual configuration. Apple and Google use different standards for encryption and data storage, so a complete one-to-one copy is impossible by definition. However, the basic set - contacts, messages, photos and videos - is lost without loss. Ready to get started? Let's get started with the setup.
Preparing an Android smartphone for migration
Before starting the process, you need to make sure that your current phone is in good condition and ready to go. The first thing to do is check the battery level. The process can take from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data, so it is critical that both devices do not run out of power at the most critical moment.
You should also free up some RAM on the device Androidby closing unnecessary applications. This will help avoid freezes while the transfer utility is running. Make sure that the Wi-Fi function is turned on on your phone, even if you are not connected to a specific network, as the module will be used for direct connection.
⚠️ Attention: Do not install any applications on the new one iPhone or create accounts before starting the transfer process. The system will require a complete reset if the phone has already been activated.
Another important nuance concerns software updates. It is advisable that both devices have the latest versions of the OS. On Android, go to Settings → About phone → System update and check for updates. On an iPhone, a similar path is through Settings → General → Software update.
☑️ Device preparation checklist
Installing and configuring the Move to app iOS
The main tool for migration is the official application from Apple, which is called - Move to iOS. It is available for free in the store Google Play. Download it to your Android smartphone, but don't launch it yet. The launch must occur strictly at a certain point in setting up the new iPhone.
When you turn on the new iPhone and go through the language and region selection, you will be taken to the “Quick Start” screen. You will need to follow the instructions until the Apps and Data screen appears. This is where the item Transfer data from Androidis selected. After this, a special six-digit or ten-digit code will appear on the iPhone screen.
Now take your Android phone, open the application Move to iOS and click “Continue”. Accept the terms of the license agreement. When the application asks for a code, enter the numbers that you see on the screen of your new iOSdevice. After this, the devices will establish a secure connection.
If the code is not accepted or the connection is lost, try rebooting both phones and turning off the mobile data on the Android device, leaving only the Wi-Fi module active.
It is important to understand that at this moment your Android phone will connect to the temporary Wi-Fi network created by the iPhone. You may see a notification saying “There is no internet connection” - this is normal. Do not switch back to your mobile network or home Wi-Fi, otherwise the process will be interrupted.
Selecting data types to transfer
After a successful connection, the application will prompt you to select the content you want to move. The interface is intuitive: you will see a list of categories with sliders or checkboxes. The system will automatically calculate the approximate size of the data and the time it will take for transfer.
You can select the following types of information:
- 📇 Contact — the entire phone book is transferred along with profile photos.
- 💬 Messages — history of SMS and MMS correspondence (iMessage is not supported at launch).
- 📸 Photos and videos — all media files from the gallery, including hidden albums.
- 📧 Accounts — login details for mail and some services.
- 📅 Calendars —events and reminders.
- 🌐 Browser bookmarks —if you are using a compatible browser.
Pay attention to the “Free applications” item. If you check this box, the system will try to find App Store analogues of those applications that you have installed on Android and add them to the download queue. This is convenient, but does not always work perfectly, since some apps may be paid for on iOS or may not be available at all.
You should not choose unnecessary ones if you plan to start from scratch. For example, transferring system settings sometimes may cause conflicts if you are used to specific customization on Android. It is better to configure the interface iOS manually in order to immediately get used to the new operating logic.
The transfer process and possible difficulties
Click the “Next” button on your Android device to start the process. A progress bar will appear on the screen. Important: do not touch the devices and do not minimize the application, even if it seems to be frozen. The visual indication on Android may stand still, while on the iPhone the loading bar will move - this is a feature of the protocol.
The waiting time depends on the amount of data. Transferring several gigabytes of photos can take up to an hour. At this point, both phones may become very hot - this is a normal physical reaction to the intense work of the communication modules and processor.
⚠️ Attention: If the process is interrupted in the middle (for example, due to a call or low battery), you will have to reset the iPhone to factory settings and start the procedure again. Partial data transfer is not saved.
Sometimes users encounter the error “Failed to transfer data.” Most often, this is due to the fact that the Android device has a power saving mode activated, which limits Wi-Fi running in the background. Disable all battery optimizations before you begin.
What to do if the transfer is stuck at 90%?
Often this means the system is finishing indexing files. Wait another 10-15 minutes. If nothing changes, check if the Android phone's screen is asleep - unlock it. As a last resort, you can try to transfer only the photos and synchronize the contacts via Google Account later.
After the process is completed, a success message will appear on the iPhone screen. On an Android device, you can tap Done and close the app. Now your new smartphone will begin the final setup, unpacking and installation of application icons.
Comparison of data transfer methods
Although the application Move to iOS is the official and most preferred method, there are alternative methods. They can be useful if the main method did not work or if you want to transfer data after the initial setup of the phone.
Below is a table comparing the main available migration methods:
| Method | Speed | Data types | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move to iOS | High | All (contacts, photos, SMS) | Low |
| Google Drive / Cloud | Average | Photos, Contacts, Calendar | Average |
| Computer (iTunes/Finder) | High | Photos, Videos, Files | High |
| Third-party utilities | Various | Depends on the app | High |
Use of cloud services such as Google Photos or synchronizing contacts via Settings → Passwords and Accounts on the iPhone is a great addition. This allows you to pull up data that might not have been transmitted via cable or Wi-Fi. For example, music is often not transferred directly due to differences in file formats and copyright protection.
For advanced users, there is the option of using a PC. You can copy photos and videos from Android to your computer, and then sync them to iPhone via Finder (on macOS) or iTunes (on Windows). This method is reliable for large volumes of media files, but requires a cable and a computer on hand.
A combined approach (Move to iOS + Google cloud sync) gives the best results, ensuring that no contacts or photos are lost when changing platforms.
What to do after the transfer is complete
Congratulations, you have successfully migrated! However, the work does not end there. You need to log into your accounts manually. First of all, this concerns Apple ID, without which the work of the App Store and iCloud is impossible. You will also need authorization in instant messengers, such as WhatsApp or Telegram.
Pay special attention to banking applications and two-factor authentication. Often, verification codes are sent to an old number or to an authenticator application that remains on Android. Make sure that you have transferred access to Google Authenticator or similar services in advance, otherwise you may lose access to important accounts.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and privacy settings on iOS differ from Android. Carefully check the permissions for each installed application in the section
Settings → Privacy.
Don't forget to delete the application Move to iOS from your old Android smartphone if you plan to sell or give it to another person. It is also recommended to perform a hard reset on your old device only after you have ensured that all data on your new phone is working correctly for a couple of days.
If you used paid subscriptions on Android (for example, YouTube Premium or dating services), check their status. In some cases, the subscription needs to be canceled on the old platform and re-issued on the new one, since the Apple App Store and Google Play accounts are not linked.
Is it possible to transfer call history from Android to iPhone?
Unfortunately, call history is not transferred using standard means. Move to iOS This will require third-party paid utilities on your computer that can convert call databases, but this is a complex process that requires technical skills.
What will happen to my APK files?
Files .apk are not compatible with iOS. On iPhone, applications are installed exclusively from the store App Store format .ipa. You will have to download all the necessary apps again from the official Apple store.
Are passwords transferred from the Chrome browser?
Yes, if you select the appropriate option in the transfer application. Passwords will be saved in iCloud Keychain. However, it is more convenient to synchronize bookmarks from Chrome by simply logging into your Google account in the Safari or Chrome browser on a new device.
How much space is needed on the iPhone to transfer data?
The new device should have more free space than the data on the old Android smartphone takes up. It is recommended to have a reserve of at least 10-15% of the total volume of transferred information for the correct operation of the system.
Is it possible to interrupt the transfer and continue later?
No, the resume function is not provided. If any connection is lost, the process will have to start from the very beginning, after first resetting the new iPhone to its factory state.