The transition from Android to iPhone is always a challenge, especially when it comes to games. Unlike multimedia or documents, games are tied to Google Play and App Storeecosystems, which are incompatible by default. But this does not mean that your progress in Genshin Impact, Clash of Clans or Honor of Kings is doomed to remain on the old device. In this article, we will look at all the working methods for transferring games - from cross-platform synchronization to bypassing regional blocking.

The main problem is that Apple and Google use different systems of accounts, payments and even save formats. For example, a game purchased in Google Playwill not automatically appear in App Store —it will have to be purchased again if there is no cross-platform support. However, many developers (especially AAA studios) provide migration tools. We'll show you how to use them, and also reveal little-known lifehacks for games without official synchronization.

It is important to understand: not all games support transfer between platforms. For example, PUBG Mobile allows you to link accounts Facebook or Twitter, but Call of Duty: Mobile requires binding to Activision. Therefore, the first step is to check the cross-platform support of a particular game. If it is not there, alternative methods remain: from emulation to manual transfer of save files (where possible).

1. Checking the game's cross-platform support

Before trying to port the game, make sure that it generally supports the transition between Android and iOS. This can be done in three ways:

  • 🔍 Official website of the game: Look for the "FAQ" or "Account Linking" section. For example, Genshin Impact has detailed instructions for migration on the page hoYoverse.com.
  • 📱 Game settings on Android: Go to your profile or account menu - if there are options like "Link Account" or "Cross-Platform Save", then the transfer is possible.
  • 💬 Player communities: Ask a question on Reddit (for example, in r/AndroidGaming or r/iOSGaming) or in Telegramgame chats. Often players share current ways to bypass restrictions.

If the game supports cross-platform, you will need universal account (not tied to Google Play or Game Center). This could be:

  • 🌍 Facebook/Twitter/Google (for most casual games)
  • 🎮 MiHoYo Account (for Genshin Impact/Honkai: Star Rail)
  • 🔑 Supercell ID (for Clash of Clans/Brawl Stars)
  • 💎 Epic Games or Ubisoft Connect (for AAA projects)
⚠️ Attention: Some games (for example, Pokémon GO) block transfer between platforms if the account was created through Google Play or Apple ID. In this case, you will have to create a new profile from scratch or use workarounds (see section 4).
📊 What game are you trying to transfer?
Genshin Impact
Clash of Clans
PUBG Mobile
Call of Duty: Mobile
Another (write in the comments)
I don’t know, just curious

2. Transfer via linking to social networks or game accounts

This is the most reliable and official method if the game supports it. Algorithm of actions:

  1. Open the game on Android and find the account linking option in the menu (usually in the profile settings).
  2. Link a universal account (for example, Facebook or Supercell ID). If the game requires email, use same address for both platforms.
  3. Install the game on your iPhone from App Store and log in through the same account.
  4. Confirm synchronization —the progress should load automatically.

Example for Clash of Clans:

1. On Android: Settings → Linked accounts → Supercell ID → "Not linked" → Create or log in.

2. On iPhone: Launch the game → “Have you played yet?” → Login via Supercell ID.

Game Supported account for transfer Is progress saved? Do I need to buy the game again?
Genshin Impact MiHoYo Account, Facebook, Twitter, Google (not Google Play!) Yes, completely No
Clash of Clans Supercell ID, Facebook, Google Yes, except for some events No
PUBG Mobile Facebook, Twitter, Google Yes, but the rating may be reset No
Call of Duty: Mobile Activision, Facebook Yes, except for some skins No
Honkai: Star Rail MiHoYo Account Yes, completely No
⚠️ Attention: If the game was purchased in Google Play, but App Store it is free (or vice versa), you you will not have to pay again —just log in through a linked account. However, if the game is paid in both stores, the purchase will have to be duplicated.

Launch the game on Android and check the version (update if necessary)

Create a backup copy of your saves (if any option)

Link a universal account (not Google Play/Apple ID!)

Install the game on iPhone from the App Store

Login through the same account and wait for synchronization-->

3. Transferring saves through cloud services (for games without official support)

If the game does not support cross-platform, but saves progress to local files (for example, .sav or .dat), you can try to transfer them manually. This method works for many offline games, such as Minecraft (up to version Bedrock 1.18) or Stardew Valley.

Instructions:

  1. Find the save folder on Android. Usually this is: 
    /Android/data/[game package]/files/

    or
    

    /sdcard/games/[game name]/

    Use a file manager with access to root folders (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).

  2. Copy save files on a PC or to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
  3. Connect iPhone to PC and use iTunes (or Finder on macOS) to access application files. An alternative is a file manager like iMazing.
  4. Find the game folder on the iPhone (the path depends on the game, often it is Documents or Library inside the application folder).
  5. Replace the save files to those copied from Android. Restart the game.

Example for Minecraft: Bedrock Edition:

  • 📁 On Android: world files are stored in /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds/.
  • 📱 On iPhone: use iMazingto load files into Documents/com.mojang.minecraftpe/.
⚠️ Attention: Not all games allow you to replace saves so easily. Some (for example The Room) encrypt files or link them to the device. In this case, the transfer may not work.
How to find the save folder if it is not in the standard paths?

Use the application App Inspector (requires root) or check the game cache via Settings → Applications → [Game] → Memory → Cache. Sometimes saving is hidden in folders like /data/data/[game package]/shared_prefs/.

4. Bypassing regional restrictions and purchases

One ​​of the most annoying problems when transferring is regional blocking. For example, a game may be available in Google Play your country, but not in App Store (or vice versa). There are also cases when the game is free on one platform and paid on another.

Solutions:

  • 🌎 Changing the App Store region:
    1. Go to Settings → [Your name] → iTunes and App Store.
    2. Click on Apple ID, select "View Apple ID" → "Country/Region".
    3. Select the country where the game is available (for example, USA), and enter the address (you can generate for fakeaddressgenerator.com).
    4. Create a new Apple ID for this country, if the current one does not allow changing the region.
  • 💳 Purchase through gift cards: If the game is paid in App Store, but free in Google Play, buy a gift card for App Store the desired region (for example, on eBay or Amazon).
  • 🔄 Using alternative stores: Some games (for example, Fortnite) are available for download directly from the developer's website, bypassing App Store. However, this requires jailbreaking or using AltStore.

    • Important: Changing the App Store region resets all subscriptions and unused balance. Also, some games (for example Pokémon GO) can block your account for suspicious activity when changing the region.

    💡

    If the game is not available in your region on the App Store, try finding it through a search using a direct link. For example, enter in Safari an address like https://apps.apple.com/us/app/[game-name]/id[ID], where us is the country code, and ID can be found on sites like AppShopper.

    5. Android emulation on iPhone (to run APK)

    If the game does not have a version for iOS or its transfer is impossible, a radical method remains - Android emulation directly to iPhone. This is difficult, requires jailbreaking or the use of cloud services, but sometimes this is the only way out.

    Methods:

    • 🖥️ Cloud Android services:
      • Shadow PC or GeForce NOW — renting a virtual PC with Android, where you can play via streaming.
      • BlueStacks X — cloud service for running Android games in the browser (works on iPhone via Safari).
    • 📱 Emulators on iPhone (requires jailbreak):
      • iNDS — for Nintendo DS-games (if your game has a port on DS).
      • Delta Emulator - supports GBA, NES, SNES.
      • UtmSE - a full-fledged Android emulator (slow, but working).

        • Instructions for UtmSE:

        1. Install AltStore on iPhone (requires a PC with iTunes).
        2. Download UtmSE via AltStore.
        3. Download the Android image (for example, LineageOS for ARM).
        4. Create a virtual machine and install Android.
        5. Download APK games (for example, with APKMirror) and install it in the emulator.
        ⚠️ Attention: Android emulation on an iPhone without jailbreak is extremely limited in performance. Expect lag and low FPS even in simple games. This method is not suitable for modern 3D games.
        💡

        Emulating Android on iPhone is a last resort. It is only suitable for old or simple games, and also when other transfer methods are not possible.

        6. Transferring purchases and in-game currency

        If you spent money on the game on Android, transferring purchases to iPhone may be a problem. Here's what you need to know:

        • 💰 Cross-platform games (for example, Genshin Impact or Clash of Clans) save purchases if you use a universal account. However subscriptions (for example, Google Play Pass) are not transferred.
        • 🎁 Gift Cards: If you purchased in-game currency through Google Play, it will remain on the account Google. To use it on iPhone, you will have to purchase again through App Store.
        • 🔄 Exchange between platforms: Some games (for example, Fortnite) allow you to exchange items between accounts on different platforms. Check the conditions on the official website.

        Example for Genshin Impact:

        • If you purchased Genesis Crystals via Google Play, they are linked to your account MiHoYo, not to the device. After transferring to iPhone you will be able to use them, but new purchases will have to be made through App Store.
        • If a game requires confirmation of purchase via Google Play (for example, Marvel Strike Force), you will have to purchase again. iPhone you will have to buy again.
        Purchase type Transferred to iPhone? What to do if not?
        In-game currency (linked to the game account) Yes Nothing, remains on the account
        Subscriptions (Google Play Pass, Apple Arcade) No Sign up for a new subscription in the App Store
        Paid game (purchased on Google Play) No Buy again in the App Store or use an emulator
        Skins/characters (linked to the game account) Yes Nothing, transferred automatically

        7. Alternative methods: from cloud saves to mods

        If standard methods do not work, you can try non-obvious solutions:

        • ☁️ Cloud saves via Steam or Epic Games:

          Some mobile games (for example Rocket League Sideswipe) are synchronized s Steam or Epic Games. If the game supports cross-platform with PC, you can:

          1. Link your mobile account to Steam.
          2. Launch the game on PC, wait for synchronization.
          3. Install the game on iPhone and log in through the same account.
      • 🔧 Mods and patches:

        For some games (for example, Minecraft) there are modifications that allow you to convert saves between platforms. Look for them on forums like XDA Developers or Reddit.

      • 🤖 Automation through scripts:

        If the game stores saves in the cloud (for example, Firebase), you can write a script to transfer data. This requires programming skills, but sometimes it's the only way. Example for Firebase:

        1. Export data from Firebase game project (Android).

        2. Import them into the Firebase project for iOS (if the IDs match).

        • ⚠️ Attention: Using mods or unofficial patches may lead to account ban. Before using, check the rules of the game and reviews of other players.
        How to find out if the game uses Firebase for saves?

        Check the game files on Android - if there is a folder /data/data/[game package]/app_FirebaseInstanceId/most likely, the saves are stored in the Firebase cloud. You can also use Packet Capture (requires root) to track requests to firebaseio.com.

        Common errors and how to avoid them

        When transferring games between Android i iPhone users often encounter typical problems:

        • 🚫 "The game does not find the save":

          Reason: you are logged in through another account (for example, Google Play instead of Facebook). Solution: make sure that you are using same a universal account on both devices.

        • 🔒 "Account blocked after changing platform":

          Cause: the game considered the transition suspicious (for example, changing region + device). Solution: contact the game support with proof of account ownership (receipts, screenshots).

        • 💸 "You need to pay again":

          Reason: the game is paid in App Store, but free in Google Play (or vice versa). Solution: check if you can transfer the purchase through support (sometimes they cooperate).

        • 📱 "Game lags on iPhone after transfer":

          Reason: different optimization for Android And iOS. Solution: check the graphics settings in the game or wait for the update.

          • If all else fails, try:

          1. Delete and reinstall the game on iPhone.
          2. Clear the game cache on both devices.
          3. Contact game support, indicating your account ID and proof purchases.
        ❓ How to transfer a game if it is removed from the App Store?

        If the game is not available in App Store, but you have IPA file (analogous to APK for iOS), you can install it through:

        • AltStore (requires a PC and iTunes).
        • Sideloadly (similar, but without a limit of 3 applications).
        • TrollStore (if you have iOS 14–15, allows you to install IPA without a subscription).

        Please note: for this you need IPA file a game, which can be found on sites like IPA Library (but be careful with pirated versions!).

        ❓ Is it possible to transfer saves from a pirated version of the game?

        Technically yes, but:

        • If the game requires online synchronization (for example, Genshin Impact), the pirated version will not be able to contact the servers, and the transfer will not be possible.
        • For offline games (for example, Stardew Valley) you can copy save files, but they may be incompatible with the legal version.
        • Using pirated versions violates the rules App Store and can lead to account ban.
        ❓ Why was progress reset after the transfer?

        Probable reasons:

        • You logged in through another account (for example, Game Center instead of Facebook).
        • The game has been updated and the save format has changed.
        • The game servers reset the data (for example, after a ban for cheating).

        Solution: try logging in through a different account or contact support indicating:

        • Account ID in the game.
        • Screenshots of progress before transfer.
        • Error logs (if any).
        ❓ How to transfer a game from Android to iPhone if it is only available on Google Play?

        Options:

        • Use Android emulator on iPhone (see section 5).
        • Find an analogue game in App Store (for example, instead of Mobile Legends play League of Legends: Wild Rift).
        • Appeal to the developers with a request to release a version for iOS (sometimes it helps if the game is popular).
        • Use cloud gaming (for example, Xbox Cloud Gaming or GeForce NOW), if the game is available there.
        ❓ Is it possible to transfer a game from Android to iPhone without Internet?

        Yes, but only if:

        • The game supports local saves (for example, Minecraft, Terraria).
        • You have access to save files on both devices (for example, via iMazing or Solid Explorer).

          • For online games (for example, Clash Royale), the Internet is required - without it, synchronization is impossible.