Changing the ecosystem is a responsible step that often causes concern among users. Many are afraid of losing important contacts, family photos or accumulated data when switching from Android to iPhone 13. However, modern Apple tools have made this process as automated and safe as possible.
The main tool for migration is the official application Move to iOS ("Transfer to iOS"), available on Google Play. It allows you to transfer almost all content, including message history, bookmarks and even some settings. It is important to understand that the procedure requires strict adherence to the sequence of actions, otherwise the process may be interrupted.
In this article we will analyze in detail each stage of the transfer, consider common errors and give tips on optimizing the new device. You will learn how to prepare both smartphones for synchronization and what to do if the standard method does not work.
Preparing devices before migration
The success of the operation depends 90% on the correct preparation of both smartphones. You should not immediately launch the application without first checking the settings. Your Android and iPhone 13 must be ready to create a direct Wi-Fi connection.
First, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on your Android device. Even if you are not connected to your home network, the module should be active. The application will create its own local network for file transfer. Also check the battery level: both phones must have at least 50% power or be connected to a power source.
⚠️ Note: If your iPhone has already gone through the initial setup and you can see the desktop, you will have to reset the device to factory settings. Data transfer is only possible during the initial configuration stage.
Clear the memory on Android if it is full. Remove unnecessary cache files and uninstalled applications. This will speed up the scanning and transfer process. Make sure your iPhone has enough free space to receive all the data.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Installing and launching the Move to iOS application
The first step is performed on an Android device. Go to the store Google Play and find the application Move to iOS. Download and install it. The developer has indicated Apple Inc., which guarantees the authenticity of the utility.
After installation, run the app and accept the terms of the license agreement. You will be presented with several screens with information about what exactly can be transferred. Read them carefully to understand the amount of data being transferred.
At this stage, the system will ask you to disable mobile data or switch networks that may interfere with a stable connection. It is best to enable the mode "On a plane", and then manually activate only Wi-Fi. This will prevent the connection from being lost during the critical phase.
Disable all power saving and screen lock apps on Android during the transfer to prevent the system from interrupting the process in the background.
Setting up a connection between smartphones
Now go to your new one iPhone 13. Turn it on and follow the onscreen instructions until the Apps & Data screen appears. Select the item "Transfer data from Android".
A six-digit or ten-digit code will appear on the iPhone screen. Enter this code in the appropriate field on your Android device. After entering the code, the iPhone will create a temporary Wi-Fi network.
Your Android smartphone will offer to connect to this network. Click "Connect" in the system notification that appears. Wait until the Data Transfer screen appears. If the connection is not established, check whether the firewall or antivirus on Android is blocking local connections.
What to do if the code does not work?
Sometimes the code may not be accepted due to input delay. Try relaunching the app on Android and getting a new code on iPhone. Make sure that the “Smart Network Switching” mode is not enabled on Android, which may try to return the mobile data.
Selecting content to transfer
After a successful connection, a list of data available for migration will appear on the Android screen. You can select specific categories or transfer everything at once. The system will automatically calculate the approximate amount of data and the time the process will take.
Pay attention to the “Messages” item. SMS and MMS transfer works correctly, but call history may not be transferred in all versions of Android. Photos and videos usually take the most time.
- 📸 Photos and videos: Transferred in original quality to the Photos app.
- 📞 Contacts: Save to the Contacts app and synchronized with iCloud.
- 💬 Messages: SMS text and MMS attachments.
- 🔖 Bookmarks: Transferred from the standard Chrome or Android Browser to Safari.
- ⚙️ Settings: Some system settings available for cross-platform transfer.
No need to worry about applications. Many popular apps (Instagram, Facebook, Telegram) will be found in the App Store and offered for free download after the transfer is complete. Paid applications will have to be purchased again, since licenses are not transferred between stores.
Transfer process and expected time
As soon as you click the “Continue” button, the direct data transfer will begin. At this time strictly prohibited use both phones. Any action, be it a call or opening another application, can break the connection.
Execution time depends on the amount of data. Transferring several gigabytes of photos can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. A progress bar will appear on the iPhone screen. Even if the process seems to be frozen on Android, do not interrupt it.
| Data type | Approximate volume | Average transfer time |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and SMS | Less than 10 MB | 1-2 minutes |
| Photos (1000 pcs) | ~2-3 GB | 10-15 minutes |
| Video (HD) | ~5 GB | 20-30 minutes |
| Full backup | 50+ GB | 1-2 hours |
If the progress bar on the iPhone has stopped, wait 15 minutes. Often the system continues to run in the background even if the visual indicator does not move. A premature interruption will result in the need to start all over again.
Completing iPhone 13 setup
When the loading indicator on your iPhone is full, tap Done on your Android device. Next, follow the onscreen instructions on your iPhone to complete setting up Apple ID, Face ID, and other features.
Once you sign in, you'll see a notification that free versions of your apps are available in the App Store. Agree to download them. Your photos will not appear in the gallery right away - the system needs time to index the media library.
Delete the Move to iOS application from your Android device, as it will no longer be needed. Now you can fully use your iPhone 13. Don't forget to check your privacy settings and update iOS to the latest version via Settings → General → Software Update.
⚠️ Attention: The iOS interface is different from Android. The layout of the controls and the operating logic may seem unusual. Give yourself a couple of days to adapt to the new ecosystem.
After the transfer, be sure to go to Settings -> Photos and make sure that “Sync this iPhone” is checked so that the photos go to the iCloud cloud.
Solution and alternative methods
Sometimes the process is interrupted with an error. The most common reason is an unstable Wi-Fi connection or interference from third-party applications. Try rebooting both devices and disabling all applications running in the background on Android.
If the standard method does not work, you can use cloud services. Upload photos and contacts to Google Drive or Google Photos on Android, and then install the corresponding applications on iPhone and sign in to your account.
Export to file .vcf. Save all contacts to a file on Android, send it to yourself by email or instant messenger, open it on iPhone and confirm import.
Why are WhatsApp chats not transferred?
The standard Move to iOS app does not transfer WhatsApp chat history. This requires a separate function inside the messenger itself: Settings -> Chats -> Transfer chats, available when setting up your iPhone for the first time.
Is it possible to transfer data if the iPhone is already set up?
No, the transfer function is only available on the initial setup screen. You will have to reset content and settings (Settings -> General -> Transfer or reset iPhone -> Reset) to get back to the beginning.
What to do if the transfer is stuck at 90%?
Wait at least 15-20 minutes. If there is no progress, reboot both phones. Make sure that mobile data and power saving mode are turned off on Android.
Are passwords from websites transferred?
Passwords saved in Google Chrome on Android can be transferred if you use the Chrome browser on iPhone and sign in to your Google account. They are not automatically migrated to iCloud Keychain via Move to iOS.
Do you need a cable for transfer?
To use the Move to iOS application, a cable is not needed, the transfer is via Wi-Fi. However, a Lightning-to-USB-C cable may be needed if you decide to use the quick migration method via a computer (a rare scenario for ordinary users).