The transition to a new ecosystem requires preparation
Changing an operating system is always stressful for the user, because you have to master a new interface and look for analogues of familiar functions. However, Apple has significantly simplified the migration process by creating a special application that makes the move as painless as possible. If you have just unboxed your new one, do not rush to set it up as a new device, as this will waste time and require you to manually enter all contacts. iPhone 11 Pro, do not rush to set it up as a new device, as this will waste time and require you to manually enter all contacts.
Before starting the procedure, it is critical to make sure that both smartphones have sufficient battery power. The transfer process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the size of your media library, and interrupting power at any stage can result in file corruption or system crashes. It is recommended to connect both devices to power sources or make sure that the charge level is at least 50%.
It is also worth freeing up space on the target device in advance. Although the system will prompt you to estimate the amount of data, it is better to play it safe and delete unnecessary cached files or old backups on iOSif the device has been previously used. This ensures that the process completes successfully without out-of-memory errors at the most crucial moment.
Official method via the Move to iOS app
The most reliable and preferred migration method is to use a proprietary utility from Apple. This software automatically sets up a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, creating a secure tunnel for transferring information without using the Internet. You do not need a computer or any complex network settings, the whole process is intuitive and controlled by a setup wizard.
To start working on your device running Android you need to download the application Move to iOS from the store Google Play. After installation, run it and accept the terms of the license agreement. A security code will appear on the screen, which you will need to enter on your new smartphone. Make sure that on your phone any applications that can switch the connection to the mobile network are disabled, as this will break the connection between devices. Android any applications that can switch the connection to the mobile network are disabled, as this will break the connection between devices.
At the setup stage iPhone 11 Pro select “Transfer data from Android”. If you've already activated your phone and are on your desktop, you'll have to perform a factory reset via the Menu Settings → General → Resetto get back to the Welcome screen. This is a mandatory requirement for the standard migration tool to work, since it is integrated only into the initial system setup.
⚠️ Attention: If you have already set up your iPhone and do not want to reset, this method will not work for you. In this case, you will have to use manual copying of contacts through cloud services or third-party apps for a PC, which takes more time.
☑️ Ready to transfer data
When the connection is established, you will see a list of data types available for transfer. The system will prompt you to select contacts, message history, photos and videos, as well as mail settings and calendars. If you have installed free applications available in both stores, Move to iOS will try to find their analogs in App Store and offer to download them automatically after the migration is completed.
Transfer via cable and computer (Alternative)
If wireless transfer seems unreliable to you or the amount of data exceeds several dozen gigabytes, you can use the wired method. This method is especially relevant for users who have an unstable Wi-Fi module on an old device or have too many high-resolution photos. To implement this scenario, you will need a computer with the app installed iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and newer).
First, create a full backup of your Android smartphone on your computer. To do this, you can use proprietary utilities from the manufacturer, such as Samsung Smart Switch or HiSuite, or simply copy folders with media files to a directory on your hard drive. After that, connect your new one to your computer and perform the initial setup until you select a data recovery method. iPhone 11 Pro to your computer and complete the initial setup before choosing a data recovery method.
In the management app interface, select the option to restore from a backup copy. However, it is worth noting that direct conversion of an Android backup to iOS format via a cable is not always possible without the use of special third-party software. Most often, a cable is used to quickly synchronize media files: you simply drag folders with photos and music to the appropriate sections of the device’s library.
Why can a cable be faster?
When transferring large amounts of data (more than 30 GB) via Wi-Fi, the speed may drop due to interference on the air. The cable provides stable speed, limited only by the bandwidth of the USB port and the write speed of the iPhone drive.
| Data type | Move to iOS (Wi-Fi) | Via PC (Cable) | Cloud services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Automatically | Via vCard import | Google Synchronization |
| Photo and Video | Yes, all albums | Manual copying | Google Photos / iCloud |
| Messages (SMS) | Yes | No (requires special software) | No |
| Applications | Only free analogues | No | Manual download |
Using a computer gives you more control over which files end up on your new device. You can sort photos by date or select only certain music playlists without having to download too much stuff onto your phone. This is especially useful if storage iPhone 11 Pro has limited capacity and you want to optimize memory usage.
Synchronizing contacts and calendar via Google
The easiest way to transfer contacts and calendar events is to use your account Google. Since most Android users already store their entire address book in the Google cloud, this process takes minutes and doesn't require complicated fiddling with cables or special apps. This is an ideal option for those who want to quickly access phone numbers immediately after turning on the device.
During the iPhone setup stage, when the system prompts you to add accounts, select the logo Google and enter your username and password. After successful authorization, the system will ask what data you want to synchronize. Make sure that the switches next to Contacts, Calendars and Mail are activated. Once you click the Save button, the data will begin downloading in the background.
If you skipped this step during the initial setup, don't worry. You can always add an account later by going to the Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add accountsection. Select Google from the list and enter your login information. The system will automatically prompt you to enable synchronization for all available data types associated with this account.
⚠️ Attention: Data from Google Contacts may be duplicated with local contacts if you previously imported it manually. Check your contact list after synchronization and remove duplicates through the Contacts application on your computer or directly on your phone.
For users who are accustomed to the ecosystem Google, this method is the most natural. Your calendar events, reminders, and even notes (if using Google Keep, although they require a separate app on iOS) will remain accessible. It's important to understand that changes you make on your iPhone will also sync back to the Google cloud, ensuring your data is up to date across all devices.
Working with multimedia and cloud storage
Photos and videos often take up the largest amount of storage, and moving them requires special attention. If you used the application Google Photos on Android, then the process is as simplified as possible: just install the same application on iPhone 11 Pro from the App Store and log in to your account. All your photos will appear in the gallery automatically, and in original quality, if you have enabled the appropriate backup setting.
Use the Free Up Space feature in Google Photos on your old Android device before moving. This will delete local copies of files that are already uploaded to the cloud and will speed up the phone while preparing for the transfer.
An alternative option is to use cloud storage iCloud. You can upload photos from your computer to iCloud through the web interface or the iCloud app for Windows. After that, when you sign in to your Apple ID on your new phone, you'll have access to your entire library. This method is convenient because the photos immediately go into the native iOS Photos application, where all the editing and recall functions work.
However, it is worth considering the features of file formats. Android often uses HEIC or standard JPEG, while iOS prefers HEIC to save space. When transferred through official means, the conversion occurs automatically, but when manually copying via a PC, some video files in the format .mkv or .webm may not be played on the iPhone without installing third-party players such as VLC or Infuse.
If you prefer to store files locally, connect your Android to your computer, copy the folders DCIM and Picturesthen connect your iPhone and import them through the app Photos on a Mac or through File Explorer on Windows. This method ensures that you will have a physical copy of all data on your hard drive, which is good digital hygiene practice.
Message transfer and correspondence history
The issue of message transfer is one of the most difficult when changing platforms, since the architecture for storing SMS and instant messengers in Android and iOS is radically different. The standard application Move to iOS supports the transfer of regular SMS messages, but the history of correspondence in popular instant messengers such as WhatsApp requires special attention and specific conditions.
To transfer WhatsApp history, you must use the same utility Move to iOS. During the setup process, when you are asked to select data to transfer, the “WhatsApp” option will appear. Clicking on it will start the data preparation process on your Android device: you will need to scan the QR code and confirm the creation of a backup copy. Once the transfer is complete, you will need to install WhatsApp from the App Store on your iPhone and log in with the same phone number.
WhatsApp history is transferred only when you initially set up your iPhone. If the phone is already activated, a full reset will be required to use the official chat migration method.
It is worth noting that migrating messages from other instant messengers, such as Telegram or Viber, occurs differently. Telegram stores the entire history of correspondence on its servers, so you just need to install the application and enter your phone number - all chats will be loaded automatically. Viber also allows you to restore history from a backup, but the mechanism may differ depending on the application version and region.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring WhatsApp data, encrypted Google Drive backups will not be used. The process creates a temporary local copy that is transferred over Wi-Fi, so make sure you have enough free space on your Android phone to create this temporary file.
If you actively used SMS for communication (for example, for verification codes or communication with services), their transfer via Move to iOS will be seamless. However, keep in mind that iMessage on the new device will only work with other Apple users, and regular SMS will be sent through the cellular operator. It is recommended that immediately after the transfer, check the settings in the section Settings → Messages and disable iMessage on the old device so as not to lose messages.
Frequently asked questions and problem solving
What to do if the application Move to iOS hangs at the time estimation stage?
This is a common problem associated with unstable Wi-Fi connections between devices. Try rebooting both phones and trying again. Also make sure that the "Switch to mobile data" feature in the Wi-Fi settings is disabled on your Android device, as it may break the direct connection.
Can I transfer passwords from sites and applications?
Direct transfer of passwords through Move to iOS is not possible. However, if you used a Google password manager or a third-party solution (for example, 1Password, LastPass), you just need to install the corresponding application on your iPhone and sign in to your account. All saved logins and passwords are synchronized via the cloud.
Will settings for alarms and widgets be transferred?
Unfortunately, system settings such as alarms, desktop wallpaper and widget locations are not transferred between different operating systems. You will have to configure them again on the iPhone 11 Pro manually, adapting them to the features of the iOS interface.
How long does it take to transfer 64 GB of data?
The time depends on the speed of Wi-Fi modules and the number of small files. On average, transferring 64 GB of data takes from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. Do not interrupt the process and keep the devices close to each other throughout the operation.
What to do with applications that are not in the App Store?
If analogue applications are not in the Apple store, their data cannot be transferred. You will have to find alternative solutions in iOS or use web versions of services. The Move to iOS application will show a list of unavailable applications after the migration is complete.