Moving from one type of operating system to another is always a major event for the user. Data migration from an Android device to a new smartphone from Apple may seem like a daunting task, especially if you have been accumulating information in the Google ecosystem for years. However, modern technologies and tools developed by Apple engineers make this process as automated and understandable even for beginners.
Model owners iPhone 12 Pro have a number of advantages due to support for the 5G standard and a powerful processor, but the key stage of setup remains the initial transfer of content. It is important to understand that the file storage structure in iOS is radically different from the Android file system, so some data may require manual intervention or the use of third-party applications.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods for transferring information, from the official application to cloud solutions. You'll learn how to preserve your memories, contacts, and settings without losing a byte of important information during the process of changing devices.
Preparing devices for the migration process
Before starting any operations, you need to make sure that both devices are ready for use. Charge your Androidsmartphone and your new iPhone 12 Pro at least up to 80%, since the data transfer process consumes a significant amount of energy. Also check the amount of free space on the target device - the amount of available memory must exceed the amount of data being transferred.
Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on your Android device. The transfer app will create its own private Wi-Fi network that the iPhone will connect to, so an external hotspot may not be needed at this point, but the module must be active. Turn off any power-saving or smart sleep settings on Android that might drop connections in the background.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Back up important data on Android before starting the procedure. Although the process usually goes smoothly, human error or random network failure can lead to the loss of some information. It is better to play it safe by copying critical files to your computer or cloud storage in advance.
Using the official Move to iOS application
The most reliable and recommended method is to use the utility Move to iOS. This is an official app from Apple, available on the Google Play Store, that provides a secure, direct data transfer channel between devices. It supports transferring contacts, message history, photos and videos, web browser bookmarks, email accounts, and even some free apps.
Start the setup process on your new iPhone. When you reach the Apps and Data screen, select the Transfer data from Android option. If you have already completed setting up your iPhone, you will have to perform a factory reset via Settings → General → Resetto see this screen, or use the other methods described below.
Open the app on Android and accept the terms of use. A six or ten digit code will appear on the iPhone screen. Enter this code on your Android device. After this, the iPhone will create a temporary Wi-Fi network, and you will need to click “Connect” on your Android smartphone to establish a connection.
What to do if the code is not accepted?
If the code does not work or the connection is lost, try turning off mobile data (data transfer) on your Android device. Sometimes the system tries to use the cellular network instead of the local connection, which causes an authentication error. Also make sure that Smart Network Switcher is not enabled on Android.
Select the content you want to transfer. You can tick only the categories you really need to speed up the process. Do not interrupt applications on both devices, even if the process seems to be frozen - transferring large amounts of video can take considerable time.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use other applications on Android during the transfer. Any incoming notification or phone call may interrupt the Wi-Fi connection and the process will have to start again. It is recommended to enable Do Not Disturb mode.
Transferring multimedia via cloud services
If you don’t want to reset your iPhone or the process through the app causes errors, cloud storage becomes an excellent alternative. Services like Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox allow you to synchronize media content without directly connecting devices. This is especially convenient for transferring photos and videos that take up most of the memory.
Install the application Google Photos on your new iPhone 12 Pro and sign in to the same Google Account you used on Android. All your photos and videos, uploaded to the cloud in high quality or original, will be available in the application gallery. You can select the pictures you need and save them to the device memory.
Use universal cloud services to transfer documents and files. Upload the files on Android to a cloud storage folder, and then download them to iPhone through the appropriate application or file manager Files. This method requires a stable Internet connection, but frees you from the need to keep devices close to each other.
| Service | Free limit | Transfer features | Speed downloads |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Photos | 15 GB (total) | Automatic synchronization | Depends on the tariff |
| Yandex.Disk | 10 GB | Convenient for documents | High in the Russian Federation |
| Dropbox | 2 GB | Cross-platform | Stable |
| MEGA | 20 GB | Data encryption | Average |
Remember that free plans often have capacity limits. If you have more than 15 GB of photos, you may need to temporarily pay for extended storage on Google One to accommodate the entire archive before transferring to a new phone.
Use the Free Up Space feature in the Google Photos app on Android before transferring. This will delete copies of photos from the phone that have already been uploaded to the cloud, but will not affect the files themselves on the Internet, which will simplify navigation.
Synchronizing contacts and calendars
Contacts are the most important part of a user’s digital life. Luckily, Google's ecosystem allows you to transfer them to your iPhone in minutes without the need for cables or complicated software. The main condition is that your contacts must be saved in your Google account, and not in the phone memory or on the SIM card.
On the iPhone, go to the section Settings, then select “Contacts” (or “Mail” in older versions of iOS). Click on Accounts and select Add Account. In the list of providers, find the Google logo and enter your login information.
After authorization, the system will prompt you to select data for synchronization. Make sure that the switch next to “Contacts” is active (lit green). It is also recommended to enable synchronization of “Calendars” and “Notes” if you have used these tools in Android.
⚠️ Attention: Contacts saved on the SIM card are not automatically synchronized over the Internet. You need to first import them into your Google account on your old device through the Contacts app, and only then enable syncing on your iPhone.
Check the result by opening the Contacts app on your iPhone. If the list is empty, wait a few minutes - the initial download of a large address book may take time depending on Internet speed. Forced synchronization is sometimes required through account settings.
Synchronizing through a Google account is the fastest way to transfer contacts, but it only works for records stored in the Google cloud and not locally on the device.
Manually transferring music and files via computer
For users who have a large collection of music in MP3 format or have specific documents, the cloud may be inconvenient due to speed or limits. In this case, the classic method using a computer and cable comes to the rescue. For iPhone 12 Pro, you'll need a Lightning to USB-C cable or an adapter if your PC only has regular USB-A ports.
Connect your Android smartphone to your computer and copy music files or documents to a separate folder on your desktop. Then disconnect Android and connect iPhone. On Windows, you will need to install the iTunes app (or the Apple Devices application in new versions of Windows) to manage your smartphone files.
In the iTunes interface, select your phone, go to the Music or Files section. You can drag the prepared music folder directly into the app window for synchronization. For documents, use the "Shared Files" tab, select an application (for example, VLC or Word) and transfer the data there.
Path in iTunes: File → Add file to library → Select music folder → SyncThis method requires more time and steps, but it gives complete control over which files end up on the device. In addition, it does not depend on the speed of your Internet connection and the amount of cloud storage.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the smooth running of processes, users often encounter difficulties. One of the most common problems is the “Unable to connect to the network” error when using Move to iOS. This is often due to the fact that the mobile data transfer mode is activated on Android, which conflicts with the network being created.
Another difficulty arises with the transfer of messages from instant messengers. WhatsApp, for example, has its own procedure for transferring chat history, which is only available during the initial setup of the iPhone through the Move to iOS application. If you have already set up your phone, it will be extremely difficult to transfer your chat history using standard means.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and procedures may be updated by developers. If the steps described don't match what you see on your screen, check the official Apple or Google Help for the latest information on your software versions.
If the process gets stuck at the timing step, don't panic. The Android screen may display inaccurate time, especially when transferring thousands of photos. Leave the devices alone for 10-15 minutes without pressing any buttons, and most likely the progress bar will move.
Why are applications not transferred?
Applications are not transferred directly, since Android versions (APK) are not compatible with iOS. The system only looks for similar free applications in the App Store and offers to download them. Paid applications will have to be purchased again if they do not support cross-platform subscription.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer data if the iPhone is already set up and in use?
The official Move to iOS application only works during the initial setup phase. If the phone is already active, you will have to perform a full reset (Settings → General → Reset → Erase content and settings). An alternative is to manually transfer contacts via Google and photos via the clouds, as described in the sections above.
Will call history be transferred from Android to iPhone?
Unfortunately, phone call history is not transferred by any of the standard methods. This is a security limitation and differences in operating system database architecture. You will have to start your iPhone call history from scratch.
What to do with paid applications purchased on Google Play?
Google Play licenses are not valid in the App Store. You will have to re-purchase iOS apps unless the developer provides a single subscription through the website (as is the case with some services like Netflix or Spotify).
How long does it take to transfer 50 GB of data?
The time depends on the speed of the Wi-Fi network being created and the number of small files. On average, transferring 50 GB of data can take from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. Photos and videos are transferred faster than thousands of small files of settings and contacts.
Do you need a cable to transfer data?
For the main method (Move to iOS) a cable is not needed, the transfer is via Wi-Fi. A Lightning cable will only be needed if you decide to use your computer as an intermediary to transfer music or if you have a special Lightning-USB adapter for directly connecting flash drives.