How to transfer game progress from Android to iPhone: 5 working methods

The transition from Android to iPhone is always an exciting step, especially for gamers. After all, years of upgraded characters, collected collections and achievements in mobile games can disappear in an instant if you don’t know how to transfer progress correctly. Fortunately, most modern games support cross-platform synchronization, but there are nuances: some titles use different servers for Google Play and App Store, while others do not provide for data exchange between ecosystems at all.

In this guide we will look all possible ways to transfer game progress from standard cloud services to manual copying save files. You'll learn which games support direct porting and which ones will require a workaround through third-party tools. We will pay special attention to games linked to social network accountswhere the synchronization process can be radically different from classic RPGs or strategies.

Before you start, check two key points: 1) whether your game supports cross-platform transfer (this is usually indicated in the description on Google Play or the developer's website), 2) is your progress not tied to your account Google Play Games - in this case, transferring to iOS may not be possible without loss. If the game uses its own server (for example Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail), the chances of a successful transfer are much higher.

1. Transfer through official cloud game services

The most reliable and easiest way is to use the built-in synchronization system that many popular games offer. This usually works for titles where progress is not tied to the platform (Android/iOS), but to the developer account or social network. Here's how to do it:

🎮 Link your account in the game settings to Android to email, Facebook, Twitter/X or another service (for example, miHoYo Account for games from HoYoverse).
📱 Install the same game on iPhone via App Store and log into it via the same account.
🔄 Wait for synchronization - usually progress is loaded automatically after logging in.
⚙️ If the game offers a choice server (for example Global, Asia, Europe), make sure that the same region is selected on both devices same region.

This method works for most MMORPGs, gacha games and projects with an online component. Examples of games that support cross-platform transfer:

Game	Account type for synchronization	Cross-platform support
Genshin Impact	miHoYo Account, email, Facebook, Twitter	Yes (except for accounts Google Play Games)
Honkai: Star Rail	HoYoverse Account, Twitter, Facebook	Yes
Clash of Clans	Supercell ID, Google Account (only for transfer to iOS)	Yes (with restrictions)
PUBG Mobile	Facebook, Twitter, Google Play Games (not recommended)	Partially (depending on the server)
Call of Duty: Mobile	Activision Account, Facebook	Yes

Important: some games (for example, Clash Royale or Brawl Stars) allow you to link an account to Google Play Games, but does not support logging in through it on iOS. In this case, you will have to use workarounds (see section 3).

⚠️ Attention: If the game requires confirmation by SMS or email when logging in for the first time on a new device, make sure that you have access to the specified contacts. Some services (for example, miHoYo) can block your account if there is suspicious activity (for example, changing the device and IP at the same time).

2. Using Google Play Games to transfer to iOS

Many games are integrated with the service Google Play Games (GPG), which allows you to save progress in the cloud. Unfortunately Direct transfer from GPG to iOS is not possible, but there are two workarounds:

Method 1: Transfer through an intermediate social network account

If the game supports linking to Facebook or Twitter, follow these steps:

On Android enter the game via Google Play Games.
In the game settings, find the "Link account" option and link Facebook or Twitter.
Install the game on iPhone and log in through social network (not through Game Center!).
Progress should load automatically.

Method 2: Manual export/import of saves (for some games)

Some games (for example, Stardew Valley or Minecraft) allow you to export save files manually. To do this:

📁 Find the save folder on Android (usually this /Android/data/[package_name]/files or /sdcard/games).
📤 Copy files to your computer or cloud storage.
📥 On iPhone use iTunes, Finder or a file manager (for example, Documents by Readdle) to transfer files to a folder games.

Example for Minecraft:

Folder with worlds on Android: /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds/ Folder on iOS (via iTunes/Finder):

Apps → Minecraft → Documents → games → com.mojang → minecraftWorlds

⚠️ Attention: Manually transferring saves can lead to data loss, if the files have different structures between Android and iOS. Always make a backup copy before experiments!

Make a backup of your current progress on Android|

Make sure that the version of the game on iOS is the same (or newer)|

Use original files (not modified)|

Check compatibility of save formats-->

3. Transfer through third-party services (Helium, iMazing)

If the game does not support cloud synchronization, you can try specialized tools for transferring data between platforms. The two most popular solutions:

Helium (Carbon Backup) — for backing up applications

Helium allows you to create backups of games and applications on Android, and then restore them to iOS (with restrictions). Instructions:

Install Helium on Android and connect the device to the PC.
Create a backup copy of the game (select the "App + Data" option).
Transfer the backup file to iPhone via iTunes or the cloud.
Use iMazing or a similar tool to recover data on iOS.

Limitations: not all games support recovery on another platform. The probability of success is about 30-40%.

iMazing —for managing iOS files

iMazing allows you to manually copy game files between devices. Suitable for games with local saves (for example The Room or Monument Valley):

🔌 Connect iPhone to your PC and open iMazing.
📂 Go to the "Apps" section → select a game → "Backup".
📤 Replace the save files with those copied from Android (via "Restore").

For a successful transfer it is necessary that:

The game is used same save format on both platforms.
Versions of the game on Android and iOS were compatible (better - the same).
Save files were not encrypted or linked to the device.

💡

Before use Helium or iMazing Check whether the game supports manual save management. For example, in Stardew Valley you can manually copy the file savegame1.dat, but in Clash of Clans it is not.

4. Games

If your game saves progress exclusively through Google Play Games (for example, Clash Royale, Brawl Stars, Asphalt 9), transferring to iOS becomes a difficult task:

Official method (if supported)

Some games from Supercell and other developers allow transfer your account one time s Google Play on Game Center (service Apple for games). To do this:

To Android open the game settings and find the option "Link to Supercell ID" (or similar).
Create Supercell ID and link it to your account Google Play Games.
On iPhone install the game, log in via Game Center, then in the settings select "Recover via Supercell ID".

Unofficial method (risky!)

If there is no official method, you can try:

📧 Contact s game support and request an account transfer. Some developers will accommodate you if you provide proof of account ownership (receipts, screenshots, etc.).
🔄 Use Android emulator on PC (for example, BlueStacks), enter the game through Google Play Games, link a social network, then enter iPhone through it.

⚠️ Attention: Unofficial methods may violate user agreement games. Some developers (for example, Supercell) block accounts for suspicious activity during transfer. The risk of losing progress is up to 20%!

What to do if the game does not support transfer?

If the game categorically does not provide methods for synchronization between platforms (for example, many offline games from small studios), there are two options left:

1. Start again - sometimes developers give bonuses to newcomers iOS, which compensate for losses.

2. Use emulator — continue to play on Androidemulator on PC (for example, BlueStacks or LDPlayer), if the game does not require constant online.

5. offline games (without cloud synchronization)

Offline games (for example, Plague Inc., Bloons TD 6, Alto’s Odyssey) usually store saves locally. Transfer in this case depends on where exactly the files are stored:

Method 1: Copying save files

Action algorithm:

On Android find the folder with saves (use a file manager with access to the root folders, for example Solid Explorer). Typical paths:
```
/Android/data/[package_name]/files
/sdcard/[game_folder]
/data/data/[package_name]/shared_prefs
```
Copy files with extensions .dat, .sav, .json to PC.
On iPhone use iMazing, iFunBox or Filza (for jailbreak) to replace the save files in the game folder.

Method 2: Using iTunes/Finder for backup

If the game supports iCloud or local saving:

📱 Connect iPhone to the PC and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS).
📄 Go to the "Files" section for your game and replace the saves with those copied from Android.
🔄 Restart the game - progress should load.

Example for Bloons TD 6:

On Android the save files are located in /Android/data/com.ninjakiwi.bloonstd6/files.
On iOS they can be replaced via iMazing in the folder Apps/BloonsTD6/Documents.

⚠️ Attention: Some offline games (for example The Room) encrypt saves or bind them to the device. In this case, transfer is impossible without hacking (which violates the rules App Store).

💡

For offline games, the success of the transfer depends on the save format. If the files are in text format (JSON, XML), the chances are higher. Binary files (.dat) are often tied to the device architecture and may not work.

6. Features of transfer for games with anti-cheat

Games with protection against cheating (for example, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Free Fire) often block non-standard methods of transferring progress. Here's what you need to know:

🛡️ Anticheat may perceive the transfer as hacking, especially if you use manual copying of files or emulators.
🔐 Most of these games are supported only official synchronization through social network accounts or their own services (for example Activision Account for COD Mobile).
⚠️ Linking to Google Play Games in such games usually does not transfer to iOS you will need to create a new account.

If the game blocked your account after trying to transfer:

Contact support with an explanation that you changed platformand did not cheat.
Provide proof of purchases (if any) or screenshots of progress on Android.
If the account has not been restored, start again - some games (for example, Free Firegive bonuses when registering on iOS.

Example for PUBG Mobile:

Officially transfer is supported only through Facebook or Twitter.
Accounts Google Play Games not transferred to iOS.
Binding to Game Center creates new accountnot related to progress on Android.

7. Common errors and how to avoid them

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, users often encounter problems. Here are the most common errors and their solutions:

Error	Cause	Solution
Progress is not loaded after logging in via a social network	The account is linked to another server (for example, Asia instead Global)	Make sure that the same region is selected on both devices The same region in the game settings
"Could not restore data" during manual transfer	Save files are damaged or from different versions games	Check version compatibility and file integrity (for example, through an archiver).
The game crashes after replacing saves	Format incompatibility between Android and iOS	Try converting the files via Hex editor or find a manual for a specific game.
Account blocked after transfer	Anticheat perceived the actions as hacking	Write to support explaining that you changed the platform. Attach purchase receipts (if any).
The "Link account" option is not visible in the settings	The game does not support cross-platform transfer	Look for workarounds (emulators, third-party tools) or start again.

Tip for games with online saves: if progress is made after the transfer reset, do not rush to delete the game from Android. Sometimes resynchronizing (for example, via Facebook) restores the data.

8. Alternative solutions: emulators and cloud gaming services

If transferring progress is not possible, but you do not want to lose achievements, consider alternative ways to continue the game:

Android emulators on PC

You can continue playing on Androidemulator, without going to iOS:

🖥️ Install BlueStacks, LDPlayer or MuMu Player.
🎮 Enter the game via Google Play Games or a social network.
🕹️ Set up controls with keyboard/gamepad for convenience.

Pros: All progress is saved, there is no risk of loss.
Cons: It is inconvenient to play on a mobile device, some games are blocked by emulators.

Cloud gaming services (GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming)

Some games (for example, Fortnite or Minecraft) are available in cloud services:

☁️ Register in GeForce NOW, Xbox Cloud Gaming or Amazon Luna.
🎮 Connect your game account (for example, Epic Games for Fortnite).
📱 Play through a browser on iPhone (some services have mobile applications).

Limitations: not all mobile games are available in cloud services, a subscription may be required.

Transfer to similar games

If transfer is not possible and you don’t want to start over, find a similar game on iOS:

🔍 Use services like AlternativeTo or AppSimilar to search for similar projects.
🎁 Many games give bonuses to newcomers iOSthat compensate for the loss of progress.

💡

Emulators and cloud services are a good way to save progress, but they are not suitable for everyone games. Before switching, check whether your game is supported in the selected service.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer progress from Clash of Clans from Android to iPhone?

Yes, but only if you have linked your account to Supercell ID. To do this:

On Android open the game settings and select "Link to Supercell ID".
Create Supercell ID and link it to your account Google Play Games.
On iPhone install the game, log in via Game Center, then in the settings select "Restore via Supercell ID".

If you did not link Supercell ID in advance, it is impossible to restore your account Why is there no characters after the transfer to.

Why after transferring to Genshin Impact ?

Most likely, you are logged in on different server (for example, Asia instead of Europe). Check:

🌍 On the game login screen, select the same region as on Android.
📧 Make sure you are using the same one miHoYo Account (check your email in your account settings).

If the servers do not match, progress will be on different accounts. They cannot be combined!

How to transfer saves from Minecraft?

For Minecraft (Bedrock Edition):

To Android export worlds via "Settings → Storage → Export world."
Transfer files .mcworld to iPhone via iCloud, Dropbox or iTunes.
To iPhone import worlds via "Game → Storage → Import world."

For Java Edition (if you played on Android via an emulator) transfer to iOS impossible —versions are incompatible.