Switching from iPhone to a smartphone Android is a responsible step, especially if years of photos, contacts and notes have accumulated on your old device. Many users are afraid of losing data when changing platforms, but with a laptop the process becomes easier and more reliable. Unlike direct methods (for example, via Move to iOS), transferring through a computer gives you more control: you choose which files to copy, check their integrity and avoid the limitations of wireless protocols.

In this article - 5 working methods transferring data from iOS to Android via Windows, macOS or even Linux, including rare nuances (for example, how to save history WhatsApp or passwords from iCloud Keychain). We will analyze both standard tools (iTunes, Google Drive) and specialized software like Syncios or Dr.Fone. And if you are afraid of getting confused - at the end there are FAQ with answers to common errors.

📊 How much data do you need to transfer?
Up to 5 GB
5–20 GB
20–50 GB
More than 50 GB

1. Preparation: what needs to be done before transfer

Before connecting devices to the laptop, complete 3 required steps:

  • 🔋 Charge both devices at least up to 50%. Interrupting the process due to discharge may lead to the loss of some data (especially important for iTunes and Dr.Fone).
  • 📡 Disable iCloud on iPhone (if using). Go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud and deactivate synchronization for Photos, Contacts and Notes. This will prevent conflicts when copying.
  • 🔍 Check the free space on the laptop. The backup iPhone will require a volume equal to the occupied space on the device. For example, if iPhone 64 GB are occupied, the disk C: should have at least 70–80 GB.

Also make sure that the mode is disabled on your Android smartphone. power saving - it can block background data transfer through USB. On most devices this is done in Settings → Battery → Power saving mode.

⚠️ Attention: If you transfer data from iPhone to Android via macOS, update iTunes up to the latest version. Older versions (before 12.8) do not support backup to external drives, which may limit your capabilities.

2. Method 1: Transfer via iTunes + Google Drive

This the most reliable method for contacts, calendars and notes, but it requires intermediate saving to the cloud. Algorithm:

  1. Create a backup in iTunes:
    • Connect iPhone to your laptop via USB.
    • Open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
    • Select your device → Create a copy now → Encrypt backup (remember your password!).
  2. Export data from the copy:
    • Use the utility iMazing or iExplorer (free versions allow you to view files).
    • Find the folder with backup copy (by default: C:\Users\[Your_name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\).
    • Copy files .vcf (contacts), .ics (calendars) and *.sqlite (notes).
  • Upload to Google Account:
    • Open Google Contacts → Import → select *.vcf.
    • For calendars, use Google Calendar → Import and export.

      • After synchronization Androiddevices with Google Account all data will appear automatically. The disadvantage of the method is photos and videos will have to be transferred separately (see method 3).

      Has a backup been created (check the date in iTunes)?

      Do you remember the password for the encrypted copy?

      Is there access to Google Account on Android?

      Is iCloud disabled on iPhone?-->

      3. Method 2: Direct transfer through File Explorer (photos, videos, music)

      If you only need to transfer media files, it is not necessary to use third-party apps. Enough:

      1. Connect iPhone to the laptop via USB.
      2. On iPhone in the window that appears, select Trust this computer.
      3. On Windows: open This computer → find the device Apple iPhone → go to the folder Internal Storage → DCIM.
      4. Copy folders with photos (usually 100APPLE, 101APPLE etc.) to the hard drive.
      5. Connect Androidsmartphone, drag files to the folder Pictures or Download.

      On macOS the path will be different: open Image Capture, select iPhone in the list of devices and click Import all.

      File type Folder on iPhone Folder on Android
      Photos and videos DCIM/100APPLE Pictures or DCIM/Camera
      Music (not from Apple Music) Media/iTunes_Control/Music Music or Ringtones
      Voice recordings Recordings Documents or Voice
      Downloads from Safari Downloads Download
      ⚠️ Attention: If the iPhone function is enabled Storage optimization (in Settings → Photo), in the folder DCIM there will be only thumbnails. To download the originals, disable this option and wait until all files are downloaded.

      4. Method 3: Using specialized apps (Syncios, Dr.Fone)

      For a complete transfer (including messages, call history and applications) apps like Syncios, Dr.Fone — Phone Transfer or MobileTransare suitable. They work on a one-click basis and support cross-platform migration. Let's look at the example of Syncios:

      1. Download and install Syncios from the official website.
      2. Connect both devices to the laptop via USB (use original cables!).
      3. In the main app window, select Phone Transfer → iOS to Android.
      4. Tick the data types to be transferred (for example, Contact, Messages, Applications).
      5. Click Start Transfer and wait for completion (may take up to 30 minutes for 30+ GB of data).

    Advantages of the method:

    • ✅ Transfer Whatsapp stories (if on Android same number is set).
    • ✅ Saving passwords from Safari (converted to the format Google Smart Lock).
    • ✅ Support bookmarks and Wi-Fi settings.

    Disadvantages:

    • ❌ Paid license for the full version (free is limited to 20 contacts and 10 photo).
    • ❌ Not all apps support Android 14 (check compatibility on the developer's website).

      • What to do if the app does not see the iPhone?

      1. Update iTunes to the latest version.

      2. Reinstall the Apple Mobile Device drivers (download from the Apple website).

      3. Try a different USB port (preferably USB 3.0).

      4. Disable the antivirus - it may block access to the iOS file system.

      5. Method 4: Cloud services (Google Photos, Dropbox)

      If you have a slow USB 2.0 cable or no cable, you can use the cloud. The best option is Google Photos for media and Google Drive for documents.

      Instructions for Google Photos:

      1. On iPhone install application Google Photos.
      2. Log in to your Google Account (the same as on Android).
      3. Enable in settings Backup and synchronization → select Original quality (if maintaining quality is important).
      4. Wait for all photos to load (you can track progress in the section Photo → Library).
      5. On Android open Google Photos —all media files will be available automatically.

      For other files:

      • 📁 Use Google Drive (15 GB free) or Dropbox (2 GB). Download files from iPhone via a browser or application, then download them to Android.
      • 🔗 For larger volumes. (50+ GB) is suitable Mega (50 GB free) or pCloud (10 GB).

      ⚠️ Attention: When downloading in Google Photos mode, photos are compressed to 16 MP, and videos - up to 1080p. If you have a 48 MP camera, select High. quality High quality photos are compressed to 16 MP, and videos to 1080p. If you have iPhone 14 Pro with 48MP camera, select Original quality, but keep in mind that it takes up space in your Google Account.

      6. Method 5: Transfer via email (for small files)

      If you need to send several files (for example, documents or contacts in the format .vcf), the easiest way is to use mail:

      1. On iPhone open the application Mail (or Gmail).
      2. Create a new letter, the addressee is yours Gmail (the same as on Android).
      3. Attach files (maximum 25 MB for Gmail, 20 MB for Mail.ru).
      4. Open the letter at Android and download attachments.

      For contacts:

      1. Open Contact to iPhone.
      2. Select contact → Share → Mail.
      3. Send .vcf-file for yourself and import it into Google Contacts on Android.

      This method is suitable for one-time transfers, but is inconvenient for large volumes. For example, to transfer 100 contacts you will have to send 10-20. letters.

      💡

      If you need to send many small files (for example, screenshots), archive them in ZIP on iPhone using the application Files (select files → Compress).

      7. Common errors and how to avoid them

      Even if you follow the instructions, problems may arise. Here are top 5 errors and their solutions:

      • 🚫 The laptop does not see the iPhone:
        • Check the cable (try the original one from Apple).
        • Update iTunes or drivers Apple Mobile Device.
        • Reboot both devices.
      • 🔄 Data has been transferred, but is not displayed on Android:
        • Check if synchronization is enabled in Google Account (Settings → Accounts → Google).
        • Reboot Androiddevice.
        • Make sure the files are copied to the correct folder (for example, music is in Musicand not in Download).
      • 🔒 iTunes requires a backup password, but you forgot it:
        • Use apps like iBackup Extractor to reset password (does not always work).
        • Create a new backup without encryption.

      If you use macOS and encounter an error "Failed to connect to iPhone", try:

      1. Open Terminal and enter: 
        sudo killall -9 usbmuxd
      2. Disconnect and reconnect iPhone.
      Can I transfer WhatsApp history from iPhone to Android?

      Yes, but only with the help of specialized apps like Dr.Fone or Backuptrans. The official method from WhatsApp (via Chat Backup) works only within one OS. data-i="318">the same phone number must be set as on Android must be set to the same phone number as on iPhone.

      Why are photos from iPhone on Android displayed in low quality?

      Probably, on iPhone the function was enabled Storage optimization (in Settings → Photo). In this case, only thumbnails are stored on the device, and the originals are loaded from iCloud upon request. Before transferring, disable this option and wait until all photos are loaded.

      How to transfer passwords from Safari to Android?

      There are 2 ways:

      1. Use Dr.Fone or Syncios —they export passwords from iCloud Keychain to a format compatible with Google Smart Lock.
      2. Manually: export passwords from Safari to CSV (via Settings → Passwords → Export), then import them to Bitwarden or 1Password to Android.

      How long does the transfer take 50 GB of data?

      Depends on the method:

      • Via USB: 20–40 minutes (at a speed of ~30–50 MB/s).
      • Via Wi-Fi/cloud: 1–3 hours (depending on Internet speed).
      • Via iTunes + Google Drive: up to 2 hours (including upload to the cloud).

      Use USB 3.0 and original cables for acceleration.

      Is it possible to transfer applications from iPhone to Android?

      No, Direct transfer of applications is not possible due to different formats (.ipa for iOS and .apk for Android). However, you can:

      • Download similar applications from Google Play.
      • Transfer application data (for example, game saves) via Helium or root access (for advanced users).

      💡

      For maximum To ensure reliability, use a combination of methods: transfer contacts and calendars via iTunes + Google, photos via USB or Google Photos, and messages via Syncios.