Changing an operating system is always stressful for a smartphone owner. You are accustomed to the ecosystem, but you decided to try the possibilities by choosing a reliable one. The main fear at this moment is losing important contacts, memorable photographs or correspondence history. Fortunately, modern technologies make migrating between platforms almost painless. Apple, but decided to try the possibilities Androidby choosing a reliable Samsung Galaxy A12. The main fear at this moment is losing important contacts, memorable photographs or correspondence history. Fortunately, modern technology makes migrating between platforms almost painless.
The migration process does not require deep technical knowledge, but it does require attention to detail. In this article we will analyze all available methods of information transfer: from proprietary utility Smart Switch to cloud services. We'll look at the nuances that beginners often miss, and help make your new phone completely ready to use right out of the box.
Preparation takes less time than installing the applications itself, but it is what determines the success of the operation. Don't rush and immediately reset your old phone to factory settings. Make sure you save all passwords and check the status of your accounts. Below are proven action algorithms that guarantee the safety of your digital assets.
Preparing devices before migration
Before launching any apps, you need to make sure that both gadgets are in working order and charged. The process of transferring large amounts of data, especially photos and videos, can take from 30 minutes to several hours. A discharged phone at a critical moment can lead to file damage or interruption of the session.
On the device iPhone check that you have access to iCloud and you know the password for Apple ID. This is critical if you decide to use the cloud method or restore from a backup. Also make sure that there is enough free space on the disk for temporary files if you plan to make a local backup before sending.
Initial setup will be required. Turn on your phone, select a language and connect to the network Samsung A12 initial setup will be required. Turn on your phone, select a language and connect to the network Wi-Fi. Don't skip this step, as many synchronization services require an active Internet connection to verify your account Google. If the phone has already been in use, it is better to perform a factory reset through the menu Settings → General settings → Resetto start from scratch.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the “Keep the screen on” mode is enabled on both devices in the display settings. Automatically locking the screen during cable transfer may break the connection and stop the process.
Gather all necessary cables. For the fastest and most reliable method, you will need an adapter Lightning to USB-C or the original cable from the iPhone and a USB-C adapter, which is often included with new Samsung ones. Not having the right adapter will force you to use slower wireless methods.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Using the Samsung Smart Switch Mobile application
The most effective and official way to move is to use proprietary software from the manufacturer. The utility Smart Switch is preinstalled on all modern Samsung smartphones, including the model A12. For iOS devices, the application is available in the App Store for free. This method allows you to transfer contacts, messages, calendars, photos and even some settings.
Run the application on both devices. On Samsung select the role “Data Recipient”, and on iPhone - “Data Sender”. The system will prompt you to select a connection method: wireless or via cable. The wireless option is convenient if you don’t have an adapter at hand, but it is much slower when transferring gigabytes of media files.
With a wireless connection, the phones will find each other via Wi-Fi Direct. You will need to confirm the connection with a code on the screen. Once the connection is established, Smart Switch it will scan the content on the old device and offer to select categories for transfer. You can deselect (uncheck) those types of data that you do not need, for example, from system settings or certain folders.
If the transfer freezes at the “Connect” stage, try disabling the VPN and antivirus on both devices, as they may block local network traffic.
The copying process is displayed as a progress bar. Do not close the application or minimize it to the background. Upon completion of the operation, a report will appear on the screen Samsung A12 on how many elements were successfully imported. After that, you can check the gallery and phone book for all entries.
⚠️ Attention: The Smart Switch application interface may vary slightly depending on the One UI firmware version. If you do not see the required option, update the application via the Google Play Store to the latest version.
Transfer via Google and iCloud cloud services
An alternative method that does not require the physical presence of both phones nearby is the use of cloud storage. This method is ideal if you have already sold or given away your iPhone, but forgot to transfer the data, or if the devices are in different places. The main load will fall on the Internet channel and the capacity of your cloud account.
To transfer contacts and calendars, the easiest way is to use synchronization via iCloud with subsequent import to Google Contacts. Go to iCloud.com from your computer, log in and export contacts in vCard (.vcf)format. Then open contacts.google.com, log into your Gmail account and click “Import”, selecting the downloaded file.
With photos the situation is a little more complicated due to differences in formats. iPhone often shoots in a format HEICthat may not work correctly appear on some older Android apps, although Samsung A12 usually handles it well. The best option is to install the application Google Photos on your iPhone, enable backup and wait for the entire library to load.
After installing Google Photos to a new one Samsung and logging into the same account, all your pictures will appear in the gallery automatically. This solves the problem of device space, as the originals are stored in the cloud, while optimized copies remain on the phone. However, to access photos offline, you will need space in the phone's memory.
| Data type | iCloud + Google method | Smart Switch method | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | High (automatically) | High | Instantly |
| Photo/Video | Depends on the Internet | High (by cable) | Slow/Fast |
| Messages (SMS) | Not supported | Supported | - |
| Notes | Requires a third-party app | Partially | Average |
It is important to consider the free storage limits. Google provides 15 GB, which is divided between Mail, Drive and Photos. If you have a lot of high-resolution videos, you may run out of space. In this case, you will have to purchase an additional subscription or clean out the archive before downloading.
What to do with notes from Apple Notes?
Notes are not transferred directly to Google Keep. The best way is to copy the text of the note and send it to yourself by email or messenger, or use third-party converter applications available in the App Store before resetting the iPhone.
Manually transferring multimedia via a computer
If automatic systems fail or do not transfer all files, the most reliable “old-fashioned” method is to use a computer as an intermediate buffer. This method gives you complete control over which folders and files will be copied to the new Samsung Galaxy A12.
Connect iPhone to your PC. If you have Windows, you may need to install drivers or trust the computer on your phone screen. Go to My Computer, find your Apple device and copy the folder DCIM to your hard drive. This will take time, but guarantees that you will receive the original files.
Then connect Samsung A12 to the same computer. In the phone's notification shade, select the USB operating mode: File transfer or MTP. Open your phone's internal memory and create a folder, for example Import_iOS. Drag all the previously copied photos and videos there.
After disconnecting the cable, launch the application on your phone Gallery or Google Photos. The system will automatically scan the new folder and add media files to the shared feed. This method is especially good for transferring heavy video files that take a long time to load via the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: When copying through Windows Explorer, files may be sorted by creation date rather than by album. The folder structure may change, so be prepared to manually sort the photos after transfer.
Don't forget about the music. If you bought tracks from iTunes, they are protected by DRM and will not be played on Android without authorization. Files downloaded from other sources can simply be dragged into the folder Music on your smartphone. To manage the library on Android, it is convenient to use the player Poweramp or standard Samsung Music.
Transfer of messages and call history
The most difficult part of moving from iOS to Android is saving the history of correspondence in iMessage and SMS. Apple's encryption protocols don't allow you to simply upload this data in a standard format. However, the application Smart Switch can convert iMessage into a format understandable by Android, but only with a wired connection.
If you use WhatsApp, the situation is simpler. In the messenger settings on iPhone, go to Chats → Chat backup. Previously requiring complex interactions with iTunes, WhatsApp now supports direct transfer to Android when you initially set up your phone. Follow the prompts on the screen when you turn it on for the first time Samsung A12.
For regular SMS and call logs, the wireless method in Smart Switch is often unstable. It is recommended to use a cable. After connecting, select “Messages” and “Call Log” from the list of transferred data. On the iPhone screen, you will need to confirm trust in the computer/adapter several times.
A wired connection via an original Lightning cable and a USB-C adapter is the only way to guarantee transfer of iMessage history without losing your investment.
Remember that iMessage group chats may dissolve after the transfer as you leave the Apple ecosystem. Chat participants will see that you have left the group, or the chat will be converted to a regular SMS/MMS if the interlocutors also do not have an iPhone. Warn your close contacts about the change of number or messenger in advance.
Setting up a new Samsung A12 after transfer
Once the data is on the new device, the work does not end. The files have been transferred, but the applications need to be reinstalled. Go to Google Play Market and start downloading the necessary apps. Many banks and social networks will require re-authorization and biometric settings.
Pay special attention to setting up notifications. They work centrally, and each application can have its own settings. Go to iOS they work centrally, and in Android Each application can have its own settings. Go to Settings → Notifications and check that important messengers are not disabled to save battery. Samsung A12 has an aggressive power saving system that can “kill” background processes.
Configure security. Be sure to set the screen lock method: PIN code, pattern or fingerprint. The fingerprint sensor is A12 located on the side and works quite quickly. Add both handprints for easy unlocking in any situation.
Check your account synchronization Google. Make sure that the contacts you transferred appear in your Google account and not in your phone memory. This will save your numbers if your device is lost or damaged in the future. Go to the application Contacts → Manage contacts and select “Move contacts” if they are saved locally.
How to return widgets like on the iPhone?
On Android, widgets are added with a long tap on an empty space on the desktop. Select Widgets, find the app you want, and drag it onto the screen. Widgets can be resized by stretching their borders.
Can I transfer purchased applications from the App Store to Google Play?
No, application licenses are not transferred between different stores. You will have to repurchase paid apps or subscriptions if the developer does not support cross-platform accounts. Free applications need to be downloaded again.
What to do if Smart Switch does not see the iPhone?
Make sure that the screen on the iPhone is unlocked and at the request “Trust this computer?” "Trust" is pressed. Try using a different cable or rebooting both devices. Also check to see if airplane mode is enabled.
Will information be deleted from the iPhone after transferring to Samsung?
No, the copying process does not delete data from the source. Your iPhone will remain in the same condition it was in before the procedure began. You can only erase it manually through settings or iTunes.
Are passwords transferred from iCloud Keychain?
There is no direct transfer of passwords to Google Password Manager via Smart Switch. It is recommended that you export your passwords or use a cross-platform password manager such as 1Password or LastPass before moving.
How long does a complete data transfer take?
The time depends on the amount of data and connection method. 64 GB of data is transferred via cable in 20-40 minutes. Over Wi-Fi, this process can take from 1 to 3 hours. High-resolution photos take the most time.