The transition from the ecosystem Apple to the platform Android has long been considered a complex and painful process, associated with the risk of losing an important information. However, modern tools developed by leading vendors have made this procedure as transparent and safe as possible, even for inexperienced users. This is especially true for flagship models, such as Samsung Galaxy S20which are equipped with specialized migration software.
You do not need to manually rewrite phone numbers or look for ways to save a photo gallery. The main tool we will use is the application Smart Switch. It allows you to create a bridge between two different operating systems, ensuring the transfer of not only basic data, but also settings, calendars and even messages. It is important to understand that the process requires preparation of both devices to achieve the best result.
In this instruction we will analyze in detail all the stages of data transfer, paying special attention to the nuances of working with instant messengers and cloud storage. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes and why a wired connection is often preferable to a wireless one when there is a large amount of information.
Preparing devices for migration
Before starting the actual transfer process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are in full working order. Charge iPhone i Samsung S20 at least up to 80%, since active transmission of large amounts of data via a wireless module or cable significantly consumes battery energy. If one of the devices shuts down in the middle of the process, it may result in corrupted files or the need to start over.
On your new Samsung Galaxy S20 application Smart Switch usually pre-installed by the manufacturer. It can be found in the system utilities folder or by searching in the menu. On the device Apple you will need to download the appropriate utility from the store App Store. Make sure that both phones have the latest available software update installed to avoid transmission protocol version conflicts.
It is also worth freeing up space on the target device, although S20 usually has sufficient memory. If you plan to migrate terabytes of data from your old cloud, check your available space. It is also recommended to temporarily disable the lock screen on both devices or set the same simple PIN code to speed up the pairing process.
☑️ Preparing for transfer
Selecting a connection method: Cable or Wi-Fi
Users often wonder which connection method to choose for migration. Smart Switch offers two main options: wireless connection and cable. The wireless method is convenient because it does not require any additional accessories, but its speed directly depends on the quality of the signal and the load on the air.
For owners iPhone with a Lightning connector and new ones Samsung with a port USB Type-C the use of an adapter is ideal. Included with some models S20 could come with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, to which you can connect a standard Lightning cable. A wired connection guarantees stable speeds and protects against connection dropouts, which is critical when transferring tens of gigabytes of photos and videos.
If you use the wireless method, make sure that the devices are in close proximity to each other. Remove any metal objects or other electronic devices that may interfere with the signal. For a wired connection, the system will automatically detect the cable type and launch the required protocol.
Use an original Lightning cable and a high-quality USB-C adapter for maximum transfer speeds. Cheap analogs may be unstable and interrupt the process.
It is worth noting that when you first launch the setup wizard on a new one, the system itself will prompt you to select a data source. If you have already set up your phone as new, don't worry - the application can be launched manually at any time through the settings or application menu. Step-by-step guide for transferring via Smart Switch Run the application on both devices. On the screen Samsung, the system itself will prompt you to select a data source. If you've already set up your phone like new, don't worry - the app Smart Switch can be launched manually at any time through the settings or application menu.
Step-by-step guide for transferring via Smart Switch
Launch the application on both devices. On the screen iPhone select the option of sending data, and on Samsung Galaxy S20 select the option of receiving. The system will prompt you to select a connection type. If you chose a cable, connect the devices and confirm trust in the computer or accessory on the screen iOSif a corresponding notification appears.
After the connection is established Androidthe smartphone will scan the contents iPhone. This step can take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of files. You will be presented with a list of data categories available for transfer. You can select everything at once or mark only the necessary items so as not to clog up your memory with unnecessary garbage.
Press the “Transfer” or “Start” button on the device Samsung. The copying process will begin immediately. A progress bar and approximate time until completion will be displayed on the screen. At this moment, do not unlock the device screens or minimize the application so as not to interrupt the communication session.
| Data type | Transfer speed | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and calendar | Instantly | Imported into native Samsung applications |
| Photos and videos | Medium/High | Depends on gallery size and connection type |
| Messages (SMS/MMS) | Fast | Text messages are available in the Messages application |
| System settings | Fast | Wallpapers, alarms, some accessibility settings |
Transferring WhatsApp and instant messenger chat history
One of the most painful issues when changing platforms is saving correspondence in WhatsApp. Previously, this required complex manipulations with backups and third-party software, but now the function is built directly into the setup process Samsung. It is important to do this at the initial stage of setting up the phone, when the wizard offers to transfer data.
For successful migration of chats, make sure that iPhone has the latest version installed. WhatsApp. During the work Smart Switch, when you select data to transfer, find the “WhatsApp” item and activate it. The system will ask you to scan the QR code with your camera iPhoneto begin preparing a backup copy in a local, understandable format. Android.
After completing the main data transfer and reboot Samsung S20, you will need to install WhatsApp from the store Google Play. When you launch it for the first time and enter the same phone number, the application will detect the local database and offer to restore your chat history. Photos and media files from chats should also be saved.
⚠️ Attention: Transferring chat history only works if you use the same phone number. Also make sure that two-factor authentication is turned off on your iPhone during the transfer in case there are problems with verification codes.
Other instant messengers, such as Telegram or Viberstore data on their servers. For them, simply install the application on a new phone and log into your account. The entire correspondence history will be downloaded automatically, with the exception of secret chats that are tied to a specific device.
What to do if WhatsApp does not see the backup?
Make sure that you are signed in to the same Google account that was used during setup. Sometimes you need to wait a few minutes after installing an application for the system to index the files. Also check if there is enough space in Google Drive storage, although the local transfer does not use the cloud.
Working with iCloud and Google accounts
After physically transferring files, it is worth setting up synchronization of cloud services. If you actively used iCloud to store photos or documents, the most logical thing is not to transfer these gigabytes via cable, but install the application iCloud for Windows on your PC or use the web version to download data, and then upload them to Google Photos or Google Drive.
However, for contacts and calendars, the most reliable way is to add an iCloud account directly to Settings Android. Go to section Settings → Accounts and Backup → Account Management and select “Add account”. Find iCloud in the list, enter your Apple ID and password.
This will allow you to see contacts and calendar events from iPhone to Samsung S20 in real time. You will be able to edit them, and the changes will be synchronized between devices until you decide to completely abandon the ecosystem Apple. This is a great intermediate step for a smooth transition.
Don't forget to check your notes are synchronized. Standard notes iOS are not transferred to the Notes app Android automatically. It is better to export them via iCloud.com in PDF or text format before moving, or use cross-platform analogues like Evernote or Google Keep in the future.
Adding an iCloud account to Android settings is the best way to maintain access to contacts and calendar without duplicating files.
Possible problems and solutions
In rare cases, the transfer process may be interrupted or complete with an error. Most often this is due to an unstable connection or lack of memory. If the transfer is stuck at a certain percentage, try restarting both devices and starting the process again, selecting only those categories of data that were not transferred.
Problems with contact display are often resolved by forcing synchronization. Go to the "Contacts" application on Samsung, open the menu and select "Sync contacts". Make sure that the checkbox is next to the imported account, and not just the local phone storage.
If the photos were transferred but do not appear in the gallery, the system may need time to create thumbnails. Leave your phone connected to charging and Wi-Fi overnight and the media scanning process will complete in the background. As a last resort, you can clear the Gallery application cache through application settings.
⚠️ Attention: Some copyrighted files or data from specific iOS applications may not be transferred due to operating system limitations. This is normal behavior and not a app error.
Completing setup and cleaning the old device
After successfully completing all steps, carefully check the new one Samsung Galaxy S20. Go through the main applications, check the presence of photos, the correct display of contacts and the operation of instant messengers. Make sure that alarms and notification settings work as you are used to.
Only after you are sure that all important data is on the new device and working correctly, you can start cleaning the old one. iPhone. Perform a full reset via the menu Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Erase content and settings. This ensures the protection of your personal information.
Now you are completely ready to work in the ecosystem Android. Samsung S20 offers many customization options that were not available before. Don’t be afraid to experiment with launchers, widgets and interface settings to make using your smartphone as comfortable as possible.
Is it possible to return data back to the iPhone?
Technically, this is possible through Smart Switch when connected back, but the file structure may change. It is better to always have a fresh backup copy in the cloud before any serious data manipulation.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and menu item layout may vary slightly depending on the version of the One UI shell and the version of Android. Always check the latest Samsung help if you can't find what you're looking for.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my paid apps transfer from iPhone to Samsung?
No, application licenses are tied to the store (App Store or Google Play). You will have to download the necessary applications again from Google Play. Many popular services are free, but you will have to pay again for paid apps if the developer does not provide a cross-platform license.
What to do with iMessage after switching to Android?
It is extremely important to disable iMessage on your old iPhone before removing the SIM card. Go to Settings → Messages and turn off the iMessage switch. If you don't do this, messages from other iPhone users may continue to go to your Apple device or get lost because Apple servers will think that your number is still registered in iMessage.
Can I transfer data if my iPhone is broken and won't turn on?
If the screen does not work, but the phone turns on, you can try connecting it to a computer with iTunes and making a backup copy. Then restore this copy to a temporary working iPhone and transfer data from it to Samsung via Smart Switch. Direct transfer from a non-working device is not possible.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
When using a high-quality wired connection, the process will take from 30 to 50 minutes. Over a Wi-Fi Direct wireless channel, this can take 1.5–2 hours or more, depending on the memory writing speed and the number of small files.
Are passwords from iCloud Keychain saved?
Passwords from iCloud Keychain are not automatically transferred to Google Password Manager or Samsung Pass. It is recommended that you export important passwords before the transition or use a third-party password manager (for example, 1Password or Bitwarden) that works on both platforms.