How to transfer data from Android to iPhone 12: 5 proven methods

The application transfers:

• 📞 Contacts (including groups and notes for contacts)
• 📷 Photos and videos (in original resolution, but with a limited size)
• 💬 Messages (SMS and MMS, but Not messages from messengers). data-i="112">It also does not work if on
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📍 Browser bookmarks (only from Chrome)
• 🎵 Music and books (if they are not protected by DRM)

Important: The “Move to iOS” application does not transfer installed applications, but creates a list in the App Store for quick installation. It also doesn't work if iPhone 12 The initial setup has already been completed - in this case, you will have to reset the device to factory settings (Settings → General → Reset).

⚠️ Attention: If the transfer is interrupted, do not start the process again immediately —wait 5-10 minutes and reboot both devices. Repeated attempts may lead to duplicate contacts or loss of part. data.

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3. Alternative methods of data transfer

If the official application is not suitable (for example, due to a large volume of data or compatibility problems), you can use alternative methods. Each of them has its pros and cons:

3.1. Transfer through Google Account (for contacts, calendars, mail)

This method is ideal for synchronization contacts, calendars and Gmail emails. data-i="143">contacts, calendars and Gmail emails

1. On Android make sure that the data is synchronized with Google Account (Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization).
2. On iPhone 12 add the same Google Account to Settings → Passwords and accounts → Add account.
3. Enable synchronization of necessary data (contacts, calendars, notes).

Advantage: data is updated in real time. Disadvantage: photos, videos and messages are not transferred.

3.2. Using cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)

To transfer photos, videos and documents it is convenient to use cloud services:

• 📁 Google Drive: Upload files from Android, then download them to iPhone via the app.
• ☁️ iCloud: Download data from Android via the web version iCloud.com, then synchronize with iPhone.
• 🗄️ Dropbox or OneDrive: Similarly, but with a limitation on free volume (usually 2-5 GB).

Important: When uploading a large number of photos to iCloud a paid subscription may be required (available for free only 5 GB).

3.3. Transfer via computer (iTunes/Finder or Explorer)

If you have Mac or PC, you can copy the data manually:

1. Connect Android to your computer and copy files (photos, videos, music) to the folder.
2. Connect iPhone 12 and use:
   • 🎵 iTunes (for Windows) or Finder (for Mac) - for music and video.
   • 📷 Photos (Mac) or Explorer (Windows) - for photos.

This method is the most reliable for large amounts of data, but requires time and free space on computer.

4. Transferring messages from instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber)

The official application Move to iOS does not transfer chats from instant messengers. To do this, you will have to use special tools or manual methods:

4.1. WhatsApp

To transfer history WhatsApp:

1. To Android create a backup copy of chats in Settings → Chat → Backup.
2. Install WhatsApp to iPhone 12 and use the same phone number.
3. When you first launch the application, it will offer to restore the history from Google Drive (if the copy is fresh).

Important: The copy must be created no later than 7 days before restoration, otherwise WhatsApp will not offer to download it.

4.2. Telegram

Telegram synchronizes chats via the cloud, so all you need to do is:

1. Install Telegram on iPhone 12.
2. Log in with the same number.
3. All messages, media files and settings will be loaded automatically.

Exception: secret chats are not synchronized - they will have to be transferred manually via export.

4.3. Viber

Viber does not support direct history transfer between Android and iOS. The only way:

• 📩 Export important chats to a file (Settings → Account → Export history).
• 📎 Send the file to yourself by mail or via the cloud.
• 📥 Open the file on iPhone 12 (but this will be just a text log, without the ability to continue the dialogue).

⚠️ Attention: Some messengers (for example, Signal) do not support transferring history between platforms at all. In this case, the only way out is screenshots of important messages or manual export.

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If you have a lot of media in chats WhatsApp, before transferring, clear the application cache to Android (Settings → Storage → Clear data). This will speed up the creation of the backup and reduce its size.

5. Transferring applications and game data

Unfortunately, direct transfer of installed applications from Android to iPhone is impossible due to different system architectures. However, you can:

• 📱 Create a list of applications on Android (for example, through Google Play → My applications).
• 🔍 Find analogues in App Store and install them on iPhone 12.
• 🎮 For games with cross-platform support (for example, Clash of Clans, PUBG Mobile), link your account to Google Play Games or Facebook, then log in to iPhone.

Some applications (for example, Spotify, Netflix) synchronize data through your account - just log in using the same credentials. For banking applications and two-factor authentication (Google Authenticator), you will need reconfiguration:

1. First add a backup authentication method (SMS or email).
2. On iPhone 12 install Google Authenticator and transfer the codes manually or via export/import (if supported).

For games without cross-platform synchronization (for example, many offline games), progress, unfortunately, cannot be transferred will have to start again.

6. Transferring music, books and other media files

Music, books and movies often become a headache when moving to iPhone. Here's how to transfer them without loss:

6.1. data-i="292">: If you used

• 🎵 Apple Music: If you have used Google Play Music, transfer the library via YouTube Music (the transfer tool is available on the website Google).
• 🎧 Local files: Copy tracks to your computer, then add them to iTunes (Windows) or Music (Mac) and synchronize with iPhone 12.
• 🎶 Spotify/Yandex Music: Just install the application on iPhone and log into your account - the playlists will be saved.

6.2 Books and documents

• 📚 Google Play Books: Install. application Google Play Books on iPhone and synchronize the library.
• 📄 PDF/EPub: Upload files to iCloud Drive or Books via iTunes.
• 📝 Kindle: The application Amazon Kindle synchronizes books automatically.

6.3. Movies and videos

To transfer movies:

• 🎬 Use Google Drive or iCloud to upload files, then download them to iPhone.
• 📺 To Netflix/Kinopoisk just install the apps and log in account.
• 💿 For DVD rips or rare formats, conversion to MP4 or MOV (use HandBrake or VLC).

Please note: iPhone 12 does not support some video formats (for example, MKV or AVI). In this case, you will have to convert the files or use players that support additional codecs (for example, VLC for Mobile).

7. Problems during transfer and their solutions

Even if all instructions are followed, errors may occur. Let's look at the most common ones and ways to eliminate them:

7.1. The “Move to iOS” application does not find iPhone

Possible reasons and solutions:

• 🔌 Check that both devices are connected to same Wi-Fi network (not to the mobile data!).
• 🔄 Reboot the router and both phones.
• 📵 Disable VPN, firewall i mode energy saving on Android.
• 📡 Try connecting to another network (for example, an access point on another phone).

7.2. The transfer is interrupted in the middle

If the process is interrupted:

• 🛑 Do not start the transfer again immediately - wait 10-15 minutes.
• 🔋 Make sure that both devices have enough charge (it is better to connect to charging).
• 📂 Try transferring data in parts (for example, first contacts, then photos).

7.3. iPhone there is not enough space

Solutions:

• 🗑️ Free up space by deleting unnecessary applications or photos (Settings → General → iPhone Storage).
• ☁️ Transfer some of the data to iCloud (turn on Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Photos).
• 📴 Use your computer as intermediate storage (copy files to PC, then to iPhone).

7.4. Some contacts or photos are not transferred

Most often this is due to:

• 📇 Damaged data - check your contacts Android for empty fields.
• 🖼️ Unsupported formats — photos in HEIC or videos in MKV may not be transferred.
• 🔒 Application restrictions — for example, Move to iOS does not transfer contacts from Viber or Slack.

⚠️ Attention: If after transfer to iPhone 12 some contacts are missing, check if they are duplicated in your account Google or iCloud. Often the problem is solved by merging duplicates in the application Contact.

8. Final steps after transfer

After successful data transfer, there are several important steps left:

• 🔐 Set up Face ID or Touch ID (Settings → Face ID and passcode).
• ☁️ Enable backup to iCloud (Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud backup).
• 🔔 Customize notifications and sounds for yourself (Settings → Sounds, tactile signals).
• 🛡️ Update iOS to the latest version (Settings → General → Software update).
• 📲 Personalize the home screen: add widgets, change wallpaper, organize applications into folders.

We also recommend:

• 🔄 Check data synchronization with iCloud (photos, contacts, notes).
• 🎧 Connect AirPods or other wireless headphones for convenience.
• 📡 Configure eSIMif your operator supports this function.

If you used Android-specific functions (for example, Google Assistant or Bixby), install analogues to iPhone:

• 🗣️ Replace Google Assistant to Siri (or install Google Assistant from the App Store).
• 📍 Use Apple Maps or Google Maps.
• 📊 To automate tasks, instead of Tasker install Shortcuts.

Don't forget that iOS and Android work differently. For example, iPhone 12 there is no file manager in the usual form - instead, an application is used Fileswhere you can view documents from iCloud, Google Drive and other storages.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring data to iPhone 12