Migration from the platform Android to the ecosystem Apple is a complex process that often raises questions from users. The main problem is the fundamental difference in operating system architectures: application files .apk are incompatible with iOS, so it is technically impossible to literally “transfer” an installed app from one device to another. You will need to re-download the software from App Store, but your data, contacts and media files can be saved.
The transfer process requires careful preparation and an understanding of what data is to be migrated. If you own iPhone 7 or a newer model, Apple provides a built-in tool Move to iOSthat makes the task much easier. However, for all services to work correctly, you will have to manually check the availability of analogues of your favorite apps in the Apple store.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the nuances of the transition, including the use of official utilities, manually setting up accounts and working with cloud storages. You will learn how to minimize data loss and quickly adapt to a new environment. It is important to immediately be prepared for the fact that some paid functions within applications will have to be purchased again, since licenses are not transferred between different stores.
Preparing devices before migration
Before you begin the active transfer, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready for use. Charge your smartphone and your new one to at least 80%, since the process of transferring data via Wi-Fi can be energy-consuming. Also check the amount of free space on your Apple device - it should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer. Android-smartphone and your new one iPhone at least up to 80%, since the process of data transfer via Wi-Fi can be energy-consuming. Also check the amount of free space on your Apple device - it should exceed the amount of data you plan to transfer.
On a device with Android it is recommended to disable any power-saving features that may interrupt the Wi-Fi connection in the background. Go to your battery settings and make sure there are no restrictions on system processes. This is critical to the stability of the connection while the migration utility is running.
- 🔋 Fully charge both devices or connect them to a power source.
- 📶 Make sure that mobile data is turned off on Android (transfer data only via Wi-Fi).
- 🔄 Update the Android operating system to the latest available version.
- 📲 Download the application Move to iOS from Google Play to your Android device.
If you have many applications installed on your Android smartphone, make a preliminary list of those that are vital on the first day of using a new phone. This will help you quickly find your way App Store after completing the initial iPhone setup. Do not try to transfer everything at once, if the amount of data is too large - it is better to break the process into stages.
⚠️ Attention: Do not interrupt the data transfer process, even if it seems stuck. An interruption can lead to damage to the contacts database or loss of some media files on the receiving device.
Using the Move to iOS utility
Official application Move to iOS is the most reliable way to initially set up an iPhone. It creates a secure Wi-Fi network between two devices and transfers contacts, message history, photos, videos, web bookmarks and email accounts. It is important to note that the application itself does not transfer apps, but may offer to download their free analogues from the App Store if they exist.
Start the iPhone setup process to the “Applications and Data” stage. Select option Transfer data from Android. A six or ten digit code will appear on the screen. Enter this code in the application Move to iOS on your Android device. Once connected, the devices will create a temporary network.
Select content to transfer. You can select all available data or only specific categories. Transfer time depends on the amount of information: large video files can take quite a long time to transfer. At this point, do not use your Android phone, even if the completion message appears early.
☑️ Migration checklist
After the data transfer is complete, a loading bar will appear on the iPhone. Even if the process appears to be completed on Android, wait for the download to complete on the iPhone screen. Only after this can you complete setting up the new device. Applications that have free versions in the App Store will start downloading automatically.
If data transfer is interrupted, restart both devices, remove the Move to iOS app from Android and start the iPhone setup process again by resetting it to factory settings.
Manually transferring applications and purchasing licenses
Since direct installation APK files on iOS are impossible without hacking the system (jailbreak), which we do not recommend due to security risks; you will have to manually find analogs in App Store. Enter the name of the application in the store search. If the developer has released a version for iOS, you will see a "Download" button or price.
The situation with paid applications and in-game purchases is more complicated. Licenses are tied to your store account (Google Play or Apple ID), so features purchased on Android are not automatically activated on iPhone. You need to check the developer's policy: some services allow you to restore the purchase by logging into a single account within the application.
| Content type | Transfer via Move to iOS | User actions | Saving progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free applications | Download offer | Confirm download in the App Store | Only if there is a cloud |
| Paid applications | No | Buy again in the App Store | No (cross platform required) |
| Games with progress | No | Login via Facebook/Game Center | Depends on the developer |
| Subscriptions (Spotify, Netflix) | No | Login to your account | Yes (server binding) |
To transfer progress in games, use social networks or special developer accounts. For example, log into the game via Facebook or Google Play Games (if the game supports cross-progression), and then log in using the same method on your iPhone. Without this link, your progress will remain on the old device.
What to do with paid subscriptions?
If you subscribed through Google Play, it will not be transferred automatically. You'll need to cancel your Google Play subscription to avoid double charges and sign up for a new one through the App Store. Some services (for example, YouTube Premium) allow you to manage your subscription through the website, and then it will work on both devices without paying again.
Transferring multimedia and documents
Photos and videos make up the lion's share of the smartphone's memory. The utility Move to iOS does a good job with the gallery, but if you have terabytes of data, the process may take too long. An alternative option is to use cloud services, such as Google Photos or Yandex.Disk.
Install the cloud storage app on Android and wait for complete synchronization. Then install the same app on your iPhone and log in with the same account. All your media files will be available in the cloud. To save space on your iPhone, you can enable the Storage Optimization feature, which stores originals in the cloud and leaves compressed versions on the device.
Documents and files from the folder Downloads or Documents are not automatically transferred by the system. You need to manually upload them to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox) or transfer them via computer. On iPhone, these files will be available through the Files application after installing the appropriate cloud client.
- ☁️ Use Google Photos for seamless access to your image library.
- 📁 For documents, create a shared folder in Google Drive and upload all important files there.
- 💻 Alternative: Connect both phones to your PC and copy the files manually through File Explorer.
⚠️ Attention: When using cloud services, make sure you have enough space in your data plan. Free limits (usually 15 GB) can quickly be exhausted when transferring the entire smartphone gallery.
Cloud services are the most flexible way to transfer files, allowing you not to depend on the physical presence of the old phone after migration.
Synchronizing contacts and calendar
Contacts are the most important part data that cannot be lost. The most reliable way is to make sure that all contacts on Android are saved in your account Googleand not in the phone memory or on the SIM card. Check this in the Contacts app in your display settings.
At the iPhone setup stage or later in the Settings → Contacts → Accounts section, add your Google account. Enable synchronization of contacts and calendars. In a few minutes, all entries will appear in standard iOS applications. This works faster and more reliably than exporting via file .vcf.
If you used a SIM card to store numbers, import them into your Google Account on Android before switching. On iPhone, support for SIM contacts is limited, and import may not work correctly, especially if names are written in a non-standard format. Always use Google cloud synchronization for contacts.
To transfer calendar events, you can also just add your Google account to the iOS settings. All appointments, reminders and events are synced automatically. If you used third-party calendars (for example, Outlook or Yandex), add the appropriate accounts to the Calendars section.
What to do with notes?
Notes from the standard Google Keep application are not transferred to the Notes application on iPhone. Install the Google Keep app on iOS and sign in to your account to access all entries.
Setting up messages and instant messengers
Transferring message history is one of the most painful topics. The stock Messages (SMS) app on Android doesn't sync fully with iMessage directly through Move to iOS, although basic SMS can be migrated. However, popular instant messengers require separate actions.
For WhatsApp there is an official chat transfer function. In WhatsApp settings on Android, select Chats → Transfer chats → Transfer chats to iOS. Follow the instructions by scanning the QR code from your iPhone screen. This method requires a Lightning-USB-C cable (or adapter) to connect phones directly.
Messengers like Telegram or Viber store history on their servers. All you need to do is install the application on your iPhone and log into your account using your phone number. The entire correspondence history (with the exception of some secret chats) will be downloaded automatically. Viber may require you to create a backup copy to Google Drive before moving.
⚠️ Attention: Secret chats in Telegram and some encrypted conversations in other instant messengers are device-specific and cannot be transferred. Be prepared for these conversations to remain on your old phone.
After activating your iPhone and transferring your SIM card number, be sure to disable the iMessage service on your old Android device if you plan to continue using it with another SIM. Otherwise, messages from other iPhone users may continue to arrive on the old device instead of the new one.
☑️ Checking messengers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I install APK files on iPhone without the App Store?
No, the iOS operating system has a closed architecture and does not allow you to install applications from third-party sources directly, as is done on Android. Installation is only possible through the official App Store or corporate certificates (for enterprises), which are difficult for the average user to obtain. Using third-party stores requires jailbreaking, which voids the warranty and reduces security.
Will my purchases in games from Android be transferred to iPhone?
In most cases, no, since purchases are tied to the store (Google Play or App Store). However, if the game supports cross-platform account (for example, login via Facebook, Email, or Developer ID), you can contact the game support. Some developers allow you to transfer currency or items manually upon request to support.
What to do if Move to iOS freezes during the transfer stage?
Try rebooting both devices. On Android, turn off your mobile data and close all running applications, including those running in the background. Make sure you have enough free space on your iPhone. If the problem persists, try transferring only contacts and photos, and installing applications manually later.
How to transfer call history from Android to iPhone?
Unfortunately, the official Move to iOS utility does not transfer call logs. The only way to save this information is to use third-party applications to backup calls on Android and upload them to the cloud or email, but you cannot import them into the standard Phone application on iPhone.
Do you need to reset your iPhone to factory settings for transfer?
Yes, the Move to iOS utility only works during the initial setup phase. If you have already set up your iPhone and see the desktop, you will have to reset it via Settings → General → Reset → Erase content and settingsto see the welcome screen again and select the option to transfer data from Android.