Changing an operating system from Android to iOS is always perceived by users as a difficult and stressful process, especially when it comes to maintaining the familiar digital environment. Switching to iPhone 8, despite its no longer the newest status on the market, remains an excellent solution for those who value the compactness and stability of the Apple system. However, the main question tormenting all migrants: what to do with your favorite applications, progress in games and settings?
Unfortunately, direct installation of files .apkthat you are used to on Android is impossible on iPhone due to fundamental differences in the architecture of operating systems. Transferring applications in this context does not mean copying the app files themselves, but restoring access to it through the store App Store and, if possible, transferring data within these applications. This process requires careful preparation and an understanding of what data is to be migrated and what will remain on the old device.
In this article we will analyze in detail the official method of data transfer, the nuances of working with cross-platform services and manually setting up your new one. smartphone. You will learn how to minimize information loss and quickly adapt to the new ecosystem, while maintaining important contacts, photos and access to banking and social services.
Preparation of devices before migration
The success of the data transfer operation depends 90% on the quality of the preliminary preparation of both gadgets. Before launching any utilities, you need to make sure that your Androidsmartphone has enough free space for temporary files, and that the battery is at least 50% charged. It is also critical to check the version of the operating system: for the transfer utility to work correctly, version 4.0 or higher must be installed on Android, and iOS 9 or later on iPhone.
Both devices must be connected to the same network Wi-Fi. It is not recommended to use mobile data due to possible instability of the connection and traffic limits, especially if the volume of transferred data exceeds several gigabytes. Disable any applications on Android that may intercept the connection or interfere with background processes, for example, aggressive antiviruses or memory optimizers.
⚠️ Attention: The transfer process will be interrupted if a phone call or SMS is received on one of the smartphones. It is recommended to temporarily set both devices to Do Not Disturb mode or remove the SIM card from the Android smartphone during the migration.
Make a manual backup of important data on Android, especially if you use instant messengers that do not support cloud synchronization through standard means. Make sure you remember the passwords for your Apple IDas without them, activating your new iPhone and downloading applications from the store will be impossible.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Using the Move to iOS utility
The main tool for migration is the official application Move to iOSdeveloped by Apple specifically for users migrating from Android. You can download it for free from Google Play Market. After installing and launching the app on Android, you will be asked to accept the terms of use and wait for a special code to appear on the screen of the new iPhone during its initial setup.
When you see the code on the screen iPhone 8, enter it in the appropriate field on your Android device. After this, a secure Wi-Fi connection will be established between the gadgets. You will be asked to select the types of data to transfer: contacts, message history, photos and videos from the camera, mail accounts, calendars and, most importantly for our topic, free applicationsavailable in both stores.
The system will automatically analyze the apps installed on Android and try to find their analogues in App Store. If the app is available in both stores, it will be added to the download queue on the new device as soon as the data transfer is complete. Paid applications purchased on Google Play cannot be transferred for free - they will have to be purchased again in the Apple ecosystem if the developer has not provided a cross-platform license.
What to do if the code does not work?
If the code is not accepted or the connection is constantly broken, try disabling the “Switch to mobile data” function on Android in the Wi-Fi settings. Also make sure there are no other apps running on your iPhone other than the setup process. As a last resort, reset your iPhone to factory settings and start the setup process again by selecting “Transfer data from Android.”
Transfer time depends on the amount of data. Do not touch the devices until the loading indicator on the iPhone is completely full, even if the process appears to be completed earlier on Android.
The Move to iOS utility only transfers free versions of applications. Paid content and in-game purchases do not migrate automatically and require manual verification by developers.
Nuances of transferring specific application data
The most painful part of the transition is saving progress in games and the history of correspondence in instant messengers. Applications that support login through social networks or have their own cloud accounts (for example Spotify, Netflix, Evernote) will restore your data automatically after authorization. You just need to download them to your iPhone and log into your profile.
The situation with instant messengers is more complicated. WhatsApp currently supports the official transfer of chat history from Android to iPhone, but this function often requires the use of a cable or specific versions of the application, and it may not be available at the time of first setup via Move to iOS. For Telegram and Viber the correspondence history is stored in the cloud, so just install the application and enter the phone number - all chats will be loaded automatically.
Banking applications and services with two-factor authentication will require re-configuration. You will have to re-pair your devices, confirm login via SMS or call, and in some cases, visit a bank branch or use recovery codes. Security in the ecosystem iOS is built differently than in Android, so old access tokens will not work.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and their functionality on iOS may differ from Android versions. Some features available on Android may be reduced or missing in the iPhone version due to limitations of the Apple platform.
Game progress in projects using Google Play Gamesdoes not transfer directly to Game Center. You need to check in the settings of the game itself whether there is an option to link to Facebook, Twitter or the developer's own account. Only with such a connection will you be able to continue the game from the same place on the new device.
Manual setup and search for analogue applications
Not all applications that you used on Android have versions for iOS. In some cases you will have to look for alternatives. To search for analogues, use search App Store by key functions, not by name. It often turns out that standard Apple applications (Notes, Calendar, Mail) are more functional and stable than third-party solutions that you used previously.
If you have used launchers or interface customization systems on Android, be prepared for the fact that such flexibility is limited on the iPhone. iOS interface is the same for all devices, and you will not be able to change icons or the arrangement of elements as freely as on Android. However, widgets that have appeared in the latest versions of iOS partially compensate for this limitation.
For users who depend on specific software (for example, emulators or file managers with/root access), the transition may come as a shock. The iOS file system is closed, and direct access to system folders is impossible without jailbreaking, which we strongly do not recommend performing on the main device for security and stability reasons.
| Software category | Transfer status | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Social networks | Full (via login) | Download from the App Store and log in to your account |
| Messengers | Partial (depending on the application) | Use cloud synchronization or cable |
| Games | Only if you have a cross-account | Check the connection to social networks in the game settings |
| Banking applications | Complete reconfiguration required | Prepare passport and recovery codes |
Transfer of media files and documents
In addition to applications, personal files play an important role. Photos and videos transferred via Move to iOSwill appear in the standard iPhone gallery. However, it is worth considering the difference in formats: Android often uses standard .jpg and .mp4, while the iPhone by default can save media in HEIC and HEVC formats to save space. When sending files to other devices, they can be automatically converted, but working with them on a PC may require additional software.
With documents, the situation is simpler. If you stored files in cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex.Disk, simply install the corresponding applications on your iPhone. The iOS file system allows you to work with these documents through the Files application, providing seamless access to data from different sources.
Music purchased from Google Play Music (if the service is still available in your region) or downloaded locally will not be automatically transferred to the library Apple. For local files, the best solution would be to use a service Apple Music with the iCloud Photo Library function or third-party players that support downloading files via Wi-Fi or iTunes/Finder on your computer.
Use the Google Photos service for quick access to your entire photo library on iPhone. Install the application, log in to your account, and all your photos will be available in high quality without the need to take up space on the new device.
Common problems and their solutions
During the migration process, users often encounter the progress bar freezing at the “Data Transfer” stage. This is usually due to an unstable Wi-Fi signal or background processes on Android. The solution is simple: restart both devices, make sure that the power saving mode is disabled on Android, and try to start the process again by resetting the iPhone to factory settings.
Another common problem is the absence of some applications in the transfer list. This happens if the developer has not posted a version of the application in the App Store or if the application is regionally blocked. In this case, you will have to search for an analogue manually. It also happens that the application downloads, but does not open - check whether it requires a newer version of iOS than is installed on your iPhone 8.
⚠️ Attention: If you use two-factor authentication and your phone number is linked to a SIM card that is in an old Android smartphone, you may lose access to verification codes. Before resetting Android, make sure that the SIM card is swapped into the iPhone or that you have an alternative way to receive codes (backup codes, authenticator app).
Some users complain about the battery draining quickly immediately after the transfer. This is normal: in the first 24-48 hours, the system indexes files, downloads applications and sets up synchronization in the background. Give the device time, do not delete applications or reset settings during this period.
Why were some photos not transferred?
The Move to iOS utility may skip photos stored on the SD memory card, and not in the internal memory of the phone. Before starting the transfer, copy all media files from the SD card to the internal memory of Android or use a computer to manually copy them to iPhone via iTunes/Finder.
Is it possible to transfer paid applications from Android to iPhone for free?
No, application licenses are divided between the Google Play and App Store. A purchase from one store does not entitle you to a free download from another. The exception is subscriptions to services (for example, YouTube Premium or Spotify) that are tied to your account and not to the app store.
What to do if the Move to iOS process is stuck at 90%?
Do not forcefully interrupt the process. Leave the phones alone for 1-2 hours, sometimes transferring large amounts of data (especially video) takes a long time. If after 2 hours there is no progress, you will have to reset the iPhone and start the setup again, after restarting Android.
Will the history of calls and SMS be transferred?
Yes, the Move to iOS utility supports transferring the history of calls and SMS messages. However, MMS messages and voicemails will not be transferred. Contacts will also be fully synchronized.
Do I need to delete the Move to iOS application after the transfer?
Yes, after successfully completing the migration and setting up the iPhone, the Move to iOS application on your Android smartphone is no longer needed. It can be removed to free up space, as it only serves for a one-time data transfer procedure.
Is the iPhone 8 compatible with modern versions of iOS?
iPhone 8 supports the latest versions of iOS (including iOS 16 and partially iOS 17 depending on specific security updates), which ensures good compatibility with most modern applications from the App Store, despite its age models.