How to transfer data from Android to iPhone 13

Changing an ecosystem is always stressful for the user, but the transition from platform Google to Apple has become much easier in recent years. If you have become the happy owner of a new one iPhone 13, then you are faced with the task of saving all important contacts, photos and correspondence. Fortunately, Apple has developed a special solution to make this process as painless and automated as possible.

However, simply installing the application is not enough to guarantee success. There are nuances in preparing devices, setting up a network, and the sequence of actions, the violation of which can lead to the loss of some information or the process freezing in the middle of the path. In this material, we will analyze each stage of migration in detail so that you can enjoy your new smartphone without spending hours on manual data recovery.

Preparatory stage before migration

Successful transfer of information directly depends on how well prepared both devices are. Before starting the procedure, make sure that your old smartphone based Android has sufficient battery power or is connected to a power source. The transfer process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data, and suddenly turning off the device will be a fatal error.

It is also critical to check the available space on the target device. iPhone 13 must have more free memory than the data on your current phone. If you plan to transfer everything, including heavy video archives, make sure that the storage of the new gadget is not filled to capacity.

Don't forget to update the software on both gadgets to the latest available versions. Outdated firmware often contains bugs that prevent Wi-Fi data transfer protocols from working correctly. You can check for updates in the system settings of your current device.

⚠️ Attention: If your Android smartphone has Smart Network mode enabled or automatically switches to mobile data when the Wi-Fi signal is weak, be sure to disable this feature. It may break the connection during the critical file transfer phase.

Another important point is to disable any power-saving or sleep mode features for applications. The system can consider the transfer process a background task and “kill” it to save resources. Switch your phone to maximum performance mode for the duration of migration.

Using the Move to iOS application

The main tool for migration is the utility Move to iOS, developed specifically for this purpose. You need to download it from the store Google Play to your old phone. On the new one iPhone 13 you don’t need to download anything, since the application is already built into the system during the initial setup.

Start setting up the new iPhone. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, select the Transfer data from Android option. If you've already activated your phone and set it up, you'll have to perform a factory reset to see this menu option. This is a prerequisite for the built-in migration tool to work.

On the screen iPhone a six-digit or ten-digit code will appear. Enter this code into the appropriate field in the application on your device Android. After entering the code, the devices will create a temporary, secure Wi-Fi network, which your old phone should connect to automatically.

What to do if the code is not accepted?

If the Android application gives an error when entering the code, try restarting both devices. Also make sure that mobile data is turned off on Android, as it may interfere with the connection to the temporary Wi-Fi network created by the iPhone.

Once successfully connected, you will see a content selection screen. Here you can check off contacts, message history, photos and videos, Google accounts, calendars and even some free applications that are available in both App Storeand Google Play. The system itself will select analogues or install the same apps if they are available.

Technical nuances of connection and network

The most common problem that users encounter is a broken connection or extremely low transfer speed. The temporary network created iPhone 13operates in a specific range. Make sure that the old phone does not have functions activated that can switch the priority of networks, for example Wi-Fi Assist or analogues from shell manufacturers like MIUI or OneUI.

Sometimes the application Move to iOS freezes at the time estimation stage or on the progress bar. In 90% of cases, this is due to the fact that there are other applications open on the Android device that are consuming traffic or CPU time. Close all background apps before starting the transfer.

If the process is 90% or 99% interrupted, do not panic. Often this means that the main data has already been transferred, and the system is simply taking a long time to finalize the recording of the latest files. Wait at least an hour before force closing the application.

Data type	Transfer speed	Risks of loss	Requirements
Contacts and SMS	Instant	Minimal	Stable code
Photo and Video	Low/Medium	Average (with break)	Lots of free space
Applications	Depends on the Internet	Low	Availability in the App Store
Settings systems	Not transferred	High	Manual setup

Transferring WhatsApp chat history

The transfer of chats from WhatsAppdeserves special attention, since this is the most popular messenger. Previously, this was impossible without third-party paid apps, but now the function is built into the official application Move to iOS. However, there are strict restrictions that must be followed.

First, the Android version must be updated to the latest one available in the store. Secondly, on the iPhone, the application must be installed, but not activated (you should not log into your account until the end of the transfer process). Third, both phones must use the same phone number. WhatsApp on Android must be updated to the latest available in the store. Secondly, on the iPhone, the application must be installed, but not activated (you should not log into your account until the end of the transfer process). Third, both phones must use the same phone number.

When selecting data in the migration utility, be sure to check the box opposite WhatsApp. You will be prompted to scan a QR code with your Android device's camera to begin preparing chats. After this, data export will begin, which may take a long time.

⚠️ Attention: After completing the transfer and logging into WhatsApp on iPhone 13, the chat history on the old Android phone will be deleted. This is a security measure to ensure that data is not duplicated on two active devices at the same time.

It is important to understand that only text messages, voice notes and attachments are transferred. Statuses (Stories) and some privacy settings do not migrate and must be manually configured again in the new application interface.

Alternative methods of data transfer

If the built-in application for some reason does not work or your iPhone 13 is already set up and in use, there are other methods. The most reliable way to transfer media files is to use a computer. You can copy photos and videos from Android to your PC, and then sync them to your iPhone via iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS).

For contacts and calendars, the best solution is to sync via cloud services. Just add your account Google to settings iPhone. Go to the Settings → Contacts → Accountssection, add a Gmail account and make sure the "Contacts" switch is active.

There are also third-party utilities from phone manufacturers, such as Samsung Smart Switch (for PC) or apps like AnyTrans. They often allow you to transfer data over a cable using a USB-C to Lightning adapter, which provides much faster speed and stability compared to the wireless method.

When using the cable method, you will need an adapter. Connect both phones to each other, launch the app Move to iOS on Android, and the system will prompt you to use a wired connection if it detects one. This is the preferred option for transferring hundreds of gigabytes of information.

Solving common problems and errors

Users often encounter the “Unable to connect” error or hang at the “Data Transfer” stage. First, try disabling all applications on Android that use the Internet, and turn off mobile data in the notification shade.

If the problem persists, restart both devices and try again. Make sure your iPhone is not in airplane mode and that the Wi-Fi module is working correctly. Sometimes it helps to forget all saved Wi-Fi networks on Android before starting the procedure.

If not all photos were transferred, check the “Recent” folder on the iPhone. Sometimes albums from your old phone are created separately, and you need to find them through the Photos application by scrolling down to the My Albums section.

⚠️ Attention: Settings interfaces and menu item names may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer's shell (Samsung, Xiaomi, Pixel). Always focus on the essence of the action, and not just the name of the button.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to transfer data if the iPhone 13 is already set up?

No, the built-in “Transfer from Android” function is only available during the initial setup stage (the “apps and Data” screen). If the phone is already activated, you need to perform a full reset to factory settings through the menu Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Erase content and settings.

Are passwords from sites and applications transferred?

Passwords saved in the Google password manager are not automatically transferred to iCloud Keychain. However, if you use a third-party password manager (such as 1Password or Bitwarden) or save your passwords in the Chrome browser itself and install it on your iPhone, you will still have access to them after you sign in.

What to do with apps that are not in the App Store?

Apps that are only available on Google Play will not be transferred. In the list of transferred data, they will be marked as unavailable. You will have to find their equivalents in the Apple store or use web versions of the services if they exist.

How long does it take to transfer 64 GB of data?

The time depends on the speed of the Wi-Fi connection and the number of small files. On average, transferring 64 GB of data over a wireless network takes from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours. When using a cable, the time can be reduced to 20-30 minutes.

Is it safe to use the Move to iOS application?

Yes, the application was created by Apple and uses a secure connection. Data is transferred directly between devices via a temporary Wi-Fi network and is not sent to third-party servers during the migration process.