How to transfer data from Android to iPhone 13: 5 proven methods

The transition from Android to iPhone 13 is a responsible step that requires careful preparation. Even if you have long dreamed of the Apple ecosystem, the process of data migration may seem complicated: contacts, photos, messages, applications and even settings - all this needs to be transferred without loss. Fortunately, Apple and third-party developers offer several reliable methods to simplify the task.

In this article we will analyze 5 working methods for transferring data from the official application Move to iOS to manual copying through cloud services. You will learn which files can be transferred and which will have to be configured again, how to avoid common mistakes and what to do if the process is interrupted. We will pay special attention transferring data from Android 12/13 to iOS 16/17, since these are the versions that are most relevant for iPhone 13 in 2026.

Regardless of whether you are changing your smartphone for the first time or have already encountered a similar task, our instructions will help make the transition as smooth as possible. And if you are afraid of losing important data, don’t worry: we will describe in detail how to create a backup copy before migration.

1. Preparing an Android device for data transfer

Before you begin the transfer, you need to prepare your Androidsmartphone. This step is often overlooked, but it is critical to a successful migration. Here's what you need to do:

• 📱 Update the operating system. Make sure your Android e has the latest firmware installed. For Move to iOS requires at least Android 9.0, but better - Android 12 or newer.
• 🔋 Charge both devices. The transfer process can take from 10 minutes to an hour, so the battery charge must be at least 50%.
• 📶 Connect to Wi-Fi. Transferring large amounts of data (photos, videos) via the mobile data is ineffective and can lead to additional costs.
• 🧹 Clean up unnecessary files. Delete duplicate photos, old messages and unused applications - this will speed up the process.

Also check if there is enough space on iPhone 13 for all the data. For example, if you have 100 GB of photos on Androidbut on iPhone only 64 GB is free, you will have to either clear the space or transfer the data in parts. Use Settings → General → iPhone Storage to analyze free space.

⚠️ Attention: If your Android data encryption is enabled (for example, on Samsung s Knox), some files may not be transferred. In this case, use cloud services or manual transfer via a computer.

2. Method 1: the official Move to iOS application is a free application from

Move to iOS is a free application from Apple, designed specifically for transferring data from Android to iPhone. It allows you to transfer:

• 📞 Contacts, call history and calendars
• 📷 Photos and videos (in original quality)
• 💬 Messages (SMS and MMS)
• 📌 Bookmarks from Chrome
• 📍 Mail and account settings
• 🎵 Free applications (if available in App Store)

However, there are limitations: the application does not transfer music (except purchased in iTunes), notes, passwords from managers (for example, Google Password Manager), as well as application files (for example, game saves).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Download Move to iOS from Google Play to your Android.
2. On iPhone 13 start setting up as a new device. On the screen "Applications and data" select "Transfer data from Android".
3. On Android open Move to iOS, accept the terms and enter the 6- or 10-digit code that appears on iPhone.
4. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. iPhone will create a temporary point access.
5. Select the data to transfer and wait for the process to complete. Do not interrupt the connection!

⚠️ Attention: If Move to iOS hangs at the "Waiting for connection" stage, try disabling the VPN or firewall on Android. data-i="109">enough space for received data. iPhone there is enough space for received data.

Update Android to the latest version|

Close all background applications on both devices|

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (not mobile data)|

Make sure that iPhone has enough free space-->

3. Method 2: transfer via Google Account

If Move to iOS for some reason is not suitable, you can use synchronization with Google Account. This method is especially useful for transferring contacts, calendars, mail, and some settings. However, photos and videos will have to be uploaded separately.

How to transfer contacts and calendars:

1. On Android open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure it is enabled synchronization Contacts i Calendar.
2. On iPhone 13 go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add account → Google.
3. Enter your details Google Account and enable synchronization Contacts and Calendars.
4. Wait for synchronization to complete (may take a few minutes).

How to transfer photos and video:

For multimedia, use Google Photos:

1. On Android open Google Photo and wait for all files to be uploaded to the cloud.
2. On iPhone 13 install Google Photos from App Store and log in to the same account.
3. Select photos and click "Save to device".

Data type	Move to iOS	Google Account	Manual transfer
Contact	✅	✅	✅ (via vCard)
Photos	✅ (original quality)	✅ (via Google Photos)	✅ (cable/cloud)
Messages (SMS). data-i="167">If you have a lot of photos, before transferring them, turn on the “High quality” (non-original) option in Google Photos to save space in the cloud. After transfer, the originals can be downloaded to the iPhone via a computer.	✅	❌	❌
Applications	✅ (free only)	❌	❌ (need to install manually)
Music	❌	❌	✅ (via iTunes or cloud)

4. Method 3: transfer via computer (iTunes/Finder)

If you have Mac or PC s iTunes (or Finder macOS Catalina and later), you can transfer data via wired connection. This method is suitable for large files that are inconvenient to transfer over the air.

What you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with iTunes (Windows) or Finder (macOS)
• ⚡ Cable USB-C/Lightning (for iPhone 13)
• 📁 Access to files on Android (via MTP or memory card)

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect Android to your computer and copy the necessary files (photos, videos, music) to a separate folder.
2. Connect iPhone 13 to your computer and open iTunes (Finder on macOS).
3. In the section "Files" select "Sync photos" or "Sync music" and specify the folder with the files.
4. Click "Apply" and wait for synchronization to complete.

To transfer contacts, you can export them from Android to file .vcf (via Contacts → Export), and then import to iPhone via iCloud or mail.

⚠️ Attention: When synchronizing via iTunes all existing data on iPhone in selected categories (for example, music) will be replaced. Make a backup copy first!

What to do if the computer does not see Android?

If files are not displayed when connecting Android to the computer, check:

1. Connection mode (should be MTPand not Charging).

2. Availability of drivers (especially on Windows).

3. Screen unlocking Android (some devices block access when locked screen).

If the problem persists, try using a memory card or the cloud.

5. Method 4: cloud services (Dropbox, OneDrive, Yandex Disk)

Cloud storage is a universal way to transfer data, especially if you do not have access to a computer. no need to connect devices to each other. However, for large amounts of data (tens of gigabytes) a paid subscription may be required.

How to transfer files via the cloud:

1. Install a cloud service application (for example, Dropbox or Yandex Disk) on Android.
2. Upload the necessary files (photos, documents, videos) to the cloud.
3. Install the same application on iPhone 13 and log into the same account.
4. Download the files on iPhone or open them directly from clouds.

Comparison of popular cloud services:

Service	Free space	Max. file size	Download speed
Google Drive	15 GB	5 TB (for paid accounts)	Average
Dropbox	2 GB	50 GB (via desktop application)	High
Yandex Disk	10 GB	50 GB	High (for Russia)
iCloud Drive	5 GB	50 GB	Depends on the Internet connection

For transfer music you can use Apple Music or Spotify —just log in to iPhone in the same account as on Android. Playlists and saved tracks are synchronized automatically.

6. Method 5: manual transfer via cable (Lightning → USB-C)

If you have cable with connectors Lightning i USB-C (or an adapter), you can transfer files directly from Android to iPhone 13. This method is suitable for photos, videos and documents, but not for contacts or messages.

Step-by-step guide:

1. Connect Android to iPhone 13 using a cable. On Android select the mode "File Transfer" (MTP).
2. On iPhone open the application "Files" and select the tab "Review".
3. Your "Devices" . Open it and select the folders with the required files. Androidsmartphone will appear in the section
4. Copy files to memory iPhone or to iCloud Drive.

This method does not work on all devices, since iOS has limitations on access to the file system. If iPhone does not see Androidtry:

• Use an adapter USB-C → USB-A and connect via a computer.
• Install on Android file manager (for example, Solid Explorer) and enable FTP server.

7. Transferring applications and games: what you need to know

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

• 🔍 Find analogues in App Store. Many popular applications (for example, WhatsApp, Instagram, Spotify) are also available on iOS.
• 💰 Transfer purchases. If you purchased apps or subscriptions through Google Play, check whether the developer supports cross-platform synchronization (for example, Netflix or Duolingo).
• 🎮 Game saves. Some games (for example, Genshin Impact or Clash of Clans) allow you to transfer progress through your account Google Play Games or Facebook. To do this:

1. In the game on Android Link your account to a social network or email.
2. Install the same game on iPhone and log into the linked account.
3. Load the save (usually this is done automatically).

If the game does not support cross-platform transfer, saves, unfortunately, will be lost. Before switching to iPhone check this information on the developer's website.

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking) may require re-authorization on iPhone. Prepare documents and passwords in advance to restore access.

8. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems. Here the most common errors and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Move to iOS hangs at the "Waiting for connection" stage
  Solution: Restart both devices, turn off VPN and firewall, make sure that Android is turned on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
• 📱 Not all contacts were transferred
  Solution: Check whether the contacts are synchronized with Google Account. If not, export them to .vcf and import to iPhone via iCloud.
• 📷 Photos were transferred in low quality
  Solution: Use Google Photos in the "Original Quality" mode or transfer files via a computer.
• 🎵 Music was not transferred
  Solution: Download the tracks to your computer, and then sync with iPhone via iTunes or use Apple Music.
• 🔒 Applications require repeated payment
  Solution: Check whether the developer supports cross-platform purchases. If not, you will have to buy again.

If none of the methods worked, try reset iPhone 13 to factory settings and repeat the data transfer. To do this, go to Settings → General → Transfer or reset → Erase content and settings.

💡

Before reset iPhone be sure to create a backup copy in iCloud or on your computer so as not to lose already transferred data!

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone?

Yes, but only officially - from 2022 WhatsApp supports the transfer of chat history between platforms. To do this:

1. On Android update WhatsApp to the latest version.
2. In the chat settings, select "Transfer chats to iPhone".
3. Follow the instructions on the screen by connecting iPhone via cable.

Please note: only text messages and media files are transferred. Calls and statuses will not be saved.

Will passwords be transferred from Google Password Manager?

No, Move to iOS does not transfer passwords. To save them:

1. Export passwords from Google Password Manager to a file .csv (via passwords.google.com).
2. Import them into a password manager on iPhone (for example, 1Password or Bitwarden).

Or use iCloud Keychain, but for this you will have to enter your passwords again.

How to transfer notes from Google Keep?

Google Keep does not have an official application for iOS with synchronization. Alternatives:

• Export notes to .txt via the web version Keep and import to Apple Notes.
• Use cross-platform services, for example, Evernote or Notion.

Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone after the initial setup?

Yes, but with limitations:

• For contacts, photos and videos use cloud services or a computer.
• For messages and applications you will have to reset iPhone to factory settings and use Move to iOS.

If reset is not possible, transfer data selectively.

How long How long does it take to transfer data?

Time depends on the amount of data and the method of transfer:

• Move to iOS: 10–60 minutes (depending on the volume of photos).
• Cloud: from 30 minutes to several hours (depending on Internet speed).
• Cable/computer: 5-30 minutes (fastest method for large files).