Changing the ecosystem from open Android to closed iOS always causes mixed feelings. On the one hand, users gain access to a unique interface and optimization Apple, on the other hand, there is a fear of losing important information. The model iPhone 7, despite its age, remains a popular choice for those who want to enter the world of Apple without huge expenses, but the migration process to it has its own technical nuances.
The main task during the transition is to maintain the integrity of digital life: contacts, photos, correspondence and calendars should appear on the new device without distortion. Fortunately, the company Apple has developed a special solution that automates most of the routine work. However, to successfully complete the operation, it is necessary to strictly follow the sequence of actions and take into account the hardware features of both smartphones.
In this article we will analyze in detail all available methods of transferring information, starting from the official application and ending with manual methods for specific types of files. You will learn how to prepare devices, what settings to change before starting, and what to do if the process freezes in the middle. Proper preparation will save you hours of time and nerves.
Preparing devices before migration
Before initiating the transfer process, it is critical to ensure connection stability and sufficient energy levels. Both smartphones must be connected to a power source or have at least 60% battery charge. Interrupting the process due to discharge may result in corruption of the database on the receiving device.
On the device Android it is necessary to free up space if the internal memory is full of junk files, although this is not a strict requirement for the transfer utility to work. The more important step is to update the operating system to the latest version available for your model. Outdated software often contains bugs that prevent the establishment of a secure Wi-Fi Direct connection.
Make sure that you have performed a factory reset if it has already been activated previously. The proprietary migration tool only works during the initial setup phase, when you see the welcome screen. If the phone is already set up, you will have to erase all content through the menu iPhone 7 A factory reset has been performed if it has already been activated previously. The proprietary migration tool only works during the initial setup phase, when you see the welcome screen. If the phone is already set up, you will have to erase all content through the menu Settings → General → Reset → Erase content and settings.
⚠️ Attention: The data transfer process only works during the initial setup of the iPhone. If you are already using a phone, creating a backup on Android and then resetting the iPhone is the only normal way.
Also check the amount of free memory on the target device. The data will not fit if its total weight exceeds the available space by iPhone 7. Unlike modern models, this version of the smartphone does not support memory cards, so the internal drive is the only storage.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Using the Move to iOS application
The main tool for migration is the free application Move to iOSavailable in the store Google Play. It creates a direct, secure connection between devices, bypassing cloud services and computers. This is the most reliable way to transfer contacts, message history, photos and videos, as well as Google accounts and accessibility settings.
Launch the application on your smartphone Android and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be asked to accept the terms of use and provide the necessary permissions. After this, a 6 or 10 digit code will appear on the screen. This code must be entered on the screen iPhone 7 in the “Applications and Data” section, selecting “Transfer data from Android”.
After entering the code, the devices will communicate and iPhone create a temporary Wi-Fi network. You will need to click "Connect" on your device Androidwhen prompted to join this network. Do not switch to mobile data or another Wi-Fi network during the process, otherwise the connection will be lost.
If the code is not accepted or the connection is constantly disconnected, try turning off the mobile data on your Android smartphone before starting the process so that the system does not try to switch to the cellular network.
In the next step, you will see a list of data types available for transfer. You can select everything at once or check only the necessary items. It is worth noting that transferring applications is only partially possible: the system will try to find free analogues in App Store, but paid applications or games that are not available in the Apple store will not be transferred.
Transfer time depends on the amount of data. For several gigabytes of photos and videos, this process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The device screens should not go dark, so disable automatic screen locking in the settings of both phones during the operation.
Manually transferring multimedia via a computer
Sometimes automatic utilities do not work correctly, especially when transferring large volumes of high-resolution video files. In such cases, it is safer to use a computer as an intermediate link. This method requires a USB cable for connection Android and a Lightning cable for iPhone 7.
Connect your smartphone Android to the PC and copy the folders DCIM (photos and videos from the camera) and Pictures to the computer's hard drive. Create a separate import folder to avoid getting confused with files. After copying is complete, disconnect Android and connect iPhone 7.
To download media files to your Apple device, you will need the app iTunes (on Windows) or Finder (on macOS Catalina and later). Open the app, select your phone in the list of devices and go to the "Photo" section. Activate synchronization and specify the path to the folder where you previously copied files from Android.
| Data type | Transfer method | Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Contact | Move to iOS / Google Sync | No restrictions |
| Photos and Video | Move to iOS / iTunes | Depends on iPhone memory |
| Messages (SMS) | Move to iOS | Text SMS only |
| Music | iTunes / Apple Music | DRM file protection |
| Applications | Manual upload | Only free analogues |
It is important to understand that when synchronizing via iTunes, all existing photos on the iPhone can be replaced by the contents of the selected folder, unless adding to existing ones is configured. Be careful when choosing synchronization options so as not to accidentally delete existing pictures on the new device.
Why do not videos play after transfer?
Some video formats popular on Android (for example, MKV or specific codecs) may not be supported by the standard iOS player. In this case, install a third-party player, for example, VLC, from the App Store.
Synchronizing contacts and calendar via Google
If you actively used the ecosystem Google on your previous device, the fastest way to transfer contacts and calendar events is to log into your account directly on iPhone 7. This method is often faster and more reliable than using a migration app for small amounts of text data.
Go to Settings on your new Apple smartphone. Scroll down to the Contacts or Calendar section (the path may vary slightly depending on iOS version) and select Accounts. Click “Add Account” and select logo Google.
Enter your email address and password. After authorization, the system will ask what data you want to synchronize. Make sure that the switches next to Contacts, Calendars and Mail are active (lit green). Click "Save" in the upper right corner of the screen.
The data will begin downloading in the background. In a few minutes you will see your contacts in your phone book and your events in your calendar. This method is also convenient in that any changes made from a computer or other device will automatically appear on the iPhone thanks to cloud synchronization.
⚠️ Attention: When synchronizing via Google, contacts may be duplicated if you have previously imported them via Move to iOS. Check your phone book and delete duplicates through the contact settings.
Transferring messages from instant messengers
The most painful topic during the transition is the history of correspondence in popular instant messengers. The official transfer of chat history from WhatsApp from Android to iOS became possible relatively recently, but requires strict conditions. For other applications, such as Telegram or Viber, the situation is different.
For WhatsApp you must use the same utility Move to iOS, which was mentioned above. At the stage of selecting data to transfer, the WhatsApp option will appear. It is important that both devices have the latest version of the application installed from the official stores. The process will encrypt your chats and transfer them to the iPhone, where they will be decrypted the first time you log in.
In the case of Telegram the chat history is stored in the messenger server cloud. You just need to install the application on iPhone 7 and log in with your phone number. All chats, except secret ones, will be loaded automatically. Secret chats are tied to a specific device and cannot be transferred.
Messenger Viber also uses a cloud backup, but on Android it is saved in Google Drive, and on iOS in iCloud. There is no direct transfer of history between different clouds. The only option is to start the conversation again or use the “Data Transfer” function inside the Viber application itself, if it is available in your version, but often this only works within one ecosystem.
Whatsapp history is transferred only once - during the initial setup of the iPhone. Repeated transfer without resetting the phone is not possible using standard means.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the well-functioning processes, users often encounter technical failures. One of the common problems is the message “Failed to transfer data” or an endless freeze during the preparation phase. Most often this is due to an unstable Wi-Fi connection or active energy saving settings on Android.
Try to disable Android all applications on the device that use the Internet, except Move to iOS. Also temporarily disable mobile data. If the error persists, restart both smartphones and start the iPhone setup process again by performing a reset.
Another problem is the lack of sound or low photo quality after the transfer. This may be due to the files being damaged while being written or codecs not being supported. In this case, manual pumping through a computer, described in the previous sections, is the only correct solution.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to interrupt the transfer process by pressing the Home button or minimizing applications. This is guaranteed to result in an error and the need to start all over again.
If you switched to iPhone 7 and found that some contacts are not displayed, check the display settings in the Contacts application. Click "Groups" or "Lists" in the upper left corner and make sure there is a checkmark next to your Google or iCloud account.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer data if I already have my iPhone 7 set up and in use?
The stock Move to iOS app only works at the initial setup stage. If your phone is already activated, you'll need to hard reset your device through the settings menu to get the welcome screen back, or use the manual transfer method via your computer and cloud services.
Will passwords from apps and websites be transferred?
Passwords saved in Google Password Manager will not automatically transfer to iCloud Keychain. However, you can continue to use Google Smart Lock on your iPhone by installing the appropriate app, or export your passwords to a file and import them manually.
What to do with APK files?
Files APK are installation packages for Android and do not work on iOS. You will have to find equivalents of these applications in the App Store. If the application was paid on Android, on iPhone you will most likely have to buy it again, since licenses are not synchronized between stores.
How long does it take to transfer 32 GB of data?
The time depends on the speed of the Wi-Fi network being created and the number of small files. On average, transferring 32 GB of data (photos, videos, contacts) takes from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Do not interrupt the process, even if it seems to be frozen.
Can I transfer music from Yandex.Music or Spotify?
The music files themselves are not transferred, as they are protected by copyright and are stored in the cloud of the streaming service. Simply install the music service application on your iPhone and log into your account - all your playlists will be saved.