The transition from iPhone to Android is an exciting step, but many are stopped by the fear of losing progress in their favorite games. Is it really possible to transfer saves from iOS to Android without loss? The answer is yes, but only if you know the right tools and nuances. Unlike transferring contacts or photos, games require a special approach: their data is often stored in closed folders, and cross-platform synchronization is not always supported.

In this article we will analyze all current methods - from official tools Google Play i Apple ID before manually extracting save files. You'll learn which games support porting out of the box and which will require workarounds. We will pay special attention risks of data loss to how to avoid them. If you play Genshin Impact, Clash of Clans or Honkai: Star Rail here you will find a solution specifically for your case.

We'll warn you right away: not all games support cross-platform transfer. For example, PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile are linked to social network accounts, but Among Us or Stardew Valley save progress only locally. So the first step is to check if your game has cloud syncing. More on this in the next section.

It is also important to understand that transferring between the Apple and Google ecosystems is technically more difficultthan within one platform. There is no universal solution, and sometimes you will have to combine several methods. But don't worry: even if the game doesn't support direct transfer, we'll show you how to manually extract your saves and load them onto a new device.

📊 Which game do you want to transfer?
Genshin Impact
Clash of Clans
Honkai: Star Rail
PUBG Mobile
Another (write in the comments)

1. Checking support for cross-platform transfer

Before trying to transfer the game make sure that it generally supports synchronization between iOS and Android. This can be done in three ways:

1. Official documentation of the game.

Many popular projects (Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, Clash of Clans) have a FAQ section on their website or Settings → Support inside the game. Look for mentions of cross-platform (cross-platform, cross-save) or transfer between devices.

2. Account settings in the game.

Start the game on iPhone and check:

  • 🔗 Is there a "Link account" button (Link Account) in the profile menu?
  • 🌐 Are external ones supported? services: Google Play Games, Facebook, Apple ID, miHoYo Account (for games from HoYoverse)?
  • ☁️ Is there a "Cloud saving" option (Cloud Save)?

3. Search the database of cross-platform games.

Some enthusiasts maintain lists of games with support cross-save. For example, on Reddit or in communities Steam you can find current tables. Pay attention to the year of publication - support may change after updates.

💡

If the game is from Supercell (Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars), miHoYo (Genshin Impact) or Riot Games (League of Legends: Wild Rift), then with a 90% probability it supports the transfer. But indie projects often store saves only locally.

2. Method 1: Synchronization via Google Play Games account

The simplest method —if the game supports Google Play Games (GPG). This service allows you to save progress to the cloud and restore it on any Androiddevice. Here's how it works:

Step 1. Link the game to GPG on iPhone

  • 📱 Open the game on iPhone and find the "Account" or "Synchronization" section in the settings.
  • 🔗 Select the option "Link to Google Play Games" (Link to Google Play Games).
  • 🔑 Enter the details of your Google account (the same as what will be on Android).
  • ☁️ Wait for the synchronization confirmation (usually appears notification "Progress saved").

Step 2. Recover data on Android

  • 📱 Install the game on Android from Google Play.
  • 🔑 Log in to the same account Google, as on iPhone.
  • ☁️ In the game settings, select "Restore from the cloud" (Load from Cloud).

Which games support this method?

Here is a short list of popular projects with support Google Play Games:

Game Type account Notes
Clash of Clans Google Play Games / Supercell ID Requires linking to Supercell ID before transfer
Brawl Stars Google Play Games / Supercell ID Synchronization works only after linking to Supercell ID
PUBG Mobile Google / Facebook / Twitter Transfer is only possible through social networks
Call of Duty: Mobile Activision / Facebook Google Play Games not supported
Among Us Local saves Transfer is not possible without a manual backup
💡

If the game supports Google Play Games, this is the most reliable transfer method. But be sure to link your account BEFORE deleting the game from iPhone!

⚠️ Attention:

If you delete the game from iPhone before linking to GPG, progress may be lost forever. Some games (for example, Clash Royale) require creation Supercell ID in advance - after deletion, the account cannot be linked.

3. Method 2: Transfer via Apple ID or Game Center

Some games (especially from Apple Arcade or old projects) use Game Center or linking to Apple ID. Unfortunately direct transfer to Android through these services is not possible, but there are workarounds.

Option A: Games with support for cross-platform accounts

Some developers (for example, miHoYo) allow you to link Apple ID to a universal account, and then log in Android through another service. Instructions for Genshin Impact/Honkai: Star Rail:

  1. On iPhone go into the game and link Apple ID to your account miHoYo (Settings → Account → Add account).
  2. Install the game on Android and log in via email/password from miHoYo (not via Apple ID!).
  3. Progress will be updated automatically.

Option B: Manually extracting saves from iCloud

If the game stores data in iCloud, you can copy it manually:

  • 🖥️ Connect iPhone to your computer and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS).
  • 📁 Find the folder with the game backup (usually in ~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/).
  • 🔍 Use utilities like iExplorer or iMazing to extract save files (look for files with the extension .plist or .save).
  • 📲 Transfer the files to Android and place them in the game folder (needed root access or a file manager with access to system folders).
How to find the game save folder on the iPhone?

On iOS, games store data in the sandbox (sandbox), so without jailbreaking or there is no backup access to files. If you have a backup copy in iTunes, you can use utilities like iBackupBot to extract specific files.

⚠️ Attention: Not all games store saves in clear form. For example, Minecraft allows you to export worlds via Settings → Global resources, but The Room encrypts local files, and their transfer requires additional manipulations.

4. Method 3: Using cloud services (Dropbox, Google Drive)

If the game does not support Google Play Games, but allows export saves, you can use cloud storage.

  • 🎮 Games with manual backup (Stardew Valley, Terraria).
  • 📁 Games where saves are stored in accessible folders (KOTOR, emulators).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. On iPhone find the option to export saves (usually in Settings → Import/Export).
  2. Save the file to Dropbox, Google Drive or send it to yourself by email.
  3. On Android download the file and import it through the game menu.

Example for Stardew Valley:

  1. On iPhone: Settings → Save management → Export → select the file and save to iCloud Drive.
  2. On the computer: download the file from iCloud and upload to Google Drive.
  3. On Android: download the file from Google Drive, open the game and select Load save.

Make a backup of your iPhone in iTunes

Make sure the game supports export/import

Download a file manager on Android (for example, Solid Explorer)

Check free space in cloud storage-->

⚠️ Attention: Some games (for example The Sims Mobile) block importing saves from another platform. Before transferring, check the game forums for successful cases.

5. Method 4: Transfer through social network accounts

Many mobile games (especially free-to-play) offer linking to Facebook, Twitter or VK. This a universal transfer method, but with reservations:

  • 🔄 Progress is synchronized only if you have linked your account in advance on iPhone.
  • 🚫 Some games (for example Candy Crush Saga) do not support cross-platform transfer even through social networks.
  • 🔒 A social network account must be one and the same same on both devices.

Instructions:

  1. On iPhone: go to the game → Settings → Account → link Facebook/Twitter.
  2. Install the game on Android and log in through the same social network.
  3. Confirm loading saves (usually a pop-up window appears).

Games that support this method:

  • 🎮 PUBG Mobile (Facebook, Twitter)
  • 🎮 Mobile Legends (Facebook, Moonton Account)
  • 🎮 Clash Royale (only through Supercell ID, social networks do not work for transfer)
  • 🎮 Afk Arena (Facebook, Google, Apple ID)
💡

If the game supports several authorization methods (for example, Facebook and Google), link both accounts to iPhone. This will increase the chances of successful recovery by Android.

6. Method 5: Manually copying files (for advanced users)

If the game does not support cloud synchronizationbut stores saves locally, you can transfer them manually. This method requires:

  • 🖥️ A computer with iTunes/Finder (to extract a backup iPhone).
  • 📱 Android with root access or a file manager (for example, Mixplorer).
  • 🔧 Utilities for working with backups (iBackupBot, iMazing).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Make a backup iPhone in iTunes/Finder (necessarily with encryption enabled!).
  2. Open the backup in iBackupBot and find the folder with the game data (usually in Apps/[game_name]/Documents/).
  3. Export save files (look for extensions .sav, .dat, .plist).
  4. Connect Android to your computer and copy the files to the game folder (the path depends on the game, for example /Android/data/[game_package]/files/).
  5. Install the game on Android and check the loading of saves.

Examples of paths for popular games:

Game Path on iOS (in backup) Path on Android
Minecraft Apps/com.mojang.minecraftpe/Documents/games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds/ /games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds/
Terraria Apps/com.and.games505.terrariaPaid/Documents/Players/ /Android/data/com.and.games505.terrariaPaid/files/Players/
KOTOR Apps/com.aspyr.kotor/Documents/saves/ /Android/data/com.aspyr.kotor/files/saves/

⚠️ Attention: Without root access on Android you will not be able to write files to the game folder. In this case, use alternative methods:

  • 📂 Copy the files to /Download/ and import through the game menu (if there is such an option).
  • 🔧 Use ADB to write files: 
    adb push local_save.sav /sdcard/Android/data/[game_package]/files/

7. Frequent problems and their solutions

Even with proper transfer, errors may occur. Let's look at typical scenarios and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: The game does not see the cloud save

  • 🔄 Restart the game and check your Internet connection.
  • 🔑 Make sure you are logged in same accountas on iPhone.
  • ⚙️ Update the game to the latest version (sometimes older versions do not support cross-platform).

Problem 2: Saves were transferred, but part of the progress was lost

  • ☁️ Possibly the cloud saved not the latest version. Check the backup date.
  • 📁 If you transferred it manually, compare the file sizes between iPhone and Android.
  • 📧 Contact game support - some studios can restore progress upon request (for example, Supercell).

Problem 3: The game crashes after transfer saves

  • 🗑️ Delete the game cache on Android (Settings → Applications → [game] → Storage → Clear cache).
  • 🔄 Reinstall the game and repeat the transfer.
  • 📋 Check version compatibility: if iPhone has a newer version of the game than Android, conflicts may arise.
What to do if the game does not start after a manual transfer?

1. Check the integrity of the files. (they may have been damaged during copying).

2. Make sure that the file paths on Android are the same as on iOS.

3. Try transferring your saves to another version of the game (for example, from Minecraft Bedrock 1.20 to 1.19).

4. If the game uses DRM (for example, GTA: San Andreas), manual transfer may not work due to protection.

8. Alternative solutions: Emulators and virtual machines

If none of the methods worked, the only option left is to use an emulator on last resort - using an emulator iOS on Android or a virtual machine on a PC. This is difficult, but it allows you to run the version of the game and extract the saves. iOS-game version and extract saves.

Method A: iOS emulator on Android (for experienced users only)

  • 📱 Install iEMU or Cider (unofficial emulators require root).
  • 🔑 Log in Apple ID and download the game.
  • ☁️ Synchronize progress with the cloud (if the game supports it).
  • 📲 Install Androidversion of the game and restore data.

Method B: Virtual machine on PC

  • 🖥️ Install VirtualBox + macOS (or use Xcode for the simulator iOS).
  • 📱 Connect iPhone to the virtual machine and make a backup.
  • 🔍 Extract the saves using iBackupBot.
  • 📲 Transfer the files to Android as described in Method 5.

⚠️ Attention:

These methods violate the rules Apple (emulation iOS outside official devices is prohibited In addition, they require deep technical knowledge and can lead to account blocking or data loss. Use them only if other methods have not helped.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer progress to Genshin Impact from iPhone to Android?

Yes, but only if you have previously linked your account miHoYo to iPhone. To do this:

  1. Start the game on iPhone.
  2. Go to Settings → Account → Add account.
  3. Link email (not Apple ID!).
  4. On Android log in through this email —the progress will be adjusted automatically.

⚠️ If you played only through Apple ID and did not link miHoYo Account, transfer impossible.

Why did the village disappear after the transfer to Clash of Clans ?

Most likely you:

  • Not linked Supercell ID on iPhone to transfer.
  • Logged in Android via another account Google Play.
  • Deleted the game from iPhone to synchronization.

Solution: contact support Supercell via Settings → Help → Contacts and provide:

  • ID of your village (you will find it in profile).
  • Receipt of purchases (if you spent money).
  • Screenshots of progress (if any).
How to transfer saves from Among Us?

Among Us does not support cross-platform transfer of saves The only way is manual file copying:

  1. To iPhone make a backup via iTunes.
  2. Use iBackupBotto extract the file game.data from Apps/amongus.data/Documents/.
  3. Copy the file to Android to /Android/data/com.innersloth.amongus/files/ (required root or ADB).

⚠️ Without root access transfer is not possible, since the game folder is protected.

Is it possible transfer purchases from the App Store to Google Play?

No, purchases in games (gems, skins, premium currency) not. are transferred between App Store and Google PlayThis is a platform limitation:

  • Apple and Google they take a commission on purchases (30%), so they do not allow you to transfer expenses.
  • The exception is games with their own payment systems (for example, Fortnite before removal from stores).

What do:

  • Check whether the game has cross-platform currency (for example, in Genshin Impact crystals are tied to the account, not to the store).
  • Contact support - some studios meet halfway and restore purchases manually (for example, Supercell).
How to transfer progress to Pokémon GO?

Pokémon GO supports transfer via account Google or Facebook:

  1. On iPhone link the game to Google (Settings → Account).
  2. Install Pokémon GO to Android and log in through the same Google account.
  3. Confirm download data.

⚠️ If you played through Apple ID, first link Google/Facebook to iPhone, otherwise progress will be lost.