Changing an ecosystem from Google to Apple always raises questions, especially when it comes to saving important data. A phone book is your most valuable asset, the loss of which can be critical. When switching to iPhone 7 Plus you will not have to manually reset hundreds of numbers, as there are well-established migration tools.
The transfer process depends on whether your new smartphone is in the initial setup state or you have already started using it. If the device is reset to factory settings, the most effective method is to use a proprietary application Move to iOS. Otherwise, you will have to resort to synchronization through cloud services or manual export of files.
In this article we will analyze in detail all available methods of data migration, paying special attention to the nuances of working with the model. iPhone 7 Plus. You'll learn how to avoid duplicate entries and what to do if automatic syncing fails. Preparation will only take a few minutes, but will save hours of manual work.
Preparing devices to begin migration
Before you begin the data transfer process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to go. Charge your smartphone to at least 50%, as the process may require significant energy resources. Also check that the module is enabled on both devices Android-smartphone and iPhone 7 Plus at least up to 50%, since the process may require significant energy resources. Also check that the module is enabled on both devices Wi-Fi, even if you do not plan to connect to your home network.
On a device with an operating system Android free up some RAM by closing unnecessary applications. This will help speed up your data service. Make sure that your contacts are saved in your account Google or on the device, and not just on the SIM card, if their number is large.
⚠️ Attention: If you have already set up iPhone 7 Plus and see a desktop with icons, the application Move to iOS will not work. You will need to perform a full reset of the device via
Settings → General → Reset → Erase content and settings.
Check the amount of free memory on the receiving device. Although contacts take up little space, if you plan to also move photos and apps, you should have plenty of space to spare. Make sure that the version Android is not extremely old, since new transfer protocols may not be supported on outdated software.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Method one: using the Move to iOS application
This is the most reliable and official method, designed specifically for migrating from Android on iOS. The application Move to iOS is available in the store Google Play and creates a direct secure connection between devices. It transfers not only contacts, but also message history, photos and account settings.
Launch the application on Androidsmartphone and follow the instructions on the screen. On the setup screen iPhone select “Transfer data from Android”. The system will generate a six-digit or ten-digit code that will need to be entered on the device Android.
After entering the code, the devices will establish a connection via a temporary Wi-Fi network. Select "Contacts" in the list of transferred data. It is important not to switch to other applications during the process, as this may break the connection. Even if the process seems to be stuck, wait for the end of the loading bar on Android during the process as this may break the connection. Even if the process seems to be frozen, wait until the loading bar ends on iPhone.
If the process is interrupted in the middle, it is better to restart both devices and start the transfer again to avoid broken files or incomplete entries in the phone book.
When the transfer is completed, a success message will appear on iPhone 7 Plus . Contacts will automatically appear in the Phone and Contacts app. This method is preferable in that it preserves the structure of the records, including linked email addresses and residential addresses, if they were filled in Android.
Synchronization via Google account
If resetting iPhone is impossible or undesirable, the optimal solution would be synchronization via the cloud. Since most users Android store contacts in Google Contacts, this process becomes trivial. You do not need additional applications, only system settings iOS.
Go to settings iPhone 7 Plus and go to the section Mail (in older versions of iOS) or Contact (in new versions). Select Accounts and click Add Account. In the list of providers, select the logo Google.
Enter your login and password for the account that was used on the Androiddevice. After successful authorization, the system will ask what data needs to be synchronized. Make sure the switch next to Contacts is green. Other items, such as “Mail” or “Calendar”, can be enabled as desired.
| Option | Default value | Recommended action |
|---|---|---|
| Synchronization protocol | CardDAV | Automatic |
| Server | google.com | Do not change |
| Port | 443 (SSL) | Automatic |
| Update interval | Push / Loading | Push |
After enabling synchronization, open the Contacts application on iPhone and pull the list down to forced update. The data should be loaded within a few seconds if there is a stable Internet connection. This method is convenient because any changes made to the phone book in Android in the future will automatically be reflected on iPhone.
Transfer via VCF file (vCard)
Sometimes cloud synchronization is not available due to network problems or security policies of corporate accounts. In this case, you can use the universal format vCard (.vcf). This is a file containing all information about contacts, which can be transferred in any convenient way: via email, instant messenger or Bluetooth (although with an iPhone this is more difficult).
On Androidsmartphone, open the “Contacts” application, go to the settings menu and select “Export”. Save the file to the device's internal memory. Find this file through the file manager and send it to yourself by email or upload it to a cloud storage accessible from iPhone (for example, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox).
Open a letter or file on iPhone 7 Plus. When you click on the file .vcf the system will offer to add the found contacts. You can select the option “Add all new contacts” or “Update existing ones”. Be careful: if you select update, the data from the file will overwrite the information in the current phone book.
What to do with duplicates?
After importing a VCF file, duplicate records often appear. iOS does not have a built-in mass deletion feature, so it is recommended to use third-party apps from the App Store, such as Cleaner Pro or Smart Merge, or manually merge them in the Contacts application by selecting the card and clicking “Merge.”
This method is a “one-time” method. Unlike syncing with Google, changes to Android will not automatically appear on iPhone. You will have to repeat the export and import procedure every time the phone book changes significantly.
Importing contacts from a SIM card
The simplest, but archaic way is to use a physical SIM card. It is suitable if you have few contacts (up to 250-500 depending on the chip capacity) and have not used cloud services. However, this method has serious limitations on the amount of information saved.
Insert the SIM card from Androidsmartphone into iPhone 7 Plus. Go to Settings → Contacts. At the bottom of the list, find the “Import contacts from SIM” item. Click on it and choose where to save the data: in iCloud, Gmail or locally on your iPhone.
⚠️ Attention: The SIM card only stores names and phone numbers. All additional data such as profile photos, email addresses, birthdays and notes will be permanently lost with this transfer method.
The import process may take some time, during which the screen will be black. Do not interrupt the operation. Once completed, check your phone book. If names are not displayed correctly or are truncated, this is due to a limitation in the length of the name field on the SIM card chip.
Using a SIM card is a last resort when other methods are not available. It guarantees the transfer of only basic data without multimedia and advanced information.
Solving common problems and errors
Despite the simplicity of the procedures, users sometimes encounter technical failures. One of the common problems is a connection error when using Move to iOS. This is often due to the fact that Android tries to switch to the mobile network when it detects “bad” Internet on the iPhone’s temporary network. Solution: turn off mobile data (data transfer) Android before starting the process.
Another problem is that contacts do not appear after synchronizing with Google. Check if the correct account is selected to be displayed. In the Contacts app, tap Groups (or Lists) in the top left corner and make sure your Gmail account is checked. Sometimes logging out and logging in again helps. iPhone Click "Groups" (or "Lists") in the top left corner and make sure the checkbox is next to your Gmail account. Sometimes logging out and logging in again helps.
If you see contacts but no photos, this is normal for some import methods. Profile photos often do not transfer over SIM or older versions of vCard. To restore them, you will have to synchronize through social networks (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), which will find matches by numbers and load avatars.
In cases where the menu interface differs from that described, remember that manufacturers Android (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei) often change the shell. Look for sections with the words "Accounts", "Synchronization" or "Users". The operating logic remains the same for the entire platform.
⚠️ Attention: The iOS and Android settings interface is regularly updated. Menu item names may vary slightly depending on the operating system version. If you do not find the specified item, use the search in the phone settings.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer contacts if the iPhone is already set up and in use?
Yes, this is possible. Use synchronization methods via Google account or VCF file import. The Move to iOS application only works during the initial device setup.
What to do if contacts are duplicated after transfer?
iOS does not have a built-in “Remove duplicates” button. You'll have to merge them manually: Open the duplicate card, click Edit, scroll down, and select Merge Contacts. For mass deletion, it is better to use special utilities from the App Store.
Are messages and call history transferred from Android to iPhone?
The Move to iOS application can transfer message history (SMS) and some settings. However, call history is not transferred by any of the standard methods due to differences in the architecture of operating systems.
Is it safe to enter Google password on iPhone?
Yes, it is absolutely safe. You enter data into the standard iOS system login window, which uses a secure connection to Google servers. Your data is not transferred to third parties.
How long does it take to transfer 1000 contacts?
Through the cloud (Google) it takes a few seconds or minutes depending on the Internet speed. Through the Move to iOS application, the process can take from 5 to 15 minutes, as a direct connection is established and data integrity is verified.