Many users planning to change the operating system are wondering how to transfer their favorite applications data from a device based on Android to a new one iPhone. The popularity of the utility Shareit is due to its high speed of file transfer without the Internet, which makes it an attractive tool for data migration. However, the process of transferring apps between such different ecosystems has a number of fundamental technical limitations that you need to be aware of in advance.
In this article we will look in detail at whether it is possible to directly transfer installed applications through Shareit, why file formats .apk do not work on iOS and what legal ways exist to preserve your digital luggage when going to the platform iOS. You will learn about the nuances of the file system and receive a step-by-step algorithm of actions for the most comfortable migration.
Technical limitations of transferring APK files to iOS
The main problem faced by users trying to use Shareit to transfer apps is the difference in operating system architectures. Android uses packages installations with an extension .apkthat contain executable code that is understandable to the kernel of this system. At the same time iPhone works on a base iOS, where applications are distributed exclusively in the format .ipa through the official store App Store.
Even if you successfully transfer the application installation file via Shareit via Wi-Fi Direct, the operating system iOS simply will not be able to recognize it and start the installation process. The Apple file system is closed for direct installation of third-party software without the use of special developer certificates or jailbreaking, which makes classic app transfer impossible.
⚠️ Attention: Attempting to install third-party files
.apkon an iPhone may lead to a violation of warranty or infection of the device with malware if you use dubious emulators.
Moreover, application licenses are often tied to the user account (Google Play or App Store), and not to a specific file on the device. Therefore, even the technical ability to transfer a file does not guarantee access to paid content or progress within the app without authorization in the corresponding service.
Why is processor architecture important too?
In addition to app code, applications are compiled for different processor architectures. Most modern Android smartphones use ARM architecture, but the instructions may differ from those optimized for Apple A-series or Snapdragon chips in specific modes. This is another level of incompatibility.
What exactly can be transferred through Shareit
Despite the impossibility of transferring the application executable files themselves, the utility Shareit remains an excellent tool for migrating the user content that these applications use. You can quickly transfer media files, documents and contacts, which will greatly simplify setting up your new device.
The list of data available for trouble-free transfer includes:
- 📷 Photos and videos from the gallery in original quality.
- 🎵 Audio files, music and ringtones in MP3, WAV, AAC formats.
- 📄 PDF, Word, Excel documents and ZIP/RAR archives.
- 📞 Contacts in vCard format (when exporting from the phone book).
To transfer this data, just install the application Shareit on both devices. On Android, select Send mode, and on iPhone, select Receive mode. Once connected via Wi-Fi, you can select the files you need and initiate the transfer. The speed of the process is usually much faster than when using Bluetooth or cloud storage with limited traffic.
It is important to note that some types of data, such as call history or SMS messages, may not be transferred directly through the standard interface Shareit on iOS due to Apple security restrictions. For such tasks, it is better to use specialized migration tools, which will be discussed below.
Official migration method: Move to iOS
If your goal is the most complete data transfer, including the folder structure and some settings, Apple has developed a special solution. The app Move to iOS (Transfer to iOS) is available in Google Play and is designed specifically for legal migration from Android to iPhone.
This tool creates a secure Wi-Fi network between devices and transfers data in encrypted form. Unlike Shareit, this application has deep access rights to the Android system, allowing you to copy not only files, but also accounts, accessibility settings and even the home screen layout.
| Data type | Shareit | Move to iOS | Manual transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photos and Videos | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Contact | ✅ Yes (vCard) | ✅ Yes (automatically) | ✅ Yes (via iCloud) |
| Applications (files) | ❌ No (do not work) | ❌ No (download again) | ❌ No |
| Call history | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ Difficult |
| Messages (SMS) | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
Use process Move to iOS requires that the iPhone is at the initial stage settings. If the device is already activated, you will have to reset it to factory settings through the menu Settings → General → Reset → Erase content and settings. This is a critical point that users often miss.
⚠️ Attention: Before using Move to iOS, make sure that there is enough free space on your iPhone to accept all the data from your Android device. Insufficient memory will interrupt the migration process.
☑️ Preparing for migration via Move to iOS
Restoring applications through cross-platform accounts
Although the application files themselves cannot be transferred, your progress in games and data on social networks are often saved on the developers' servers. To restore access to your data in new applications on the iPhone, you must use the login function through social networks or special IDs.
Most modern services support cross-platform synchronization. For example, progress in games like Clash of Clans or PUBG Mobile is linked to your account Facebook, Google Play Games or internal developer ID. After installing the application on your iPhone and logging into the same account, all your progress will be restored automatically.
For instant messengers, the situation is different. WhatsApp, for example, requires the use of the official chat transfer function, which is now integrated into the iPhone setup process or available through third-party utilities on a PC. Simply transferring the data folder via Shareit here will not work due to database encryption.
Check subscriptions: Before switching to iOS, check your active subscriptions on Google Play. Cancel them there and re-subscribe in the App Store, since subscriptions do not transfer automatically between stores.
It is also worth considering that some applications may be paid on one platform and free (or with a different monetization model) on another. In such cases, the purchase will have to be made again in the store App Store, since financial transactions are not synchronized between Google and Apple.
Alternative methods of data transfer without a PC
If for some reason use Move to iOS is impossible, and Shareit does not transfer the desired file types, you can consider alternative wireless methods. Cloud storage, such as Google Drive, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox, allows you to download data from Android and download it to iPhone.
This method is especially convenient for transferring small amounts of data or documents. You upload files to the cloud on Android, install the corresponding application on iPhone, log into your account and download the necessary data. The speed will depend on the tariff of your mobile operator or the speed of the Wi-Fi network.
Another option is to use the "File Sharing" function via a local network if both devices are connected to the same router. On Android you can run an FTP server through a file manager, and on iPhone you can connect to it through an application like Documents by Readdle. This gives direct access to the Android file system without installing additional transmitter applications.
⚠️ Attention: When using public Wi-Fi networks to transfer data via FTP or cloud services, make sure that the connection is secure to avoid interception of personal information by attackers.
Cloud services are the most universal solution for transferring disparate files when there is a direct connection between devices is impossible or unstable.
Frequently asked questions and solutions to problems during migration
During the migration process, users often encounter typical problems associated with incompatible formats or connection errors. Understanding the nature of these errors helps you quickly find a solution and avoid data loss.
One of the common problems is connection interruptions while transferring large video files. This often happens because the Android device's screen goes blank and the system saves energy by cutting off the Wi-Fi connection. To avoid this, you need to disable turning off the screen in the settings or use the "Keep the screen on" mode during the transfer.
Is it possible to transfer game cache via Shareit?
No, transferring game cache (OBB files) via Shareit to iPhone is not possible. The iOS file system does not allow files to be placed in system directories where the application cache is stored without superuser rights, which are not available on regular devices. The game will have to be downloaded again, and the cache will be formed during the game.
Why does the iPhone not see APK files sent from Android?
The iOS operating system ignores files with the .apk extension, since they are not executable for this platform. Even if the file is saved in the phone's memory, you will not be able to click on it to install. The system will offer to open the file in a compatible application, but there are no legal ones for installing Android apps.
How to transfer Chrome browser history?
Browser history does not need to be transferred as files. All you need to do is install the Chrome browser on your iPhone and log in to your Google account. When synchronization is enabled, all history, bookmarks and passwords will be automatically downloaded from Google servers within a few minutes.
What to do if the application is on Android, but not on the iPhone?
Unfortunately, if the developer has not released a version of the application for iOS, you will not be able to use it on the iPhone in legal ways. You can search for the web version of the service through the Safari browser or find an analogue in the App Store that performs similar functions.
Will notification settings be saved after the transfer?
No, notification settings are local to each operating system. After installing applications on iPhone, you will have to re-enable notifications in the iOS privacy settings and configure their settings within each application.