Moving from iPhone to a smartphone Android is always exciting: a new interface, other applications, but most importantly - how not to lose important data? Parting with your SMS history is especially painful: it includes work correspondence, confirmation codes, and personal messages from loved ones. Unfortunately Apple and Google do not offer a built-in solution to directly transfer messages between ecosystems, but this does not mean that the task is impossible.

In this article we will examine 5 working methods —from official tools to third-party services—that will help you copy SMS from iPhone to Android without loss. You will learn how to save not only the text of messages, but also attachments (photos, videos, voice), and also avoid common mistakes during migration. Important: some methods require preparation before resetting your iPhone -read carefully!

1. Official method: transfer via Google Drive (only for new Android devices)

If you buy Android smartphone "from scratch" (or reset it to factory settings), from Google there is a built-in tool for migrating data from iPhone. It copies not only SMS, but also contacts, photos, videos and even some settings. However, this works only when setting up Android for the first time —after completing the initial configuration, the option disappears.

How to do it:

  • 📱 Turn on the new one Android smartphone and go to the "Copying data" screen. Select the option Copy from iPhone/iPad.
  • 🔗 On iPhone open App Store and download the application Google One (if it is no).
  • 📤 Follow the instructions on the screen: connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network, enter the pairing code from Android to iPhone and select the data to transfer (be sure to check Messages).
  • ⏳ Wait for the process to complete. The time depends on the amount of data - from 10 minutes to an hour.

⚠️ Attention: This method does not transfer iMessage (messages between Apple devices) - only standard SMS/MMS Also check that there is enough free space: message history may take up several. gigabyte. Android Enough free space: message history can take up several gigabytes.

📊 Which data transfer method do you prefer?
Official tools (Google/Samsung)
Application side (Dr.Fone, MobileTrans)
Manual export via iCloud/email
Another option

2. Export SMS via iCloud (for backups)

If you regularly made backups iPhone to iCloud, you can extract of which messages using third-party services. This method is suitable even if iPhone has already been reset or sold - the main thing is that the backup copy exists.

Instructions:

  1. Check the availability of a backup copy: on iPhone (or through iCloud.com) go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Storage management → Backups. Make sure the copy date is up to date.
  2. Download a app to your computer to extract data from iCloud, for example:
    • 🖥️ iMazing (paid, but available trial version)
    • 🖥️ Dr.Fone — Phone Backup (free version with limitations)
    • 🖥️ CopyTrans Backup Extractor (shareware)
  • Login in the app using your own Apple ID and select the latest backup. In the export menu, select Messages (or Messages) and save them in the format .csv or .html.
  • Transfer the resulting file to Android (for example, via Google Drive or cable) and import using the application SMS Backup & Restore (available in Play Market).

    • ⚠️ Attention: Free versions of apps often limit the number of exported messages (for example, only 20 pieces). For a complete transfer, you may need to purchase a license (from 300 to 1500 rubles).

    Authorization in iCloud on PC|Availability of a current backup|Free disk space (minimum 5 GB)|Installed software for data extraction-->

    3. Direct transfer through migrant applications (Dr.Fone, MobileTrans)

    If iPhone is still at hand, and Android is already configured, you can use specialized apps for direct data transfer via cable or Wi-Fi. These tools are paid, but offer maximum reliability and support not only SMS, but also WhatsApp, Viber, contacts and media files.

    Comparison of popular solutions:

    Application Cost Supported data Connection method Features
    Dr.Fone — Phone Transfer from 990 ₽ SMS, MMS, contacts, photos, videos, WhatsApp USB/Wi-Fi Works without root, but requires iTunes
    MobileTrans from 1,290 ₽ SMS, contacts, photos, music, applications USB Supports transfer between iOS and Android in both directions
    Syncios Free (with restrictions) SMS, contacts, media files USB Interface in Russian, but slower than analogues

    Step-by-step guide for Dr.Fone:

    1. Install the app on your PC (Windows or Mac) and connect both smartphones via USB.
    2. In the main menu, select Phone Transfer → Switch.
    3. Specify iPhone as source, and Android as a receiver. Click Start Transfer.
    4. Tick the Messages checkbox and wait for completion (takes 5-30 minutes).

    ⚠️ Attention: Before connecting, disable the Android function USB debugging (if it was enabled previously) - this may cause conflicts with the app. Also make sure that both devices have enough charge (at least 50%).

    💡

    If the app does not see the iPhone, try reinstalling iTunes on your PC - Dr.Fone and analogues use its drivers to communicate with Apple devices.

    4. Manual export via email or cloud services

    If you have few messages (up to 500 pieces), you can do without third-party apps by exporting SMS manually. This method is free, but labor-intensive - suitable for selectively saving the most important correspondence.

    Manual export methods:

    • 📧 Sending to email:
      1. Open the desired chat in the application Messages to iPhone.
      2. Tap and hold a message, then select More → Forward.
      3. Mark all the necessary SMS and send them to your email (for example, Gmail).
      4. On Android open the letter and save the attachments (the messages will be in the format .txt).
  • ☁️ Saving to the cloud:
    1. Copy the text of the messages (hold your finger on the message → Copy).
    2. Paste them into a document Google Docs or note in Google Keep.
    3. Synchronize your account Google to Android — the data will appear automatically.

    ⚠️ Attention: When exporting manually, the structure of the correspondence (dates, sender names, attachments) is lost. This method is only suitable for text messages — MMS (photo/video) cannot be transferred this way.

    How to save attachments from SMS?

    To export a photo or video from MMS:

    1. Open the chat with the attachment on your iPhone.

    2 Click on the media file and select Save (it will appear in Photo).

    3. Transfer files to Android via Google Photos, cable or cloud.

    4. On Android, manually attach them to contacts in the application Messages (if necessary).

    5. Transfer via SIM card (limited functionality)

    If you have an old one SIM card with support for SMS storage (these were released before 2015), you can try copying messages to it, and then import them to AndroidHowever, this method has a lot of limitations:

    • 🚫 Only saved text SMS (without MMS and iMessage).
    • 🚫 Limit on the number of messages (usually up to 250 pieces).
    • 🚫 Not all modern Android smartphones support import from SIM.

      • How to do this:

      1. On iPhone go to Settings → Messages and turn on option SIM card (if it exists).
      2. Open the desired chat, click Edit → Select messages and mark the ones you want copy.
      3. Click Copy to SIM (if the option is active).
      4. Insert SIM into Android, open the application Messages and select Import from SIM (the path may differ depending on the model).

      Important: this method only works with standard size physical SIM cards (not eSIM!). Most modern tariffs do not support storing SMS on SIM, so the method is only relevant for old cards from Beeline, MTS or MegaFon operators from 2010–2014.

      6. Alternative solutions: transfer via WhatsApp or Telegram

      If your main goal is to save correspondence historyand not the SMS itself, you can take a workaround: export chats to instant messengers, and then open them on Android. This will not replace standard messages, but will help save important information.

      How to transfer correspondence via WhatsApp:

      1. To iPhone open WhatsApp and go to chat settings (swipe left on dialogue → Export chat).
      2. Select Without media files (to make the file smaller) and send it by email.
      3. On Android open letter, download the attachment (.zip) and unpack it.
      4. Install WhatsApp on Android and restore the history from a backup copy (if it was made previously).

    For Telegram the process is even simpler:

    • 📲 Open the desired chat on iPhone.
    • Click on the name of the interlocutor → Export history → select the format (.json or .html).
    • Send the file to yourself by email or to the cloud.
    • On Android import the file via Telegram Desktop or view it in a browser.

      • ⚠️ Attention: This method does not transfer SMS to the standard application Messages on Android. You can only view the history in the messenger or a separate file.

      💡

      If you need to save SMS (for example, for legal proceedings or work), use official transfer via Google Drive or specialized apps. Messengers are only suitable for personal archive.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring SMS from iPhone to Android

      Is it possible to transfer iMessage to Android?

      No, iMessage is proprietary protocol Applethat works only between devices on iOS/macOS. When switching to Android all messages iMessage will be delivered as regular SMS (unless the sender has disabled this function in your profile before the change). phone:

      1. On iPhone go to Settings → Messages and disable iMessage.
      2. Remove the SIM card and insert it into Android - so contacts will start sending you SMS instead of iMessage.
      Why when transferring via Google Drive are not copying all messages?

      This can happen for several reasons:

      • 📵 There is not enough free space on iPhone to create a temporary copy.
      • 🔌 Unstable Wi-Fi connection (the process was interrupted).
      • 📅 The backup copy in iCloud is outdated (check the date of the last backup).
      • 🔒 The Android function is enabled Saving traffic (disable it in the network settings).

      Solution: repeat the process, making sure that both devices are 100% charged, connected to the same network and have enough memory.

      How to transfer SMS from iPhone to Android if iPhone is already reset?

      If iPhone has already been given or reset, there are two options left:

      1. Restore the iCloud backup to another iPhone (ask a friend or rent), then export the SMS using one of the methods described.
      2. Contact Apple support with a request for an archive of messages (proof of ownership of the device will be required). The service is paid and is not available in all countries.

      ⚠️ Without a backup copy, restore SMS after a reset impossible —they are stored only in the device memory or iCloud.

      Is it possible to transfer SMS from iPhone to Android without a computer?

      Yes, but the choice of methods is limited:

      • 📱 Via Google Drive (only when setting up Android for the first time).
      • ☁️ Via iCloud + web service (for example, iMazing has an online version for data extraction).
      • 📧 Manual export (sending messages by email, as described in section 4).

      For a complete transfer (especially with attachments) a computer is still preferable.

      How long does it take to transfer an SMS?

      The time depends on the chosen method and the amount of data:

      • 🔄 Google Drive: 10–60 minutes (depending on Wi-Fi speed).
      • 🖥️ Third-party apps (Dr.Fone): 5–30 minutes.
      • ☁️ Export from iCloud: 1–3 hours (including downloading a backup).
      • ✉️ Manual export: 1–2 messages per minute (longest).