The transition from Android to iPhone 12 is not only a change of operating system, but also the migration of all important data: contacts, photos, messages and even call history. Many users are wary of this process, considering it difficult or risky. In fact, Apple and Google offer several official tools that simplify the transfer to just a few clicks. The main thing is to prepare correctly and choose the appropriate method.

In this article we will examine 5 working methods data transfer, including a proprietary application Move to iOS, cloud services (Google Drive, iCloud), synchronization via a computer and even manual export of important files. We will pay special attention to nuances that are often missed: for example, why Transferring WhatsApp between Android and iOS is only possible through an official backup from Meta, or how to avoid duplicating contacts when synchronizing with multiple accounts. If you are planning to switch to iPhone 12 (or any other model iPhone), this guide will help save hours of time and nerves.

1. Preparing Android and iPhone 12 for data migration

Before you begin the migration, there are a few critical steps you need to complete on both devices. Skipping any of them may result in crashes or data loss.

On Androiddevice:

  • 🔋 Charge the phone at least to 50% —the process may take up to 1 hour.
  • 📶 Connect to stable Wi-Fi network (mobile data is not suitable for large amounts of data).
  • 🗑️ Free up space: delete unnecessary files if there is less 2 GB free space on your device.
  • 🔄 Update all applications, especially Move to iOS (if you plan to use it) and Google Photos.

On iPhone 12:

  • 📱 Reset to factory settings (Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Erase content and settings). This is mandatory - otherwise Move to iOS it will not start.
  • 🔌 Connect the charger - iPhone should not discharge during transfer.
  • 🌐 Make sure that the latest version is installed on the device iOS (current at the time of transfer).
⚠️ Attention: If you have already set up iPhone 12 as a new device (for example, created an Apple ID or restored a backup), you will have to reset it again. The application Move to iOS works only during the initial setup.

Charging both phones >50%|Resetting iPhone 12 to factory settings|Updating Move to iOS on Android|Connecting to the same Wi-Fi network|Freeing up space on Android-->

2. Method 1: The official Move to iOS application is a free application from

Move to iOS is a free application from Applethat automatically transfers the majority of data from Android to iPhone. It supports:

  • 📞 Contacts (including groups and profile photos).
  • 📧 Messages (SMS and MMS, but not instant messengers like WhatsApp or Telegram).
  • 📸 Photos and videos (stored in Gallery or Google Photos).
  • 📅 Calendars and reminders.
  • 🎵 Music and books (if they are not protected by DRM).
  • 📍 Mail settings and some application data (for example, Chrome bookmarks).

How to use:

  1. On Android download Move to iOS from Google Play.
  2. On iPhone 12 at the setup stage, select Transfer data from Android.
  3. On Android open the application, accept the terms and enter 6- or 10-digit codewhich will appear on iPhone.
  4. Select data to transfer and wait for completion (may take from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the volume).
⚠️ Attention: If the transfer is interrupted, duplicate contacts or empty albums may appear on iPhone 12 data-i="107">. In this case, you will have to reset Photo. In this case you will have to reset iPhone and repeat the procedure.
Data type Transferred? Notes
Contact ✅ Yes Including groups and profile photos
SMS/MMS ✅ Yes Without messenger chat history
WhatsApp ❌ No Requires a separate backup via Meta
Google Authenticator ❌ No Needs to be transferred manually or via export
Applications ⚠️ Partially Only free from App Storeif there is an analogue
💡

If Move to iOS does not see iPhone 12, try disabling the VPN or firewall on Android. Also check that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not to a mobile hotspot!).

3. Method 2: Transfer via Google Drive (for contacts, photos, calendars)

If Move to iOS for some reason is not suitable, the alternative is synchronization via Google Account. This method is ideal for transferring contacts, calendars and mail, but has limitations for multimedia.

Instructions:

  1. On Android open Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that synchronization is enabled for Contacts, Calendar i Gmail.
  2. On iPhone 12 go to Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add account → Google.
  3. Enter your data Google Account and enable synchronization for the necessary services.
  4. For transfer photo use Google Photos:
    • On Android download all photos to Google Photos (enable auto-upload).
    • On iPhone 12 install Google Photos from App Store and log into the same account.
    • Download the photo to your device via Photo → Select → Save to album.

Advantages of the method:

  • 🔄 Automatic synchronization: changes on one device will be reflected on another.
  • 📁 No volume restrictions (unlike Move to iOS, which can "hang" on large files).
  • 🔒 The data is stored in the cloud, it can be restored even after a reset iPhone.
⚠️ Attention: If you have used several Google Accounts on Android, iPhone 12 duplicate contacts may appear. Before transferring, export contacts to one account or clear unnecessary ones via contacts.google.com.

Move to iOS|Google Drive|iCloud|Via computer (iTunes/Finder)|Manual transfer-->

4. Method 3: Transferring WhatsApp and other instant messengers

One ​​of the most painful moments when moving from Android to iPhone is transferring chat history WhatsApp. Officially Meta allows migration only through its service Transferring chats to iOS, but there are nuances:

Steps for WhatsApp:

  1. On Android update WhatsApp to the latest version.
  2. Create a local backup: Whatsapp Settings → Chat → Backup → Create a copy.
  3. Connect Android to iPhone 12 via cable Lightning-to-USB (you will need an adapter if on Android connector USB-C).
  4. Follow the instructions in the application WhatsApp on iPhone (you will be prompted to transfer chats on first launch).

For other messengers:

  • 📌 Telegram: export chats via Settings → Data and memory → Export chat history (available in the desktop version).
  • 💬 Viber: a backup is created in Settings → Account → Backup, but you can restore it to iPhone only if you have enabled synchronization with Viber Cloud.
  • 🗣️ Signal: does not officially support transfer between platforms. The only way is manual export via Settings → Chat backups (text messages only).
Why is WhatsApp not transferred via Move to iOS?

The application Move to iOS does not have access to encrypted databases WhatsApp. Meta blocks third-party tools for exporting chats due to privacy policy. The only official way is to use the built-in function WhatsApp for migration, which appeared in 2021.

5. Method 4: Transfer via computer (iTunes/Finder or manually)

If you do not have access to stable Wi-Fi or the amount of data exceeds 10 GB, the best option is to use computer (Mac or Windows) as an intermediary. This method is suitable for transferring music, documents and photos without compression.

Option 1: Through iTunes (for Windows) or Finder (for Mac)

  1. Connect Android to your computer and copy files (photos, videos, music) to a separate folder.
  2. Connect iPhone 12 and open iTunes/Finder.
  3. In the section Files select Sync music/photos and specify the folder with data.
  4. Press Apply and wait for completion.

Option 2: Manual transfer through the conductor (Windows)

  • 📁 Connect Android as removable disk and copy the files to your computer.
  • 📱 Connect iPhone 12 and use iTunes or 3uTools to download files.
  • 🎵 For music without DRM you can use iMazing or WALTR (paid utilities).
⚠️ Attention: When manually transferring photo via iTunes they may lose the original shooting dates. To avoid this, use Google Photos or specialized apps like iMazing.
💡

Transferring through a computer is the only way to preserve the original quality of photos and videos without the compression that occurs when uploading to the cloud.

6 Method 5: Cloud services. (iCloud, Dropbox, OneDrive)

If you have slow Internet or no cable for a direct connection, cloud storage will be your salvation. Let's consider three popular options:

Service Free space What can be transferred Limitations
iCloud 5 GB Contacts, calendars, reminders, photos (via iCloud Photo) You need to manually export data from Android to format compatible with iCloud.
Dropbox 2 GB Any files (photos, videos, documents) Little space on the free plan.
OneDrive 5 GB Photos, videos, documents Office Automatic photo upload works only in the mobile application.

How to transfer data via iCloud:

  1. To Android export contacts to a file .vcf (via Contacts → Export).
  2. Upload the file to iCloud.com via the web version (section Contacts → Gear icon → Import vCard).
  3. On iPhone 12 enable synchronization with iCloud in the settings.

For Dropbox or OneDrive:

  1. Download files from Android to the cloud via a mobile application.
  2. On iPhone 12 install the same application and download the files to the device.

7. avoid them

Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems. Here are the most common and ways to solve them:

  • 🚫 Move to iOS does not find iPhone 12:
    • Check that Android is disabled Power Saving Mode.
    • Reboot both devices and try again.
    • If you are using VPN, disable it.
  • 📵 The transfer is interrupted in the middle:
    • Make sure you have enough space (free up at least iPhone 12 enough space (free up at least 2 GB).
    • Connect both devices to charge.
    • Use a different Wi-Fi network (for example, a mobile hotspot from another phone).
  • 🔄 Duplicated contacts:
    • Before transferring, clear contacts on Android via contacts.google.com (merge duplicates).
    • On iPhone 12 disable synchronization with unnecessary accounts (Settings → Contacts → Accounts).
  • 📱 Applications are not transferred:
    • Move to iOS transfers only free applications if they are available App Store.
    • For paid apps will have to be purchased again.
    • Some applications (for example, banking) will have to be installed and configured manually.
⚠️ Attention: If after transferring to iPhone 12 some photos or videos are missing, check the folder Recently deleted in application Photo. Sometimes files are restored from there within 30 days.

8. What to do after transferring data

Transferring is only half the battle. necessary:

  • 🔍 Check the integrity of the data:
    • Open Contact, Photo i Messagesto make sure everything is in place.
    • Check that calendars and reminders are synchronized.
  • 🔄 Set up backup:
    • Enable iCloud Backup (Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → iCloud backup).
    • Set automatic photo upload to iCloud Photo.
  • 📱 Personalize iPhone 12:
    • Customize Lock screen i Wallpaper.
    • Turn on Focus mode for work/leisure.
    • Customize Siri and Gestures (they are different from Android).
  • 🛡️ Update security:
    • Configure Face ID or Touch ID.
    • Enable Two-factor authentication for Apple ID.
    • Check application permissions in Settings → Privacy.

It is also worth installing several applications for comfortable use:

  • 📲 Google Maps (if you are more accustomed to it than to Apple Maps).
  • 📁 Files by Google or Documents by Readdle to manage files.
  • 🎵 Spotify or YouTube Musicif you used them on Android.
  • 🔐 Authy or Microsoft Authenticator to transfer two-factor codes (if you were unable to transfer Google Authenticator).
💡

After transferring the data, do not rush reset or sell the old Androidphone. Keep it turned on for another 1-2 days to make sure that nothing important is lost.

Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone 12 without resetting the iPhone?

No, the application Move to iOS works only at the initial setup stage. If the device is already configured, you will have to reset it to factory settings ( iPhone. If the device is already configured, you will have to reset it to factory settings (Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Erase content and settingsAn alternative is to use cloud services (Google Drive, iCloud) or manual transfer via. computer.

Are passwords transferred from Google Chrome to iPhone 12?

Yes, if you use Move to iOSpasswords from Google Chrome will be transferred automatically. You can also synchronize them via Google Account:

  1. On iPhone 12 install Google Chrome from App Store.
  2. Log in your Google Account.
  3. Enable password synchronization in the browser settings.

After this, the passwords will be available in Settings → Passwords on iPhone.

How to transfer music from Android to iPhone 12, if it not from Apple Music?

There are three ways:

  1. Via computer: copy music from Android to PC, then add it to iTunes and sync with iPhone 12.
  2. Via the cloud: upload tracks to Google Drive or Dropbox, then download them to iPhone and import into the application Music.
  3. Via WALTR or iMazing: These apps allow you to download music directly to iPhone without iTunes (paid, but saves metadata).

Please note: if the music is DRM protected (for example, downloaded from Yandex Music or Spotify offline mode), you will not be able to transfer it.

Why are some photos blurry after transferring to iPhone 12?

This occurs due to storage optimization in iCloud. By default, iPhone downloads smaller versions of photos to the device, and the originals are stored in the cloud. To return full quality:

  1. Go to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Photos.
  2. Select Download and save originals.
  3. Connect iPhone to Wi-Fi and charging - the originals will be downloaded automatically.

If the photos were uploaded via Google Photos in compressed quality, you will not be able to restore the originals.

Is it possible to transfer call history from Android to iPhone 12?

Officially - no. The application Move to iOS does not transfer call history. However, there are workarounds:

  1. Use third-party applications like MobileTrans or Dr.Fone (paid, requires connection to a computer).
  2. Export call history to a file .csv on Android (via applications like Call Log Backup & Restore), then import it into Google Sheets to view.

Please note that call history on iPhone is stored locally and not synchronized with iCloud.