From Android to iPhone: a smooth switch

Switching from Android to iPhone is a big change. You are moving to a new ecosystem with a different user experience, but also with excellent integration and long-term software support. Whether you choose the latest iPhone or an older model, bringing your data along is easier than you think.

Apple has developed a dedicated app that automates almost the entire transfer of your data. In this comprehensive guide we explain how to safely move all your important data to your new iPhone.

What can you take with you to iPhone?

You can transfer most of your data without any problems:

Can be transferred:

  • Contacts and contact photos
  • Message history (SMS, not app-specific)
  • Photos and videos from your camera
  • Web favorites and bookmarks
  • Email accounts
  • Calendar appointments
  • Free apps that are also in the App Store
  • WhatsApp chats (via the official method)
  • Music files and documents

Cannot be transferred:

  • Apps purchased from the Play Store
  • In-app purchases
  • Ringtones and wallpapers
  • PDFs saved in specific apps
  • App-specific data and settings
  • Google Play Movies & TV

Preparing your Android phone

Good preparation makes for a smooth transfer. Take the following steps on your Android phone.

Step 1: Update your Android phone

Make sure your Android phone is updated to the latest version:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Software update
  2. Download and install any available updates
  3. Restart your phone after the update

Step 2: Sync with your Google account

Make sure all your data is synced:

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Google
  2. Tap your Google account
  3. Check that Contacts, Calendar and other items are synced
  4. Tap Sync now to make sure everything is up to date

Step 3: Make a backup

To be safe, make a full backup:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Backup
  2. Turn on Back up to Google Drive
  3. Tap Back up now
  4. Wait until the backup is complete

Step 4: Write down important details

Write down the following:

  • Your home Wi-Fi password
  • Logins for apps that do not sync automatically
  • Two-factor authentication backup codes
  • Special settings you want to remember

Step 5: Check your battery

Make sure both phones have at least 50% battery, or connect them to a charger during the transfer. The process can take a long time if you have a lot of data.

The Move to iOS app: step by step

Apple's official "Move to iOS" app is the easiest way to switch. The app automatically transfers your most important data.

Step 1: Download Move to iOS

  1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android
  2. Search for Move to iOS
  3. Download and install the app from Apple

Step 2: Start your new iPhone

  1. Turn on your new iPhone
  2. Choose your language and region
  3. Follow the first setup steps
  4. When you reach Apps & Data, choose Move Data from Android

Step 3: Connect the phones

  1. Open the Move to iOS app on your Android
  2. Tap Continue and accept the terms
  3. Tap Next on the "Find Your Code" screen
  4. A 6-digit or 10-digit code appears on your iPhone
  5. Enter this code on your Android phone

Step 4: Select your data

  1. Once connected, you see a list of data types
  2. Select what you want to transfer:
    • Google account
    • Messages
    • Contacts
    • Calendar
    • Camera roll (photos and videos)
    • Bookmarks
  3. Tap Next to start

Step 5: Wait for the transfer

  1. A progress bar appears on both phones
  2. Keep both phones close to each other
  3. Leave the Wi-Fi connection intact
  4. This can take 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the amount of data
  5. Do not use either phone during the transfer

Step 6: Complete the setup

  1. When the transfer is complete, tap Done on your Android
  2. Tap Continue on your iPhone
  3. Complete the remaining setup steps
  4. Sign in with an Apple ID or create one
  5. Set up Face ID or Touch ID

Transferring contacts via Google

Only want to transfer your contacts? You can easily do this through your Google account.

Method 1: Add your Google account to your iPhone

  1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Contacts
  2. Tap Accounts > Add Account
  3. Choose Google
  4. Sign in with your Google account
  5. Turn on Contacts
  6. Your Google contacts appear in the Contacts app

Method 2: Export contacts as a file

  1. On your computer, go to contacts.google.com
  2. Click Export in the left menu
  3. Choose vCard (for iOS Contacts)
  4. Download the file
  5. Email the file to yourself
  6. Open the email on your iPhone and tap the attachment
  7. Choose Add All Contacts

Transferring photos and videos

Your memories are precious. Here are several ways to transfer them.

Via Move to iOS

The Move to iOS app automatically transfers the photos and videos in your camera roll. This is the easiest method.

Via Google Photos

If your photos are already in Google Photos:

  1. Download Google Photos from the App Store on your iPhone
  2. Sign in with your Google account
  3. All your photos are available right away
  4. You can download them to your iPhone photo library if you like

Via a computer

  1. Connect your Android phone to your computer via USB
  2. Open the DCIM folder and copy all photos
  3. Connect your iPhone to the computer
  4. Open iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
  5. Sync the photos to your iPhone

Via iCloud

After the initial transfer:

  1. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos
  2. Turn on iCloud Photos
  3. Your photos are now automatically backed up to iCloud

Transferring WhatsApp to iPhone

WhatsApp now officially lets you transfer chats from Android to iPhone.

WhatsApp transfer step by step

  1. Make sure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version on both phones
  2. Install WhatsApp on your new iPhone but do not open it yet
  3. Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network
  4. Open WhatsApp on your Android
  5. Go to Settings > Chats > Transfer chat history
  6. Follow the instructions to scan a QR code
  7. Open WhatsApp on your iPhone and verify your number
  8. The transfer starts automatically

Note: You may need a USB-C to Lightning cable for the transfer. Also check that your iPhone has enough storage space for all your WhatsApp data.

Setting up email and calendar

Your email and calendar are essential. Here is how to set them up.

Adding Gmail

  1. Go to Settings > Mail
  2. Tap Accounts > Add Account
  3. Choose Google
  4. Sign in with your Gmail address and password
  5. Turn on what you want to sync: Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Notes
  6. Tap Save

Other email providers

Most major email providers are in the list. Choose your provider and sign in with your details. For lesser-known providers, choose "Other" and enter the server settings manually.

Transferring music

Here are several ways to take your music with you.

Spotify, Deezer or other streaming services

If you use a streaming service, simply download the app on your iPhone and sign in. All your playlists and favorites are available right away.

Transferring local music files

  1. Copy your music files from your Android to your computer
  2. Open iTunes (Windows) or the Music app (Mac)
  3. Import the music files
  4. Connect your iPhone and sync the music

Transferring YouTube Music to Apple Music

Apple offers a tool to transfer playlists:

  1. Go to apple.com/move-to-apple-music
  2. Sign in with your YouTube Music account
  3. Sign in with your Apple ID
  4. Select the playlists you want to transfer

Downloading apps again

Unfortunately, purchased Android apps cannot be transferred. You need to download them again.

Finding apps in the App Store

  1. Open the App Store on your iPhone
  2. Tap Search at the bottom
  3. Search for your favorite apps
  4. Download free apps again
  5. You need to buy paid apps again

Tip: Move to iOS makes a list of your free Android apps that are also available in the App Store. You can easily download them.

Some Android apps do not exist for iPhone. Here are alternatives:

  • Google Assistant → Siri (built in)
  • Google Files → Files (built in)
  • Google Messages → Messages (iMessage)
  • Samsung Notes → Notes (built in)

Getting used to your new iPhone

iOS works differently from Android. Here are tips to help you feel at home quickly.

Learn the key gestures

  • Go home: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen
  • Back: Swipe right from the left edge
  • Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner
  • Notifications: Swipe down from the top-left corner or the middle
  • App Switcher: Swipe up and pause in the middle

Discover handy iPhone features

  • AirDrop: Share files wirelessly with other Apple devices
  • iMessage: Send messages with extra features to other iPhone users
  • FaceTime: Video call other Apple users
  • Focus modes: Set up custom do-not-disturb profiles
  • Widgets: Add widgets to your Home Screen with a long press

Frequently asked questions about switching to iPhone

Can I keep using my Android smartwatch with my iPhone?

That depends on the brand. Wear OS watches (such as many Samsung models) unfortunately do not work with iPhone. Some Fitbit models and Garmin watches do work with iPhone, but possibly with limited functionality. If you have a Samsung Galaxy Watch or another Wear OS watch, consider buying an Apple Watch for the best experience with your iPhone.

What happens to my purchased apps and games?

Apps and games purchased from the Google Play Store cannot be transferred to the App Store. You need to buy them again if they are available for iOS. Some apps do let you restore in-app purchases or subscriptions when you sign in with the same account. Contact the app developer if you have questions about this.

What about my Google services on iPhone?

You can keep using almost all Google services on your iPhone. Download apps such as Gmail, Google Maps, Google Photos, Google Drive and YouTube from the App Store. You can also add your Google account for email, contacts and calendar. The only downside is that Google Assistant is less integrated than Siri, but the app works fine for voice commands.

Is the Move to iOS transfer safe and private?

Yes, the transfer via Move to iOS is safe. Apple uses an encrypted Wi-Fi connection between the two phones. Your data goes directly from phone to phone, not over the internet or through Apple's servers. After the transfer, the temporary data on your Android is deleted. It is still a good idea to reset your Android phone before you sell it or give it away, to remove all your personal data.

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