From Android to iPhone: How to transfer everything without stress
Bought a new iPhone. Android is lying next to it. Now the big question: how do you get ten thousand photos, hundreds of contacts, and all those WhatsApp conversations? The fear is justified – one wrong step and you'll lose everything. Google says one thing, Apple says another, and online forums contradict each other.
But here's what no one tells you: most people overcomplicate things with cables, clouds, and third-party apps. The truth? Apple simply created an app that handles almost everything for you—it's just that most people use it wrong. While you're transferring data, you can already pick out a new case or order the right accessories . Because soon you'll discover exactly how to transfer everything in three simple steps, without any technical knowledge and without hours of waiting.
Useful links
- View the complete range of refurbished iPhones
- Find the right accessories for your new device
The Move to iOS app: your best friend during the transition
Apple has made switching devices much easier with the Move to iOS app. This free app is available in the Google Play Store and does most of the work for you. All you need: Wi-Fi on both devices, sufficient battery life (at least 60% recommended), and about half an hour to an hour of free time, depending on how much data you have.
The app automatically transfers this data:
- Contacts and calendar appointments
- Photos and videos (including albums)
- SMS messages
- Email accounts
- Bookmarks from Chrome
- Free apps that are also in the App Store
Step by step: this is how it really works
Start setting up your new iPhone. Once you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, select "Move Data from Android." Your iPhone will now create a private Wi-Fi network with a unique code.
Next, open the Move to iOS app on your Android device. Accept the terms and conditions and enter the code on your iPhone. The phones will now connect. Select which data you want to transfer—usually just check everything—and let the magic happen.
The best part: both phones display a progress bar. Don't touch either device during the process. Even if the screen goes blank, the transfer will continue. For large photo libraries (over 20 GB), the process can take up to an hour.
Transferring WhatsApp: the new system
Since 2022, you can transfer WhatsApp chats directly without third-party apps or paid software. Launch WhatsApp on your Android device, go to Settings > Chats > Transfer Chats to iOS. Scan the QR code that appears with your iPhone's camera. WhatsApp will transfer everything: conversations, photos, videos, and voice messages.
Note: Group chats will be transferred, but you'll need to be manually added back to active groups. Stickers will need to be redownloaded. Chat history on WhatsApp Web will be reset.
What Move to iOS Won't Transfer (and How to Fix It)
You can transfer music from local files using iTunes or the Music app on a Mac. First, create a folder on your computer, copy all the music files from your Android device to it via USB, and then import them into iTunes.
Paid Android apps must be repurchased from the App Store. Not great news, but it's reality. Some developers do offer discount codes if you provide proof of purchase.
Google Photos will remain accessible via the Google Photos app for iOS. Download it from the App Store and sign in with your Google account. All albums and facial recognition will remain intact.
Specific apps and their alternatives
Not every Android app exists for iOS. Google Keep works fine on iPhone, but popular apps like Tasker or Nova Launcher don't exist for iOS. Look for alternatives: Shortcuts replaces Tasker for automation, and Widgetsmith offers customization options for your home screen.
Banking apps usually require logging in and activating again. Make sure you have your login details and any activation codes handy. Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator must be migrated manually – back up the codes first.
First days with your iPhone: important settings
Enable automatic app updates directly in Settings > App Store. This way, you'll always get the latest versions without any hassle. Set up Face ID or Touch ID for extra security. Enable "Find My iPhone" in case your device gets lost.
Adjust notification settings per app. iOS is a bit stricter with notifications than Android by default. Go to Settings > Notifications to control what you do and don't want to receive per app.
Check your privacy settings. iOS requests permission for each app to access location, camera, microphone, and contacts. This happens upon first use, but you can review everything in Settings > Privacy & Security.
Common problems and solutions
The Move to iOS app crashes midway through? This is usually due to an unstable Wi-Fi connection. Put both phones in airplane mode, turn Wi-Fi back on, and try again. Still not working? Restart both devices and restart the process from the beginning.
Didn't all your photos transfer? Check if you have enough storage space on your iPhone. The app doesn't compress anything, so you'll need the same amount of space as on your Android. Consider clearing out old photos first or choosing an iPhone with more storage.
Apps that aren't installed automatically can be downloaded manually from the App Store. The app will list all your Android apps, which you can find in the App Store under "Purchases."
Cloud services: the easy backup
Do you use Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive? Simply download the iOS versions and all your files will be instantly accessible. Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides work perfectly on iOS. You can even set them as the default apps for opening Office files.
iCloud offers 5 GB of free storage, but that's often not enough. Consider a paid subscription (€0.99 per month for 50 GB) or stick with Google Drive with 15 GB of free space. Both services work seamlessly on iPhone.
Switching from Android to iPhone: easier than you think
Switching from Android to iPhone turns out to be not such a hassle at all. The Move to iOS app handles the heavy lifting, WhatsApp transfers your conversations, and there are workable solutions for the rest. Yes, you'll have to reinstall a few apps and repurchase some paid ones—annoying, but not insurmountable.
The most important thing: take your time, follow the steps carefully, and don't panic if something doesn't work right away. Within a day, you'll be used to your new iPhone and wonder why you waited so long to switch.
