Apple provides Move to iOS for switching from Android to iPhone. It can transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, calendars, browser bookmarks, and some matching free apps, but it works only during the iPhone setup flow.
These steps apply when moving from an Android phone to a current iPhone.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if your iPhone is new or recently reset and you want the cleanest way to bring Android data across. If the iPhone is already fully set up, use the manual options below or reset only if the iPhone has nothing important on it yet.
Use Move to iOS During iPhone Setup
- Install Move to iOS from the Google Play Store on the Android phone, but wait to start the transfer until the iPhone asks.
- Turn on the iPhone and continue setup until the Apps and Data screen.
- Tap Move Data from Android.
- Open Move to iOS on Android, agree to the terms, and enter the code shown on the iPhone.
- Keep both phones close together, on Wi-Fi, and plugged into power if you have many photos or videos.
- Choose what to transfer on the Android phone.
- Tap Continue and wait until both progress bars finish.
- Tap Done on Android, then finish iPhone setup.
Move Contacts and Calendars Manually
If contacts and calendar events are already in Google, you can sync them without Move to iOS.
- On iPhone, open Settings.
- Go to Apps or Passwords and Accounts, depending on iOS version.
- Add a Google account.
- Sign in with the same Google account used on Android.
- Turn on Contacts and Calendars.
Move Photos Separately
Install Google Photos on the iPhone and sign in with the same Google account used on Android. Photos and videos already backed up to Google Photos appear without needing a direct phone-to-phone transfer.
Important Transfer Notes
Messages Need Move to iOS
Move to iOS is the practical official way to carry text message history into the iPhone Messages app. If you skip it, old texts usually remain on Android while new texts go to iPhone after your number is active there.
Fix Stalled Transfers
Turn off VPN on both phones, disable mobile data so they stay on the temporary Wi-Fi connection, keep them within a few feet, and retry. If a large photo library keeps failing, transfer without photos and use Google Photos afterward.
Sources
- Apple Support: Move from Android to iPhone
- Google Support: Back up or restore data on Android
- Apple Support: Move your data with the Move to iOS app