How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone: Move to iOS, USB Cable & More

If you've recently made a switch from Android to iPhone, transferring data from Android to iPhone is straightforward with Apple's Move to iOS app. Switching platforms is exciting, but getting everything safely to one place could be quite challenging, especially when you don't know about the right tools and ways. While it may seem complicated, the process is actually surprisingly easy. Here's how to transfer data from Android to iPhone.

Transfer Data from Android to iPhone Using Move to iOS App

This is Apple's recommended method and is the most comprehensive way to transfer your data. It moves your contacts, message history, photos, videos, calendars, WhatsApp data and even installs all the apps for you. But if you only want to transfer photos, you can now AirDrop Files from Android to iPhone for convenience. 

Prerequisites for Transferring Data from Android to iPhone

• An Android phone
• An iPhone in setup mode
• Both phones connected to the same Wi-Fi network
• A USB Type-C to C cable, if opting for wired transfer

It's worth noting that this method only works during the initial setup of your iPhone. If your iPhone is already set up, you will need to erase it and start over. You can do this from Settings > General > Transfer or reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

What Gets Transferred from Android to iPhone?

Both wired and wireless transfer methods can move many things from your old Android phone to the new iPhone. The list of things includes:

• Contacts and Messages
• Media and Files
• WhatsApp data
• Calendar
• Call History
• Apps (no App data)

Using Move to iOS App to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone

With that out of the way, here's how to transfer data from an Android device to an iPhone:

1. On your Android phone, install the Move to iOS app from the Play Store. Then launch the app, grant the necessary permissions and tap on Agree to approve the terms and conditions.

2. On your iPhone, begin the setup process by setting your preferred language, region and Wi-Fi. Tap on Continue on your Android phone.

3. When you reach the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, tap on From Android. A 6 or 10-digit code will appear.
4. On your Android phone, enter the code and the two phones will be connected.

5. A Transfer Data screen will appear where you will be asked to select the things you want to move (Contacts, Messages, etc).

6. The app will also prompt you to transfer your WhatsApp data. Tap on Start, and it will prepare your chat history for the move.
7. Once done, hit Continue on your Android phone and let the rest of the transfer complete. This may take time, depending on the amount of data on your phone.

8. When the transfer is complete, tap Done on your Android phone and tap on Continue on the iPhone to continue setup.

9. Once your iPhone is on the home screen, it will ask you if you want to install the apps that were on your Android phone. To continue, tap on Add apps.

We recommend leaving your iPhone on idle for at least an hour so that it's done setting up all the apps and services for you.

Transfer Data from Android to iPhone using USB-C Cable

If you have massive amounts of data to move, a spotty internet connection could make things a bit difficult. However, transferring via wire is possible, and it's faster than the Wi-Fi method. With no Wi-Fi required and considering both phones have USB-C ports, all you need to do is connect them and wait for the transfer to complete. Here's how to go about it:

1. Plug the USB-C cable into both your Android phone and iPhone.

2. Install the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and tap on Continue while granting all the necessary permissions.
3. After reaching the "Transfer Your Apps" screen, tap on From Android.

4. The Move to iOS app will instantly recognise the wired connection, bypassing the need for a temporary Wi-Fi network.
5. On the Transfer Data screen, select all the things you want to move, including contacts, messages, WhatsApp messages, and then tap on Start.
6. Now, tap on Continue to begin the process and wait for it to transfer all your data. Once done, safely disconnect both smartphones.

Transfer Contacts from Android to iPhone using Google Account

If you've already set up your iPhone and don't want to erase it to add all your contacts from your Android phone, you can effortlessly transfer your contacts from Android to iPhone using your Google account.

Since contacts are synced to your Google account, all you need to do on your iPhone is go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account, then choose Google. Then sign in with your Google credentials and enable the Contacts toggle. Your contacts will start populating in your iPhone's phonebook. Besides, this also syncs Calendar and Gmail automatically.

Transfer Photos Using Google Drive or Google Photos

Another excellent post-setup alternative for transferring photos and videos is using services like Google Drive or Google Photos. It's the fastest method and doesn't require a PC:

1. On your Android phone, open Google Photos > Profile picture > Photos settings.

2. Turn on the Backup toggle at the top and select Original quality for full-resolution copies. Wait for the upload to finish.

3. Get Google Photos on your iPhone from the App Store and sign in with the same account to access your full library.
4. Then install Google Drive from the App Store and upload all the files you want to transfer.
5. Download Google Drive from the App Store, sign in with the same account, and you can access all the uploaded files.

What Doesn't Transfer with Move to iOS?

While the Move to iOS app is incredibly thorough, it does have limits. Knowing what gets left behind can prevent a lot of post-transfer frustration. Here's what Move to iOS doesn't transfer:

• App purchases: You cannot transfer apps or their purchase licenses between the platforms. You will need to purchase the iOS version of the app.
• Game Progress: Unless a game uses a cloud-based login, local save files will generally not transfer.
• Local Media and Music: Files stored outside of standard folders may not move automatically.
• App Data: If you're logged into apps on your Android phone, the login info alongside the app data won't get transferred to your iPhone.
• Game Progress: Game progress on Android is either stored in local storage or synced with Play Games. In which case, it won't get transferred to your iPhone.
• Ringtones: If you have custom ringtones on your Android phone or use the existing default one, it won't show up on the iPhone after the transfer.

Troubleshooting: Move to iOS Not Working?

The Move to iOS app can occasionally fail or get stuck. Try these tips if you run into problems with it:

• Turn off mobile data on your Android phone: If you're transferring data wirelessly, having your mobile data turned on could interfere with the process. It's wise to turn it off.
• Charge your phones: Charging both smartphones to at least 80% is important, as data transfers could take hours. The process could be interrupted if one of the phones inexplicably shuts down.
• Restart your smartphone: If either smartphone gets stuck, give it a restart before restarting the entire process. This ensures the process goes through smoothly the next time you attempt it.
• Keep the screens turned on: Setting the screen timeout to maximum can really help you focus on other things while the transfer is in process. It also prevents the process from abruptly ending due to Android entering doze mode.

A recent development suggests that Google and Apple are collaborating to make data transfers more cohesive between the ecosystems. So we will be sure to update this guide as the new, more comprehensive method arrives.

And that's it! Moving from Android to iOS is a big switch, but getting your essential data across is very manageable, especially with the Move to iOS app. Now that your contacts, WhatsApp chats and apps are ready, you can start exploring all your new iPhone has to offer.