The fastest way to move your data depends on what you're moving
Google has built tools directly into Android that pull contacts, calendar events, photos, and some app data straight from your iPhone during setup. If you're setting up a new Android phone for the first time, you can choose "Restore from iPhone backup" on the welcome screen, and the phone will walk you through connecting to your old device over Wi-Fi. This method works best if you're switching immediately and have both phones in front of you.
For data you want to move after setup is complete, or for specific types of files, you'll use different paths: Google Drive for photos and documents, your email provider's sync for mail and contacts, and individual app transfers for things like messages or notes. The method you pick depends on what matters most to you — speed, completeness, or keeping certain apps' data intact.
Key Takeaways
- Google's built-in transfer tool during Android setup moves contacts, calendars, photos, and some app data directly from your iPhone without needing a computer.
- Photos and videos transfer fastest through Google Photos, which backs them up from your iPhone and restores them on Android automatically.
- Contacts and calendar events sync through your Google account if you've been using Gmail; if not, you'll need to export them from your iPhone first.
- Text messages and app data don't transfer automatically — you'll need third-party apps or manual export for messages, and most apps require you to log in fresh on Android.
- Email accounts add themselves to Android automatically if you know your password, so you don't lose access to messages already on the server.
Using Google's transfer tool during initial setup
When you turn on a new Android phone for the first time, the setup wizard asks whether you want to restore data from another device. Select "Restore from iPhone backup" and the phone will generate a code to display on your Android device. On your iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, go to iCloud, and look for the "Migrate Data to Android" option (this appears only during Android setup). Enter the code from your Android phone, then select what you want to move: contacts, calendar, photos, mail settings, and accessibility preferences.
This transfer happens over Wi-Fi and usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have. Keep both phones plugged in and close to each other during the process. The iPhone doesn't need to stay connected after the transfer starts, but don't restart either phone until it's finished. After transfer completes, your Android phone will have your contacts, calendar events, and photos in their respective apps.
Moving photos and videos through Google Photos
Google Photos is the most reliable way to move a large photo library because it works whether you're setting up a new phone or transferring to an existing one. On your iPhone, download Google Photos from the App Store, sign in with the Google account you'll use on Android, and turn on "Backup and sync." The app will upload every photo and video to your Google account — this can take hours or days depending on your library size and internet speed, so start it on Wi-Fi and let it run overnight if needed.
Once backup is complete, sign into the same Google account on your Android phone and open Google Photos. Your entire library will appear there. You can then download photos to your Android phone's storage, or leave them in Google Photos and access them from there. The advantage of this method is that your photos stay synced across devices even after the transfer — if you take new photos on Android, they back up automatically to the same Google Photos library.
Transferring contacts and calendar events
If you've been using a Gmail account on your iPhone, your contacts and calendar events may already be syncing to Google's servers. Check by opening Settings on your iPhone, tapping your name, then iCloud, and looking at what's toggled on. If Contacts and Calendar are off, turn them on — this pushes your existing contacts and events to Google's servers, where your Android phone can pull them down.
If you use iCloud for contacts and calendar but not Gmail, you'll need to export them manually. On your iPhone, open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn off Contacts and Calendar (don't delete them — just toggle off syncing). Wait a few seconds, then turn them back on. This forces iCloud to sync everything to Apple's servers. Then go to iCloud.com on a computer, sign in, open Contacts, select all, and export as a vCard file. Do the same for Calendar. On your Android phone, open Google Contacts, tap the menu, select "Import," and upload the vCard file. For calendar, open Google Calendar on a computer, click the plus sign next to "Other calendars," select "Import & export," and upload the calendar file.
Handling email accounts and messages
Email accounts transfer automatically if you know your password. On your Android phone, open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Add account." Choose your email provider (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or a custom domain), enter your email and password, and the phone will sync all your mail from the server. You won't lose any messages because they stay on the email provider's servers — the phone just downloads them to view locally.
Text messages are different: they don't sync to any cloud service by default, so they don't transfer automatically. If you want to keep your text history, download an app like "SMS Backup+" on your iPhone before you switch. These apps export your messages to a file that you can then import into an Android messaging app. Alternatively, some Android phones come with a "Smart Switch" or similar tool that can pull messages directly from an iPhone if both phones are connected. Check your Android phone's settings under "About phone" or "System" to see if this option is available.
Transferring app data and subscriptions
Most apps don't transfer their data automatically because iPhone and Android use different systems. However, if an app uses cloud sync (like Dropbox, Evernote, or Notion), your data is already stored on the company's servers and will appear when you log in on Android. For apps that store data locally on your iPhone, you'll need to check whether the app offers an export or backup feature. Open the app on your iPhone, look in settings for "Export," "Backup," or "Download my data," and follow the prompts.
App subscriptions purchased through the App Store don't transfer to Google Play, so you'll need to resubscribe on Android if you want to keep using them. Some apps offer a way to link your account across platforms — check the app's settings to see if you can sign in with an email or username instead of relying on the App Store. Banking apps, authenticator apps, and password managers usually require you to set them up fresh on Android for security reasons, so have your login credentials ready.
What doesn't transfer and why
Some data simply can't move between iPhone and Android because the systems are fundamentally different. iMessage conversations stay on Apple's servers and won't appear on Android — you'll see them as regular text messages if the sender switches to SMS, but the conversation history and formatting are lost. Face ID and Touch ID settings don't transfer because Android uses different biometric systems. Siri shortcuts, HomeKit automations, and other Apple-specific features have no Android equivalent, though you can often recreate similar automations using Google Home or other Android tools.
App-specific data like game progress, custom settings, or saved files within an app usually won't transfer unless the app developer has built cross-platform sync. Before you switch, open apps you use frequently and look for a "Cloud save," "Sync," or "Backup" option in their settings. If an app is important to you and doesn't offer sync, you may want to keep it on your iPhone or find an Android alternative that does sync.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data if I don't have both phones at the same time?
Yes. Use Google Photos to back up your iPhone photos, export contacts and calendar as files, and sync email through your email provider's servers. You can do all of this on your iPhone alone, then set up your Android phone later and sign into the same accounts. The only thing you can't do without both phones present is use Google's built-in transfer tool during setup.
Will my text messages transfer to Android?
Not automatically. Text messages are stored only on your iPhone unless you use a backup app like SMS Backup+ before switching. If you want to keep your message history, download one of these apps on your iPhone, let it back up your messages, then install it on Android and restore them. Otherwise, you'll start fresh with an empty message thread on Android.
Do I need to keep my iPhone after switching to Android?
No, but it's helpful to keep it powered on for a few days after the switch in case you realize you forgot to transfer something. Once you've confirmed all your important data is on Android, you can erase and sell your iPhone or recycle it. Make sure to sign out of your Apple ID and iCloud account before erasing it.
What happens to my App Store purchases when I switch?
Purchases made through the App Store stay tied to your Apple ID and don't transfer to Google Play. You'll need to buy the Android versions of paid apps separately, though many developers offer discounts or free versions on Android. Free apps you used on iPhone are usually available on Android under the same name — just search for them in Google Play.
Can I transfer data from Android to iPhone later if I change my mind?
Yes. Google has a similar tool that moves data from Android to iPhone during iPhone setup. However, text messages and some app data still won't transfer in either direction, so keep that in mind if message history is important to you.