How to move your data from Samsung Galaxy to iPhone
Apple's Move to iOS app is the fastest way to transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, mail accounts, and calendars from a Samsung Galaxy phone to an iPhone. You run the app on your Galaxy during iPhone setup, connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network, and let the transfer happen in the background — usually within 30 minutes, though large photo libraries can take longer.
The transfer works only during the initial setup of a new iPhone. If you've already finished setting up your iPhone, you'll need to either factory reset it and start over, or transfer data manually using Google accounts, cloud storage, or a computer. The Move to iOS app doesn't transfer apps themselves — you'll download those from the App Store separately — but it does move your app data so you don't lose settings or saved progress.
Key Takeaways
- The Move to iOS app transfers contacts, photos, videos, messages, mail accounts, and calendars during iPhone setup without requiring a computer.
- Both phones must be on the same Wi-Fi network, and your iPhone must be brand new or factory reset to use Move to iOS.
- Apps don't transfer automatically, but your app data moves with your Google account, so you can reinstall apps and pick up where you left off.
- If you've already set up your iPhone, you can still move data manually through Google accounts, iCloud, or by connecting to a computer with a USB cable.
- Some data like Samsung-specific settings, voicemail, and ringtones won't transfer and must be recreated on your iPhone.
Using Move to iOS during iPhone setup
Start with a brand new iPhone or one you've factory reset. When you power it on, you'll see the "Apps & Data" screen after choosing your language and region. Tap "Migrate Data from Android" and wait for a setup code to appear on the iPhone screen.
On your Galaxy phone, download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store. Open it, tap "Continue", and agree to the terms. When prompted, enter the setup code from your iPhone. Both phones will connect to the same Wi-Fi network automatically. Select what you want to transfer — contacts, message history, photos, videos, mail accounts, calendars, and free apps — then tap "Start Transfer" on your Galaxy.
Keep both phones plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi until the transfer finishes. Your iPhone will show a progress bar. Once complete, finish setting up your iPhone normally. Your Galaxy data will now be on your iPhone, though you'll need to download paid apps again from the App Store.
What data actually moves, and what doesn't
Move to iOS transfers your contacts (stored in your phone or Google account), text messages and iMessage history, photos and videos from your camera roll, email accounts and their settings, calendar events, and free apps you've installed. Your Google account itself transfers, so any data synced to Google — like Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive files — remains accessible on your iPhone through the same account.
Data that does not transfer includes paid apps (you must repurchase or check if they're available free on iOS), Samsung-specific apps and settings, voicemail, custom ringtones and notification sounds, and device-specific features like Samsung DeX or Samsung Health data. Some third-party apps may not have iOS versions at all. If you use Samsung's SmartThings or Bixby, you'll need to set those up separately on your iPhone or find iOS alternatives.
Manual transfer if you've already set up your iPhone
If your iPhone is already configured, you can still move data without starting over. The slowest but most complete method is to sign into your Google account on your iPhone. Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account, choose Google, and sign in with the same account you use on your Galaxy. Your contacts, calendar, and Gmail will sync automatically.
For photos and videos, use Google Photos. Install the app on both phones, sign into the same Google account, and your Galaxy photos will appear in your iPhone's Google Photos library. You can then save them to your iPhone's camera roll if you want them stored locally. For other files, use Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive — upload from your Galaxy and download to your iPhone.
Text messages are harder to move after setup. Some third-party apps claim to transfer SMS history, but they're unreliable and often cost money. The practical approach is to accept that old text threads stay on your Galaxy and start fresh on your iPhone. If specific conversations matter, take screenshots on your Galaxy before switching.
Transferring data using a computer
If you have a Windows PC or Mac, you can move photos, videos, and files by connecting your Galaxy with a USB cable. On Windows, your Galaxy appears as a removable drive; on Mac, you may need Android File Transfer. Drag files to your computer, then connect your iPhone and use Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to sync them to your iPhone's camera roll.
This method is slower than Move to iOS but useful if your Wi-Fi is unreliable or if you want to pick and choose which files transfer. It doesn't move contacts, messages, or email accounts — only media and documents. For contacts, stick with your Google account; for email, add the account directly in iPhone Settings.
Handling email accounts and passwords
During Move to iOS, your email accounts transfer if they're set up on your Galaxy. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts to see them. If an account didn't transfer or you need to add it manually, tap Add Account, choose the provider (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.), and sign in. Your iPhone will automatically configure the server settings for most major providers.
If you use a custom email domain or a less common provider, you may need to enter server details manually. Your Galaxy should have these settings saved — go to Settings > Accounts on your Galaxy and look for the email account to find the incoming and outgoing server addresses. Write them down before you switch phones.
Reinstalling apps and recovering app data
Apps don't transfer directly, but your app data often does if you signed into apps with your Google account on your Galaxy. When you download an app from the App Store on your iPhone and sign in with the same Google account, the app usually restores your saved data — game progress, settings, preferences, and login information.
To find apps you had on your Galaxy, open the App Store on your iPhone and tap your profile icon. Go to Purchased to see apps you've bought. Free apps you installed may not appear here; instead, search for them by name. Some Android apps don't have iOS versions, so you'll need to find iOS alternatives. Check reviews and ratings to find the closest match.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Move to iOS if my iPhone is already set up?
No. Move to iOS only works during initial iPhone setup. If you've finished setup, you must factory reset your iPhone to use it again. Alternatively, transfer data manually through Google accounts, cloud storage, or a computer.
Will my text messages transfer to iMessage?
Move to iOS transfers your text message history to the Messages app on your iPhone, but they remain SMS messages, not iMessages. They won't have the blue bubble styling of iMessages unless you're texting other iPhone users, in which case new messages will be iMessages automatically.
What happens to my Samsung apps after the transfer?
Samsung-specific apps like Samsung Health, SmartThings, and Bixby don't transfer because they don't exist on iOS. You'll need to find iOS alternatives or do without them. Paid apps must be repurchased on the App Store, though some developers offer discounts if you show proof of purchase on Android.
How long does the transfer take?
Most transfers finish in 30 minutes to an hour. Large photo libraries, especially those with thousands of images, can take several hours. Keep both phones plugged in and on Wi-Fi until the progress bar reaches 100%.
Will my Galaxy phone data be deleted during the transfer?
No. Move to iOS copies your data to your iPhone but leaves everything on your Galaxy untouched. You can keep using your Galaxy or sell it. If you want to erase your Galaxy before selling, do that separately through Settings > General > Reset Options.