The fastest way to move your data is Apple's Move to iOS app
Apple makes an app called Move to iOS that runs on your Android phone and transfers your contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, text messages, mail accounts, and some app data directly to a new iPhone over Wi-Fi. You install it on Android, start the setup process on your new iPhone, and the two phones talk to each other without you uploading anything to the cloud first. The transfer usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much data you have.
The app works best if you're setting up a brand-new iPhone for the first time. If you've already finished iPhone setup, you'll need to erase the phone and start over to use Move to iOS. For most people moving phones, this is worth doing because it's the most complete transfer available.
Move to iOS does not transfer apps themselves — you'll download those separately from the App Store. It also doesn't move files stored in cloud services like Google Drive or Dropbox, since those sync on their own once you log in.
Key Takeaways
- Move to iOS is Apple's official app for Android-to-iPhone transfers and moves contacts, photos, videos, messages, and mail accounts without uploading to the cloud first.
- The transfer works only during initial iPhone setup, so if you've already set up your new phone, you'll need to erase it and start over.
- Apps don't transfer — you download them fresh from the App Store, but your login information and some app data may come through.
- Cloud services like Google Photos, Gmail, and Google Drive sync automatically once you sign in, so you don't lose anything stored there.
- If Move to iOS doesn't work or you've already set up your iPhone, you can transfer data manually or through iCloud, though both take longer.
What you need before you start
Have both phones nearby and plugged in or fully charged. Your Android phone needs to be running Android 4.0 or later, and your iPhone should be new or factory reset. Both phones need to be on the same Wi-Fi network during the transfer.
Gather your passwords for email accounts, social media, and any services you use regularly. Move to iOS transfers your mail account settings, but you may need to re-enter passwords depending on your email provider's security settings. Write down or have access to any two-factor authentication codes you use, since you might need them to sign back into accounts on your new phone.
How to use Move to iOS during iPhone setup
Turn on your new iPhone and follow the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Tap "Move Data from Android." On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store, search for "Move to iOS," and install it. Open the app and tap "Continue," then agree to the terms.
On your iPhone, you'll see a six- or ten-digit code on the "Apps & Data" screen. Enter this code into the Move to iOS app on your Android phone. The two phones will connect and begin transferring your data. Don't use either phone during this time — put them both down and let the transfer finish.
Once the transfer completes, finish setting up your iPhone normally. You'll be asked to sign into your Apple ID and set up Face ID or Touch ID. After that, open the App Store and download the apps you used on Android. Many apps will remember your login information if you used the same email address.
Moving data if you've already set up your iPhone
If you've already completed iPhone setup, you have two options: erase the iPhone and start over with Move to iOS, or transfer data manually through iCloud or by signing into individual services.
To erase and restart: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes the phone completely and returns it to the setup screen, where you can use Move to iOS as described above. This is the cleanest approach because it ensures nothing from a previous setup interferes with your Android data.
To transfer without erasing: Sign into your Google account in iPhone Settings, and your contacts and calendar will sync. Open the App Store and download Gmail, Google Photos, or other Google apps you used, then sign in with your Google account. Your data in those apps will appear automatically. This method is slower and more manual, but it preserves anything you've already set up on the iPhone.
What happens to your apps and app data
The Move to iOS app does not transfer the apps themselves. Instead, it creates a list of apps you had on Android and shows you where to find them in the App Store. When you open the App Store after the transfer, you'll often see a "Get" button next to apps you previously owned, letting you download them again for free.
Some app data transfers over — for example, if you used the same email address to log into an app on both phones, the app may remember your account and settings once you sign in. Other apps, especially games, may not transfer progress or data because they store information on the app maker's servers rather than on your phone. Check the app's settings or contact the developer if you're unsure whether your data will carry over.
Paid apps you bought on Android will not transfer to iPhone. You'll need to buy them again on the App Store, though many developers offer discounts or free versions. Before you switch, check whether your most-used paid apps are available on iPhone and what they cost.
Transferring photos, videos, and files manually
If Move to iOS doesn't work or you prefer to transfer specific items, you can move photos and videos through Google Photos. On your Android phone, open Google Photos and make sure all your photos are backed up to your Google account. On your iPhone, download Google Photos from the App Store, sign in with the same Google account, and your photos will appear. This method is slower than Move to iOS but gives you control over which photos transfer.
For files stored on your Android phone, use Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. Upload files from Android to your cloud service, then download them on your iPhone. These services work the same way on both phones, so once you sign in, your files are there.
Text messages don't transfer between Android and iPhone through cloud services — they're stored locally on each phone. If you need to keep old text conversations, take screenshots on your Android phone before you switch, or use a third-party backup service. Most people simply accept that their Android text history stays on Android.
Troubleshooting Move to iOS if it stops or fails
If the transfer stalls or disconnects, make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and stay connected throughout. If your Wi-Fi is weak, move both phones closer to the router. Restart both phones and try again from the beginning — you'll need to erase the iPhone and return to the setup screen.
If Move to iOS crashes or won't open on your Android phone, uninstall it, restart your Android phone, and download it again from the Play Store. If your iPhone shows an error during setup, force restart it by pressing and releasing the volume up button, pressing and releasing the volume down button, then holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.
If the transfer completes but some data is missing, check that you were signed into the correct Google account on your Android phone. Contacts and calendar events are tied to your Google account, so if you used a different account, those items won't transfer. You can add that account to your iPhone in Settings and sync the missing data manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data from Android to iPhone if I've already set up the iPhone?
Yes, but you'll need to erase the iPhone first and return it to the setup screen to use Move to iOS. If you don't want to erase, you can sign into your Google account in iPhone Settings and download Google apps to access your contacts, calendar, photos, and email manually. This is slower but doesn't require erasing.
Will my text messages transfer from Android to iPhone?
Move to iOS transfers text messages, but only SMS and MMS texts — not messages from apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Those app messages stay in the app and transfer only if you sign into the same account on your iPhone. If you need to keep your Android text history, take screenshots before you switch.
Do I have to buy my apps again on iPhone?
Paid apps you bought on Android don't transfer to iPhone, so you'll need to buy them again. Free apps download for free again. Check the App Store before you switch to see which paid apps you use and whether they're available on iPhone.
What if my Android phone is too old to run Move to iOS?
Move to iOS requires Android 4.0 or later, which covers most phones from 2012 onward. If your phone is older, sign into your Google account on your iPhone in Settings, download Google apps, and transfer your data manually through those apps and cloud services.
Can I transfer data from iPhone to Android using the same method?
No. Move to iOS only works from Android to iPhone. To move from iPhone to Android, you'll need to use Google's backup tools or transfer data manually through cloud services like Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.