Transfer Messages from LG to iPhone X

This guide walks you through moving your text messages (SMS, MMS, and iMessage) from an LG smartphone to an iPhone X. You’ll learn the fastest methods using official tools, what to prepare beforehand, and how to avoid common pitfalls that cause missing or scrambled conversations.

What You’ll Need

Your LG phone (Android) and your iPhone X
A USB cable for the LG phone (and a Lightning cable for the iPhone X, if not using wireless transfer)
A computer with internet access (for the Move to iOS method)
Stable Wi-Fi network for both phones
Your Apple ID and password (for iMessage activation)
Both phones charged to at least 50%

Step-by-Step

Method 1: Using Move to iOS (Official Apple App)

Prepare your iPhone X: Turn it on and follow the initial setup screens until you reach the “Apps & Data” screen. Choose “Move Data from Android.” If you’ve already set up your iPhone, you’ll need to erase it (Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings) and start over.
Install Move to iOS on your LG: Open the Google Play Store on your LG, search for “Move to iOS,” and install it. It’s free and made by Apple.
Connect both phones: On your iPhone, tap “Continue” and wait for a 6 or 10-digit code to appear. On your LG, open the Move to iOS app, tap “Continue,” agree to the terms, and enter the code shown on your iPhone.
Select what to transfer: After the code is accepted, the app will ask what you want to move. Make sure “Messages” is toggled on. You can also select contacts, photos, and other data if you wish.
Wait for the transfer to finish: Keep both phones close together and plugged into power if possible. The transfer time depends on how many messages you have. Do not use either phone during this time. When it’s done, your iPhone will say “Transfer Complete.”
Finish iPhone setup: Tap “Done” on your LG, then continue setting up your iPhone X as you normally would. Your messages should appear in the Messages app after setup is complete.

Method 2: Using a Third-Party App (for Selective or Backup Transfer)

Choose a reputable transfer tool: Apps like AnyTrans, iMazing, or Dr.Fone – Phone Transfer can move messages from LG to iPhone. Download the desktop version on your computer.
Connect your LG: Use a USB cable to connect your LG to the computer. Enable USB debugging on the LG if prompted (go to Settings > About Phone > Tap “Build Number” 7 times, then Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging).
Connect your iPhone X: Plug your iPhone into the computer and trust the computer when prompted on the iPhone screen.
Select the transfer direction: In the software, choose “Phone to Phone” or “Backup & Restore.” Select “LG” as the source and “iPhone” as the destination.
Choose “Messages” and start: Check the box for text messages (and MMS if available), then click “Transfer” or “Start.” Wait for the process to complete. The software will usually create a backup of your messages and then restore them to the iPhone.

Method 3: Manual Forwarding (for a Few Messages Only)

Open a conversation on your LG: In the Messages app, tap and hold on a specific message you want to keep.
Tap the forward icon: It looks like an arrow pointing right. Choose “Forward.”
Send it to yourself via email or a messaging app: You can email the message to your own email address, then open it on your iPhone and copy/paste it into a new message. Or send it via WhatsApp/Telegram to your own number and save it from there.
Repeat for each message: This is tedious and only practical for a handful of messages, not entire threads.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the “Apps & Data” screen: If you’ve already set up your iPhone, you must erase it before using Move to iOS. Trying to run the app later won’t work.
Not enabling USB debugging: Many third-party tools require this on the LG. Without it, the computer can’t read the phone’s data.
Interrupting the transfer: Unplugging cables, using the phone, or letting the battery die mid-transfer can corrupt the data or leave you with incomplete messages.
Assuming iMessage will work immediately: Your old messages will appear as regular texts. iMessage (blue bubbles) only works for new messages after your phone number is activated with Apple.
Not checking MMS settings: If your LG had custom APN settings for MMS, they won’t transfer. You may need to manually configure them on the iPhone (Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network).

Tips

Back up your LG first: Use the LG Bridge software or a cloud backup to ensure you have a copy of your messages before attempting any transfer.
Keep both phones plugged in: During a large transfer, the phones can drain quickly. Use wall chargers to avoid shutdown.
Update both phones: Make sure your LG runs a recent Android version and your iPhone X has the latest iOS. Older software can cause compatibility issues.
Transfer contacts first: If you’re only moving messages, the phone numbers won’t match unless your contacts are also transferred. Use Move to iOS to move contacts at the same time.
Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data: Move to iOS requires a Wi-Fi connection. Turn off mobile data on both phones to prevent interruptions.

Troubleshooting

Move to iOS won’t connect: Restart both phones, make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network, and disable any VPN on the LG. Also, check that the LG’s date and time are correct.
Transfer gets stuck at a certain percentage: Leave it for 10-15 minutes. If it doesn’t move, cancel and restart the entire process. Sometimes smaller batches work better.
Messages appear but are missing attachments: MMS attachments (photos, videos) may not transfer if they’re too large or if the LG’s MMS settings are non-standard. Use a third-party tool that specifically handles MMS.
No messages appear after transfer: Check if your contacts were transferred. If not, messages may show as phone numbers instead of names. Also, restart the iPhone and check if iMessage is enabled (Settings > Messages).
Third-party tool fails to detect iPhone: Update iTunes on your computer (it’s required for iPhone drivers). Also, unlock the iPhone and tap “Trust” when prompted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my iMessage conversations transfer from LG?

No. iMessage is Apple’s proprietary service and doesn’t exist on Android. Only SMS/MMS messages will transfer. Your iMessage history (blue bubbles) is stored in iCloud and can only be restored to an iPhone from an iCloud backup.

Can I transfer messages without a computer?

Yes, using the Move to iOS app, which works entirely over Wi-Fi between the two phones. No computer is needed. However, if you want to selectively transfer or back up messages, a computer with third-party software may be easier.

How long does the transfer take?

It depends on the number of messages. A few hundred messages might take 5-10 minutes. Thousands of messages with attachments can take 30 minutes or more. The Move to iOS app shows a progress bar.

Will my messages appear in the same order?

Yes, most transfer methods preserve the chronological order of your conversations. However, some third-party tools may group them differently. Always check a few threads after transfer.

Can I transfer messages from a broken LG screen?

If the screen is broken but the phone still powers on, you can try using a USB cable and a computer with third-party software that reads the phone directly. If the phone is completely dead, you’ll need a backup from LG Bridge or Google Drive.

Do I need to deactivate iMessage on the LG?

No, iMessage doesn’t exist on LG. However, if you previously used an iPhone and switched to LG, you should deactivate iMessage on your old iPhone (Settings > Messages > iMessage off) to avoid missing texts from other iPhone users.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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