Move to iOS: How to Transfer Data from Android

Move to iOS is Apple’s official app for transferring your digital life from an Android phone to a new iPhone. It securely moves your contacts, message history, photos and videos, mail accounts, calendars, and more over a private Wi-Fi connection. Before you start, make sure your Android device is fully charged, connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, and that you have enough storage space on your new iPhone to receive everything.

What You’ll Need

Your Android phone with the Move to iOS app installed (download from Google Play)
A new iPhone that hasn’t been set up yet, or one that has been erased and is at the “Apps & Data” screen
Both devices plugged into power to avoid battery drain
Enough free storage on the iPhone for all the data you’re transferring
A stable Wi-Fi connection (the app creates a temporary private network, but both devices should have Wi-Fi enabled)

Step-by-Step

Start the iPhone setup. Turn on your new iPhone and follow the initial setup prompts (language, region, Wi-Fi, etc.) until you reach the “Apps & Data” screen. Tap “Move Data from Android.”
Get the code. On the iPhone, you’ll see a screen with a six or ten-digit code. Keep this screen visible.
Install and open Move to iOS on your Android. If you haven’t already, download the app from the Google Play Store. Open it and tap “Continue” when prompted. Accept the terms and conditions.
Connect to the temporary network. The Move to iOS app will ask you to connect to a Wi-Fi network. It will show the name of the iPhone’s temporary network. Go to your Android’s Wi-Fi settings and join that network. Then return to the Move to iOS app.
Enter the code. Type the code displayed on your iPhone into the app on your Android.
Select your data. After the devices connect, you’ll see a list of content types: Contacts, Message History, Photos & Videos, Mail Accounts, Calendars, and more. Check the items you want to transfer. You can also choose to transfer your WhatsApp history (if you have the latest version of WhatsApp installed).
Start the transfer. Tap “Next” and wait. The time depends on the amount of data. Keep both devices close together and don’t use the Android phone during the transfer.
Finish on the iPhone. When the progress bar on the iPhone completes, tap “Done” on the Android. Then continue setting up your iPhone. Your data will appear in the corresponding apps after the setup finishes.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the Wi-Fi connection step: Many users miss the prompt to join the iPhone’s temporary network. If you don’t connect to that specific network, the devices won’t pair.
Using the Android during transfer: Opening other apps or making calls can interrupt the connection and cause the transfer to fail.
Starting with an already-set-up iPhone: Move to iOS only works during the initial setup. If you’ve already set up your iPhone, you’ll need to erase it (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings) to use the app.
Not updating apps: Ensure Move to iOS is up to date on your Android, and WhatsApp is updated if you want to transfer chats.
Ignoring storage warnings: If your iPhone doesn’t have enough free space, the transfer will fail or be incomplete. Check your storage beforehand.

Tips

Charge both devices: A long transfer can drain batteries quickly. Plug both phones into power during the process.
Use a fast Wi-Fi network: Although the app creates a direct connection, having a strong router nearby helps maintain stability.
Transfer photos and videos selectively: If you have thousands of media files, consider transferring only the most important ones to speed things up. You can always use iCloud or a computer later.
Keep the devices close: Stay within a few feet of each other to maintain a strong signal.
Be patient: Large transfers can take over an hour. Don’t interrupt the process.

Troubleshooting

Code not working: Make sure you’re entering the code correctly and that both devices are on the same temporary network. Restart both devices and try again.
Connection drops: Move both devices closer together, disable Bluetooth on the Android temporarily, and ensure no other Wi-Fi networks are interfering. Restart the transfer from scratch if needed.
Transfer stuck at a percentage: Wait at least 10 minutes. If it doesn’t move, cancel the transfer on both devices, restart them, and begin again.
Photos not appearing after transfer: Check the Photos app on the iPhone. Sometimes it takes a few minutes for all media to appear. If they’re missing, you can transfer them manually via a computer or cloud service.
WhatsApp history not transferred: Make sure WhatsApp is installed on the iPhone before starting the transfer. On Android, open WhatsApp, go to Settings > Chats > Chat backup, and back up to Google Drive. Then during the Move to iOS process, select WhatsApp and sign in to your Google account when prompted.
App not finding the iPhone: Ensure both devices have Wi-Fi enabled and that the Android is not connected to a VPN. Also, temporarily disable any battery-saving apps that might block background activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Move to iOS after I’ve already set up my iPhone?
No, the app only works during the initial setup. If you’ve already set up your iPhone, you’ll need to erase it and start over, or use alternative methods like iCloud or a computer.

Does Move to iOS transfer apps?
It doesn’t transfer the apps themselves, but it does transfer the list of free apps you had on Android, and the iPhone will prompt you to download them from the App Store.

How long does the transfer take?
It depends on the amount of data. A few hundred photos and contacts might take 10-15 minutes, while a large photo library and message history can take over an hour.

Will my text messages appear in the Messages app?
Yes, your SMS and MMS messages will be transferred and appear in the Messages app on your iPhone.

Can I transfer my music and playlists?
Move to iOS doesn’t transfer music files directly. You’ll need to use a computer or a streaming service to move your music library.

What if the transfer fails halfway?
Simply restart both devices and try again. The process is designed to be repeatable, and you can select the same data types again.

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

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