Move to iOS Stuck? Fixes That Actually Work

If your Move to iOS transfer is stuck on “Preparing” or “Waiting for network,” the fix is usually to restart the app, disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or free up storage on the Android phone. This guide walks through the most common causes and the exact steps to get the transfer moving again.

Why Move to iOS Gets Stuck

Move to iOS is Apple’s official app for transferring contacts, photos, messages, and other data from an Android device to a new iPhone. The transfer uses a private Wi-Fi network created by the iPhone, so anything that interferes with that network can stall the process. Common culprits include:

Weak or unstable Wi-Fi – the iPhone and Android phone must stay close together (within a few feet) and the Android phone must not switch to a different network.
Bluetooth interference – Move to iOS uses Bluetooth to pair the devices, and other Bluetooth devices can cause conflicts.
Low storage on the Android phone – if the phone is nearly full, the app may hang while preparing data.
Outdated app or OS – an old version of Move to iOS or an outdated Android system can cause glitches.
Battery saver or VPN – these can restrict background activity or alter network settings.

Before You Start: Quick Checks

Spend 30 seconds on these basics before diving into deeper fixes:

Make sure both phones are charged above 50% and plugged in if possible.
Turn off any VPN or ad-blocker on the Android phone.
Disable battery saver mode on the Android phone.
Close all other apps on both phones, especially apps that use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth heavily.

Fix 1: Restart the Transfer (The Most Common Fix)

If the transfer is stuck, the simplest fix is often to start over. Here’s how:

On the Android phone, tap Cancel in the Move to iOS app (or swipe it away from recent apps).
On the iPhone, tap Back to leave the “Move from Android” screen, then tap Apps & Data again.
Reopen Move to iOS on the Android phone and tap Continue.
When the code appears on the iPhone, enter it on the Android phone.
If it still hangs, force-close the app on both phones (swipe up on the app switcher) and try again.

This resets the temporary connection and clears any minor glitches.

Fix 2: Toggle Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Move to iOS relies on both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Sometimes the Android phone’s Wi-Fi gets stuck on a different network. Try this:

On the Android phone, open Settings > Wi-Fi and turn Wi-Fi off, then on again.
Do the same for Bluetooth in Settings > Bluetooth.
On the iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi and turn Wi-Fi off, then on. Also toggle Bluetooth off and on.
Restart both phones if the toggle doesn’t help.

This forces both devices to re-establish the private network that Move to iOS creates.

Fix 3: Free Up Storage on the Android Phone

If your Android phone is nearly full, Move to iOS may get stuck while preparing your data. Check storage:

Go to Settings > Storage on the Android phone.
If free space is below 10% of total storage, delete unnecessary files (large videos, old downloads, cached files).
Uninstall unused apps to free up more space.

A good rule of thumb is to have at least 1 GB free for every 1 GB of data you plan to transfer.

Fix 4: Update the App and Android System

An outdated Move to iOS app or Android OS can cause compatibility issues. To update:

Open the Google Play Store on the Android phone.
Tap your profile icon > Manage apps & device.
Look for Move to iOS in the “Updates available” list and tap Update.
Also check for system updates: Settings > System > System update (or similar, depending on the phone brand).

After updating, restart both phones and try the transfer again.

Fix 5: Reset Network Settings on the Android Phone

If the above steps fail, resetting the Android phone’s network settings can clear deeper Wi-Fi/Bluetooth issues. Note: this will forget saved Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth pairings.

Go to Settings > System > Reset options (or Backup & reset on older versions).
Tap Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.
Confirm the reset and restart the phone.
Reconnect to your home Wi-Fi if needed, then retry Move to iOS.

What to Do If Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above and the transfer still hangs, you have alternatives:

Transfer only essential data – choose fewer categories (e.g., only Contacts and Photos) in the Move to iOS screen. A smaller transfer is more likely to succeed.
Use a different transfer method – you can manually move photos via Google Photos or a computer, and sync contacts via a Google account on the iPhone.
Start the iPhone setup over – erase the iPhone (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings) and try again from the beginning.

If the issue persists, it may be a hardware problem with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth on either device, but that’s rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should Move to iOS take?

It depends on the amount of data. A few hundred photos and contacts might take 5–10 minutes; a full transfer with videos and app data can take 30–60 minutes. If it’s stuck for more than 15 minutes on “Preparing,” it’s likely hung.

Can I use my phone while Move to iOS is transferring?

No. You should leave both phones untouched until the transfer completes. Using the Android phone for other tasks can interrupt the connection.

Will Move to iOS transfer my WhatsApp messages?

Yes, but only if you choose WhatsApp in the transfer options and both phones have the latest WhatsApp version. The transfer includes chat history and media.

What if I accidentally canceled the transfer?

You can restart it from the iPhone’s “Apps & Data” screen. Just go back to that screen and tap “Move Data from Android” again. The Android app will generate a new code.

Does Move to iOS work with Android 13 or 14?

Yes, Move to iOS supports the latest Android versions. If you’re on a very new Android version and the app is outdated, update it first.

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

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