How to Switch from Android to iPhone

Got a new iPhone and need to bring over everything from your Android? Apple has a free official app that handles most of it. Here's the full process plus what to do about the stuff the app doesn't move.

Before the transfer

1. Make sure your Android is on Wi-Fi and plugged in
2. Make sure your iPhone is plugged in
3. Plug both into power. The process can take 30 minutes to a few hours
4. On your Android, install the Move to iOS app from Google Play
5. Take note of any 2FA/Authenticator codes you'll need (Google Authenticator export them first)
6. Back up WhatsApp chats if you use it: open WhatsApp on Android > Settings > Chats > Move to iPhone

Step 1: Start iPhone setup

1. Power on iPhone. Follow setup until you reach "Transfer Your Apps & Data"
2. Choose Move Data from Android
3. iPhone displays a code

Step 2: Connect via Move to iOS

1. On Android, open Move to iOS app
2. Tap Continue, then Agree, then Next
3. Enter the code shown on iPhone
4. Wait for iPhone to create a private Wi-Fi network. Connect Android to it

Step 3: Choose what to transfer

Tick everything you want moved:

• Contacts
• Message history (SMS)
• Photos and videos
• Mail accounts
• Calendars
• Bookmarks (Chrome to Safari)
• Free apps available on App Store (will download to iPhone)

Tap Continue. Leave both phones alone until you see the loading bar finish on iPhone. Don't touch Android during this time, even if it looks done.

Step 4: Finish iPhone setup

When iPhone says "Transfer Complete," tap Continue on iPhone and finish the setup wizard. Sign into your Apple ID (or create one).

What doesn't transfer (and how to handle it)

Paid apps

You'll have to re-buy them on iOS. Or skip the ones you don't really use. Many apps have iPhone versions; check the App Store.

WhatsApp chats

Move to iOS doesn't move WhatsApp by default. Do this separately:

1. Before erasing Android, open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Move chats to iOS
2. Or scan the QR code that appears during Move to iOS transfer (works in newer versions)
3. On iPhone, install WhatsApp, sign in with your same number, accept the import

Google Authenticator codes

Do this BEFORE you factory reset your Android, or you'll be locked out of any account using these codes.

1. Open Google Authenticator on Android
2. Tap menu > Transfer accounts > Export accounts
3. Select accounts and tap Export
4. QR code appears
5. On iPhone, install Google Authenticator, tap +, then Scan a QR code
6. Scan the QR from your Android

Saved passwords

If you used Google Password Manager on Android: install Chrome on iPhone, sign in, your passwords stay accessible. Or you can export from Google to a password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden.

Texts from non-iPhone contacts (Green bubbles)

This is normal. People with Android show up as green bubbles in Messages. Both still work, just look different.

After the move

• Set up Face ID or Touch ID
• Turn on iCloud Backup: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
• Re-download apps you want from App Store
• Sign into your accounts (banks, social media, etc.)
• Forward your phone number from Google Voice if you used that

Important: Turn off iMessage on your old number if leaving iPhone for Android later

This is the opposite of your current move but worth noting: if you EVER go back to Android with the same number, deregister iMessage at selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage first.

Factory reset Android (after you've confirmed everything moved)

Once you've verified everything is on your iPhone and working:

1. On Android: Settings > System > Reset > Factory data reset
2. Follow prompts
3. You can now safely sell, trade in, or recycle the Android