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    Switch From Android to iPhone Without Losing Data

    Moving from Android to iPhone is easier than ever — Apple's free Move to iOS app transfers your contacts, photos, messages, and more.

    3 min read · 4 steps · Checked April 2026

    1. Step 1. Install Move to iOS on your Android before turning on the iPhone

      On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store and install the free "Move to iOS" app made by Apple. Before starting the transfer, back up your Android phone (SettingsGoogleBack up to Google Drive). Also make sure both phones are plugged in or fully charged — the transfer can take 30–60 minutes for large amounts of data.

      Quick Tip

      Transfer your data while you still have access to your old Android phone and before you contact your carrier to switch your number over. Once the phone number is transferred to the new iPhone, the Android may lose service.

    2. Step 2. Start the transfer process

      Turn on your new iPhone and follow the initial setup until you reach the "Apps & Data" screen. Tap "Move Data from Android." Your iPhone will display a 6 or 10 digit code. On your Android, open the Move to iOS app, tap "Continue," and when prompted enter the code displayed on the iPhone. The two phones will create a temporary WiFi connection between them. Select what you want to transfer: contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, and email accounts.

    3. Step 3. What transfers automatically and what does not

      Move to iOS transfers: contacts, message history (SMS texts), camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, email account settings, and some free apps (you will be prompted to download the iOS equivalents from the App Store). What does not transfer: paid apps you bought on Android (you may need to repurchase or find iOS equivalents), WhatsApp message history (WhatsApp has its own separate backup and transfer process), and app-specific data like game progress. Google apps like Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Photos are available for free on the App Store and your data syncs automatically when you sign in.

    4. Step 4. Set up Google apps on your new iPhone

      Since you were using Android, you likely relied on Google apps. Download these from the App Store: Gmail (for email), Google Maps (for navigation), Google Photos (your photo backup), Google Drive (your files), and Google Chrome (if you prefer it over Safari). Sign into each with your Google account and your data will appear right away. You do not have to choose between Google and Apple — most people use a mix of both on their iPhone.

    Switching from an Android phone to an iPhone used to mean losing your photos and starting from scratch. Apple has made the transition much smoother with the free Move to iOS app for Android. In most cases, your contacts, photos, calendar events, email accounts, and even some app data transfer directly to your new iPhone during the setup process. The transfer happens over a direct WiFi connection between the two phones — no computer needed.

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