Every year when a new iPhone hits the market or the year-end shopping season arrives, countless Android users switch to iOS.
That’s not the most surprising thing; Apple continues to launch quality smartphones that dominate the mid-range and high-end markets, with eight different iPhone models to choose from in stores and online.
I’m also in the minority that constantly switch phones every month or two, meaning data transfers are second nature at this point.
Also: How to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone
That said, there are several methods to move your monthly or yearly worth of photos, videos, text messages, and other data from your Android device to your iPhone, but I found the two below to be: most effective and safe and easy to track.
How to transfer data from Android to iPhone
Before you start transferring any data, you should do the following:
- Charge at least 75%: The higher the better Depending on the amount of data you are transferring, it is natural for your phone to become hot and thus drain the battery at a much faster rate.
- Have a stable Wi-Fi connection: We will be moving data wirelessly, which means a strong and static signal is needed for the most optimal data transmission.
- Double-check how much data you’re moving: Your iPhone may or may not have enough storage space to receive all files. If not, now is a good time to organize your old files on your android phoneLearn what to keep, what to store on an external drive, and what to delete before moving.
Method 1: Transfer data via Move to iOS
The file transfer method I use is Apple’s own Move to iOS service. It will come preloaded on your iPhone, so all you have to do is Download the Move to iOS app on your Android device through the Google Play Store.
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For the service to work, you’ll have to be in the iOS Setup Assistant, which is the startup page when you turn on your new iPhone for the first time. If you’ve already set up your iPhone and can access the home screen, you’ll have to restore factory settings to use Switch to iOS.
From the iOS Setup Assistant, cycle through the initial setup slides, including connecting to Wi-Fi, setting up a passcode, and accepting Apple’s diagnostic terms and conditions. Finally you will see a Applications & Data screen.
Enter this code on your Android phone. After that, the pairing process will begin and you will be able to choose which files you want to transfer over. This list includes messages, contacts, calendar information, Google account(s), photos and videos, and user settings.
Leave the phone alone while the transfer is being processed. Depending on how much data you’re transferring from one phone to another, the transfer can take up to 30 minutes.
With the Move to iOS app, iPhone generates a one-time code for pairing. Jun Wan/ZDNET
Method 2: Transfer data via Google account
Finally, you can use your Gmail to transfer data over the cloud. This method is ideal if there are any extra files that you forgot to transfer in the first method, or you already set up your iPhone and can’t use Move to iOS.
1. On your Android phone, go to the Settings app
Search Google tab, press Backupand enable the categories you want to be synced across devices. You can double check what is being copied by expanding Google Account data inside Backup details list. Wait until the backup sync is complete.
2. Switch to your iPhone
Open your iPhone’s settings > Letters > account > More account > and enter your Gmail credentials. The data from your Google account will sync to your iPhone and start importing automatically.
3. Another useful alternative
You can also upload files to a Google Drive folder and download them to your iPhone.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use the ‘Switch to iOS’ app even if I have my iPhone set up?
Unfortunately, you cannot use the file transfer service if you have completed the iOS Setup Assistant. My best advice is to back up everything on your new iPhone that you want to keep, factory reset iPhone, using the Move to iOS service, then retrieve what was backed up. Again, just make sure you have enough memory to hold everything.
What is the fastest way to transfer data from Android to iPhone?
Apple’s Move to iOS service is the most seamless and efficient conversion service I’ve used, especially since I’m still going through the initial setup. On the other hand, you can also use desktop programs like AnyTrans, connect both phones to the computer and move files locally. However, I am generally opposed to using non-proprietary software when moving personal information, so I will use the above two methods to be safe.
Can I transfer data from Android to iPhone after setup?
Sure. The best method is to back up any information you want to transfer to Gmail or Google Drive, and then download it from your iPhone. It requires more manual work, but it’s great if you only want to move certain files but not all.
