Passwords, browsers and phones

How to move from Android to iPhone with Move to iOS

SwitchTo HQ · Updated 18 October 2026 · Passwords, browsers and phones · How we write

Apple's Move to iOS process copies your contacts, messages, photos and much more from an Android phone to a new iPhone or iPad during setup. Most problems come from starting at the wrong moment or interrupting the transfer. This guide follows Apple's support article Move from Android to iPhone or iPad.

The key rule: transfer during setup

Move to iOS runs during the iPhone's initial setup. Apple says that if you have already finished setting up the iPhone, you need to erase it and start again to use Move to iOS, or move your content manually instead. If your new iPhone is still in its box, keep it that way until you have prepared the Android phone.

Before you begin

Apple's checklist:

Install the Move to iOS app on your Android phone from Google Play. Apple notes that some supported Android devices running a recent, compatible version of Android can transfer without the app, and its article explains that route.
Turn on Wi-Fi on the Android phone.
Plug both phones into power. Alternatively, Apple says you can connect the two phones directly with a USB-C cable for a faster transfer.
Check storage. Make sure the content you are moving, including anything on a microSD card, will fit on the new iPhone.
Update Chrome on the Android phone to the latest version if you want to bring your Chrome bookmarks across.

It is also worth backing up your Android phone, for example with Google's own backup, before you start.

Step-by-step transfer

Start setting up the iPhone. Turn it on and place it near your Android phone. Follow the setup screens.
Choose to set up without another Apple device. On the Quick Start screen, tap Set Up Without Another Apple Device. You might be asked to activate your eSIM.
Choose Android as the source. On the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, tap From Android, then Transfer with App.
Open Move to iOS on Android. Tap Continue, agree to the terms, choose whether to share app data with Apple, and allow location and notification permissions if asked. If you can't find the app, the iPhone can show a QR code that opens it on Google Play.
Enter the code. The iPhone shows a 6-digit or 10-digit code. Enter it on the Android phone. Apple says you can ignore any warning on Android about a weak internet connection.
Join the temporary Wi-Fi network. The iPhone creates a temporary Wi-Fi network. Tap Connect on Android when asked.
Choose your content. Select what to transfer and tap Continue.
Wait. Leave both phones alone until the loading bar on the iPhone finishes, even if Android says the process is complete. Then tap Done on Android and finish setting up the iPhone.

What transfers

According to Apple, Move to iOS transfers:

contacts, message history and SMS messages
camera photos and videos, and photo albums
files and folders
accessibility and display settings
web bookmarks and email accounts
WhatsApp messages and media
voice memos, call history and calendars

Some free apps also transfer, if they are available on both Google Play and the App Store and support the feature. After the transfer, you can download the matched free apps from the App Store.

What doesn't transfer

Apple says music, books and PDFs need to be moved manually. Apple only mentions free apps being matched, so expect to get paid apps again from the App Store where an iOS version exists. Data stored inside individual apps depends on whether that app has its own sync or account system, so check important apps (banking, authenticator, messaging and fitness apps) before you wipe the Android phone.

Authenticator apps need particular care. If you use an app for two-factor codes, move each account to the new phone using that app's own transfer method, or by setting up two-factor again on each website, before you reset the old phone.

Your phone number and SIM

During setup you can activate your phone number on the iPhone using a physical SIM or an eSIM. Apple notes you may be sent to your network provider's website to finish activating it. If you use an eSIM, the transfer-without-app route can also move the eSIM.

If the transfer stalls

Apple suggests:

Keep Move to iOS on screen the whole time. If you open another app or take a call on Android before the transfer finishes, your content won't transfer.
Turn off Android apps or settings that can switch Wi-Fi networks automatically, such as a "smart network switch" feature. Then forget your known Wi-Fi networks in Settings and try again.
Restart both phones and try again.
Turn off mobile data on the Android phone, then try again.

If only part of your content transferred, or the iPhone ran out of space, Apple says to erase the iPhone and start again, making sure your Android content fits within the iPhone's storage.

After the move

Check that photos, messages and contacts have arrived.
Download your apps from the App Store and sign in to them.
Move music, books and PDFs manually.
Keep the Android phone until you are sure nothing is missing, then reset it before selling or recycling it.

Checklist

Don't finish iPhone setup before transferring.
Install Move to iOS, turn on Wi-Fi, plug both phones in and update Chrome.
Check the iPhone has enough storage.
Leave both phones alone until the iPhone's progress bar finishes.
Move authenticator accounts and manual content before resetting Android.