How to transfer data from Android to iPhone

Switching from Android to iOS? You’ll need help figuring out the best way to migrate, so we’ll show you the best ways to transfer data from Android to iPhone.

If you’re in a hurry. There are various ways to transfer data from Android to iPhone, but we only recommend a few to most people. You can use Apple’s Move to iOS app, or upload all your files to iCloud from any browser. Alternatively, it’s also possible to use your computer to move all your files.

Transfer data from Android to iPhone using the Move to iOS app

Google and Apple aren’t exactly “friends,” as you might already know. Apple doesn’t like adding its apps to the Google Play Store much, but it has published a few there, and one of them is designed specifically to help people transfer data from Android to iPhone. This app is Move to iOS, and it automates the whole thing for you. We’ll show you how to use it.

How to use Move to iOS

1. Download and install Move to iOS from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Open the Move to iOS app and follow the prompts to get it ready. The steps include agreeing to the terms and granting certain permissions.
3. You’ll eventually reach a page that asks for a code. When you get here, put down your Android device and switch to your iPhone.
4. During the initial iOS setup, you’ll reach a Quick Start page. Select Set Up Manually.
5. Select Move Data from Android.
6. This is where your iPhone will provide the code mentioned in step three. Please take note of it.
7. Grab your Android phone and enter the code.
8. During this step, the iPhone will create a temporary Wi-Fi network, and your Android phone will look for it. Tap Connect to continue.
9. You can now select what you want to transfer. The options include contacts, message history, photos and videos from the camera roll, files and folders, display settings, Web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, and more.
10. Once you’re done making your choices, tap Continue.
11. Leave both devices alone until the iPhone displays the process as completed.

Transfer data from Android to iPhone using iCloud Drive

Move to iOS works well, and it’s technically Apple’s official way to migrate to iOS, but we believe some of you might prefer to simply use iCloud Drive. There’s no iCloud Drive app for Android, but you can access it from any browser, including Chrome for Android.

How to upload files to iCloud Drive from Android

1. Using your Android device, open your browser and go to iCloud.com. Log in.
2. Tap the App icon, which looks like a four-by-three grid of apps. It’s in the top-right corner.
3. Select Drive.
4. Find the Recent dropdown option and tap on it.
5. Choose Browse.
6. Find the Upload button. It looks like a cloud with an upward-pointing arrow.
7. Tap Files.
8. Find the files you want to upload and select them. Then, tap Select.
9. Your file will be uploaded. Repeat the process until you upload all your files.

Once this is done, all your data will be on your iCloud Drive account, which will also sync to your iPhone. If you don’t see your files displayed on your iPhone, you might have iCloud sync disabled. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Drive and turn on Sync this iPhone.

By the way, if you have photos, you may want to separate them during the upload process. Simply open the Photos app on iCloud.com instead of iCloud Drive. You’ll see an Upload button at the bottom.

Manually transfer data from Android to iPhone using a computer

Some of us like to do things the old-fashioned way. If you like to take matters into your own hands, too, then it’s possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone using a computer. The only downside is that this process needs to be done through iTunes, and not every file can be added to your iPhone. You can transfer music, photos, movies, and TV shows.

How to manually transfer data from Android to iOS

1. Make sure all your devices are charged and have them ready, along with any USB cables you need.
2. Connect your Android phone to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Once it’s connected, you need to pull down the notification shade on your Android device. Double-tap the option to charge device via USB.
4. Under Use USB for, tap Transfer files/Android Auto.
5. Now, let’s move over to the computer. Go ahead and open up a folder and navigate to This PC. You should now be able to access your phone’s files.
6. Copy and paste whatever you wish to transfer. I like to add everything to folders on my desktop, just to keep my files handy.
7. Once you’re done copying data, go ahead and disconnect your Android device.
8. Now, connect your iPhone to the computer.
9. Your iPhone will ask for permission for the computer to access your files. Press Allow.
10. As mentioned, you’ll need to download and install iTunes. Do that, if you haven’t already.
11. After getting iTunes set up, you’ll need to trust the connection between your iPhone and PC.
12. Go into iTunes and click on the iPhone button.
13. In the left column, you’ll see the Settings section. Go through each part and enable syncing. Some files, like music, will need to be added to the iTunes Media folder. For Photos, you can simply select the folder you wish to sync to iTunes.
14. When you’re ready to sync, press Done and then Apply. Let your iPhone sync.

We understand that this can be limiting. If you wish to use your computer, you can also use iCloud Drive with it. Naturally, you can sync MacBooks with iCloud Drive, which will then sync to your iPhone. Just go to the Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud. Turn on iCloud and click Options next to iCloud Drive. Select Desktop and Documents Folders and press Done. Then, connect your Android phone to your MacBook and drop your files into a synced folder.

By the way, there’s also an iCloud Drive app for Windows users. Set that up, follow the same steps as above to connect your Android phone to your Windows computer, and drop your files into a synced folder.