Every year when a new iPhone is released or the holiday shopping season begins, countless Android users make the switch to iOS.
It’s not the most surprising thing; Apple continues to release quality smartphones that dominate the mid-range and high-end markets eight different iPhone models to choose from in stores and online.
I’m also in the minority who constantly switch phones every month or two, which means transferring data is second nature right now.
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That said, there are several methods to move your months or years worth of photos, videos, text messages, and other data from an Android device to an iPhone, but I’ve found the two below to be the most effective and secure . , and easy to follow.
Transfer data from Android to iPhone
Before you start transferring data, it is always good practice to do the following:
- Have at least 75% charge: The higher, the better. Depending on the amount of data you’re transferring, it’s normal for your phone to heat up, which drains the battery much faster.
- Make sure you have a stable WiFi connection: We are going to move the data wirelessly, which means that a strong and static signal is needed for the most optimal transfer.
- Double check the amount of data you are moving: Your iPhone may not have enough storage capacity to receive every file. If not, now is a good time to organize your old files on your Android phone, figure out what to keep, what to save to an external drive, and what to erase before moving.
Method 1: Transfer data via Move to iOS
My go-to file transfer method is Apple’s own Move to iOS service. It comes preloaded on your iPhone, so you just need to download the Move to IOS app on your Android device from the Google Play Store.
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For the service to work, you need to be in the iOS setup assistant, the setup page when you first turn on your new iPhone. If you’ve already set up your iPhone and can access the home screen, you’ll need to factory reset it to use Move to iOS.
From the iOS Setup Assistant, go through the initial setup slides, including Wi-Fi connection, setting a passcode, and accepting Apple’s diagnostic terms. You will eventually see one Apps & Data screen.
Enter this code on your Android phone. Then the pairing process begins and you can select which files you want to transfer. The list includes messages, contacts, calendar information, Google account(s), photos and videos, and user settings.
Leave the phones alone while the transfer is processed. Depending on how much data you move from phone to phone, the transfer can take up to 30 minutes.
With the Move to iOS app, the iPhone generates a one-time pairing code. June Wan/ZDNET
Method 2: Transfer data via Google account
Finally, you can use your Gmail to transfer data through the cloud. This method is ideal if there are extra files that you forgot to move during the first method or if you already set up your iPhone and couldn’t use Move to iOS.
1. On your Android phone, go to the Settings app
Search for the Google tab, tap Backupand enable which categories you want to sync across devices. You can check what is being copied by expanding google account data in the Backup data list. Wait for the backup sync to complete.
2. Switch to your iPhone
Open iPhone > Settings Mail > bills > Add Account > and enter your Gmail credentials. Your Google account data should be synced to iPhone and start importing automatically.
3. Another convenient alternative
You can also upload files to a Google Drive folder and download them on your iPhone.
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FAQ
Can I use the Move to iOS app even if I’ve already set up my iPhone?
Unfortunately, you cannot use the file transfer service if you have already completed the iOS Setup Assistant. My best advice is to back up everything on your new iPhone that you want to keep, factory reset the iPhone, use the Move to iOS service, and then get back a backup of which up has been made. Again, make sure you have enough storage space to store 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 transfer service I’ve used, especially when I’m still going through the initial stages of setup. Otherwise, you can also use desktop programs like AnyTrans, connect both phones to a computer and move files locally. However, I’m usually against using non-proprietary software when moving personal information, so I’d use the two methods above just to be on the safe side.
Can I transfer data from Android to iPhone after installation?
Secure. 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 just want to move certain files and not all of them.