How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone or iPad (Full Guide)

Transferring data from Android to iOS is tricky because they’re two completely different operating systems. Files are managed differently, system settings aren’t compatible, and apps are often written in different programming languages. Apple’s Move to iOS app is a pretty simple solution, but it only works if you have a new or factory-reset iPhone or iPad.

Whether you’re working with a new iOS device or one that’s already set up, you’ll find everything you need to know here. First up, a complete guide to using the Move to iOS app. Or, you can jump to a range of manual transfer options instead, like Google Drive, your Google Account, or Dropbox. 

How to Transfer Data from Android to a New or Factory-Reset iOS Device

Apple specifically designed the Move to iOS app for transferring data from Android devices to new iPhones. Here’s how it works. 

Before You Start

• • Back up your Android data: This keeps it safe if the transfer fails. You can either use the built-in backup feature that saves photos, videos, and device data to your Google account, or manually upload the files to Google Drive.
  • Check your iPhone’s storage: You need enough free space on your iPhone or iPad to transfer all your Android data. 
  • Charge both devices: A full transfer can take from a few minutes to over an hour, so make sure your phones are at least 75–80% charged.
  • Choose how to transfer the data: The Move to iOS app supports Wi-Fi or cable. The guide below uses a wired transfer because it’s the fastest option. Wi-Fi transfers are easier because they don’t require a cable, but they can take a long time (or even get stuck). Here’s what you need for both options:
    • • Wired transfers: Grab a USB-C cable to connect your Android phone to your iPhone or iPad.
      • Wi-Fi transfers: Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network. 

How to Use Move to iOS to Transfer Your Data

1. Switch on your iOS device, place it near your Android phone, and follow the on-screen setup instructions until you reach the Quick Start screen. 
2. Next, tap Set Up Without Another Device, and follow the instructions. You may be asked to activate your eSIM.
3. Go to Transfer Your Apps & Data on your iPhone, then tap From Android.
4. Download the Move to iOS app on your Android from the Google Play Store.

5. Agree to the terms of use and enable location and notification permissions. 

6. Connect your Android phone to your iPhone via cable and tap Continue. If this isn’t an option, tap Continue with Wi-Fi and connect both devices to the same network.

7. Tap Continue on the next page. Your iPhone will show a code that you need to enter on your Android phone to pair the devices.

8. Your iOS device will create a temporary Wi-Fi network, which you need to connect to on your Android phone.
9. On the Transfer Data screen, choose what you want to transfer, like photos, videos, WhatsApp content, contacts, calendars, or call history. Books, PDFs, and music must be transferred manually.
10. Transfer your SIM and phone number. At this stage, your Apple device should ask you to enable your SIM or eSIM. You may be redirected to your mobile provider’s website to do this. 
11. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your iPhone or iPad.

How to Transfer Data from Android to an iOS Device After Setup

Using a PC

1. Install the iTunes app on your PC (you can find it on the Microsoft Store). Alternatively, you can use Apple’s Apple Devices or iCloud for Windows apps.

2. Open iTunes and plug your Android device into your PC via the USB port.

3. Create a new folder on your desktop, name it something like “Android Files,” then copy the relevant files from your Android phone to the new folder.

4. Unplug your Android device and plug your iPhone or iPad into your PC.
5. Confirm that you trust this PC on your iOS device. This includes typing your passcode.

6. Open iTunes on your PC and select the device button for your iOS device in the top left corner.

7. In the settings menu on the left, select the content (music, photos, files, etc.) from the folder on your computer that you want to sync.

8. Click Apply or Sync in the bottom right corner and wait for the transfer to complete.

9. Press the eject button, then disconnect your iOS device. Your files can now be found in your iOS device’s local storage.

Using a Mac

You can’t directly copy Android files to a Mac, so you have to use the OpenMTP app instead. Keep in mind it’s not an official Apple or Google app. If you’re worried about your privacy, use Google Drive instead. Otherwise, here’s what to do:

1. Plug your Android device into your Mac.
2. Go to the OpenMTP website and download the correct version for your Mac.

3. Install the OpenMTP app. 

4. Create an empty folder on your desktop for OpenMTP to transfer files into. For convenience, name it something like “Android Files.”

5. Run the OpenMTP app and select the files you want to transfer to the new desktop folder you just created.

6. Remove your Android phone and plug your iOS device into your Mac.
7. Go to Finder on your Mac (or iTunes on older macOS versions) and select your iOS device.

8. Click the checkboxes in the tabs for the content you want to transfer, then click Apply.

9. Wait for the transfer to complete, then press the eject button to disconnect your iPhone.

Using Google Drive

You can also use Google Drive to transfer videos, photos, and documents over the cloud. However, you only get 15 GB with a free Google account. You can either upgrade for more storage or transfer your data in batches. 

1. Open Google Drive on your Android phone (or download it from the Play Store if it’s not installed).

2. Sign in with your Google login.
3. Create a new folder, name it something like “Android Data,” then open it, tap the + button, and select Upload.

4. Select the videos, photos, and documents you want to upload.
5. Wait for the transfer to complete. 

6. Download Google Drive on your iOS device.

7. Open Google Drive, log in, and access the folder where you uploaded the Android files. Then, download the files to your iOS device and wait for the transfer to complete.

Using a Google Account

You can use your Google Account on both Android and iOS. This lets you sync account data between devices, like your contacts and calendar. Here’s how to do that:

1. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts, and select your Google account.

2. Tap Sync account, and make sure Contacts and Calendar are enabled on the next page. While there’s also a Drive option, it won’t work for this method because Google Drive is managed separately on iOS. If you want to transfer Google Drive files from Android to your iPhone, you’ll have to do so manually.

3. Grab your iPhone, and go to Settings > Apps > Mail. 

4. Next, tap Mail Accounts. 

5.  Now, select Add Account. 

6. Tap Google, then follow the on-screen instructions to log in to your account. 

7. On the Gmail page, enable the sync option for Contacts and Calendars.

Using Dropbox

For this method, you need a free Dropbox account and the Dropbox app for Android and iOS. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Open Dropbox on your Android.

2. Tap the + (plus) button at the bottom right.

3. Select Upload Files or Upload Photos, depending on what you want to transfer.

4. Dropbox will ask you if it can access files on your device; click Allow.

5. Choose photos and videos and tap Upload to move everything to the main folder. To pick a specific destination, tap Dropbox in the bottom left corner, choose a folder, and select Set Location. 

6. Open Dropbox on your iPhone, access the folder where you uploaded the files, and tap the three-dot icon next to a file or folder.

7. Select Save Image (or other media).

Using Other Third-Party Apps

In addition to the apps mentioned above, there are other options available. How you use them depends on the service, but the basics are generally the same as transferring to a new iOS device or moving files to iOS after setup. Here are some of the most popular apps:

• • AirDroid
  • Copy My Data
  • Send Anywhere
  • SHAREit
  • Xender

Can You Transfer Apps from Android to iPhone?

It depends. Most popular apps have versions for both Android and iOS, but this isn’t always the case. If you use Move to iOS with a new or factory-reset iPhone, the service copies a list of the apps you had on your Android device and checks if they’re available in the App Store. However, you still have to install them after the transfer finishes. If you’re transferring data to an iOS device that’s already set up, you have to manually download the apps from the App Store instead.

Either way, you can’t transfer app data from Android to iPhone, because the operating systems aren’t compatible. That said, if the app has cloud storage and you have an account, your data should be retrieved when you log in on your iOS device.

Bottom Line: Moving Data from Android to iPhone Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated

Transferring files from Android to iOS is trickier because of the differing OSs, but there are plenty of solutions. The best option is to use the Move to iOS app, because Apple designed it exactly for this purpose. The downside is that it only works with new or factory-reset iPhones or iPads. If you already set up your iOS device, you can still do a manual transfer via Windows, macOS, Google Drive, your Google Account, or Dropbox.

If you plan on using a transfer method that requires internet access (like Google Drive or Dropbox), it’s best to avoid doing it on public Wi-Fi. Open hotspots are slow, but they’re also not very secure. If there happens to be a cybercriminal on the same network, the transfer could be intercepted, and all your files could be at risk. If you have to use public Wi-Fi, connect to CyberGhost VPN first to protect your data while it’s in transit.

FAQ