Moving from iPhone to Android is easiest when you use the transfer process offered during setup of the new Android phone. A cable often transfers the widest range of data, while wireless or cloud-based options are useful when a cable is not available.
Prepare the iPhone before transferring
Charge both phones, connect them to Wi-Fi, and make sure the Android phone has enough storage. Update important apps and create a current iPhone backup before beginning. Keep the iPhone until you have verified the transferred content.
Use the Android setup transfer
- Start setting up the new Android phone.
- Choose the option to copy apps and data from another device.
- Connect the iPhone with the requested cable when possible, or choose the supported wireless method.
- Unlock the iPhone and approve any trust or connection prompt.
- Select the categories you want to copy and allow the transfer to finish.
The wording differs among Android manufacturers, so follow the prompts on the new phone rather than looking for one universal menu.
Move photos, contacts, and calendars
Cloud services can help when a direct transfer misses something. Google Photos can upload an iPhone photo library, and contacts or calendars can be synced through an account or exported when necessary.
Check for duplicates before importing the same information through several methods.
Handle iMessage before switching
If you are moving your phone number away from iPhone, turn off iMessage for that number before you stop using the old phone. This helps prevent messages from other Apple users from continuing to route through iMessage instead of reaching the Android phone as standard carrier messages.
Apps and purchases do not always transfer
iPhone apps themselves do not move directly to Android. The setup process can suggest Android versions of available apps, but you may need to download them again and sign in. Purchases made for an iOS app do not automatically become Android purchases.
Authentication apps, banking apps, secure messaging apps, and local game saves deserve special attention before you erase the iPhone.
Move two-factor authentication before erasing the iPhone
Authenticator apps and trusted-device prompts can be easy to overlook during a platform switch. Confirm that you can sign in to important email, financial, work, and social accounts from the Android phone. Transfer authentication tokens using the provider’s supported process and save recovery codes where appropriate.
Check accessories and services
An Apple Watch does not pair with Android, and some Apple-specific services have no direct Android equivalent. Review smart-home devices, subscriptions, AirTags, Apple Pay, and other accessories before selling the iPhone so you can remove or reconfigure anything tied to it.
Matthew Roberts created this site to help his friends and family with questions that they might have about how to change the settings on their iPhones. It now serves as an archive of iPhone how-to guides to help anyone that stumbles upon this website.