How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone in 2026 (Complete Guide)

Switching from Android to iPhone — or the other way round — used to mean losing photos, chats, and contacts. In 2026, moving your data is much easier, but only if you follow the right steps. This guide shows you how to transfer data from Android to iPhone (and iPhone to Android) without losing anything important.

We cover the official tools, what transfers and what does not, and the fixes for the most common problems.

Method 1: Move to iOS (Android to iPhone)

Apple's free Move to iOS app is the official way to switch from Android to iPhone. It works during the iPhone's initial setup, so do this before you finish setting up your new phone.

1. On your Android phone, install Move to iOS from the Google Play Store and connect both phones to Wi-Fi.
2. On the new iPhone, during setup, choose Move Data from Android.
3. A code appears on the iPhone — enter it in the Move to iOS app on Android.
4. Select what to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, mail accounts, calendars, and WhatsApp data (on supported versions).
5. Keep both phones close, plugged in, and on Wi-Fi until the transfer finishes.

What it does not transfer: Apps themselves (you re-download them from the App Store), music files outside streaming apps, and some app data. Your paid Android apps will need to be repurchased on iOS.

Method 2: Android Switch / Google Backup (iPhone to Android)

Google's Android Switch app (formerly Switch to Android) moves your data the other way. Connect the phones with a cable or over Wi-Fi, sign in with your Google account, and choose what to move — photos, videos, contacts, messages, and more. If you used Google Photos on your iPhone, your photos may already be backed up and ready to sync.

1. On the new Android phone, start setup and choose to copy data from your iPhone.
2. Connect the phones with a cable (fastest) or use Wi-Fi.
3. Sign in to your Google account and select the data to transfer.
4. Turn off iMessage on your iPhone first — otherwise texts from iPhone users may keep going to your old phone instead of your new one.

How to Transfer WhatsApp Chats

WhatsApp chats are the data people worry about most. Both official tools now support WhatsApp transfer:

• Android to iPhone: Move to iOS includes WhatsApp data if both phones run recent versions of WhatsApp. Your chats move, but your backup history stays on Google Drive.
• iPhone to Android: Android Switch supports WhatsApp transfer via cable on supported phones (Pixel and many Samsung devices).
• Backup first: Before switching, back up WhatsApp on your old phone (Settings > Chats > Chat backup) so you always have a fallback.

Transferring Photos, Contacts, and Files Manually

If the official tools miss something, these manual methods fill the gaps:

• Photos: Install Google Photos on both phones and back up before switching — your entire library syncs to the new device.
• Contacts: Sync contacts to your Google account on Android, then add that same Google account on iPhone (Settings > Apps > Mail/Contacts) and enable Contacts sync.
• Files and documents: Move them to Google Drive, iCloud Drive, or a USB cable transfer. For large video collections, a computer in the middle is the fastest route.
• Music: If you use Spotify, YouTube Music, or Apple Music, just sign in on the new phone — your playlists follow your account.

Before You Switch: The Checklist

1. Back up everything on the old phone — cloud backup plus a WhatsApp backup.
2. Charge both phones above 50% and keep them plugged in during transfer.
3. Turn off iMessage and FaceTime on an old iPhone, or deregister your number at Apple's deregistration page.
4. Note down your passwords — a password manager makes signing back in on the new phone painless.
5. Check storage: Your new phone needs at least as much free space as the data you are moving.
6. Do not erase the old phone until you have checked the new one and confirmed your photos, chats, and contacts all arrived.

Common Problems and Fixes

The transfer keeps failing or stalling

Turn off mobile data on the Android phone, forget other Wi-Fi networks, disable battery optimization for Move to iOS, and keep the phones close together. Restarting both phones often fixes a stuck transfer.

Photos transferred but look low quality

Check whether the transfer used a compressed backup. Re-transfer from Google Photos with original quality enabled, or copy the originals via cable.

Some contacts are missing

Contacts saved only to the phone (not to a Google or iCloud account) often do not transfer. Export them as a .vcf file from the old phone and import it on the new one.

I am not receiving texts after switching

This almost always means iMessage is still active on your old iPhone. Turn it off on the old device, or deregister your number on Apple's website.

FAQs

Can I transfer data after I have already set up my new iPhone?

Move to iOS only works during initial setup. If you already finished setup, you can factory-reset the iPhone and start again, or transfer items manually with Google Photos, Drive, and contact sync.

How long does a phone-to-phone transfer take?

Anywhere from 10 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on how many photos and videos you have. A cable connection is much faster than Wi-Fi for large libraries.

Do I need a computer to switch phones?

No. Both official tools work phone-to-phone. A computer only helps for very large file collections or when you want an extra backup.

Will my apps and purchases transfer?

Free apps can be re-downloaded, but paid apps and in-app purchases do not transfer between Android and iOS — you will need to buy them again on the new platform.

Conclusion

Switching phones no longer means starting from scratch. Use Move to iOS or Android Switch for the bulk of your data, Google Photos for your memories, and the checklist above to avoid the classic mistakes. Set aside an hour, keep both phones charged, and do not wipe the old phone until the new one checks out. Happy switching!