Quick answer: You move data from Android to iPhone during the iPhone’s setup. If your Android phone runs a compatible version of Android 17, choose From Android, then Transfer without App, and scan a QR code. On older Android versions, install Apple’s Move to iOS app from Google Play and enter the code your iPhone shows. Contacts, messages, photos, WhatsApp chats and more come across.
Switching phones used to mean losing chats or spending an evening copying photos. It’s much easier now, and in 2026 it got easier again: Apple’s own instructions say compatible Android 17 phones no longer need an app at all.
Here’s how to do it properly the first time, what transfers, and what you’ll need to move by hand.
Before you start: a quick checklist
Apple’s support page lists these steps before you begin:
- Turn on Wi-Fi on your Android phone.
- Plug both phones into power. A USB-C cable between them can speed things up.
- Make sure everything will fit on the iPhone, including anything on your Android phone’s memory card.
- Update Chrome on Android if you want to bring your bookmarks.
The most important point: do this while setting up the iPhone. If you’ve already finished setup, Apple says you’ll need to erase the iPhone and start again, or move content manually.
Method 1: Transfer without an app (Android 17)
Apple says that “if you have a supported Android device that runs a compatible version of Android 17, you can transfer to iOS or iPadOS without the Move to iOS app.” The steps:
- Turn on the new iPhone and follow setup until you reach the Transfer screen.
- Tap From Android, then Transfer without App.
- Put the two phones next to each other and tap Continue.
- Use the camera on your Android phone to scan the QR code on the iPhone.
- On the Android phone, choose what you want to transfer.
- When the transfer finishes, tap Continue on the iPhone.
- If you use an eSIM, you can choose to transfer your number here.
- Tap Continue to finish setting up the iPhone.
Not sure which Android version you have? Go to Settings > About phone and look for Android version. If you have an older version, use Method 2.
Method 2: Use the Move to iOS app
- On your Android phone, install Move to iOS from Google Play.
- On the iPhone, during setup, choose From Android and tap Continue. Wait for a six-digit or ten-digit code to appear.
- Open Move to iOS on Android and enter the code.
- The iPhone creates a temporary Wi-Fi network. When asked, tap Connect on the Android phone to join it.
- Choose what to transfer and tap Continue.
- Leave both phones alone until the loading bar on the iPhone finishes, even if Android says it’s done.
Apple warns that using another app or taking a phone call on the Android device during the transfer can stop content from moving. Turn off anything that might interrupt it, such as a Wi-Fi network switcher, and keep both phones close.
What transfers, and what doesn’t
| Transfers automatically | You’ll need to move manually |
|---|---|
| Contacts, SMS and message history, call history | Music |
| Photos, videos and albums | Books and PDFs |
| WhatsApp messages and media | Android-only apps |
| Files, mail accounts, calendars, voice memos | Paid apps (buy again on the App Store) |
| Web bookmarks, accessibility and display settings |
Apple says free apps available on both Google Play and the App Store may be added to your iPhone automatically. Apps that only exist on Android won’t come over.
After the transfer: things people forget
- Two-factor authentication apps. If you use an authenticator app for bank or work logins, move those accounts before you reset your Android phone. Many apps have their own export option.
- Banking and UPI apps. Expect to log in and re-verify your number on the new phone. Keep your SIM active and handy.
- Group messages. Turn off RCS chat on Android before switching, so friends’ messages don’t get stuck going to your old phone.
- Google account. Add your Google account to the iPhone’s Mail, Calendar and Contacts settings, or install Gmail and Google Calendar from the App Store, so nothing stored only in Google gets left behind.
- Storage. If the iPhone fills up, our guide to freeing up phone storage will help.
Give the iPhone a day or so on Wi-Fi and power after setup. It downloads apps, finishes processing photos and syncs accounts in the background, so it may feel warm and use more battery than usual at first.
Only wipe the old Android phone once you’ve checked your photos, chats and contacts on the iPhone.
Going the other way: iPhone to Android
Android 17 also made switching from iPhone to Android simpler. Business Today reported in July 2026 that Android 17 adds a built-in wireless migration tool using a QR code, which can move your photos, videos, contacts, messages, calendars and eSIM, plus Wi-Fi details and saved passwords. The iPhone needs iOS 26.3 or later, and the feature first came to the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Flip 8 and select Pixels.
Weighing up a new iPhone? Our look at the iPhone Duo’s India price and specs covers Apple’s newest model.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone?
Yes. Apple lists WhatsApp messages and media among the content that transfers during setup. Pick WhatsApp when you choose what to move.
Can I use Move to iOS after setting up my iPhone?
No. Apple says the transfer only works during setup. If you’ve already set up the iPhone, you’ll need to erase it and start again, or move things manually.
How long does it take to move from Android to iPhone?
It depends on how much data you have, especially photos and videos. A phone with a large photo library can take an hour or more, so start when you have time and both phones are plugged in.
Do I need a Wi-Fi network to transfer?
Apple asks you to turn Wi-Fi on for the Android phone. With the Move to iOS app, the iPhone creates its own temporary Wi-Fi network for the transfer, so you don’t need a home router for the data itself, though you’ll want internet afterwards to finish setup.
Will my eSIM move to the iPhone?
Apple’s app-free method on compatible Android 17 phones offers to transfer your eSIM during setup. Otherwise, contact your carrier to move the eSIM.
For more switching guides and phone news, see our Smartphones and Mobile section.