Switching from Android to iPhone can seem like a monumental task at first, and some people never even consider switching due to the hassle of transferring data.
If you have been using Android for years, you will have become accustomed to its system, applications and settings and in the end when you are comfortable there is always that “little thing” about having to migrate to another operating system that sometimes puts you off.
However, the process of making this transition doesn't have to be complicated, and in fact, Apple has worked hard to make this change as smooth as possible. So if you're ready to make the jump, here's everything you need to know to switch from Android to iPhone without losing important data or going crazy in the process. Ready for your daily dose of SoydeMac tutorials? Here we go!
Step 1: Prepare your Android for the transition
The first thing you should do is Make sure your Android device is ready for the change Although it may seem obvious, it is essential that all your data is well organized before transferring them. This includes contacts, photos, videos, messages, apps, and anything else you don't want to lose.
And before you start, a good practice is to do a Full backup to your Google account, since this way, even if something is lost during the change, you will have a backup of everything in the cloud.
Also, make sure that both devices, the Android and the iPhone, are charged and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, since the data transfer may take a while, depending on the amount of information you have and the better the Wi-Fi you connect to, the more efficient the transfer will be.
The key tool: Move to iOS
Apple developed an app called “Move to iOS” specifically to ease the transition from Android to iPhone users, which I highly recommend over any other alternative and have used a hundred times in my day job.
This free tool isIt is available in the Google Play Store and allows you to transfer data such as contacts, messages, photos, videos, email accounts and calendars with a process that is quite simple: once you have downloaded the app on your Android, Turn on your new iPhone and follow the initial setup instructions. When you get to the “Apps and data«, select the option ««Transfer data from Android».
At this point, your iPhone will generate a code that you will need to enter into the “Move to iOS” app on your Android device and after connecting both devices, you will be able to select which data you want to transfer.
Migrate your photos and videos
Your photos and videos are probably some of the most important things you'll want to take with you, and while Move to iOS can transfer these files automatically, If you have a large amount of images or videos, the process may be slower of what you want.
An alternative option is use cloud services like Google Photos, Dropbox or OneDriveIf you already use Google Photos, simply install the app on your new iPhone, sign in with your Google account, and you'll have access to all your photos and videos in seconds.
If you prefer to transfer everything directly, as a faster option, You can always connect your Android to a computer, copy your photos and videos, and then transfer them to iPhone using iTunes or Finder (on macOS). Although this method is a bit more manual, it can be useful If you don't want to depend on the cloud and it doesn't force you to go through the checkout if you have a lot of things.
Your contacts and messages: the basics for moving from Android to iPhone
Contacts are essential, and losing them during the change would be a disaster and “Move to iOS” will take care of this as well. But however, if you prefer to do it manually, You can export your contacts from your Android to your Google account and then sync them to your iPhone.
For messages, Apple allows you to transfer them using “Move to iOS,” but if you have messages from specific apps like WhatsApp, you’ll need to perform a separate transfer.
WhatsApp, for example, has a dedicated feature for transferring chats from Android to iPhone, which requires both devices to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network and for you to be using the latest version of the app.
Setting up email and calendars
If you use Gmail or another email service, Setting it up on your iPhone is very simple.
During the initial setup of your device, your iPhone will ask you to sign in to your email accounts, which will also sync your calendars automatically.
If you prefer to do this manually, simply go to the app Configuration, Choose "E-mail" and later "Accounts«. From there, You can add your email account and even activate contact and calendar synchronization. if you haven't already.
Apps and shopping: a tricky subject
As we mentioned before, apps are not automatically transferred from an Android to an iPhone, but You can download the ones you already use from the App Store. In the end, most of the popular apps like Spotify, Netflix, Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are available on both operating systems, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding them.
However, keep in mind that In-app purchases on Android don't always carry over to iOS and if you bought an app on Google Play, you'll probably have to buy it again on the App Store. This also applies to certain subscriptions, although many companies allow subscriptions to be used on both systems as long as you log in with the same account.
You can also find Apps that are only on Android and that, unfortunately, you will have to look for alternatives for iOS, although these are becoming less and less common.
Finishing setting up your new iPhone
After you transfer your data and set up your iPhone, Check that everything works correctly: Make sure your contacts are complete, your photos are in the gallery, and your apps are working as expected.
And since you're at this point in the initial setup, we think it's a good time to explore iOS-only features like iMessage, FaceTime, and Siri, or even tinker with what's your own Apple ID and the services associated with it, as well as the Advantages of AI in iPhones.
In the end, although the two operating systems are different, each has its advantages, and discovering what iOS has to offer can be an exciting experience. Ready to take the plunge? Dare to discover the world of Apple!