How to Switch Between iPhone and Android

Getting a new phone is exciting, but the thought of losing your photos, contacts, and text messages can make the switch feel scary. The good news is that both Apple and Google make free apps just for this. Whether you're going from an iPhone to a Samsung or Pixel, or the other way around, your important stuff comes along for the ride.

This guide walks you through both directions in plain English, using the official Apple "Move to iOS" and Google "Switch to Android" tools. We'll cover what actually transfers, the on-screen QR code and cable steps, and the one thing iPhone owners must not forget: turning off iMessage so your texts don't go missing. Take your time, keep both phones plugged in, and you'll be set up in well under an hour.

⏱ Time: About 30 to 60 minutes · 💲 Cost: Free · 📋 You'll need: Both phones charged and plugged into power during the transfer, Your Wi-Fi network name and password, Your Apple Account and/or Google Account sign-in details, A USB-C cable if you want the faster, more complete cable transfer (recommended for messages and apps), The new phone freshly reset or still on its welcome screen

Illustration for: How to Switch Between iPhone and Android

1️⃣

Decide your direction and back up first

Figure out which way you're going: iPhone to Android, or Android to iPhone. Before you start, make sure your photos and contacts are backed up on the old phone (Google Photos, iCloud, or your account) just in case. Plug both phones into power and connect the old phone to Wi-Fi.

💡 If your new phone is already set up, the easiest path is to reset it to factory settings so the transfer tools can run during first-time setup. We can do this for you in-store if you'd rather not.

⚠️ The built-in transfer works best on a phone that's still on its welcome screen. Transferring after setup is possible but moves less, especially text messages.

2️⃣

iPhone to Android: start the new Android phone and choose iPhone

Turn on your new Android phone (Pixel, Samsung, etc.) and follow the welcome screens until it asks how you want to copy your data. On the 'Copy apps & data' screen, tap 'An iPhone or iPad'. The Android phone will then show a QR code on screen.

Welcome / StartCopy apps & dataAn iPhone or iPad

💡 On a Samsung you may instead see 'Smart Switch' offered, which does the same job. Either tool works.

⚠️ Photos and videos stored only in iCloud (not on the phone itself) won't come over automatically. Open Google Photos on your old iPhone and turn on Backup first to catch those.

3️⃣

iPhone to Android: scan the QR code and run Switch to Android

On your iPhone, open the Camera app and point it at the QR code on the Android screen. Tap the link to install the free 'Switch to Android' app from the App Store, open it, and follow the on-screen steps. To bring your text messages and apps, connect the two phones with a USB-C cable when prompted, then tap Trust on your iPhone.

iPhone CameraScan QR codeInstall Switch to AndroidFollow on-screen steps

💡 The cable transfer is the only way to bring your text and iMessage history and your apps. A wireless-only transfer copies contacts, calendar, photos and videos, but skips messages and apps.

⚠️ Paid apps, in-app purchases, and some settings don't transfer. You'll re-download apps on the Play Store, usually at no extra charge if you use the same login.

4️⃣

Android to iPhone: start the new iPhone and choose From Android

Turn on your new iPhone and follow setup until you reach the 'Transfer Your Apps & Data' screen, then tap 'From Android'. The iPhone will display a QR code (and create a temporary private Wi-Fi network) for your Android phone to connect to.

Hello / SetupTransfer Your Apps & DataFrom Android

💡 If your Android phone runs a recent compatible version of Android (Android 17 or later), you may be able to transfer directly without installing any app, using your phone's built-in camera to scan the iPhone's QR code.

⚠️ If you've already finished iPhone setup, you'd have to erase it and start over to reach this screen, so it's worth doing during first setup.

5️⃣

Android to iPhone: install Move to iOS and scan the code

On your Android phone, install the free 'Move to iOS' app from the Google Play Store, open it, and tap Continue. When prompted, use your Android camera to scan the QR code shown on your iPhone (if a numeric code appears instead, type it in). The phones then pair to begin the transfer. For a faster, more reliable move, you can also connect them with a USB-C cable.

Google Play StoreMove to iOSContinueScan the QR code

💡 In the Move to iOS app you'll pick what to bring: contacts, message history, photos and videos, mail accounts, call history, calendars and more.

⚠️ Even when the Android phone says it's done, leave both phones alone until the loading bar on the iPhone finishes. Keep them close together and plugged in.

6️⃣

Wait for the transfer to finish, then sign in

Watch the progress bar on the receiving phone. When it's full, the transfer is done. On the new phone, finish setup by signing into your Google Account (Android) or Apple Account (iPhone) so contacts, calendars, and email keep syncing.

💡 WhatsApp chats and media can move too, but the app may ask you to confirm an extra step during the transfer. Follow its prompts if you use it.

⚠️ Don't trade in or wipe your old phone until you've opened the new one and confirmed your photos, contacts, and recent texts are really there.

7️⃣

If you left iPhone: turn off iMessage so texts arrive

This step is essential when leaving an iPhone. While you still have the old iPhone, open Settings, tap Messages, and turn iMessage off. Then go back to Settings, tap Apps, tap FaceTime, and turn FaceTime off. This stops other iPhones from sending your texts into a black hole.

SettingsMessagesiMessage (toggle off)

💡 Also do the FaceTime toggle: Settings > Apps > FaceTime > off (on iOS 18 and later, FaceTime lives under the Apps section). After deregistering, give it a few hours for everyone's phones to catch up.

⚠️ Already sold or wiped your iPhone? Deregister online at selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage. Enter your number, then the text-message code Apple sends. If you no longer get texts at that number, contact Apple Support.

🛠️ Want a hand with this — or just don't want to mess with it?
Browning PC sets up and fixes this kind of thing for South Georgia homes and small businesses, in person or remotely.
📞 229-561-1674 · 📅 Book an appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

❓

Will my text messages transfer when I switch phones?

Yes, but with a catch. Moving from Android to iPhone, the Move to iOS app brings your message history. Moving from iPhone to Android, your text and iMessage history only transfers when you connect the two phones with a USB-C cable during setup, the wireless-only method skips messages and apps entirely. Either way, doing the move during the new phone's first-time setup gives the best results.

❓

Why do my friends with iPhones stop getting my texts after I switch to Android?

That's iMessage. If you don't turn it off, Apple's servers still think your number uses iMessage and route messages there, where your new Android phone can't see them. Turn off iMessage (Settings > Messages) and FaceTime (Settings > Apps > FaceTime) on your old iPhone before switching, or deregister online at selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage if it's already gone. After that, texts arrive normally within a few hours.

❓

Do my photos and videos come over?

Yes. Photos and videos stored on the phone transfer with both the Move to iOS and Switch to Android apps, even over a wireless transfer. The one gotcha is photos stored only in iCloud, those aren't on the phone itself, so install Google Photos on your old iPhone and turn on Backup first to catch everything.

❓

Will my paid apps and purchases transfer?

The apps themselves often re-download on the new phone, but paid apps and in-app purchases don't carry across the App Store and Play Store, those are separate stores. You'll usually be able to reinstall free apps automatically and re-download paid ones, though a few may need buying again. Subscriptions you pay through the app store may also need re-setting up.

❓

What if the transfer fails or gets stuck halfway?

Keep both phones plugged in, close together, and don't touch them while the progress bar moves, most stalls are just slow transfers of large photo libraries. If it truly fails, restart both phones and try again, ideally with a USB-C cable, which is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi. Still stuck? Bring both phones to Browning PC in Valdosta and we'll move everything over for you.