Android and iOS dominate the smartphone market, with the Google operating system holding the majority. With Android, switching to a new cell phone usually works well if you stay with the same manufacturer. It gets tricky when you switch from iOS to Android. We’ll show you step by step how to leave the iPhone behind, but take all the data with you.
We do a lot of things with the mobile phone, and smartphones are set up accordingly today. The decision for Android or iOS is usually a long-term one, because once you get used to a mobile operating system, the hurdles for the change appear high.
Many users therefore remain loyal to the cell phone manufacturer, which is also a good idea with Android, because switching to new hardware is easier if you stay with the same provider. The complete opposite is the change of operating system. In a separate article, we’ll show you how to switch from Android to iOS. This post shows the opposite way, i.e. the switch from iOS to Android.
1. Make a backup
Backups are also a must for cell phones, because after all, they store a lot of important data. As for iPhones, many users back up to iCloud. This is certainly the easiest way, but it can also be done locally via iTunes. This article shows you how to proceed step by step.
Important, this backup is about having all your important data elsewhere. When moving, the goal is to take as much data with you as possible. If that doesn’t work 100 percent, at least you’ve backed up all of your data. For the backup strategy, note that you may no longer need iCloud subscriptions when you switch to Android. Then the local backup via iTunes is the better way.
2. Plan the app move
A plan must be found for the move. At least this to-do list includes which apps and other data should be moved. The best thing to do is to look through all of the installed apps and sort out anything you want to take with you.
A good breakdown would be to collect free apps, then the paid apps and also apps that you no longer need. It is best to uninstall what is no longer needed.
The useful data that you want to take with you are also important. Photos and videos are likely to accumulate with every user, but there may be other documents, contacts or a local password database that you have to move.
3. Use moving helpers
There is no official moving app from Google. If you want to switch to a pixel, you simply turn on the new smartphone and select “Copy apps & data”. Photos, videos, calendars and more can be copied to the new mobile phone via a cable connection.
Other device manufacturers are proceeding in a similar way, for example with Smart Switch there is a helper for Samsung devices. It should already be installed on current Samsung smartphones. If this is not the case, simply reinstall the app.
The transfer works directly from cell phone to cell phone and requires a data cable. You can take photos, videos, contacts, appointments, calendar, notes and even iCloud data with you. It is also possible to search for comparable apps on the basis of the apps previously used on the iPhone.
If you don’t use Google Pixel or Samsung, you should check with the mobile phone manufacturer to see if there isn’t a moving app: Sony, for example, has Xperia Transfer 2 on offer and Huawei has the Phone Clone app. If there is no moving app, all is not lost, the change will only be a little more tedious.
4. Clamp Google Drive
Those who switch to Android are probably not entirely averse to Google services. Google Drive is therefore also a useful helper when switching from iOS. So just install the app on the iPhone and then save your data there. You decide what exactly is to be backed up. This way you can take photos, contacts and calendar with you, for example.
On the Android smartphone, it is sufficient to log in with the same Google account. The assignment of the data takes place in the corresponding apps, for example the photos end up in the Google Photos app, contacts in Google Contacts.
5. Use cloud apps
In general, the use of cloud apps is an advantage when switching from iOS to Android. Netflix, Spotify, cloud storage or password manager services support both worlds. In other words, all you need to do is log in to Android with the appropriate access data to get everything up and running.
6. Move messenger
Messenger are tricky when moving. WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram are available for Android and iOS and you can get the account relatively easily from A to B, but it looks different when it comes to chats. Telegram makes it easy for users with its cloud structure; all you have to do here is register on the new smartphone and everything should look the same as before.
WhatsApp chats can be transferred from the iPhone to Samsung devices via cable via the settings and the “Move chats to Android” option. Allegedly, pixel phones and other mobile phones with Android 12 should also be supported, but nothing of this can be read in the official description. WhatsApp is currently working on making it easier to switch devices in all directions.
Threema users move via the safe function, with Signal the switch only works if you switch from Android to Android or from iPhone to iPhone.
7. Take saved games with you
Another pretty tricky building site when switching from iPhone to Android is games. It’s not that there aren’t enough games on both platforms, but taking saved games with you is sometimes simply not possible.
What you should try: If the providers have created their own options in the game to secure the state of affairs, then you can simply get started on the Android mobile phone, you only need the login data. However, you cannot simply take saved games from the Game Center with you. It is worth contacting the manufacturer for important games, but sometimes there are dead ends and you have to start over on your new mobile phone.
8. Cancel subscriptions and use paid apps
You should cancel subscriptions that you have taken out via the App Store before switching to Android. But don’t rush into anything. For example, if you have an iCloud subscription, you should first keep your data safe before canceling the subscription.
If you have bought apps in the App Store, nobody cares when you switch to Android. You will then have to spend more money in the Play Store if you want to continue using the apps. You can also try to contact the provider and explain the location, maybe this can save you a few euros.
9. Final touches
With the above steps, you should have already moved a large part of the data. Now it’s time to test: Are all apps working, is all the data where it should be? Additional fine-tuning work is required for home banking apps. Here you will probably have to re-deposit the new cell phone for 2-factor authentication.
You cannot take Apple Pay with you on Android either; an alternative is to set up Google Pay for contactless payments. If after a few days you are happy with everything, it’s time to retire the iPhone. That means you reset it and remove it from iCloud.