The Download
- One method is to use Apple’s Move to iOS app to transfer contacts, messages, photos, and more.
- LocalSend is a free app that quickly transfers files, photos, and videos to an iPhone.
- Cloud storage apps like Google Drive are also handy.
This article explains how to transfer files from Android to iPhone using local and online methods.
How to Transfer Files to iPhone With ‘Move to iOS’
Apple has an app called Move to iOS that you can download on your Android device. It will transfer just about everything on your Android phone to your iPhone in just a few taps.
Before you begin, have both devices nearby and make sure that all of the data on your Android phone will actually fit on your iPhone. Once you’re ready, follow these steps to copy files from Android to iPhone:
This method works only if your iPhone isn’t set up yet. Otherwise, you’ll need to reset the iPhone for these directions to work.
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Set up the iPhone by following the on-screen directions.
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When you reach the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, select From Android > Continue.
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Install Move to iOS on the Android device. Open the app and tap through the introductory screens until you see the Connect via Cable screen. Tap Continue with Wi-Fi.
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Select the iPhone listed on the Android device and then tap Continue.
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The iPhone displays a 6-digit code. Enter this code on the Android device.
Apple Inc.
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Select the type of content you want to transfer to your iPhone. Options include contacts, texts, call history, and more. Select Continue to start the transfer.
Move to iOS can also transfer accessibility and display settings, bookmarks, email accounts, WhatsApp data, Voice Memos, call history, calendars, and some apps.
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Wait while the files transfer. Tap Done (Android) and Continue (iPhone) to finish.
Keep the devices close and plugged into power until all the files are transferred. How long this takes depends on how much data you’re copying over.
Sometimes, contact names can be wrong or merged, not every message may transfer over correctly (particularly group chats), or you may have to restart the transfer process if it gets stuck before it finishes. When finished, it’s worth going through your data on your iPhone to check for any problems.
Transfer Files Between Phones With LocalSend
LocalSend is a free app that simplifies copying videos and other files between devices. It works on iPhone and Android, and all you need to do to use it is ensure the two devices are on the same Wi-Fi network; they’ll find each other automatically.
Follow these steps to use LocalSend to transfer files from Android to iPhone:
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Install LocalSend on both devices.
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Open the Android app and tap Send at the bottom. Also open the iPhone app, but don’t press any buttons just yet.
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From the Android app, choose File or Media, and then select all the data you want to send to the iPhone. Tap Select to prepare them to be sent.
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Select the iPhone from the list of nearby devices.
Its name might not be clear at first, but the iPhone should be the only other device listed if this is your first time using LocalSend.
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Tap Accept on the iPhone to receive the files.
Use Email to Transfer One or Two Files
Other methods work best for copying a large number of files between Android and iPhone, but if you’re just trying to transfer a few documents or pictures, you can’t go wrong with email.
To do this, create an email from your Android device and attach the files to it. Email yourself and then log in to the same account on the iPhone. All your attachments will be ready for you to download in under a minute.
Again, this method is best for one-offs, but it is effective for what it does. It’s also a smart method if you don’t yet have the iPhone, because the attachments will live in your inbox until you delete them.
Transfer Files to iPhone via Cloud Storage
Another easy way to transfer data between Android and iPhone is with a cloud storage app. Lots of cloud storage services exist, and many, like Google Drive and Dropbox, work great on both platforms. Along with making it easy to move files between devices, these apps also back up your data.
The exact steps for transferring files with cloud storage depend on exactly what you want to transfer and which service you use. In general, though, using cloud storage is best if you’re looking to transfer over just certain things, like particular files, and not everything on your phone.
From Android, you’ll drop the files into the app to upload them to your online file storage account. Open the same app on the iPhone to download them.
If you have a couple of files to move, uploading them to your cloud storage app of choice and downloading them on your iPhone works great. Or, use Google Photos to back up all your pics and videos, and then get the same app on the iPhone to access them easily. You can also transfer Google Photos directly to iCloud.
However, if you’re looking for an easy, all-in-one way to transfer files from Android to iPhone, Apple’s Move to iOS app is the better option.
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