How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone: Contacts, WhatsApp & Photos — Complete 2026 Guide

8 min read 

If you want to transfer data from Android to iPhone, this guide has everything you need. Whether you are switching from Samsung, Huawei, Google Pixel, or any other Android device — moving your contacts, WhatsApp chats, and photos is simpler than most people expect. You just need to follow the right steps in the right order.

Maybe you picked up a certified refurbished iPhone from Remobile at a fraction of the new price. Maybe you are drawn to Apple's seamless ecosystem and longer software support. Whatever your reason — congratulations. You are about to experience one of the best smartphones in the world.

This complete guide covers the Android to iPhone transfer process from start to finish — contacts, WhatsApp message history, photos, and everything else. By the end, you will know exactly what to do and in which order. Nothing gets left behind.

Before You Begin: What to Check

Before you start the migration from Android to iPhone, take 10 minutes to run through this checklist. A little preparation now will save you a lot of frustration later.

On your Android phone:

• Charge it to at least 80%
• Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network
• Back up your data to Google Drive (Settings → Google → Backup)
• Note down all apps you use — you'll need to reinstall them on iOS
• Make sure your Android OS is updated

On your new iPhone:

• Charge it fully before setup
• Have your Apple ID ready (or create one at apple.com)
• Make sure you have enough iCloud storage (you may need to upgrade temporarily)
• Keep both phones near each other throughout the transfer

How to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone Using Move to iOS

Apple's official Move to iOS app is the fastest and easiest way to transfer data from Android to iPhone. It is free, works with any Android phone, and handles most of your data in a single session. For extra technical details, you can also check Apple's official support guide for moving from Android to iPhone.

What it transfers:

• Contacts
• Message history (SMS)
• Photos and videos
• Web bookmarks
• Mail accounts
• Calendars
• Wallpaper
• App suggestions

What it does NOT transfer:

• WhatsApp chats (separate process — see below)
• Downloaded music
• Android-only apps

Step-by-step: How to use Move to iOS

Step 1: On your new iPhone, begin the setup process. When you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, tap "Move Data from Android".

Step 2: On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store and download the Move to iOS app — it is free and made by Apple.

Step 3: Open the app on Android and tap Continue. Agree to the terms.

Step 4: On your iPhone, a 10-digit (or 6-digit) code will appear. Enter this code on your Android phone.

Step 5: Your Android will connect to your iPhone via a private Wi-Fi network. Select the data you want to transfer and tap Next.

Step 6: Wait for the transfer to complete. Keep both phones plugged in and don't use them during this process — it can take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour depending on how much data you have.

Step 7: Once done, tap Done on Android and continue setting up your iPhone.

As Uswitch's complete switching guide notes, this process works the same regardless of whether you have an iPhone 12, iPhone 15, or the latest iPhone 17 — the transfer method is universal across all models.

How to Transfer Contacts from Android to iPhone

There are three reliable methods to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone. Whether you want to migrate phone numbers, export a full address book, or simply sync via the cloud — one of these options will work perfectly for you.

Method 1: Google Account Sync (Easiest)

If your contacts are saved to your Google account (which they almost certainly are), this is the simplest approach.

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Mail → Accounts → Add Account
2. Select Google and sign in with your Google account
3. Turn on Contacts sync
4. Done — your contacts will appear in the iPhone's Contacts app within minutes

This is the recommended method for most users. It's fast, reliable, and doesn't require any extra apps.

Method 2: Export as VCF File

If you prefer not to link your Google account:

1. On Android, open the Contacts app
2. Tap the menu (three dots) → Export
3. Choose Export to .vcf file and save it to your phone storage
4. Send the .vcf file to yourself via email
5. Open the email on your iPhone and tap the .vcf attachment
6. Tap Add All Contacts

Method 3: SIM Card Transfer (for small contact lists)

1. On Android, go to Settings → Contacts → Export to SIM
2. Move your SIM card to your new iPhone
3. Go to Settings → Contacts → Import SIM Contacts

This only works if your contacts were saved to the SIM, not Google — which is rare for most modern Android users.

How to Transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone

This is where most people hit a wall. Moving WhatsApp from Android to iPhone is not automatic — it requires a few extra steps. But it is completely doable, and WhatsApp has made the process significantly easier in recent years. WhatsApp's official FAQ explains the exact steps and limitations of migrating chats from Android to iPhone.

Using the Official WhatsApp Chat Transfer (Android to iPhone)

WhatsApp now has a built-in migration tool. Here's how to use it:

Before you start, make sure:

• Both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network
• You have a USB-C to Lightning cable (or USB-C to USB-C for iPhone 15 and later)
• WhatsApp on iPhone is up to date (same version or newer than Android)

Step 1: On your iPhone, open WhatsApp and tap "Move Chats from Android".

Step 2: On your Android, open WhatsApp → tap the three dots → Settings → Chats → Move Chats to iPhone.

Step 3: A QR code will appear on your iPhone. Scan it with your Android's WhatsApp.

Step 4: Connect both phones using a cable. Wait for the transfer to complete.

Step 5: Once done, finish activating WhatsApp on your iPhone. Your complete chat history, photos, videos, and voice messages will all be there.

Alternative: Using Move to iOS for WhatsApp

If you haven't set up your iPhone yet, WhatsApp can also be transferred via the Move to iOS app. When selecting data to transfer, simply include WhatsApp in the selection.

How to Transfer Photos and Videos from Android to iPhone

There are several ways to transfer photos from Android to iPhone, depending on how many you have and whether you want them stored locally or in the cloud. Here are the four most reliable options.

Method 1: Google Photos (Recommended for large libraries)

If your Android photos are backed up to Google Photos:

1. Install Google Photos on your iPhone from the App Store
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. All your photos are immediately accessible in the cloud

This doesn't move photos to your iPhone's local storage, but you can download individual albums or photos at any time.

Method 2: Move to iOS App

If you use the Move to iOS app during setup, your camera roll photos are automatically included in the transfer — stored directly on your iPhone, no cloud needed.

Method 3: Computer Transfer

1. Connect your Android to your computer via USB
2. Copy your photo folders (DCIM, Pictures, etc.)
3. On Mac: Use Image Capture or Finder to import to iPhone
4. On Windows: Use iTunes or drag and drop after connecting iPhone

Method 4: AirDrop via Mac

If you have a Mac, copy photos there first, then wirelessly AirDrop them to your iPhone. Great for selective transfers rather than migrating a full library.

What Else Can You Transfer?

Beyond contacts, WhatsApp, and photos, there is still more you can move from Android to iPhone. Here is a quick reference for everything else.

Real Experiences & Further Reading

The technical steps are covered above. If you also want to hear what the Android to iPhone transition actually feels like from real users, these resources are worth a few minutes of your time:

• For a real-life account of what it is actually like to go from Android to iPhone, TechAdvisor shares what it felt like to switch from Android to iPhone after 12 years — including what was surprisingly easy and what took getting used to.
• If you want an even more detailed step-by-step walkthrough that covers specific phone models and carrier settings, Uswitch has put together a complete guide to switching from Android to iPhone worth bookmarking.

Tips for Settling Into iOS After Android

Once your data is safely on your new iPhone, the real adjustment begins. Here are the most useful things to know when switching from Android to iPhone for the first time:

1. Get used to the App Store
Almost every major app — WhatsApp, Instagram, Spotify, Google Maps, Gmail — is available on iOS. A few Android-exclusive apps may need alternatives, but this is rare.

2. Learn the gesture navigation
iPhones no longer have a physical back button. Swipe right from the left edge of the screen to go back. Swipe up from the bottom to go home. It becomes second nature within a day or two.

3. Set up iCloud properly
iCloud is the backbone of the iPhone experience. 5 GB is free; 50 GB costs about €1/month. Turn on iCloud Photo Library for automatic photo backups.

4. Configure Face ID or Touch ID
Set up Face ID (or Touch ID on older models) right away — you'll use it for everything from unlocking to Apple Pay.

5. Explore the Control Center
Swipe down from the top-right corner for quick access to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, and more. Customize it in Settings → Control Center.

6. Notifications work differently
iOS notifications live in the Notification Center. Swipe down from the top to access them. Customize grouping per app in Settings → Notifications.