Whether you’re moving from Android to iPhone, or vice versa, or just bouncing within the same brand, here’s what you need to know in order to move your data across.
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- How to transfer data from iPhone to Android
- How to transfer data from Android to iPhone
- How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone
- How to transfer data from Android to Android
How to transfer data from iPhone to Android
While Apple’s iOS is not wholly compatible with Google’s Android, transferring data between these two models is surprisingly simple. There are three main steps you should follow to move your data over.
Step 1
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network - preferably your home router as this will typically be the strongest and more stable than a public router or 3G/4G connection
- Download the Google Drive app on to your iOS device - if you already have this downloaded, make sure it’s updated to the latest version of the app to ensure a smooth transition
- Sign in with your Google details or create a new Google account - you will need one anyway for when you use your Android phone
Step 2
- Once signed in or registered on the Google Drive app, go to:
Menu > Settings > Backup
- You will then have the option to select Backup Everything or choose certain content you wish to carry over to your new Android
- Plug your phone in to charge while data is transferring over, as this process can take a while and you don’t want your battery to die whilst backing up
Step 3
- Once completed, sign in to your Google account on your new Android device - use the same account as you did in Step 1
- All of your content should transfer over automatically, appearing in three different apps on your new device - Google Photos, Google Calendar, and Google Contacts
- Finally, you will need to login to the Google Play Store and reinstall your apps, as they won’t carry across from an iPhone, due to the differences in licensing and applications. If you paid for any on your iPhone, you’ll have to repay from the Google store
How to transfer data from Android to iPhone
If you are working the other way around, you’ll still be able to move your contacts, photos, videos, texts, messages, web history, calendar, email accounts and any apps appearing in both the Google Play Store and the Apple Store, by following these steps:
Step 1
- Download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store onto your Android phone
- Turn on Wi-Fi and make sure both your old Android phone and your new iPhone are connected to their chargers - this avoids either battery draining or dying while the transfer is processing
- Once your iPhone is turned on, it should display an Apps & Data screen - if you have already set up your iPhone and skipped this screen, you can either factory reset the iPhone to start again, or transfer the content manually
- If you did not skip or have restarted your iPhone, you can select the Move Data from Android option on the Apps & Data screen
Step 2
- Open the Move to iOS app on your old Android phone, and click the following selections:
Continue > Agree to terms and conditions > Next to Find Your Code
Step 3
- On your iPhone, tap Continue on the Move from Android screen
- On your Android, enter the 6 or 10 digit code on the screen and wait for the Transfer Data screen to appear
Step 4
- On your Android phone, select the content you wish to transfer and tap Next
- A loading bar will appear on your iPhone. Once it is completed, tap Done on the Android and Continue on the iPhone
- Follow the remaining steps to automatically set up your iPhone as normal, and the data you chose to save should be installed now - except PDFs, books and music
How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone
Upgrading your phone within Apple means that all of their iPhones are compatible and work harmoniously together, so you can transfer data from one iPhone to another fairly easily. You can do this one of three ways:
Quick Start
- Put the two iPhones close together and make sure both are turned on with Bluetooth enabled
- Quick Start will appear on your old iPhone - press Continue
- When an animation appears on the screen of your new iPhone, hold your old iPhone over the top of it
- Centre the animation in the viewfinder
- Wait for Finish on New Device to appear before moving them away
- Enter your passcode on your new iPhone when prompted and enter your Apple ID
iCloud
- Turn on your new iPhone and complete the manual setup until you reach the Apps & Data screen
- Tap Restore from iCloud Backup
- Sign into iCloud with your Apple ID
iTunes
- Turn on your new iPhone and complete the manual setup until you reach the Apps & Data screen, then click these options:
Restore from iTunes Backup > Next
- Connect your new iPhone to your computer and open iTunes on there
- Select your new iPhone when it appears as a connected device and click Restore Backup
- Complete the remaining setup on your iPhone
Either of these three options will kickstart the transition process. All you need to do is follow the remaining steps on your iPhone’s screen to complete the rest of the setup.
How to transfer data from Android to Android
Before transferring data, it’s good practice to make sure both Android devices are updated to the latest version to eliminate any compatibility issues.
It’s quite simple to carry over your data, settings, and apps from an old Android phone to a new one, following these steps below:
Step 1
- On your old Android phone, go to:
Settings > System > Backup > Google Account > Back up to Google Drive
Step 2
- Turn on your new Android device and connect to Wi-Fi
- When prompted to do so, select the Restore a Backup option and tap to retrieve the data from your Google account
Step 3
- Tap to Backup from the Cloud and sign into your Google account, then:
Accept terms and conditions > Restore > Apps
Your data will then be transferred over from one Android device to another, so you can start using your new phone with all your data still intact.
If you are having any difficulty, manufacturers will usually assist you in transferring over data if you take your phones into one of their shops, and they most likely do this immediately if you buy from them rather than online.
Looking for a new iPhone or Android handset? Check out our range of mobile phones online.
