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iPhone From Android Migration 2026 — Switch Without Losing
Switching from Android to iPhone in 2026 is well-supported by Apple\'s Move to iOS app. But certain things WILL break or change — here is the complete migration guide tested with real switchers.
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Android Switch Quick Picks
Tools for smooth migration
USB-C cable for both phones during migration
USB-C cable
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USB-C cable
MagSafe charger for first iPhone use
MagSafe charger
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MagSafe charger
AirPods Pro 2 — Android Bluetooth migrating
AirPods Pro 2 for new iPhone user
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AirPods Pro 2 for new iPhone user
Cost Breakdown — All Options
| Where | Cost | Wait | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move to iOS | Apple\'s migration app | Free + official | Best path |
| What transfers | Contacts, photos, messages, mail | Most things | Some loss expected |
| What breaks | iMessage replaces RCS | Apps redownload | Subscriptions reset |
| Photos | All transfer | Geotags preserved | Albums may lose |
| Messages | SMS/MMS transfer | RCS conversation history | iMessage moving forward |
| Apps | Find iOS versions | Some not available | App-by-app review |
Move to iOS app workflow
Download Move to iOS on Android (Google Play). On iPhone, choose Move Data from Android during setup. Code displayed on iPhone, type on Android. Both phones connected to same Wi-Fi. Migration runs 30-90 minutes depending on data volume. Don\'t use either phone during transfer.What transfers successfully
Contacts (full data preserved). Photos and videos (geotags + dates). Camera roll structure. Mail accounts (re-authenticate on iPhone). SMS/MMS history. Calendar events. Free apps (re-downloaded). Bookmarks (some browsers). Wi-Fi passwords.What does NOT transfer
Paid Android apps (re-purchase iOS versions). Subscriptions (cancel Android, resub iOS). DRM-protected content (movies, music). Banking/2FA apps need re-setup. Game saves (some). WhatsApp moves separately (chat backup).Messaging transition
SMS/MMS history transfers. iMessage replaces SMS for iPhone-to-iPhone (blue bubbles). RCS works iPhone-to-Android (green bubbles, iOS 18+). Past conversations preserved as SMS. Tell Android friends you switched.Photos consideration
All photos and videos transfer with metadata. Albums may not preserve fully — recreate. Google Photos (cloud) does NOT transfer — separate process via Google Takeout. iCloud Photos enables photo sync going forward.Apps reality check
Most popular Android apps have iOS versions. Re-download from App Store. Re-login (passwords sync via iCloud Keychain after first login). Subscriptions: cancel Android Play Store first, then subscribe via iOS. Family Sharing accounts new for iPhone.WhatsApp + chat history
WhatsApp has separate Android-to-iPhone migration tool. Backup chat on Android. Use Move to iOS to transfer WhatsApp data (special integration). Important — without this, WhatsApp history is LOST.First-week iPhone learning
Control Center swipe down from top-right (iPhone X+). Notification Center swipe down from top-left. Reachability swipe down on home indicator. App switcher swipe up + hold. Long-press home button = Siri. Many gestures different from Android.Mail-In Repair Service
Don't have time to wait for Apple? We offer mail-in repair with overnight return shipping.