pocket-lint.com

Ready to ditch Android for an iPhone? Here's how to make it painless

Key Takeaways

Transitioning from Android to iOS opens up new app possibilities, but requires learning iPhone complexities.

iOS offers faster software updates and bug fixes, while Android allows for more customization.

Use the Move to iOS app, get the proper cables, and follow the setup guide to seamlessly transfer data from Android to iOS.

Change is scary, but a change as seismic as going from an Android phone to an iPhone is something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Sure, I'm kidding. But only a little bit, because it's a shift that affects many lives daily. Think about how much time you spend on your phone each day -- if you're like me, it's a ton. All the texting and scrolling means you're spending many hours working within an operating system.

There are many apps that work for both Android and iOS , so when it comes to using software, the experience may not be as different. But there are plenty of apps that don't work for one or the other, so you're opening up your world to a lot of new possibilities. Going from Android to iOS may actually take a little bit more getting used to because of the complexities of an iPhone.

The back of the ultramarine iPhone 16 Related

First iPhone 18 rumor suggests Apple is planning a major hardware upgrade

A massive boost in iPhone camera performance is supposedly arriving in 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 series.

Each phone operating system has its own perks and benefits, so it will take time to learn the nuances and quirks after making the switch. But one of the most important things to consider is how you don't lose all of your files, texts, contacts, and more. Swapping it from one iPhone to another iPhone is simple, but going from Android to iOS is a little more intensive. Though, it isn't hard -- here's how to easily switch from Android to iOS.

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Follow Followed

Follow with Notifications Follow Unfollow

iphone-16-pro-thumbnail

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro line features a few notable upgrades over last year's iPhone 15 Pro, including a dedicated camera button, a new A18 Pro chip, a bigger screen, and several AI-powered Apple Intelligence features.

Differences between iOS and Android

The culture switch can be a lot to handle

Widgets on Android 14 versus multiple types of widgets on iOS 17.

Most people just focus on the colors of the text bubbles on their iPhone when they think of the differences between iOS and Android. It's one of the most recognizable things when someone is texting you in iOS, as Android users' messages appear in green bubbles, while iMessages from other iPhone users show up in blue.

However, the differences between these operating systems go far beyond text bubble colors. Apple is known for having better software updates and introducing bug fixes in a more timely fashion, but you can customize your Android phone much more easily, which is similar to a PC being more customizable than a MacBook.

Writing Tools in iOS 18.1 on iPhone 15 Pro on colored background Related

How to use Apple Intelligence's Writing Tools in iOS 18

Use Apple Intelligence to fix or rewrite your text with ease.

AI-powered features are usually powered by Google Gemini on an Android phone. It's more readily available on a variety of Android phones, while Apple Intelligence -- Apple's suite of AI-powered tools -- is only built into the new iPhone 16 lineup. iOS is lauded for its security and privacy features, and integration is simple between Apple devices.

Because of Android's open-source nature, many different companies can make Android phones, so it can be harder to integrate between the devices. You'll probably notice that the customer service is slightly easier to deal with when it comes to Apple, though getting an appointment at an Apple Store can be difficult.

The Control Center on an iPhone. Related

The Control Center clique: 6 apps that make my life easier every single day

iOS 18 introduced the ability to link any app to your iPhone's Control Center, and here are the ones that live on my own daily driver.

Most people just focus on the colors of the text bubbles on their iPhone when they think of the differences between iOS and Android.

How to switch over files from Android to iOS

It takes some connecting of the phones

iPhone charging on desk

In order to move over your contacts, files, photos, and other pieces of data that are important to you, there are a few steps you need to take.

Both your Android phone and your new iPhone need to be charged, and you need to download the Move to iOS app on your Android phone. You can do this by downloading it from the Google Play Store. You need them both to be on the same Wi-Fi network, or you'll have to connect the phones via a USB-C cable to work with new iPhones and potentially a USB-C cable that connects to a Lightning Cable adapter if you use an older one.

Anything older than an iPhone 15 will need a Lightning Cable adapter, while the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 models need a USB-C cable.

The iPhone 16's icons tinted blue Related

My go-to simple tricks to make my iPhone battery last all day

With these tactics, your iPhone won't run out of steam before you do.

You need to make sure that your iPhone has enough storage space to handle the files that you're transferring, including what might be on an external Micro SD card. You can also transfer over your Chrome bookmarks, but make sure you have the latest version of Chrome downloaded to your Android phone.

Once you have the proper cables and the phones are charged up, you need to:

Turn on your new iPhone and follow the onscreen setup guide. When you have the chance to select Set Up Without Another Apple Device, tap it.

The next screen will say Transfer your Apps & Data. Tap From Android.

Open the Move to iOS app on the Android phone. Agree to terms and conditions, tap Automatically Send or Don't Send on how to share data with Apple. You can also enable locations and permissions if you want.

Your iPhone will populate a screen that says Move from Android. Tap Continue, and a code, either 10-digit or six-digit, will appear. Enter that code on your Android device.

Your iPhone will create a temporary Wi-Fi network. Tap Connect to that Wi-Fi network on the Android phone. You'll see a Transfer Data screen appear after it has connected.

You can choose what data you want to transfer on your Android phone -- things like Contacts, Messages, Call History, Files, Extensions, and more. Choose all that you want, and tap Continue.

The transfer will start. Don't disconnect them or move them away from each other until both of the phones show that it's complete. The amount of time it takes will vary depending on how much content you're moving over.

The back of the ultramarine iPhone 16 Related

How to find your iPhone from another device

You don't need to own another Apple product to track down your iPhone.

From there, you can activate your phone number and SIM, but the process may vary depending on your phone carrier. After all has been done, you can tap Done on the Android screen and Continue on the iPhone screen. From there, you can set up your iPhone and make sure that all of your data has been transferred. You can also download any apps that you had on your Android phone by going to the Apple App Store and downloading them manually.

Certain files, such as photos and music, will have to be moved manually.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Read full news in source page