How to move from iPhone to Android (or back)
What transfers, what doesn't, and the manual steps for the things the apps miss.
Quinn Yoo
February 5, 2026
Use the official app
iPhone → Android: install 'Switch to Android' on your new phone, follow the prompts. Transfers contacts, photos, calendar, SMS.
Android → iPhone: install 'Move to iOS' on your old phone, then start the new iPhone setup. Similar coverage.
What doesn't transfer automatically
iMessage threads with non-iPhones — these become regular SMS. To preserve iMessage history, you'd need to use the same Apple ID across devices (won't help if leaving Apple).
Apple Pay cards — re-add manually on the new device. Not transferable.
App-specific data (game saves, fitness tracker history). Most apps have cloud sync, but each app's setup may need manual sign-in.
Don't forget to deregister iMessage
If you leave iMessage active on your old number when switching to Android, friends still iMessaging you will see 'delivered' but you'll never get the messages.
Apple has a deregister page (selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage). Use it before switching.
People also ask
What about WhatsApp?+
WhatsApp Move: built-in option in newer versions. Otherwise back up your chats and restore on the new platform.
Are my paid apps lost?+
Yes — apps purchased on App Store don't transfer to Play Store, and vice versa. Subscriptions to services (Netflix, etc.) are unaffected.
Should I keep my old phone?+
For a week or two, yes — sometimes you remember an account or app you didn't migrate. After that, factory reset and donate or recycle.