6 Tips To Make The Switch From Iphone To Android Easier

Making the switch from iPhone to Android is a serious step, but it’s not as hard as it’s always made out to be. The migration from iPhone to Android may be tricky, but if you follow the tips I’ll show you in this article, you should be able to make the switch without losing all your data and with relative ease.

So without further ado, let’s get into it.

Preparing Properly For The Switch

Before you make the transfer:

The migration is much like a camping trip. If you want to have a successful camping trip, then you will have to pack all the essentials and prepare for the trip. In the same way, you have to prepare for the transfer. If you want to have a successful migration from your iPhone to your new Android, then there are a couple of things that you have to do before the transfer:

Make sure that the batteries of both devices have sufficient charge. If you can have them charging as you make the transfer, that would be much better, but if not, just make sure that your batteries are charged to about 80 per cent before you start the transfer.
Have a reliable internet connection. We are going to be making major use of it for the entire process.
Back up your data or transfer it to an external storage for the sake of ease. This would mean backing up to your drive or Google Photos (more details on this later)
It’s also important that you check the storage that has been consumed on the iPhone and is about to be consumed on the Android device to be sure that you have sufficient storage for the transfer.
Finally, you will need to disable iMessage. To do this, open Settings on your iPhone, go to Messages, and toggle iMessage off. Repeat this process for FaceTime in the settings menu. However, if you’ve already traded in or sold your device and forgot this step, don’t worry. You can still disconnect your phone number from Apple’s servers by visiting their official iMessage Deregistration website.

Now that we are done with the preparations, let’s get into the main tips that you should apply when making the big switch from iPhone to Android.

Tip 1: Use the New Native “Transfer to Android” (iOS 26.3+)

2026 came with a pleasant surprise for both Apple and Android users alike with the release of the New native transfer to Android. This new update has come to bridge the gap between the two giants and will help to ensure a smoother transition between both operating systems.

Basically, if your iPhone is updated to at least iOS 26.3, you no longer need third-party apps for the bulk of your data.

To activate it, go to Settings on your Apple device > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Transfer to Android.

This tool allows you to move photos, messages, notes, and even passwords by simply placing the two phones near each other.

Tip 2: Move Your Authenticators:

For the sake of security, phones have been designed not to automatically transfer your authentication keys and codes to your new devices. This is mainly because to do so would require that they be backed up to the clouds, which would make it more possible for other people to have access to them.

Not to worry, you can still transfer your authenticator codes to your new device with these steps:

Method 1: The Google Authenticator “QR Handshake”

Google makes it relatively easy to move your accounts using a direct device-to-device transfer.

On the iPhone (The Source): Open the app, tap the three-line menu, and select Transfer accounts. Choose Export accounts, select the profiles you want to move, and the app will generate a unique QR code.
On the Android (The Destination): Open the app and look for the “Import existing accounts?” link at the bottom. Use your Android’s camera to scan the QR code displayed on your iPhone. Your codes will appear instantly.

Method 2: Handling the Microsoft Authenticator “Wall”

Microsoft Authenticator is more restrictive because it uses iCloud for iPhone backups and Google Drive for Android, and the two don’t talk to each other. You have to move these manually.

For Personal Accounts: Sign in to your Microsoft account on the Android app. You’ll likely need to verify your identity via a text message or a secondary email to “approve” the new device.
For Corporate or School Accounts: This usually requires a desktop computer. Log in to your organisation’s security portal, go to Security Info, and choose to Add a new sign-in method. Select “Authenticator App,” scan the QR code on your computer screen with your Android, and confirm the connection.
For Third-Party Sites: If you use Microsoft Authenticator for sites like Facebook or Amazon, you must log into those specific websites, disable 2FA briefly, and then re-enable it by scanning a new QR code with your Android phone.

Method 3: Using Multi-Device Apps (Authy or Bitwarden)

If you use a service like Authy or a password manager with built-in 2FA like Bitwarden, the process is much simpler. Just install the app on your Android, log in, and enter your “Master Password” or “Back-up Password” to decrypt and sync your codes across.

To avoid a digital lockout, follow these three rules:

The No-Wipe Rule: Do not factory reset your iPhone until you have successfully logged into every major account using the codes on your Android.
The Recovery Key Backup: Before starting, log into your most important accounts (like your primary email) and download the Recovery Codes. Save them in a secure place or print them out as a last-resort backup.
Check the “Work Account” Permissions: Some workplace security policies require an IT administrator to “unpair” an old device before a new one can be added. If your work email won’t sync, a quick call to IT is usually the fix.

Tip 3: Embrace the “Switch to Android” App

This tip is an alternative to Tip 1 and would be super useful to you if you are using an iPhone that doesn’t have access to the latest updates.

If you aren’t on the latest iOS, then you will have to start the process from your Android device this time.

To do that, download Google’s Switch to Android app from the App Store. It uses a QR code to pair the devices and can wirelessly migrate your contacts, calendar events, and photos.

For the fastest speeds, use a USB-C to Lightning (or USB-C to USB-C) cable to connect the phones directly, but if you prefer to do things wirelessly, this works fine as well.

Tip 4: Download Google Photos for backup

Photos and videos are memories, and so you will need a way to seamlessly transfer them from the iPhone to the Android. The iPhone has iCloud backup, which allows you to have the same photos when you get a new iPhone, so that you log into the same iCloud account.

But androids don’t make use of iCloud, so you will have to take another approach.

We recommend you download Google Photos and drive it to your Apple device and then back up from there to help ensure you don’t lose any of your precious memories.

If you have a massive library (think 500GB+), trying to upload it through a phone app might take days. There’s a better way.

Go to privacy.apple.com on a computer and look for “Transfer a copy of your data.”
You can tell Apple to send your entire iCloud library directly to Google Photos. This happens “cloud-to-cloud,” so it won’t drain your battery or data. It usually takes a few days, and you’ll get an email when it’s done.

Before you say goodbye to your iPhone, go to photos.google.com on any computer and log in. Scroll through and make sure your most recent memories are there. If you see them on the web, they’ll be waiting for you the moment you log into your new Android.

Tip 5: Export passwords from iPhone Keychain:

Moving your passwords is like handing over the keys to your entire digital house. Since Apple and Google don’t have a “secret handshake” to share these directly, you’ll need to create a temporary list to move them.

Here is the most human, secure way to get your logins from iCloud Keychain over to your new Android.

Step 1: Create Your “Master Key” (The Export)

The easiest way to do this is on a Mac, but you can also do it right from your iPhone if you’re on iOS 18 or later.

On your iPhone:

Open Settings and scroll down to the new Passwords app (or go to Settings > Apps > Safari).
Look for the Export Passwords option.
Your phone will bundle your logins into a single file. Save this to your Files app.
Heads up: This file is usually a .csv. It’s basically a spreadsheet of every password you own in plain text. Treat this file like a bag of cash, don’t leave it lying around!

On a Mac:

Open System Settings and click Passwords.
Log in with your Touch ID or password.
Look for the three-dot menu icon and choose Export All Passwords.
Save that .csv file to your desktop.

Step 2: Hand the Keys to Google

Now we need to tell Google where you’ve been living so it can help you log in on your new phone.

On a computer, head over to passwords.google.com.
Sign in with the same Google account you’re using for your new Android.
Click the Settings (gear icon) in the top right.
Find the Import Passwords section, click Select File, and pick that .csv you just made.
Success! Your Android will now automatically suggest those passwords when you try to log into your favourite apps.

Step 3: The “Burn After Reading” Phase

This is the most important part for your security. Because that .csv file isn’t protected by a password, anyone who finds it can see everything.

Delete the file from your Downloads or Desktop immediately.
Empty your Trash or “Recently Deleted” folder.
Double-check your email: if you emailed the file to yourself to move it between devices, delete that email from your “Sent” and “Trash” folders too.

A Note on the “New Standard” (Passkeys)

If you’ve started using Passkeys (where you log in with your face or fingerprint instead of a password), these won’t move via a spreadsheet.

So, for your big accounts (like Amazon or Google), just log in once on your new Android using your old password. The phone will ask, “Do you want to create a Passkey for this device?” Say Yes, and you’re back to that easy, password-less life!

Tip 6: Audit Your Paid Subscriptions

This step may be underemphasized sometimes, so I need to reiterate it for you. As we have established before, Apps you bought on the App Store won’t automatically transfer to the Google Play Store, so it’s important that you scrutinize your paid apps so you don’t end up with avoidable losses.

If you are paying subscriptions for services like Spotify, Netflix, or Disney+, then you should be just fine; all you will have to do is install it on your Android and just log in.

However, if you pay for Apple Arcade or iCloud+, remember to cancel those in your Apple ID settings before you finish your migration. These apps will not be transferred to your new Android, and refusing to deactivate them could cost you.

Conclusion

Switching from iPhone to Android doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right prep and the steps covered here, you can move your data safely and settle into Android without losing what matters.

Once everything is transferred, don’t let your old iPhone gather dust. Sell your iPhone to The Whiz Cells; an easy way to get cash back and put it toward your new Android upgrade.

Make the switch smart, and make the most of it.

FAQs on How to Switch From iPhone to Android

Will I lose my paid iPhone apps when I move to Android?

The short answer is yes for “one-time buy” apps. Since the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are different businesses, they don’t share receipts. However, for anything with a login (like Netflix, Kindle, or Spotify), your account follows you; just sign in on the Android, and all your stuff will be there.

Can I still use my Apple Watch with an Android phone?

Not really. While you can technically use a cellular-enabled Apple Watch as a standalone device for calls and fitness, it cannot sync with an Android phone. You won’t get Android notifications on your wrist, and you can’t update the watch’s software without an iPhone. If you’re switching to Android, it’s usually best to look into a Pixel Watch or a Galaxy Watch.

What happens to my iMessage group chats?

Actually, things are much better in 2026! Thanks to a tech standard called RCS, those “green bubble” chats now support high-res videos, typing bubbles, and emoji reactions. Just make sure you turn off iMessage on your old iPhone before you move your SIM card. If you forget, Apple’s servers might “hijack” your texts, and you won’t see them on your Android.

How do I move my Apple Notes to my new phone?

Apple Notes doesn’t have a direct “Sync” button for Android. The easiest way is to download the Google Keep app on your iPhone, copy and paste your important notes there, and they will instantly appear on your Android device. For hundreds of notes, you can use a tool like Samsung Smart Switch to pull them directly from your iCloud backup.

Can I use my Apple MagSafe chargers and accessories?

Yes! Most modern Android phones (like the Pixel 10 and Galaxy S25) now support Qi2, which is essentially the same magnetic tech as MagSafe. Even if your Android phone doesn’t have magnets built in, you can buy a “MagSafe-compatible” case that lets your phone snap onto all your old Apple chargers and wallets.

Will my photos lose quality when I move them to Google Photos?

Only if you want them to. When setting up Google Photos, you can choose “Original Quality,” which keeps every pixel exactly as it was on your iPhone. If you’re worried about storage space, the “Storage Saver” option is an excellent middle ground. It uses AI to shrink the file size slightly while keeping the image looking perfect to the naked eye.

Can I transfer my apps from iPhone to Android?

The short answer is NO: you will be able to transfer photos and videos without a doubt, but you won’t be able to transfer apps, because the two have different interfaces and operating systems. This means you will have to download the apps manually on your Android.

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