Who doesn’t love new tech for the holidays? Whether you’re hoping to ditch your Android for an iPhone under the tree or are bracing for helping family members set up their new iOS devices we have you covered.
Switching from Android to iOS is simple, especially with a visual walkthrough. Check out Apple’s Move to iOS app in action right here.
The Move to iOS app is nice, but it doesn’t allow you to select individual files to migrate. If you want to leave anything behind now is the time to sort it out, which is detailed here.
Start up your iPhone and tap through the setup options until you arrive at this screen. When you select Move data From Android it will direct you to download the Move to iOS app from Google Play.
The first step is to go to the Google Play store and search for the app. Be sure you’re getting the actual Apple Move to iOS app and not any of the other data migration apps in the store. This is the one that’s actually going to work.
When you open Move to iOS you’re greeted with this screen. Simply tap through it and the disclaimer that follows–unless you want to read it, of course. You’ll arrive at the screen on the right, at which point it’s time to bounce back to your iPhone.
Tap through the download prompt screen to bring up the code your Android device is asking for. Once it’s entered your Android device will broadcast a Wi-Fi signal that your iPhone will connect to.
It takes a minute for the two devices to pair up. Here’s your chance to play with your other holiday gifts.
You’ve reached the point of no return (not really-everything will still be on your Android phone too). Here is where you decide what to transfer over to your new iPhone, so be sure any old photos, text messages, and contacts have been dealt with before tapping Next.
Now you have another minute. Time to freshen that cup of coffee or try on that new sweater.
Your work is complete and your new iPhone should be ready to go as soon as it finishes setting up! You’ll now have a chance to sign into iTunes, set up iCloud, and configure other options. Turn off that old Android phone and welcome to the Applesphere!
This one surprised me–as I was checking out my newly transferred iPhone I was greeted with this window. iOS will redownload all free apps from your Android device that have an iOS counterpart!
Paid apps don’t come free, though: You’ll have to repurchase those from the App Store.
Brandon is a Staff Writer for TechRepublic. He's an award-winning feature and how-to writer who previously worked as an IT professional and served as an MP in the US Army.
