Switch from Android to iPhone

Before the change

Step 1: Back up the Android phone and save what won't move

A fresh backup, plus photos and Samsung data that need moving first.

• Back up the Android phone to your Google Account (high risk)
• Keep the Android phone working until the switch is finished (high risk)
• Make sure you know your Google Account password (high risk)
• Google Photos: let backup finish before you switch (high risk)
• and 2 more

Step 2: Move passwords, passkeys and sign-in codes

Authenticator codes are the thing most often lost in a switch.

• Google Authenticator: sync or transfer your codes (critical risk)
• Google Password Manager: set it up to fill passwords on the iPhone (high risk)
• Save backup codes for accounts that use sign-in codes (high risk)
• Google sign-in prompts without an Android phone (high risk)
• and 1 more

Step 3: Set up your Apple Account

Two-factor sign-in with a trusted number you'll keep.

• Set up your Apple Account with two-factor sign-in (high risk)

Step 4: Review Google Play subscriptions and paid apps

Google keeps billing until you cancel.

• Subscriptions billed through Google Play keep charging (high risk)
• Paid apps and in-app purchases don't carry over (moderate risk)

During the change

Step 5: Turn off RCS chats

Do this before the SIM leaves the Android phone.

• Turn off RCS chats before moving your SIM (critical risk)

Step 6: Move your data with Move to iOS

Leave the Android phone alone until it finishes.

• Use Move to iOS during iPhone setup (high risk)

Step 7: Move your number to the iPhone

Physical SIM or eSIM, after RCS is off.

• Move your number to the iPhone (high risk)

Immediately after

Step 8: Set up your Google services on the iPhone

Mail, contacts and calendar keep working on iPhone.

• Add your Google Account to the iPhone (high risk)

Step 9: Turn on iMessage and check your chats

iMessage, WhatsApp, Signal and group chats.

• Turn on iMessage and FaceTime on the iPhone (moderate risk)
• WhatsApp: check your chats came across (high risk)
• RCS group chats: ask to be added back (moderate risk)

Step 10: Set up Apple Pay and banking apps

Cards and banking apps need verifying on the new phone.

• Banking apps tied to a single device (high risk)
• Add your cards to Apple Pay (moderate risk)

Step 11: Reinstall apps and sign back in

Apps come fresh from the App Store; check their data.

• Reinstall your apps and check their data came across (moderate risk)

Step 12: Sort out watches, earbuds and your car

Most Wear OS watches need an Android phone.

• Wear OS and Galaxy watches don't pair with iPhone (high risk)
• Earbuds: pair them with the iPhone (low risk)

Verify

Step 13: Test messages, calls and sign-in codes

Prove the iPhone works on its own before you erase the Android phone.

• Test texts from Android users, calls and sign-in codes (critical risk)
• Sign in to your most important accounts from the new phone (high risk)
• If Android users' texts go missing, turn off RCS for your number online (high risk)

Clean up

Step 14: Erase the Android phone, or keep it locked down

If it's leaving you: remove your accounts, erase it, then remove it from your device lists.

• Remove your Google account (and Samsung account) from the Android phone (high risk)
• Erase the Android phone (high risk)
• Remove the Android phone from your Google account's devices (moderate risk)

Later

Step 15: Follow up

Trade-in and anything that turns up late.

• Trade in or sell the Android phone (low risk)
• Watch for missing messages and anything still tied to the Android phone (low risk)