How To: Switch From an Android To An iPhone

How To: Switch From an Android To An iPhone

If you’ve taken the plunge in deciding to move from Android’s open and seemingly endless customisation options, to Apple’s easy to use, minimalist interface in the iPhone (or your company has decided to move to iOS), the change doesn’t have to be difficult!

While the iPhone’s simple setup assistant and clean interface might tempt you to get straight into using your awesome new iPhone, there are a few things you have to do first to ensure the change from your Android to your iPhone is seamless.

Things to consider when moving from an iPhone to an Android Device:

 

1

Sign up for a Google account and download iTunes

 

2

Transferring contacts, calender, photos, video and music

 

3

Different SIM card sizes

 

GMAIL ICONSign Up For A Google Account & Download iTunes

Google Account

The easiest way to transfer your contacts from an Android phone to an iPhone, is to use a Google Account.

Chances are if you own an Android device you have a Gmail account already. If you don’t, it will take no time at all to set one up even if you just use it for the purpose of transferring contacts.

If you don’t already have a Gmail account, follow these steps to create one:

1. Click here to go to the Gmail login page.

2. Click on ‘Create New Account’.

3. Fill out the form to complete the sign up.

iTunes

iTunes is a software application used to manage content and deliver software updates on Apple devices such as the iPhone. It is required for using your iPhone, as it is through iTunes that you download the appropriate carrier settings to access the network.

If you do not have iTunes already installed on your computer, you can download and install it for free here.

iphone setupRun The iPhone’s Setup Assistant

Before you start transferring data across, you can get your iPhone setup with the basic settings first, to allow you to transfer the data easily later on.

1. To begin the setup assistant, simply start the iPhone by holding down the sleep/wake button located on the top of the phone until the apple logo appears.

2. The setup assistant should begin automatically, and will take you through step by step to setup features such as connecting to a Wi-Fi network, creating a free Apple ID and setting up iCloud.

3. Once the setup assistant has been completed, you can plug your iPhone into your computer and launch iTunes.

Note: You do not need to insert the SIM card at this stage.

 

Transferring Data/Content

Before you get too excited and take your SIM card out of your Android device, remember you probably have a lot of data that you want to move across, which needs to be done before you even touch the SIM card.

No doubt in your time with your Android device, you’ve built quite a library of data together. Contacts, calendar appointments and reminders, photos, videos, music and apps, they’re all important, and things you want to come with you to your new iPhone.

The good news is, you can transfer most if all of this data across, the bad news is, you may have to leave some of your apps behind.

android contactsTransferring Contacts

You will have to first sync the contacts on your Android phone with your Google account:

1. On your android device, open up Contacts and click the Menu button to select Merge with Google. (Note:  this process will use data so it’s best to do this over Wi-Fi).

Transferring contacts from android to iPhone

2. If you open up your gmail, you will see your contact list has been updated.

Transferring Your Contacts To Your iPhone

Now you can go to your iPhone and set up gmail in iOS.

1. Go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Add Account.Switching from android to iPhone contacts

2. Select Microsoft Exchange (not Gmail, as selecting Gmail will not allow you to copy the contacts across).

3. Add in your gmail address in the email field and in the username field. Leave the domain field blank.

4. Click next and type in m.google.com in the Server field.howtogmail3

5. Next step is to set up syncing between Mail, Contacts, Calendars with iOS. In the list of things you can sync, toggle Contacts to on and Mail and Calendar if you wish those to be synced as well.

syncing gmail

The contacts saved on your Android should now be synced and saved on your iOS device.

Google-Music_news_main_580Transferring Your Music

Using Your Computer

1. Connect Your Android phone to your PC via USB.

2. The USB icon should appear on your Android.

3. Drag the notification bar down and there will be an entry titled USB connected. Tap (or click) it.

Transferring contacts from Android to iPhone

 

4. Tap Connect USB Storage.

5. Create a new folder on your desktop to store your Android data.

6. Drag and drop your music files from your Android’s SD card into the newly created desktop folder.

7. Drag this folder from your desktop over your iPhone’s name in the iTune sidebar. All of your songs will be transferred to your iPhone.

Swtiching from android to iphone photos and videosTransferring Photos and Videos

The process for transferring photos and videos is more or less the same as transferring your music files across.

Using Your Computer

1. Connect Your Android phone to your PC via USB.

2. The USB icon should appear on your Android.

3. Drag the notification bar down and there will be an entry titled USB connected. Tap (or click) it.

Transferring contacts from Android to iPhone

 

4. Tap Connect USB Storage.

5. Using the Android data folder you created on your desktop for your music, you can drag and drop all of your photo and video files here.

6. Open up iTunes and click on the iPhone button in the upper-right menu.

7. Click on the Photos tab in the main window and check Sync Photos.

Swtiching from android to iphone photos

8. In the drop down menu select Choose Folder and select the Android data folder on your desktop. Your photos should now appear in your iPhone’s Photos app.

9. Follow the same procedure for your videos, selecting the Videos tab in the main window and checking Syncing Videos.

Switching from android to iphoneTransferring Apps

Unfortunately you can’t directly transfer any apps or app data across platforms.

However, due to the popularity of the iOS platform, the App Store has an extensive app offering. Therefore, chances are high that at least some of your favourite apps on Android will be available in the App Store.
Switching from android to iphone

Transferring Your Service

Now that you’ve transferred all of your data across, the next step will be activating your iPhone with your carrier, which means inserting a SIM card.

If you are transferring to an iPhone 5, unfortunately you can’t simply pop your Android SIM into your iPhone. The iPhone 5 uses a nano SIM, currently the only phone to use this size SIM, while most Android devices use either a Mini SIM or a Micro SIM. The iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S both use a Micro SIM, which makes the transition a little easier.

If you find that the SIM card you use in your Android device is not compatible with your iPhone, you will need to request a SIM replacement to be processed, which entails transferring your service onto a brand new SIM.

To Remove/Insert SIM Card

Most, if not all Android devices have their SIM card slot located near the battery. You will need to remove the back cover and remove the SIM card by sliding it out of the SIM card slot:

Samsung-galaxy-s4-sim-fitted

 

To insert the SIM card in your iPhone, use either  paper clip or the SIM eject tool that came with the phone to pop open the SIM card tray. Place the SIM card into the tray and slide it back into the iPhone until it clicks.

Activating Your iPhone With Your Carrier

1. Open iTunes on your computer.

2. Plug your iPhone into your computer via USB.

3. iTunes should automatically ask you whether you want to download the carrier settings. Click Download and Update.

itunes download carrier settings

4. You will need to restart your iPhone to ensure the carrier settings take effect.

Note: if you process a SIM replacement, your old SIM card cannot be used, so you can throw the old SIM away.

That’s it! All that’s left now is to get comfy with your new device and new operating system!

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If you require a SIM replacement, call Phonenomena on 1300 721 281 or email us at sales [at] phonenomena [dot] com [dot] au and we can process that for you.

Do you have any tips on moving from Android to iPhone? Post your tips in the comments below!