New Phone: How to Transfer Data from iPhone and Android, Including WhatsApp

You can transfer contacts, photos, and conversations with family to your new phone during its initial setup. You just need to know what to choose.

Before You Start

• Prepare your Wi-Fi password, the unlock code for the old phone, and your Apple or Google account password.
• Check if the new phone has enough space for the data from the old one.
• Set aside time: according to Google, it can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.

Which Method to Choose

Answer one question, and we will show you the right path.

From iPhone to iPhone

1. On the old iPhone, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, unlock it, and go to the home screen.
2. Turn on the new iPhone and place it next to the old one. A setup prompt will appear on the old phone through Quick Start. Follow the instructions.
3. Connect the new phone to Wi-Fi and set up Face ID or Touch ID.
4. Choose the transfer method. With iCloud, the phone is ready immediately, and apps download in the background. Transferring directly from the old phone requires waiting until the end.

From Android to Android

1. Turn on the new phone and tap Start.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi or insert the SIM card.
3. When prompted about copying apps and data, tap Copy.
4. Connect the phones with a cable (recommended) or tap No cable?.
5. On the old phone, tap Copy, log in to your Google account, and select what to transfer.

Google warns that copying can only be done once and is best during setup, as this option may not be available later.

From Android to iPhone

1. On your Android, install the Move to iOS app from Google Play.
2. Turn on the new iPhone and start the setup. On the Quick Start screen, tap Set Up Manually.
3. On the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, tap From Android, then Transfer with App.
4. Open the Move to iOS app on your Android and enter the code displayed on the iPhone.
5. Select what to transfer, such as contacts, SMS, photos, calendars, and WhatsApp. Do not move the phones until the progress bar on the iPhone reaches the end, even if the Android shows that it has finished.

Music, books, and PDF files must be transferred manually, and apps should be downloaded from the App Store.

From iPhone to Android

1. On the iPhone, turn off iMessage. Otherwise, SMS from friends with iPhones may not reach the new phone.
2. Turn on the new Android. When asked about copying data from another device, select iPhone or iPad.
3. If a QR code appears, scan it with the iPhone camera. If not, connect the phones with a cable from the iPhone (sometimes an adapter is needed) or use the Android Switch app from the App Store (requires iOS 15 or later).
4. Select the data to copy and complete the setup.

Google lists what will not be transferred: photos and videos saved only in iCloud, paid apps, Safari bookmarks, and data from the Health app.

WhatsApp Chats

• iPhone to iPhone: on the old phone in WhatsApp, tap the profile picture › Chats › Move Chats to iPhone › Start and scan the QR code from the new phone.
• Android to Android: on the old phone More options › Settings › Chats › Move Chats › Start. On the new phone, after verifying the number, select to transfer from the old phone and scan the code.
• Android to iPhone: only through the Move to iOS app, during the setup of a new or erased iPhone (iOS 15.5 or later). Call history cannot be transferred.
• iPhone to Android: in WhatsApp on the iPhone Chats › Move Chat History › Move to Android, then scan the QR code from the Android (Android 6 or later).

The phone number must be the same. Old and new chats cannot be merged.

Before You Give Away or Sell Your Old Phone

iPhone: disconnect Apple Watch if you have one. Go to Settings › [Your Name] › Sign Out. When switching to Android, deregister iMessage. Then Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Erase All Content and Settings. If you have an eSIM, confirm the erasure of the eSIM profile as well. Erasing disables Find My iPhone and Activation Lock.

Android: back up your data and ensure you remember your Google account password. Remove the account: Settings › Passwords & accounts (on some manufacturers Users & accounts) › select account › Remove account. Then restore factory settings according to the manufacturer's instructions. Charge the phone to at least 70%, as the reset may take up to an hour. Remove the SIM card and memory card.

If It Didn't Help

• Restart both phones and try again.
• When using Move to iOS, do not take calls or switch apps on the Android, as this may interrupt the transfer.
• If data did not transfer to the already configured phone, you usually need to erase it and set it up again. Until then, do not touch the old phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the phone number transfer automatically?

You just need to move the physical SIM card. The eSIM can often be transferred during setup, and if not, your carrier can help. When changing numbers, add the new one as trusted to your Apple account.

Can I transfer WhatsApp chats later?

No. Chats must be transferred before activating WhatsApp on the new phone. Later, you need to uninstall it (when switching from Android to iPhone, you may even need to erase the iPhone) and start over.

Sources

Status as of October 24, 2026. Menu names may vary depending on the system version and phone manufacturer. This guide is for informational purposes only. For matters regarding SIM cards, eSIM, and phone numbers, your carrier has the final word.