How to Move Messages from an Old Android to an iPhone

You are switching from Android and want your text threads on the iPhone, and every guide seems to want a cable, a computer, or a paid app. Messages move with Apple's own Move to iOS app, which links the two phones over a temporary private Wi-Fi network the iPhone creates during setup. The catch is that it only runs during setup, so an iPhone that is already set up has to be erased first.

Install Move to iOS on the Android

Open Google Play on the Android phone, search for Move to iOS by Apple, and install it. Turn on Wi-Fi, and plug both phones in; a large message history with photos can take a while.

Get the iPhone to the transfer screen

On a new iPhone, go through setup until the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen (called Apps & Data on older versions) and tap From Android. If the iPhone is already set up, back up anything on it first, then open Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings, and run setup again.

Enter the code on the Android

The iPhone displays a six- or ten-digit code. On the Android, open Move to iOS, tap Continue, accept the terms, and type the code. The Android joins the iPhone's temporary network; if it asks to stay on a network without internet, allow it.

Choose Messages and start the transfer

On the Android, check Messages, plus Contacts, Photos, Calendars, and WhatsApp if they are offered, then tap Continue. Leave both phones alone and near each other until the progress bar on the iPhone finishes, even if the Android says it is done earlier.

Finish setup and open Messages

Tap Continue Setting Up iPhone and complete the remaining screens. The threads appear in Messages as green SMS conversations under the same phone number, ready to continue.

If some chats are missing. SMS and MMS threads transfer; RCS chats from Google Messages may not come over, because RCS history is stored on Google's side. Screenshot anything important before erasing the Android.

If the transfer stalls. Turn off any Android setting that switches networks automatically, such as a smart network or adaptive Wi-Fi option, keep both phones plugged in, and start the transfer over from the code screen.