Move to iOS Review: Choose This App or Its Alternative?
"We're trying the Move to iOS route and seeing some crazy time estimates. Settled into about 11 hrs when we had all options selected. That includes 3GB of messages and 54GB on the camera roll." -- from Reddit
Switching from Android to iPhone can be exciting but also challenging. Many users turn to the Move to iOS app for a seamless transition. In this Move to iOS review, we will outline a wide range of aspects of the app, including its features, ease of use, and the headache users face.
If you want to hear about common issues before trying it yourself or decide if there's a better tool for changing from Android to iOS, this article will provide you with helpful insights.
Part 1: What Is Move to iOS
The Move to iOS app is an official Apple-developed Android app that helps you seamlessly migrate your data from an Android phone or tablet to a brand-new iPhone or iPad during setup. Here are the main features of this tool:
Key Features
|
Further Description
|
Cross-Platform Transfer |
Transfers data from Android (5.0+) to iPhone/iPad (iOS 9.0+). |
Secure Local Connection |
Uses a private Wi-Fi network between Android and iOS (no cloud needed). |
App Matching |
Suggests and downloads iOS versions of free Android apps (if available). |
No Computer Required |
Transfers are done directly - no PC or Mac needed. |
One-time Code Setup |
Uses a secure code to pair Android with iPhone and start the transfer. |
Optional Wired Transfer |
Supports USB-C to Lightning/USB-C cable for faster transfer on newer devices. |
Part 2: How to Use Move to iOS
What Move to iOS Transfers: During the initial setup of your iPhone or iPad (you must choose "Move Data from Android"), the app can transfer:
- Contacts, message history (SMS/MMS), and call logs;
- Photos, videos, camera roll albums;
- Mail and calendar accounts;
- Web bookmarks, display, and accessibility settings;
- Voice memos;
- WhatsApp conversations & media;
- And - when available - automatically matching free apps from Google Play to ones from the App Store.
How to use Move to iOS? Take WhatsApp transfer as an example:
- Open the Move to iOS app and follow the on-screen prompts.
- A code will appear on your iPhone - enter this code on your Android device.
- Tap Continue and follow the instructions. When prompted, choose the WhatsApp from the list of transferable items.
- Tap Start and allow time for the data to be prepared.
- Once the preparation is complete, you'll be logged out of WhatsApp on your Android device.
- Tap Next, and you'll return to the Move to iOS app.
- Tap Continue to begin transferring your data.
- After the transfer is complete, open WhatsApp on your iPhone and sign in using the same phone number.
- Tap Start to import the transferred data and wait for the process to complete. (Move to iOS gets stuck?)
- Finally, complete the setup of your new device.
Part 3: What If Move to iOS Doesn't Work
If Move to iOS doesn't work, don't worry - this is a common issue, and there are several ways to troubleshoot or work around it. Here's a breakdown:
Common Issues with Move to iOS: 1. Stuck at "Preparing" or "Transferring" screen. 2. Transfer fails midway. 3. Connection drops between devices. 4. Nothing happens after entering the code. 5. WhatsApp data doesn't transfer.
How to Fix?
- Restart both devices: Fixes most temporary glitches.
- Disable mobile data & smart network switch: Keeps Android connected only to iPhone's Wi-Fi.
- Clear app cache: Go to Android Settings > Apps > Move to iOS > Storage > Clear Cache.
- Use a USB-C to Lightning/USB-C cable: Offers faster and more stable transfer.
- Turn on Airplane Mode (Android): Enable only Wi-Fi to avoid connection drops.
- Try again with a fresh setup: Reset iPhone if needed and retry from the beginning.
Part 4: FAQs about Move to iOS
Q1: How safe is it to use Move to iOS?
Move to iOS is secure and reliable for transferring data from Android to iPhone. Just ensure both devices stay connected and follow best practices like backing up before starting.
Q2: Why does Move to iOS have so a low rating?
Move to iOS has a surprisingly low rating on the Google Play Store (often around 2.5–3.0 stars) despite being an official Apple app. It's not user-friendly under real-world conditions, and transfer reliability is inconsistent, especially for large or complex data.
Q3: Is it totally free to use Move to iOS?
Yes, Move to iOS is totally free to use. 1. Free to Download: It's available at no cost on the Google Play Store for Android users. 2. No In-App Purchases: There are no hidden fees, subscriptions, or premium upgrades.
Q4: Can I transfer data after I've already set up my iPhone?
No, you can't use Move to iOS to transfer data after setting up your iPhone without resetting it first. The Move to iOS app only works during the initial iPhone setup. To use it, you'd need to erase your iPhone and start the setup process over.
Q5: What are the pros and cons of Move to iOS?
Pros:
- Free and official from Apple.
- Transfers contacts, messages, photos, calendars, and more.
- Wireless and easy to use.
Cons:
- Only works during initial setup (requires resetting iPhone).
- Can have connection or transfer errors.
- Doesn't transfer everything (like music or passwords).
- Can be slow with lots of data
Part 5: What Is the Best Move to iOS Alternative
From the review, Move to iOS has limits like connection problems, requiring a new iPhone setup, and slow transfers. For a more reliable and user-friendly option, try MobiKin Transfer for Mobile (Windows and Mac). It offers one-click, secure transfers between Android and iOS with high success and lossless data migration.
Main Characteristics: 1. One-click transfer between Android and iOS. 2. Supports media and non-media data types. 3. Secure, fast, and lossless transfer. 4. Works on Windows and Mac. 5. Easy to use, no device reset needed. 6. Cross-platform support (Android to/from iPhone, etc)
How to use this best Move to iOS alternative for hassle-free data transfers?
Step One: Download and launch MobiKin Transfer for Mobile on your computer. The main screen will ask you to connect both phones with USB cables.
Step Two: Connect the devices using USB cables. The software will detect them automatically. Ensure the source phone is on the left and the target phone on the right. If needed, click "Flip" to swap their positions.
Step Three: After both devices are recognized, choose the data types you want to transfer and click "Start Copy." When finished, disconnect the phones and verify the data on the target device.
Video Guide:
Completion
In summary, while Move to iOS offers a convenient and free way to transfer data from Android to iPhone, it does come with some limitations such as transfer restrictions, occasional connection issues, and the need to reset your iPhone before use. Assuming you value a smoother, faster, and more flexible transfer experience, you might want to consider alternative tools like MobiKin Transfer for Mobile that don't require resetting your device.
Additional Tip: Before using Move to iOS, back up your Android data and ensure your iPhone is freshly reset to avoid transfer interruptions.
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