Apple has made it easier than ever before for new iPhone or iPad users to easily transfer their important data from their old Android device by adding a ‘Move data from Android’ option during the setup process in iOS 9. 

While there are thousands of apps available on the App Store that make it easy to transfer your data from an Android device, Apple integrating the option right into the setup process in iOS 9 makes things even more easy for first time iOS users.

Keep in mind though that Apple’s process has the same issue as any other: you cannot transfer your installed apps and games or their data, and messages from WhatsApp or any other similar client.

So, how does Apple’s ‘Switch to iOS’ method actually works? Read the steps below to find out.

Note: The steps below require that you set up your iOS 9 device from scratch. 

Step 1: On your iPhone or iPad, follow the iOS 9 setup process. When you reach the ‘Apps & Data’ part, you will notice a new ‘Move Data from Android’ option alongside the usual options  of setting up your device as a new iPhone/iPad or restoring an iTunes or iCloud backup.

Step 2: Continue with the setup process when it prompts you to download the ‘Move to iOS’ app on your Android device. It will then show a 10-digit code on the screen.

Step 3: Now on your Android device, head over to the Google Play Store and download the ‘Move to iOS‘ app from Apple. Start the app, tap on ‘Continue’ and then agree to the terms and conditions. You will get to a screen that is similar to what is shown in the first screenshot below. Simply tap on the ‘Next’ button located at the top-right corner of the display and proceed to enter the code being displayed on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 4: Your iPhone or iPad will then connect to your Android device over a private Wi-Fi network. This process can take up to a minute or two though. Once done, the Move to iOS app on your Android device will show the data that you can successfully transfer to your new iOS device.

Step 5: Select the data that you would like to transfer and tap ‘Next’ to start the transfer process. You can transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, bookmarks, Google accounts, and calendar entries for now. However, the type of data you can transfer will vary depending on the Android device you have. 

Depending on the size of the data, the whole process can take up to a few minutes to complete.

Step 6: Once the transfer process is complete, you will be able to continue further setting up your iPhone or iPad.

As Apple points out at the end of the transfer process in its Move to iOS app on Android, you can drop off your old Android device to any Apple Store to recycle them for free.

Do note that while you will be able to transfer your Google accounts to your iOS device as well, you will have to log into them first before their data is synced to your device.

Did Apple adding an option to transfer your important data from an Android device to your new iPhone or iPad make the process significantly easier and effortless for you? Drop in a comment below and let us know!