A Google app called Switch To Android tries to ease the jump from iOS.

You’re switching from an iPhone to an Android phone and want to transfer key data such as contacts, photos, videos, mail accounts and calendar events. One way to do this is through a Google app for iOS known as Switch To Android.

SEE: iCloud vs. OneDrive: Which is best for Mac, iPad and iPhone users? (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

By running Switch To Android on your iPhone, you can choose the content you wish to migrate. The app also walks you through the steps of disabling iMessage on your iPhone so that any new text messages are sent to your Android device.

What you’ll need to switch from iOS to Android

There is one key requirement for using Switch To Android: Your Android phone must be running Android 12 or higher. This shouldn’t be an issue if you’re working with a new device.

If you’re moving to a Samsung phone specifically, you should also be aware that Samsung offers its own switching tool called Smart Switch.

How to switch from an Apple to Android phone

First, download and install the Switch To Android app on your iPhone. The app will not appear in any searches within Apple’s App Store, so make sure to use this link to see its page directly.

Next, open the app, agree to the terms and click Start. Give the app access to your phone’s camera. You’re then asked to scan a QR code on your Android device (Figure A).

Figure A

Start the setup process on your new Android phone. At some point, you’ll see a screen asking if you want to copy apps and data. Tap Next.

On the next screen, you’ll be asked if you want to use your old device — either an Android phone or an iPhone. Tap Next (Figure B).

Figure B

You now have the option of connecting the two phones through a physical cable. That’s certainly faster than going wireless; use a cable if possible.

If no cable is handy, tap the link for No Cable and then confirm that you want to copy without cable. The next screen verifies that you wish to transfer the date wirelessly. Tap the option that reads: “Switching from iPhone or iPad.”

The next screen asks you to allow access to nearby devices. Tap Allow (Figure C).

Figure C

You will then be prompted to add your Google account to copy calendar events. Tap Next.

Sign in with your Google username and password, and agree to the terms. Then position your old iPhone to scan the QR code displayed on the Android phone.

On your iPhone, tap Join when the app asks to join the direct WiFi network (Figure D).

Figure D

After the devices connect, the next screen asks which content you want to copy from your iPhone — contacts, calendar events, photos and/or videos. Turn off the switch for any content you don’t want to copy; otherwise all the items will be transferred.

Tap Continue and give the app the necessary permissions to access the content. The next screen indicates that the data is being copied (Figure E).

Figure E

You’re then prompted to turn off iMessage on your phone if you want new text messages to be sent to your Android phone. Follow the steps to do this in Settings.

Next, you can copy your photos and videos from iCloud, assuming you use the service. If so, tap the button for Start request.

The app then indicates that you’re all done. Continue and complete the setup on your Android phone (Figure F).

Figure F

After the setup is finished, check the contacts, calendar events and photos on your Android phone to make sure that the necessary data was transferred from your iPhone (Figure G).

Figure G

Read more useful tutorials for the iPhone and iPad here: How to edit photos and how to use the latest Siri features.