How to Prepare Both Phones Before Using Move to iOS
Learn how to prepare both phones for Move to iOS by updating software, charging devices, freeing iPhone storage, and disabling conflicts.
Prepare both phones before using Move to iOS by charging both devices, updating iPhone and Android to the latest supported software, freeing enough storage on the iPhone, turning off battery saver and mobile-data switching, and keeping both phones near each other during setup. Most Move to iOS failures come from setup gaps, not the app itself.
🤔Note:
Most transfer problems happen before the app starts moving data. Make sure both phones are updated, awake, and connected to stable power and Wi‑Fi before you begin.
Steps
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Update both phones first. Install the latest iOS version on the iPhone and the latest Android system update on the source phone. Older software often causes Move to iOS connection errors.
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Charge and stabilize both devices. Keep both phones above 50% battery or plugged into power. Disable battery saver, sleep modes, and any setting that may close apps in the background.
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Prepare the iPhone storage and setup screen. Reset or start the iPhone fresh, then stop at the Apps & Data screen and choose Move Data from Android. Make enough free storage for photos, messages, and app data.
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Clean up the Android phone before transfer. Turn off cellular data switching, Wi‑Fi Assistant, VPN, and hotspot connections. Connect to a stable home Wi‑Fi network, then install and open the Move to iOS app only when the iPhone is ready.
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Keep both phones close and unused. Place both phones on the same table, avoid calls and notifications, and do not switch apps during transfer. Interruptions often break the pairing code.
Common Issues and Fixes
- Transfer stops at “Connecting” — Likely cause: weak network or background restrictions. Fix: disable VPN, keep both phones awake, and retry on a stable Wi‑Fi network.
- Move to iOS app closes unexpectedly — Likely cause: battery optimization or low memory. Fix: turn off battery saver and close other apps on the Android phone.
- Code does not appear on the iPhone — Likely cause: iPhone not at the correct setup step. Fix: restart the setup and return to Move Data from Android.
- Not enough space on iPhone — Likely cause: large photo, video, or message libraries. Fix: free storage before starting the transfer.
- Transfer completes but missing files appear — Likely cause: unsupported content. Fix: check which file types Move to iOS supports before starting.
Quick Tips
- Use the original charging cable if the Android phone has unstable USB-C behavior during setup.
- Disable smart network switching on Samsung, Xiaomi, and similar devices before starting Move to iOS.
- Large photo and video libraries transfer more reliably after deleting duplicate or unnecessary files.
- Apps themselves do not transfer in full; only app suggestions and related data may move.
Related Questions
What should be checked before starting Move to iOS?
Battery level, software version, iPhone storage, Wi‑Fi stability, and background restrictions are the main checks. Missing any of those often causes transfer failure.
Why does Move to iOS fail so often?
The app depends on a direct local connection between two phones. VPNs, unstable Wi‑Fi, battery optimization, and setup-stage mistakes are the most common causes.
💡Protip:
If repeated Move to iOS attempts fail because of connection drops or large data volumes, a phone-to-phone transfer tool such as MobileTrans can help move selected data with fewer setup issues.
