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[Ultimate Guide] How to Transfer Messages from Android to iPhone

Axel Nash
Axel Nash Originally published Aug 18, 25, updated Oct 27, 25

You've received a brand-new iPhone as a gift, sleek, innovative, and packed with new features. As soon as you begin setting it up, a thought strikes you of losing valuable messages. At this time, you might hunt for "how to transfer messages from Android to iPhone" solutions to move your memorable conversation along. Now, take a moment to explore the following article, revealing all the possible solutions to make this transition smoother.

transfer messages android to iphone guide
In this article
    1. 1. Take Screenshots
    2. 2. Perform Screen Recording
    3. 3. Forward Your Text Messages

Part 1. Why Trying to Move Texts from Android to iPhone Can Be Difficult?

When you try to transfer text messages from Android to iPhone, the listed reasons can make it a complicated process:

why transfer messages android to iphone
  • Difference in Operating Systems: Android devices store SMS and MMS messages in XML format; conversely, iPhones use their own storage structure for iMessages. This difference makes it challenging for one system to interpret or import data from the other directly.
  • Limited Native Support: Apple's Move to iOS app is the only official tool for message transfer and functions during the initial setup of a new iPhone. This leaves limited options for those who prefer to transfer later or who don't know about the app at first.
  • No Direct Cloud Syncing: Unlike photos or contacts, messages don't have a universally compatible cloud platform for streamlined transfer between Android and iPhone. As an outcome, you can't just log into your Google account on an iPhone and expect your tests to appear.
  • Data Privacy and Security Restrictions: On both Android and iOS devices, data privacy restrictions make it challenging for apps to handle personal data. Even if Android allows message export, getting them into iOS without complex workarounds is usually not permitted due to Apple's security.
  • Incompatible File Formats: The messages exported from Android are saved in XML or TXT, which are not compatible with Apple's messaging system. Unless the exported data is converted and inserted in a way that mimics iOS formatting, your iPhone won't recognize it.
Recommended reading: Apart from messages, you can also transfer other data, like photos from Android to iPhone.

Part 2. Transfer Messages from Android to iPhone

Best For: It's a convenient choice for users who demand strong privacy and security, along with fast transfer speed.

During the switch from Android to iPhone, one of the major concerns is how to migrate SMS from Android to iPhone. For this, a devoted program like MobileTrans brings simplicity and efficiency, along with broad compatibility. It offers a one-click solution to move your entire data, including messages, from one phone to another. The program claims to provide faster data transmission speeds compared to Bluetooth and other apps.

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Transfer over 18 types of data, such as messages, photos, videos, and much more.
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Supports more than 6,000 devices
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Move data between the same OS, like Samsung to Huawei, or cross-platform between Android and iPhone
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Transfer without overwriting data.
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To move texts from Android to iPhone with confidence, follow the manual provided for MobileTrans:

Step 1. Install MobileTrans on the computer > Select Phone Transfer >Phone to Phone option > Connect both phones to the software.

get phone to phone transfer

Step 2. Specify Source and Destination phones > Confirm file types > Press Start button > Don't disconnect phones.

choose data and click start

Step 3. When the transfer completes, disconnect the phones and check the transferred data.

complete data transfer

Besides the MobileTrans desktop program, for a more reliable way to move SMS from Android to iPhone, opt for its app. The app allows you to transfer all of your data to a new phone at an average speed of up to 30 MB/s. Not only messages, but you can transfer your entire WhatsApp data to a new phone through the MobileTrans App.

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Transfer Messages from Android to iPhone

Limitations:

  • It is a paid tool.

Part 3. Migrate SMS via Move to iOS

Best For: Android users who want automatic and secure transfer during the initial setup, without a computer.

For an official way to bring your messages along during the switch, the Move to iOS app is designed. When you consider transferring messages, it locates your nearby Android devices running this app. Besides, users can even move their entire message history, accounts, and complete WhatsApp content easily. To understand how to export SMS from Android to iPhone, follow the provided tutorial:

Step 1. Download the app on Android > Press the Continue button > Hit the Continue button again.

setup move to ios android phone

Step 2. While setting up a new phone > Choose From Android option > Add the code on your old Android device.

choose from android and get code

Step 3. Specify the kind of data, like Messages, for transfer and press the Continue button.

select messages and continue

Limitations

  • The app cannot transfer all types of data; certain media types might not carry over for all apps.
  • It does not support migrating data from iOS back to Android, offering one-way transfer.

Part 4. Use SMS Backup & Restore to Move SMS from Android to iPhone

Best For: Users who require manual backups and want to ensure they never lose messages, regardless of the situation.

Adding more convenience to the process of “how to move text messages from Android to iPhone," the SMS Backup & Restore app offers a great solution. This app enables users to create copies of SMS and MMS messages, with call logs stored on their phone. Besides, you can restore messages and call logs from already existing backups. For better understanding, follow the provided tutorial and transfer messages:

Step 1. Install the app on your Android >Tap Backup option > Check Text Messages option > Back Up Now button > Choose Backup location.

Step 2. Enter login information > Tap Save > Press Back Up Now button. On iPhone > set up Gmail account > Access the messages transferred from Android.

backup messages with backup and restore

Limitations

  • It offers storage according to cloud service or local space, which sometimes slows down the process.
  • You cannot restore messages directly into the native iPhone messages app, since iOS doesn't allow importing SMS.

Part 5. Manual Techniques to Transfer Text Messages

To master how to move messages from Android to iPhone, without any specialized app or software, head to the following section for techniques:

1. Take Screenshots

An easy way to save specific text or conversation is by capturing screenshots on your Android devices. This simply involves capturing the message threads you want to keep and then transferring those images to your iPhone via email. It's a valuable technique to preserve legal conversations or important details that don't require full integration into iPhone's messaging system.

take screenshots of chats

2. Perform Screen Recording

This screen recording technique is workable when you have more extended conversations that span multiple pages. To do this, simply record yourself scrolling through chat and save the video for future reference. After recording, you can move the video to your iPhone using Cloud storage or simple file transfer apps.

screen record chats

3. Forward Your Text Messages

In addition to techniques, consider manual forwarding specific text messages from your Android to a new iPhone through email or WhatsApp. Here, you need to simply hold the message to forward it through an email or app like WhatsApp. It's a convenient approach when you need to move a few key messages and want quick access to your new device.

forward messages for transfer

Conclusion

To conclude, the task of transferring messages from Android to iPhone might seem a challenge at first due to incompatible systems. How to transfer messages from Android to iPhone? We've discussed workable software and apps above. Among all, MobileTrans proves to be a convenient solution for transferring text from Android to iPhone and vice versa, at an optimum speed.

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Transfer Messages from Android to iPhone
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