Switching phones, especially when moving from one operating system to another, can be quite a daunting task. Just thinking about all your data that needs to be ported can deter even the tech savvy, because there’s a good chance some data can be lost along the way.

When Apple launched the new iPhones and iPad Pro, it was confirmed that the company would be offering a new app to help a very specific user group — Android users. Called the Move to iOS app, the free app is now live on Google Play. The availability of the app is timely, as iPhones are set to arrive in stores (and on your doorsteps, for those who pre-ordered) on September 25.

Requirements

To move from Android to iOS easily, all you need is an Android device running at least Android 4.0, your new iOS device, and the Move to iOS app, which comes with the iOS 9 update (iPhone 6s and 6s Plus users, and iPad Pro users, will already have this app on their device).

What it transfers

Contacts
Message history
Camera photos and videos
Web bookmarks
Mail accounts
Calendars

You may have noticed that apps aren’t included in the list. That’s because not all Android apps have an iOS counterpart, and apps that do have respective versions for both platforms have their own ways to port data.

How it works

You have to have your new iPhone or iPad ready, as well as your old Android smartphone or tablet, with the Move to iOS app running. When activating a new or old iPhone or iPad, you have the option to select ‘Move data from Android” on your iOS device: this will create a private Wi-Fi network and find your Android device running Move to iOS.

You will then be given a 10-digit code by your iOS device which you will enter in the Move to iOS app on your Android device. On your Android device, you can select which data will be transferred to your iOS device. Data transfer will now start.

All the data from your Android device will be placed in its proper place on your new iOS device, as well as setting up your default mail account. Once the data has been transferred, you can now start using your new iOS device. Your iOS device will then ask for passwords to email accounts that have been transferred to the new device.

Possible problems

Most Android devices have larger storage capacity than iOS devices thanks to removable microSD cards. What Apple fails to address with this app is what happens when you’re switching and the storage of your Apple device becomes full?

It was also not specified by Apple whether the data being transferred is just copied or completely transferred. If copied only, when something goes wrong during the process, you won’t lose any of your data. If it gets completely transferred, you might lose data on the Android device when your iOS device can no longer accept data being transferred.

Early reviews

Looking at the rating of the Move to iOS app in Google Play store, it only has two stars, but you will notice that most of the reviews are negative. Not because the app isn’t worthwhile, but because these are people who hate Apple in general and they are appalled that Google allowed such an app to exist in the Play store.

Many of the positive reviews are also misleading, as they aren’t all users who have actually transferred from Android to iOS, rather they are merely showing their support for Apple’s move in delivering apps for Android devices.

Not many fAndroids will switch to iOS, but if you’re looking for some reasons to make the switch, you might find some here:

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Full specs: iPhone 6S has Live Photos, 3D Touch and superior selfie camera | #AppleEvent

New Apple iPhone 6s vs. Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ | #AppleEvent

Full specs: New iPad Pro is huge, optional stylus and full keyboard | #AppleEvent

11 more ‘hidden’ iOS 9 features for your iPhone

7 tips to get the most out of iOS 9 on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch

Photo by asgw