Overview
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Inside the already vast world of tech, which seems to grow faster by the day, it can be challenging to make a move to another ecosystem while keeping data & conveniences one has gotten used to. To help with some of the challenges one might face, we are providing an outlook of what it might entail to transfer certain data points or services.
For iCloud users, Apple has provided this guide:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/108306
Data point | from Android | from iPhone |
|---|---|---|
Contacts | default contacts app, SMS Import / Export | iOS 16+: export directly with Contacts app (Lists top left → hold down on ‘All Contacts’) iOS 15: use this app Export Contacts Pro older iOS: consider syncing contacts to iCloud to export form there |
Contacts online | Gmail: export from Google website as csv file, import via Contacts Import Syncing via DAVx5 is also possible | iCloud: export from iCloud website, import with default Contacts app Syncing via DAVx5 is also possible |
Calendars | use Fossify Calendar to export / import | From macOS macOS calendars |
Calendars online | Here are 3 common strategies: 1) Keep existing service: install the same app for your Calendar and log in For Google, Fastmail, Nextcloud one can use DAVx5 to set up a connection 2) Migrate to Above Suite offline calendar:
3) Migrate to synced calendar:
Syncing via DAVx5 is also possible | export from iCloud with this method: iCloud Syncing via DAVx5 is also possible |
Photos | Transfer files individually. After providing permissions, Gallery apps like default Gallery & Aves Libre will display all pictures automatically | iOS16+: LocalSend to send individual photos. To send many at once, compress multiple photos to one .zip file |
Photos online | Download to save & manage locally Privacy focused cloud based: | Download to save & manage locally Privacy focused cloud based: |
SMS | use iSMS2droid Tutorial: https://isms2droid.com/ | |
MMS media | - | |
Call logs | use iSMS2droid Tutorial: https://isms2droid.com/ | |
physical SIM cards | Yes, Above Phones have only 1 slot for physical nanoSIM Guide: SIM Card setup | older iPhones: transfer physical SIM after turning off FaceTime & iMessage. |
eSIM cards | eSIMs can NOT be transferred directly! reach out to your provider to create a new eSIM | see left |
Music files | Music apps will automatically recognize music files in many formats. Transfer music files to Above Phone and use one of these apps: Auxio, Symphony, Phonograph Plus | Apple Music can be installed on Above Phone via Aurora Store - log in to access your purchased music. |
Music playlists | Auxio allows to import .m3u playlist files | Export playlists to .m3u files |
Music online ex. Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Qobuz, … | Install respective app and log in to the same account | see left |
Notes | Depends on app. Online: Install same app → log in Local: Export → Transfer → Import NotallyX allows to import from Google Keep, Evernote, Plain text files & JSON files | To export iCloud notes in bulk, log in to privacy.apple.com and request a copy of your data - be sure to select ‘Notes’. |
eBooks | Transfer file to Above Phone → use Librera to open most common eBook formats | see left |
eBooks online ex. Kindle | Install same app → log in | see left |
Audio books | Transfer file to Above Phone → use app to open most common eBook formats | see left |
Audio books online ex. Audible | Install same app → log in | see left |
Telegram - migrate existing account | Since Telegram chats in general are not end-to-end encrypted, one can simply log in on multiple devices and all groups, channels & unencrypted chats+ messages will appear immediately. To log in to an existing account, one can still use Forkgram from F-Droid Important tip: | see left |
Telegram - create account | Only works via official Telegram app + Google Play Services installed SMS fee may be charged in order for the initial activation SMS to be sent workaround: use Telegram X from Aurora Store Telegram tends to block VoIP numbers, like JMP.chat To get a throw-away phone number to register with a new account, there are services like juicysms.com | see left |
Signal | Important note: Signal accounts need to be tied to one unique phone device at a time. This means: As soon as you activate your account on a new device, you won’t be able to use Signal on your old device anymore. If you just log in to the same account, people will still be able to reach you the same way and all groups should appear for you. But to transfer the chat history you’d want to go some extra steps, depending on which method is suitable. Molly is a Signal fork with enhanced security & additional privacy (not using Google Play’s notification system). Consider setting up your Signal account in Molly instead. Available in: Check out our guide here: Molly setup (Signal client) | Signal accounts can only be transferred to another device with the same operating system, but not from iOS to Android. More info here: |
Signal - create account | Signal accepts VoIP numbers, like the ones from JMP.chat | see left |
Important note: WhatsApp accounts need to be tied to one unique phone device at a time. This means: As soon as you activate your account on a new device, you won’t be able to use WhatsApp on your old device anymore. If you just log in to the same account, people will still be able to reach you the same way and all groups should appear for you. But to transfer the chat history you’d want to go some extra steps, depending on which method is suitable. To transfer via Google account: | Transferring the chat history from iOS to Android can work via a regular Android phone with Google on it and an app like Samsung Smart Switch. Once your WhatsApp account is on an Android, it can be transferred to a GrapheneOS device with the methods explained to the left. | |
WhatsApp - create account | Requires a phone number verification via SMS code, or phone call WhatsApp tends to block VoIP numbers, like JMP.chat To get a throw-away phone number to register with a new account, there are services like juicysms.com | see left |