Apple iOS 26.3 Adds “Transfer to Android” — Here’s How to Move Your Data (and eSIM) from iPhone to Android
Apple just made switching away from iPhone significantly less painful. In iOS 26.3, a new “Transfer to Android” option appears inside Settings, letting you move key data types—plus, in supported cases, your phone number via eSIM—without relying solely on third-party migration apps.
What’s new in iOS 26.3
Apple has released iOS 26.3, and one of the most practical changes for everyday users is a built-in pathway to leave the iPhone ecosystem without the usual migration chaos. The update introduces a “Transfer to Android” tool that appears inside the Settings app and guides you through moving your data to a nearby Android phone. AppleInsider reports the new Settings option and notes it can transfer apps, photos, messages, and even the phone number itself, with some important exceptions. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
The Verge similarly describes iOS 26.3 as making it easier to switch to Android, including moving data like apps, photos, messages, and a user’s phone number by placing the two devices near each other. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Most importantly, Apple has published an official support document stating that in iOS 26.3 (and iPadOS 26.3) you can transfer your data and eSIM to an Android device using either the built-in camera or Settings—confirming this is now a first-party, Apple-supported workflow. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Where to find “Transfer to Android” on your iPhone
Reports indicate the feature lives in the same area Apple already uses for device transfers and resets:
Note: menu labels can vary slightly by region or device language. If you don’t see it, confirm you’re actually on iOS 26.3 and restart Settings after updating. Android Authority also reports the feature appears in Settings and highlights the same major limitations (Health data, protected items, paired Bluetooth devices). :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
What transfers—and what doesn’t (quick table)
Here’s the part most people care about: which data types move cleanly, and which ones you should plan to handle manually. The lists below reflect what’s reported by AppleInsider and Android Authority, plus Apple’s own documentation emphasizing data + eSIM transfer. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
| Transfers to Android (supported) | Not supported / won’t transfer |
|---|---|
|
|
Why this matters: these exclusions are exactly where most “switching horror stories” come from—Health history, locked content, and accessory re-pairing are still manual. AppleInsider explicitly calls out Health data, Bluetooth pairings, and “protected items” as not transferable. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
The eSIM section (big deal if you want to keep your number)
If you use an eSIM (or your carrier supports eSIM provisioning), iOS 26.3’s switching story gets dramatically better. Apple’s official support documentation says you can transfer your data and eSIM from an iPhone or iPad to an Android device in iOS 26.3 / iPadOS 26.3. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
What “eSIM transfer” actually means
In practical terms, eSIM transfer aims to preserve your phone number by moving (or reprovisioning) the cellular plan from iPhone to Android during the guided process. Whether it works depends on your carrier, your specific device, and whether the Android device supports the transfer flow. When it works, it eliminates one of the biggest switching pain points: calling your carrier, waiting on activation codes, or being stuck without service mid-migration.
Before you attempt eSIM transfer
- ✓ Update iPhone to iOS 26.3 and Android to current software versions. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- ✓ Connect iPhone to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth (Apple explicitly lists both). :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- ✓ Keep both devices charged (or plugged in) and close to each other during the transfer.
- ✓ If you rely on iMessage, plan your offboarding steps (more on this in the FAQ).
Tip: If eSIM transfer fails, don’t panic—your number isn’t “lost.” You’ll typically need to activate the plan on Android using your carrier’s normal method (QR code, app, or support). But when it succeeds, it’s arguably the most important quality-of-life improvement in iOS 26.3’s switching toolkit.
How to switch from iPhone to Android using iOS 26.3 (step-by-step)
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1) Update to iOS 26.3
On your iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update. The Verge notes iOS 26.3 is available via Software Update for compatible devices. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
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2) Prepare your iPhone (5 minutes that save hours)
- Back up your iPhone (iCloud or local) so you have a safety net.
- Free up storage on the Android device (photos/videos can be massive).
- Update key apps (messaging and password managers especially).
- Know your Apple ID credentials in case you need to sign out or verify.
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3) Open the built-in transfer tool
Go to: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Transfer to Android. AppleInsider describes a Settings option titled “Transfer to Android” that prompts you to place your iPhone next to the target Android device. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
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4) Place both phones next to each other and follow the prompts
Most coverage describes the flow as “nearby pairing” where the devices connect and you select what to move. Once paired, you can choose categories like photos, messages, notes, and more. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
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5) Handle the “can’t transfer” items manually
Expect to do the following yourself:
- Re-pair Bluetooth accessories (earbuds, speakers, car audio, etc.). :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
- Plan for Health data to remain on iPhone (or export via third-party tools if applicable). :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
- Unlock/export protected items (e.g., locked notes). :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
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6) Post-transfer verification (don’t skip)
Before you wipe or sell your iPhone, spot-check:
- Photo library completeness (recent photos + key albums)
- Messages you truly need (especially verification codes / important threads)
- Password access (make sure you can actually log into your critical accounts)
- Notes (especially anything you rely on daily)
What this means for “Switch to Android” apps
Before iOS 26.3, many users leaned on Google’s tools and a mix of cloud sync + manual exports to move off iPhone. iOS 26.3 doesn’t make third-party methods irrelevant—but it changes the baseline experience by making the off-ramp native. The Verge frames iOS 26.3 as replacing the older “more cumbersome” approach of needing separate transfer apps or manual movement for many users. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Translation: even if you still choose Google’s tooling (or your carrier’s migration assistant), you now have an Apple-supported starting point that lives inside Settings—exactly where most people expect it.
FAQ: iOS 26.3 Transfer to Android (real questions people ask)
iOS 26.3 is reported to transfer “messages,” but what you actually get can depend on how the transfer is implemented on your Android device, and whether you’re moving SMS/MMS versus iMessage-specific content. Treat “messages” as “supported, but verify after transfer,” and keep your iPhone untouched until you’ve confirmed you have what you need. AppleInsider and Android Authority both describe messages as transferable categories, while also listing exclusions like Health data and Bluetooth pairings. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Practical tip: after you’re stable on Android, consider turning off iMessage on the iPhone to reduce the chance of missing SMS delivery when friends text you.
WhatsApp chat migration is primarily governed by WhatsApp’s own transfer methods and account verification. Even if iOS 26.3 moves “apps,” your chat history usually depends on WhatsApp’s built-in transfer feature and/or cloud backups. Plan to run WhatsApp’s own transfer steps after you complete the Apple-guided migration.
In many cases, yes—especially if you use eSIM and your carrier supports the flow. Multiple reports mention phone number transfer, and Apple’s support documentation explicitly confirms data + eSIM transfer in iOS 26.3. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
If the transfer fails, you may need to activate service on Android using your carrier’s standard provisioning method.
Health data is highly sensitive and tied to Apple’s Health ecosystem; protected items (like locked notes) are designed to resist export by default; and Bluetooth pairings are device-specific security relationships that typically can’t be “moved” between platforms. These exclusions are explicitly listed in coverage of the feature. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
Many migration assistants work best during initial setup, but iOS 26.3’s built-in tool is located in Settings and is designed to initiate a transfer flow to a nearby Android device. If your Android phone is already configured, it may still work—just expect more edge cases and verify everything afterward. AppleInsider describes the process as connecting to a “target Android device” placed nearby. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
Don’t wipe yet. Confirm (1) your Android device has your essential photos, (2) your most important messages are present, (3) you can sign into your key accounts, and (4) your 2FA methods are working. Only then should you sign out of Apple services and factory reset.
Bottom line
iOS 26.3’s “Transfer to Android” tool is significant because it makes switching ecosystems feel officially supported, not improvised. You can move the stuff that matters day-to-day—photos, messages, notes, passwords—and in supported cases, you can even move your phone number via eSIM, all from a guided option inside Settings. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
It’s not a perfect “one tap” switch: Health data stays behind, protected items need attention, and you’ll re-pair accessories. But if you’ve ever delayed switching phones because migration felt like a weekend project, iOS 26.3 is Apple finally reducing that friction in a meaningful way.