Fix: Move to iOS not Working

Move to iOS is an application available in Google Play which allows users to transfer their existing Android data into an iOS device with ease. This includes data from your Contact directory, Messages, Camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, and camera photos and videos, etc.

Despite a close watch on the application by Apple, we saw several instances where the application failed to work properly. Either the digit code wasn’t pairing the devices or the application threw an error message ‘Cannot connect to device’. In this article, we will go through all the reasons why the application doesn’t work and what are the workarounds available.

What causes ‘Move to iOS’ application not to Work?

After our initial survey, we came to the conclusion that the application stopped working or displayed erratic behavior due to several different reasons. Some of them are listed below:

Before we start with the solutions, you should make a backup of all your data or save it over the cloud to avoid any inconvenience.

Solution 1: Turning on Airplane Mode

Move to iOS application transfers data using a wireless connection in which both the devices are connected. If there is any disruption to the network, the transfer might halt or not happen at all. Android is known to temporarily stop using the Wireless network in which there is no connectivity. This might be the case for you.

So in this solution, you should try enabling the airplane mode in your device. This will stop the smartphone from switching to a mobile network or searching for other available networks where there is internet access. Enable Airplane mode and try using Move to iOS application both devices. You can disable Airplane mode after the data is transferred successfully.

Solution 2: Checking Storage requirements

Another thing that you should check before transferring all the data is your storage requirements. If the data which you are trying to transfer is huge, you will not be able to transfer all the data.

Hence after clicking on Transfer Data from Android, check the space which each item is taking. In most cases, your Camera roll takes a lot of space. For example, if the Camera roll is taking 20 GB and your iPhone’s limit is 16, you will not be able to transfer. Here you should either delete items or transfer them somewhere else.

Solution 3: Disabling Connection Optimizer

Connection optimizer is an option in Android devices that switches between your mobile network and your Wi-Fi for better connectivity. For example, if you have a limited wireless connection (which will be while using Move to iOS), the mobile might start using your mobile network data to improve the experience.

This breaks the connection with the transfer application and causes the transfer to halt. Follow the steps outlined below to disable the connection optimizer on your smartphone. The option might be a different device to device.

1. Slide the notification bar down and click on the gears icon to access the Settings.
2. Once in settings, click on Connections Then click on Wi-Fi and select three dots present at the top-right side of the screen and select Advanced.

   

3. Now uncheck the option Switch to mobile data.

   

4. Now restart the Move to iOS application and start the process all over again to initiate a connection. Check if the issue is resolved.

Note: Another path where you might find the option is inside Connections > Mobile networks > Connections Optimizer.

Solution 4: Working around Android 9.0

Like mentioned before, it seems that Android 9.0 doesn’t work well with Move to iOS application. Here if you have a spare Android device which isn’t 9.0, you can try using that for transferring your information to your new iOS device. Here we are assuming that your older Android device is of an older version and the moving application works perfectly in it.

To check whether your Android version is 9.0, follow the instructions below.

1. Slide the notification bar down and click on the gears icon to access the Settings.
2. Once in Settings, click on About Phone and in the next window, select Software Information.

   

3. Here the version of your Android device will be listed. If it isn’t 9.0 or higher, you can skip to the next solution.

Now we will go through the steps on how to transfer your information from Android 9.0 to your iOS device using another Android device which is older than 9.0.

1. In 9.0 device, open your Play Store and search for SMS backup

   

2. Select any one of the application and install it on your mobile.
3. After installing the application, backup your messages on the application.

Now that we have backed up your messages, we will back up your pictures and videos into Google Drive.

1. Make sure that Google Drive is installed in your 9.0 device and is logged in with your account.
2. Now navigate to your Gallery and open any Album which you want to transfer. Open it and click on three dots present at the top-right side of the screen. Click it and select Share.

   

3. Now select Google Drive and upload all the pictures/videos into it.

Now that we have uploaded your pictures/videos and messages, we will try uploading all your contacts to your Google Account. Here we will navigate to your Android settings and make sure that contacts are being backed up.

1. Open the Settings as we did earlier on and click on Cloud and Accounts
2. After opening, click on Accounts option again.
3. Here all the accounts linked to your Android device will be listed. Select the Google Account and click on Sync account from the next window.

   

4. In the next window, check all options. This will include Contacts, Calendar, etc. After enabling all the options, wait for a little while for everything to sync.

   

Now since we have backed up all your data over the cloud, we will open your other Android Device and download all the data into it.

1. Download and log into your Google Drive and Google Account into the other device. After selecting the folders, download them into the device from Google Drive.
2. Your Google account will automatically download all the contact details from the cloud to your mobile’s local storage. Wait for a while for the process to complete.
3. Download the same SMS backup utility into the older phone and download the messages to your phone’s local storage.
4. After everything is downloaded, install Move to iOS application in the older Android device and try transferring all the data to your iOS device. Now check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 5: Using Alternate Options

If the application still fails to work, you can use other alternatives which will help you transfer data from your Android device to your iPhone device with ease. You can easily search for the related keyword in Google Play and use one of many transfer applications available.

You can also Migrate from an Android Phone to an iPhone. There are also alternatives available on top of transferring using Move to iOS.

Solution 6: Power Cycling Router and Smartphones

If none of the above methods work, what you can do is try power cycling the router and the smartphones completely. Power cycling is an act where you turn off the devices, drain their power, and get them back up again. This re-initializes all the temporary configurations stored in your device. If the connection problem was because of these configurations, it will be solved.

1. Turn off your router and smartphones. For the router, take out the power switch.
2. For your router, press and hold the power button while the switch is turned off for about 5-10 seconds.
3. Now turn all the devices back on and try using move to iOS. See if the problem is solved.