How to Transfer Data from Xperia to iPhone

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: June 24, 2020 References

This wikiHow teaches you how to transfer photos, messages, contacts, and more from a Sony Xperia to a new or existing iPhone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Transferring Data to a New iPhone

1
Turn on your new iPhone. Press the Power button at the top right corner (or on the right edge, depending on your model) to power on your new device.
- Use this method when you’re setting up an iPhone for the first time. If you’ve already gone through the iPhone’s setup process, see #Transferring Data to an Existing iPhone.
2
Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your iPhone. Stop when you get to the screen that says Apps & Data.
3
Tap Move Data from Android. It’s the final choice on the Apps & Data screen. A 6 or 10-digit code will appear. You’ll need to enter this code into an app called Move to iOS that you’ll install on your Xperia.^{[1]
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4
Open the Play Store on your Xperia. It’s the white icon with a rainbow triangle on your home screen or in the app drawer.
5
Type move to ios into the search box. It’s at the top of the screen.
6
Tap Move to iOS in the search results.
7
Tap Install.
8
Tap Accept.
9
Tap Open. The welcome screen will appear.
10
Tap Continue. It’s the blue text beneath the app’s description.
11
Read the Terms and tap Agree. It’s at the bottom right corner of the screen.
12
Tap Next on the “Find Your Code” screen.
13
Enter your code. If you have a 6-digit code, use the keypad to enter it now. If you have a 10-digit code, tap I have a 10-digit code and enter it there. Once the two devices connect, you’ll see a list of things that can be transferred.
14
Select items to transfer and tap Next. The selected options will transfer right away, and the devices will disconnect once the transfer is complete. The items vary depending on how you use your Xperia, but here’s a general overview of the options:^{[2]
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- Google Account: This includes your Google calendar and Gmail account information.
- Messages: Text messages you’ve sent and received using Xperia’s Messages app.
- Contacts: Saved phone numbers and addresses in your Xperia, and those saved to your Google account.
- Camera Roll: The photos and videos you’ve taken with your Xperia’s camera.
- Bookmarks: Websites you’ve bookmarked in Chrome.
15
Follow the on-screen instruction on your iPhone. Once the transfer is complete, you can complete the setup of your new phone and use it right away.^{[3]
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- On your Xperia, you’ll see a message that recommends taking it to an Apple store to be recycled. This, of course, is optional. You can also sell your Xperia privately or use it as a backup device.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Transferring Data to an Existing iPhone

1
Connect both the Xperia and the iPhone to a Wi-Fi network. Since you’ll be syncing data over the internet, it’s best to do this over Wi-Fi rather than using your data plan.
- Use this method if you’ve already completed the iPhone setup process.
2
Sync your Xperia Calendar, Contacts, and Email to Google. This ensures that your calendar details, contacts, and email messages can sync to your iPhone. Here’s how to do it:^{[4]
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- Tap the Apps button on your Xperia (it’s the round button with 6 dots at the bottom of the screen).
- Tap Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Accounts.
- Tap Google.
- Select your Google account name (your username with “@gmail.com” at the end).
- Move the sliders next to Calendar, Contacts, and Gmail to the On position.
3
Connect your iPhone to Wi-Fi. Since you’ll be downloading the information you synced to your iPhone, it should also be online.
4
Sync your Calendar, Contacts, and Email to your iPhone. As soon as you make these changes, the synced information will download to your iPhone.
- Open your iPhone’s Settings. It’s the gray gear icon on your home screen.
- Scroll down and tap Mail.
- Tap Accounts.
- Tap Add Account.
- Select Google.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Move the sliders beside Mail, Contacts, and Calendar to the On (green) position.
- Tap Save.
5
Connect the Xperia to a computer with iTunes. Use the cable that came with the device, or one that’s compatible.
- If you don’t have iTunes set up on your computer, see Set Up iTunes.
6
Copy photos from your Xperia to the computer. Here’s how:^{[5]
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- Create a folder on the desktop called “xperia.” To do this, right-click a blank area of the desktop, select “New Folder,” then type xperia. Press ↵ Enter or ⏎ Return.
- Open your computer’s file explorer. On a PC, press ⊞ Win+E. In macOS, click the Finder icon in the Dock.
- Select the device called Xperia (or it may say your name) on the left side of the screen.
- Double-click the DCIM folder.
- Double-click the Photos folder.
- Drag the photos and videos you want to transfer to the Xperia folder on your desktop.
- When the copying completes, you can disconnect your Xperia from the computer.
7
Connect your iPhone to the computer. Use the cable that came with your iPhone, or one that’s compatible.
8
Open iTunes. If you’re using a PC, you’ll find it in the Start menu. In macOS, click the multicolored note icon in the Dock or search for it in Spotlight.^{[6]
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- Depending on your settings, iTunes may launch automatically when you plug in your iPhone.
9
Sync your photos and videos to the iPhone. Once this process is complete, you can remove your iPhone from the computer. Your photos will appear in the Photos app.
- Click your iPhone at the top left corner of iTunes.
- Click Photos in the left sidebar.
- Place a checkmark next to “Sync Photos.”
- Click the dropdown menu and select Choose Folder.
- Select the Xperia folder you created on your desktop.
- Place a checkmark next to “Include Videos” if you want to copy videos.
- Click Sync at the bottom right corner of the screen.

Community Q&A

Question

Does your mail have to be Gmail? I use Hotmail and would like to carry on using this?

Collo Nesh

Community Answer

Yes, that is perfectly alright. Gmail is just most preferred by many since it has a wide array of options.
Question

My Sony Xperia won't download the movie to iOS app. It says it is not compatible with the app. How can I move all my photos texts etc from Xperia to iPhone?

Minorite

Community Answer

There is no way to move data directly if 'Move to iOS' won't be installed. Try to restart your device, update OS and do it again. If it won't work, you can use Google accounts to sync your data on Xperia and reload it on the iPhone.
Question

Does this still work if I am using the same SIM/phone number?

Minecraft Tan

Community Answer

Yes, it will work with phones you want to transfer to while using the same SIM card/phone number.

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References

About This Article

Written by:

Nicole Levine, MFA

Tech Specialist

This article was written by Nicole Levine, MFA. Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 19,269 times.

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Co-authors: 2

Updated: June 24, 2020

Views: 19,269

Categories: IPhone