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iPhone to Samsung Transfer: What Moves, What Doesn’t, and How to Do It

Smart Switch can move selected iPhone content to a Galaxy by cable or iCloud, but it is not a full device clone. Here are the steps, cable options, version limits, and exclusions.
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You can move much of your iPhone content to a Samsung Galaxy with Samsung Smart Switch, using a cable or an iCloud import. It is not a complete device clone: passwords and Apple Keychain data do not transfer, and some protected media or app data may be unavailable. Choose the route that fits your iPhone’s connector and the data you need, then verify the results on the Galaxy.

Choose a transfer method

Method What you need Best fit Important limitation
Wired Smart Switch A compatible cable for the iPhone’s connector When the phones can connect directly and you want to transfer without relying solely on iCloud Only supported, selectable content transfers; check the categories Smart Switch finds.
iCloud import Access to the Apple account and its verification prompt When the content you want is already synced to iCloud or you do not have a suitable cable Samsung warns that some data may not transfer through the wireless iCloud route.
QR-based wireless flow Compatible iPhone and Galaxy software When both devices meet Samsung’s stated version requirements Samsung specifies iOS 26.6, Android 17, and One UI 9.0 or later; it is not available for every device pairing.

Smart Switch presents the categories it can find, so review those choices rather than assuming it will copy every item on the iPhone. Samsung’s guidance describes supported transfers, not a guarantee of a full device clone. Samsung’s US iPhone-to-Galaxy switching guide and Samsung Ireland’s transfer instructions cover the standard routes.

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Prepare the iPhone and Galaxy

  • Charge both phones before beginning. Samsung’s US preparation guidance recommends fully charged devices.
  • Turn off iMessage before switching. Samsung’s US preparation guide also recommends turning off FaceTime. This helps avoid missing messages after you start using the Galaxy.
  • Check the iPhone’s port before choosing a cable. For a Lightning iPhone, Samsung lists a Lightning-to-USB-C cable or a Lightning-to-USB cable with an OTG adapter. For a USB-C iPhone, use a USB-C-to-USB-C cable.
  • Have the iPhone passcode and, for an iCloud import, your Apple account credentials and access to its verification prompt available.

Transfer directly with a cable

  1. On the Galaxy, open Smart Switch and tap Receive data, then iPhone/iPad.
  2. Connect the phones using the cable that matches the iPhone’s port. If using a Lightning-to-USB cable, connect it through a compatible OTG adapter.
  3. On the iPhone, tap Trust if prompted and enter the passcode if requested. Continue on the Galaxy.
  4. Review the categories Smart Switch detects, select the content you want, and start the transfer.
  5. Keep the cable connected until Smart Switch reports completion. Then check the completion screen and open the relevant Galaxy apps to verify important items.

Samsung’s wired instructions and connector guidance are available in its US switching guide and Indonesia transfer guide.

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Import from iCloud

  1. On the Galaxy, open Smart Switch, choose Receive data, select iPhone/iPad, and choose the iCloud import option.
  2. Sign in with the Apple account used for the iPhone and complete the verification prompt on the iPhone.
  3. Review the available categories, choose what to import, and start the transfer.
  4. When it finishes, verify the transferred content on the Galaxy. If an important item is not available from iCloud, Samsung’s newer guidance recommends downloading the files to a computer and using a wired transfer route.

Samsung lists personal content such as contacts, calendar, notes, call history, and bookmarks, as well as photos, videos, documents, and voice memos among items it can import from iCloud. Availability depends on what is synced and offered for your devices; Samsung cautions that some data may not transfer wirelessly. See Samsung US and Samsung Ireland for route details.

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Use the QR wireless flow only if your devices qualify

Samsung Philippines’ guide, updated August 20, 2026, describes a QR-based wireless transfer that starts during Galaxy setup: the Galaxy displays a QR code, and the iPhone scans it. Samsung says this flow requires iOS 26.6, Android 17, and One UI 9.0 or later. If either device does not meet those requirements, use the standard Smart Switch choices shown on your phones instead. Regional availability and menu names can vary.

Follow the prompts on iOS to choose data, then monitor progress on the Galaxy and verify the result. Samsung notes that some items—including WhatsApp data, reminders, registered Bluetooth devices, blocked contacts, and browser bookmarks—may need a separate wired follow-up after wireless transfer. WhatsApp also has its own post-transfer restoration prompts. Consult Samsung Philippines’ QR transfer guide for the version-specific flow and its follow-up steps.

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What Smart Switch may not bring across

  • Passwords and Apple Keychain data: Samsung says these do not transfer through Smart Switch.
  • Apple apps: Apple-owned apps, such as Apple Music, do not transfer as apps. You may be able to download an Android version again, subject to the app’s availability.
  • Protected or app-controlled content: Some DRM-protected media and encrypted or third-party-controlled app data may be unavailable. The categories Smart Switch says it cannot transfer are the most relevant guide for your specific devices.
  • Some wireless-transfer items: Samsung’s QR-flow guidance identifies certain categories that may require a wired follow-up; the available items and labels depend on software and model.

Samsung’s switching guidance and Smart Switch information explain supported content and exclusions. Treat the transfer as selective migration, then separately handle anything the device lists as unavailable.

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After the transfer

  • Open the Galaxy’s Contacts, Calendar, Gallery, Messages, and other relevant apps to check that the content you selected is present.
  • Follow any separate restoration prompts for apps or data that need them, including WhatsApp when prompted.
  • Keep the iPhone available until you have checked essential content and accounts on the Galaxy. If a needed file did not arrive through iCloud, use Samsung’s suggested computer-download and wired route where applicable.
  • Make sure iMessage is turned off if you did not do so before transferring; Samsung recommends this as part of switching.

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