3 Ways to Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone

By Gina Barrow, Last updated: January 6, 2024

“I finally have my iPhone 14 and I am currently on the stage of moving my files across. I used to have a Samsung phone and I cannot find the best way to transfer text messages from Android to iPhone. Can someone please help me? Thanks”

Everyone who got the newest iPhone 14 is now busy moving their apps and data over. There has been a tremendous conversion going on from Android users to iPhone. And many of them are actually busy migrating photos, videos, and other media content.

However, a growing number of users messaged us asking ways on how to transfer text messages from Android to iPhone 14. In today’s article, we will give you 3 of the most simple ways to move your important messages across.

Before We Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone 14:

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This tool allows you to selectively transfer some of the data or transfer all data at once. It supports directly transferring Android to iPhone. With it, only one click and your messages will be moved to another device!

Check out the card below, you can download FoneDog Phone Transfer and enjoy the free trial version to help you transfer kinds of data between phones now!

Phone Transfer Transfer files among iOS, Android and Windows PC. Transfer and backup text messages, contacts, photos, video, music on computer easily. Fully compatible with the latest iOS and Android. Free Download FoneDog Phone Transfer

Part 1. Transfer Your Text Messages from Android to iPhone Part 2. Recommended Method to Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone Part 3. Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone 13 Using Free SMS Apps Part 4. Summary

Part 1. Transfer Your Text Messages from Android to iPhone

If you haven’t started shifting your data to your new iPhone, then the best way to transfer text messages from Android to iPhone 13 is to utilize the "Move to iOS" app on the Android phone.

"Move to iOS" is a free app, available on your Android phone, which allows you to move

text messages
contacts
browser bookmarks
photos and videos
email accounts
calendars
free apps

However, you might need to erase your data first before utilizing the "Move to iOS" app.

Here is the complete guide on how to transfer your text messages from Android to iPhone when you're set up the iOS device:

Step 1. Install and launch Move to iOS on your Android phone.
Step 2. Click Continue, and select Next.
Step 3. Tap Move Data from Android under the ‘Move to iOS’ screen. Press Continue.
Step 4. Enter the code displayed on the iPhone screen on your Android phone. It can either be a 6 or 10-digit numeric code.
Step 5. Select the types of data to transfer. Ensure that you mark Messages among your options.
Step 6. Tap Done on your Android phone when the transfer is completed.

Use Move to iOS to Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone 13

You can proceed to finish the setup on your iPhone and start sending and receiving text messages.

Part 2. Recommended Method to Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone

Can you transfer text messages from Android to iPhone even after you have completed the initial setup? Yes.

However, if you use the first method, you might need to erase your data to utilize the Move to iOS option. This next method we recommend does not require you to erase your data on the new iPhone. In fact, you can transfer any time you needed to.

FoneDog - Phone Transfer is a powerful tool that enables you to move important data such as your text messages, contacts, photos, videos, and more. In fact, it supports cross-platform transfer like Android to iOS, iOS to Android, Smartphone to PC, and vice versa.

With this tool, you can not only transfer your text messages from your Android phone to your new iPhone but also transfer your messages from this new iPhone to a computer if you need them after a period of use.

Check out these steps on how to move your SMS from Android to iOS with FoneDog- Phone Transfer:

First, you need to download and install FoneDog Phone Transfer on your computer.
Connect your Android and iPhone to the computer using USB cables
On the Android phone, select Messages among the file types. You can selectively choose the SMS or select all the messages from the Android device
Click Export to on the top menu
Find and select your iPhone 13
Wait for the transfer from Android to iPhone to be completed
Disconnect both devices

Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone 13 with FoneDog Phone Transfer

Continue setting up your iPhone so you can start using it. FoneDog Phone Transfer does not only allow you to transfer your text messages but also gives you the privilege to manage both devices regardless of their operating systems.

This software is not only useful for SMS, but it is also ideal for content management like pictures, music, videos, and contact backup.

Part 3. Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone 13 Using Free SMS Apps

Using free apps could definitely save you from heartaches if your only main concern is transferring text messages. These free apps are highly suitable when you have already finished setting up the iPhone 13 except for the SMS.

There are quite a handful of free SMS transfer apps that you can take advantage of. But you have to be careful in finding one because not all free apps are actually working.

To make things easier for you, we have found a few apps that are dedicated to SMS transfer and are perfectly functioning.

Here are the two most recommended free SMS apps that you can download and utilize:

How to transfer text messages from Android to iPhone 13 with SMS Backup+:

SMS Backup+ is able to transfer text messages, MMS, and call history. The backup files will be exported to your Gmail and Google Calendar. Here’s how to use this free SMS app:

Download and install SMS Backup+ on your Android phone
Sign in to your Gmail account
On your Gmail, find and click Settings on the upper-right corner
Select Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab
Under IMAP Access, select the Enable IMAP button
Tap Save Changes
Launch the SMS Backup+ app and tap Connect when asked for a Google account. Sign in using the same Gmail account you recently accessed
Find and tap Backup. Your text messages will be saved and transferred to your Gmail
To download the SMS on your iPhone, open your Gmail account
Locate the SMS backup in your Inbox
Download the backup file
Wait for the download to be completed

Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone 13 with SMS Backup+

Use SMS Backup & Restore to transfer text messages from Android to iPhone:

SMS Backup & Restore uses XML file format to view files such as text messages, call history, and MMS. It does need you, however, to download the app on both devices though for this app to fully work.

As of this moment, SMS Backup & Restore does not support iOS so the best thing you can do to still get a copy of your SMS is to open the backup storage location (OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive). From there, you can view the XML file format of your messages. You won’t be able to download them in the same SMS file settings, but you can view them at any time.

Here’s how to use SMS Backup & Restore:

Download and install SMS Backup & Restore on both devices
On your Android, launch the app and tap Backup
Toggle on Messages for the Backup option
Choose where you want to configure and set up your backup. You can use your Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or local backup (device storage). For this example, we will use Google Drive
Create a folder in Google Drive for your backup
Tap Save
Open SMS Backup & Restore ion your iPhone
Navigate to your Settings or tap the 3-dotted line
Tap Restore
Find the Backup location under the Restore Backup screen. The app also detects your backup automatically and it will prompt you to select it
Tap Messages and press Restore
Press Close when the SMS restoration is completed

Use SMS Backup & Restore to Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone

Part 4. Summary

Switching to a new phone takes a lot of effort especially when you are using cross-platform such as Android to iOS or vice versa. Although there are many ways to transfer your apps and data, only a few support SMS.

In today’s article, you have learned the 3 easy methods to transfer text messages from Android to iPhone 13. As you can see, some apps may work, some don’t because iOS does not easily support any kind of transfer.

The most recommended method is to use FoneDog Phone Transfer. It lets you move a variety of files including text messages, photos, music, videos, and many more.

Were you able to transfer your SMS from Android to iPhone? What solution worked for you?

> Transfer > 3 Ways to Transfer Text Messages from Android to iPhone