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Before you begin

[ ] Create or confirm your Google account. Turn on 2‑step verification.
[ ] Update iPhone and Mac to latest OS versions and update all apps.
[ ] Decide your photo plan.
My opinion: use Google Photos on Android and set it as your main library. It is the smoothest day‑to‑day on Android.
[ ] Decide your password manager.
My opinion: use 1Password so passwords and one‑time codes work everywhere.
[ ] On Mac: Safari → Settings → Passwords → three dots → Export Passwords. Save the .csv securely.
[ ] Import the .csv into 1Password (or your chosen manager).
[ ] Ensure your iCloud contacts and calendars are up to date.
[ ] Decide whether to migrate to Google or keep using iCloud on Android.
[ ] Install Google Photos on iPhone and start a full backup on Wi‑Fi
or use Apple’s “Transfer a copy of your data” to Google Photos.
[ ] If sticking with Apple Notes, test icloud.com/notes on an Android browser.
[ ] Optional: pick a cross‑platform notes app and migrate priority notes (Notion, Standard Notes, Obsidian, I use Notion).
[ ] Decide file storage on Android (Google Drive recommended; keep iCloud Drive for legacy but any of the major providers are fine).
[ ] Let critical group chats know you are moving off iMessage.
[ ] For WhatsApp, confirm you can use the official iPhone → Android chat transfer during setup.
[ ] If using Apple Watch, decide your Android wearable plan.
[ ] If you want health data on Android, plan to use Health Sync to bridge Apple Health to Google Fit.
[ ] Do a final iCloud backup of your iPhone.
[ ] In Settings → [Your name] → iCloud: ensure Contacts, Calendars, Photos, Passwords are synced.
[ ] Open Google Photos and confirm backup is complete.
[ ] Ensure your new password manager is installed and logged in on Mac and iPad.
[ ] Verify you can log in to critical accounts using the new one‑time codes.

Switch day

Before moving the SIM or eSIM

[ ] Turn off iMessage on iPhone: Settings → Messages → iMessage off.
[ ] Turn off FaceTime on iPhone: Settings → FaceTime off.
[ ] If needed, use Apple’s online iMessage de‑registration after you move the SIM.
[ ] Physical SIM: move SIM to Android and power on.
[ ] eSIM: follow carrier steps to activate on Android.

Initial Android setup

[ ] Sign in with your Google account and enable device backup.
[ ] Install your password manager. Turn on Autofill and Accessibility integration.
[ ] Install and sign into these key apps:
Media & Comms: Apple Music, Google Photos, Gmail or preferred mail, Calendar, Contacts sync, WhatsApp, Signal, Slack.
Social: Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Reddit, Bluesky, LinkedIn.
Finance: Amex, Monzo, Barclaycard, PensionBee, Trading212, SJP, Xero.
Shopping & Loyalty: Sainsbury’s, Nectar, Amazon, eBay, Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Dominos, Bloom & Wild.
Travel & Transport: BA, Hilton, Airbnb, Eurostar, EasyJet, TripIt, Railcard, Trainline, Avis, Zapmap, Instavolt, Ohme, My Renault, PayByPhone, RingGo, JustPark, O2, GiffGaff.
Utilities & Smart Home: Hive, Octopus, Ring, Sonos, Deco, NHS, Hmrc, MyFitnessPal, Withings, ChatGPT.
Media & Reading: Guardian, Times, Pocket Casts, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, BBC News, BBC Weather, Economist, Kindle, Tapestry/Feedly.
Miscellaneous & Tools: FlightRadar, Edulink One, Wework, Electroverse, Notion, National Trust, What3Words.

WhatsApp transfer

[ ] On Android, start WhatsApp and choose transfer from iPhone when prompted. Follow the on‑screen QR or cable instructions until chats appear. (Good luck it didn’t work for me without a cable)

Contacts and calendars on Android

[ ] If staying on iCloud:
Add account → Other → CardDAV for Contacts, CalDAV for Calendar using your Apple ID + app‑specific password.
[ ] If migrated to Google:
Open Contacts and Calendar and confirm your data is present and syncing.

Music

[ ] Open Apple Music on Android, sign in with your Apple ID, and check your library and playlists.

Health

[ ] Export from iPhone Health app → profile icon → Export All Health Data.
[ ] Use Health Sync to import where supported.
[ ] Pick one ecosystem for new tracking on Android and do a one‑time historical import rather than chasing perfect two‑way sync.

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