How to Transfer Data From iPhone to Samsung Before You Sell
To transfer data from iPhone to Samsung, install Samsung Smart Switch on both phones, connect them, and choose what to move. Turn off iMessage first, and sign out of your Apple Account only after the move is finished. Once the new Galaxy works, sell the old iPhone with the box, or get a free quote on WhatsApp before you decide.
Switching phones is the easy part. The hard part is making sure your photos, messages and accounts arrive on the new phone before you hand the old one over. One missed step can leave you locked out of your Apple Account or without a single photo from the last three years. This guide walks through the move, then the steps to take before you sell.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Smart Switch is free and moves most of your data from iPhone to Galaxy.
- Turn off iMessage before you start, or your texts can end up on the old phone.
- Apps and app purchases do not move. You download them again on the Galaxy.
- Do not erase the iPhone until the Galaxy has worked for a week or two.
- Sign out of your Apple Account and remove the old phone from Find My before you sell it.
How Do You Transfer Data From iPhone to Samsung?
Give yourself about an hour, and keep both phones charged. Here's the order that works best:
- Back up the iPhone. Go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, and make sure iCloud Backup has a recent backup. Or back up to a computer.
- Turn off iMessage. Go to Settings > Messages and switch iMessage off. Keep the old phone's SIM in until the move is finished.
- Install Samsung Smart Switch on the iPhone from the App Store, and open it on the Galaxy. On a new Galaxy, choose the option to get data from an iPhone during setup.
- Connect the phones. Use a cable if you have the right adapter, or connect wirelessly. Follow the prompts on both screens.
- Choose what to move. Select contacts, photos, messages, calendar and any other items you need, then start the transfer and wait until it finishes.
Once the transfer finishes, check your photos, contacts and a few recent messages before you do anything else. Only then move on to the steps below.
What Moves Easily and What Does Not
Not everything transfers the same way. Here is what to expect:
Item
Moves with Smart Switch?
What to do
Contacts and calendar
Yes
Check a few names and events after the move.
Photos and videos
Yes
Large libraries take longer. Keep the phone plugged in.
Text messages (SMS)
Usually yes
Turn off iMessage first so texts do not go to the old phone.
WhatsApp chats
No, separate step
Use WhatsApp's own transfer option on both phones.
Apps and paid app purchases
No
Download apps again from the Google Play Store.
Apple Health and Apple Pay
No
Set these up again on the Galaxy or with your bank.
Passwords saved in iCloud Keychain
No
Export them or move them to a password manager before you switch.
Going the Other Way: Samsung to iPhone
If you are moving from a Galaxy back to an iPhone, the steps are a little different. Apple's Move to iOS app does the work, and it is free from the Google Play Store.
- Remove your Samsung and Google accounts from the Galaxy before the move, so nothing gets stuck mid-transfer.
- Turn off Find My Mobile in the Samsung settings, under your account, so the Galaxy is not locked after the wipe.
- Keep both phones on Wi-Fi and plugged in during the transfer, and start from the Move to iOS prompt on the new iPhone.
Get the Galaxy ready for sale with our guide toremoving your Samsung account before selling.
What to Do Before You Sell the Old Phone
Once the new phone works, prepare the old one. Skipping these steps is the most common reason a sale gets stuck at the door.
If you are selling an iPhone
- Turn off iMessage and unpair any Apple Watch.
- Turn off Find My under your name in Settings, and enter your Apple Account password when asked.
- Sign out of your Apple Account and erase the phone with Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Check the phone's status after the erase. An iPhone still linked to an Apple Account cannot be sold.
If you are selling a Galaxy
- Remove your Samsung account and your Google account from the phone.
- Turn off Find My Mobile, then do a factory reset.
For the full list, see ourchecklist before selling your phone in Dubai.
Should You Sell Before or After the Switch?
Sell after the switch. You want the new phone working, your photos safe and your accounts moved first. Waiting a week or two costs very little, as long as the phone stays in the same condition. Each new launch does lower used prices, though, so don't wait for months.
There is one exception. If your iPhone is in great condition and the new model has just launched, a fast sale can get you a better price than waiting. Check the value on the day, and compare it with the Dubizzle asking prices, so you know whether you are getting a fair offer.
Where Should You Sell Your Old iPhone or Galaxy in Dubai?
Option
What you get
The catch
Dubizzle or OpenSooq
Possibly the highest number
Messages, viewings and haggling. Payment scams happen.
Phone shops
Cash the same day
Offers change from shop to shop.
Apple Trade In or Samsung Trade-In
Credit off a new phone
Not cash. It only helps if you buy a new device from that brand.
SellYourPhone.ae
A live quote, then cash or bank transfer
Our quote is valid if the phone matches what you tell us at pickup.
Selling privately? Read how tosell your phone in Dubai safely and avoid scams first, and compare the options in ourshop vs online guide.
How to Sell Your Old Phone With Us
- Get a free quote on thequote form or send your model, storage and condition onWhatsApp.
- Prepare the phone using the steps above. You do not need the box, but it can help the price.
- Book a free pickup anywhere in Dubai, from Dubai Marina and JLT to Downtown, Business Bay and Deira.
- We check the phone with you and pay cash or bank transfer on the spot. Same condition, same price.
Selling a foldable or a Galaxy as well? See our guide onGalaxy Z Fold 6 resale value in Dubai, or checkthe battery on your Galaxy before selling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data from iPhone to Samsung for free?
Yes. Samsung Smart Switch is free, and it can move contacts, photos, videos, calendar, messages and more from an iPhone to a Galaxy. Some items, like iMessage history and app purchases, need extra steps, so check the list before you start.
Does Samsung Smart Switch move WhatsApp chats from iPhone?
WhatsApp has its own transfer tool for moving chats between iPhone and Android. Use the option inside WhatsApp on both phones, and keep both phones charged and close together during the move.
Do I need to turn off iMessage before switching to Samsung?
Yes. If iMessage stays on, texts can go to your old iPhone and you may miss messages. Turn it off in Settings > Messages before you start, and remove the SIM or check the iMessage deregistration step after the switch.
Can I sell my iPhone after moving my data?
Yes, but wait until the new Galaxy works properly for a week or two. Once you erase the iPhone, you cannot get anything back from it, so keep it safe until you are sure everything moved.
Do I lose my apps when I switch from iPhone to Samsung?
Apps do not move as they are. You download them again from the Google Play Store on the Galaxy. Paid apps may need to be bought again, depending on the app.
How do I move data from Samsung back to iPhone?
Use Apple's Move to iOS app on the Samsung before you set up the iPhone. Keep both phones plugged in and on Wi-Fi during the move. Remove your Samsung and Google accounts from the Samsung first, so the move does not get stuck.
Should I sell my old iPhone or keep it as a backup?
If you have no other backup, keep it until your new phone has a recent backup. If you have a full backup on iCloud or a computer, you can sell the iPhone after the switch. Get a quote first, so you know what it is worth before you decide.
Move Your Data, Then Get a Fair Price
Get a free quote or send your model onWhatsApp. We collect from anywhere in Dubai, check the phone in front of you and pay before we leave.
