Leaving the iPhone used to mean lost messages and a weekend of cleanup. In 2026 it is mostly a matter of putting two phones next to each other. This guide covers which Android phone to switch to, how to use Apple’s built-in transfer tool, the one iMessage step you cannot skip, and how to sell your iPhone for top dollar.
Quick Answer
To switch from iPhone to Android, update your iPhone and use Apple’s Transfer to Android tool, built into iOS 26.3 and later, to move photos, messages, contacts, apps, passwords, and your phone number to the new phone. Before you set the iPhone aside, turn off iMessage and FaceTime so texts from iPhone users reach your new number. Pick an Android phone with years of updates left, such as a Pixel 9a or Galaxy S24, then sell your iPhone while it holds its value.
Shop Used Android Phones on Swappa
Which Android Phone to Switch To
Buying used makes the switch cheaper, and the best Android phones now get as many years of updates as an iPhone. Prices below are Swappa listings as of September 23, 2026.
| Android Phone | Starts Around on Swappa | Software Support | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A36 5G | $115 | 6 years from launch | Lowest cost with a long update window |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 | $217 | 7 years from launch | Compact flagship, best value Galaxy |
| Google Pixel 8 | $239 | 7 years from launch | Cheapest Pixel with a long update window |
| Google Pixel 9a | $280 | 7 years from launch | Clean Android, great camera for the price |
| Google Pixel 9 | $325 | 7 years from launch | Flagship Pixel features for less |
| Samsung Galaxy S25 | $330 | 7 years from launch | Newer Galaxy flagship |
Former iPhone owners usually settle in fastest on a Pixel, which runs Google’s own version of Android with no duplicate apps, or a Galaxy S model, which has the most polished hardware. For more options, see Best Budget Android Phones to Buy Used (2026), Used Google Pixel Buyer’s Guide: Which Pixel Is Worth It, and Used Samsung Galaxy S Buyer’s Guide: Which Generation to Get.
Before You Switch: Prepare Your iPhone
A little prep keeps the switch clean:
- Update your iPhone. Apple’s Transfer to Android tool needs iOS 26.3 or later, and both phones should be on current software.
- Back up to iCloud or a computer as a safety net before you move anything.
- Check for Apple-only services. iMessage, FaceTime, Apple Pay, and Apple Watch do not work on Android. Apple Music and the Apple TV app do.
- Note your subscriptions. App Store subscriptions keep billing until you cancel them, even after you switch.
- Unlock locked notes. Notes you have locked with a password do not transfer.
Use Apple’s Transfer to Android Tool
Apple and Google built a direct iPhone-to-Android transfer into iOS 26.3, released in early 2026. It is available worldwide, not just in Europe, and you no longer need a separate app.
- Turn on the new Android phone and start setup.
- On the iPhone, open Settings and find the Transfer to Android option.
- Place the phones next to each other with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on on both.
- Pair them by scanning the QR code shown on the Android phone, or by entering the pairing code.
- Pick what to move and leave both phones alone until it finishes.
The tool can move photos and videos, messages, contacts, calendars, notes, passwords, apps that exist on Google Play, and your phone number. It does not move Health data, Bluetooth device pairings, or locked notes.
Other options: Samsung Galaxy phones also offer Samsung’s Smart Switch during setup, and Google’s Switch to Android app for iPhone is another route. Either is useful if your iPhone cannot run iOS 26.3.
Turn Off iMessage and FaceTime (Do Not Skip This)
If your number stays registered with iMessage, iPhone users who text you may see their messages go nowhere. Fix it before you put the iPhone away:
- On the iPhone, open Settings > Apps > Messages and turn off iMessage.
- Open Settings > Apps > FaceTime and turn off FaceTime.
- If you no longer have the iPhone, use Apple’s online Deregister iMessage tool, which removes your number with a code sent by text.
After you switch, texts with iPhone users run over RCS on participating carriers, so you keep typing indicators, high-quality media, and group chats.
Using Apple Services on Android
You can keep more of Apple than you might expect:
- Apple Music has an Android app with your library and playlists.
- Apple TV has an Android app for Apple TV+ shows and your purchased movies.
- iCloud is available on the web at icloud.com for photos, notes, and email.
- FaceTime calls can be joined from an Android browser when an iPhone user sends you a link.
What you lose is iMessage itself and the tight handoff between Apple devices. If you rely on a Mac or iPad, Google Photos and Google Drive are the easiest way to keep files in sync across both worlds.
Your Apple Watch and AirPods
An Apple Watch will not work with an Android phone. It needs an iPhone to set up and sync. If you are switching for good, sell the watch while it still has value, and make sure you unpair it and remove Activation Lock first. See How to Sell a Used Smartwatch for the Most Money and Activation Lock on a Used Apple Watch: What to Check. For a replacement, used smartwatches on Swappa include Galaxy Watch and Pixel Watch models.
AirPods pair with Android as regular Bluetooth earbuds. They work, but you lose automatic device switching and one-tap setup.
Sell Your iPhone for the Most Money
iPhones hold their value better than most Android phones, which makes your old iPhone the best way to fund the switch. See iPhone vs. Android Resale Value: A Data-Driven Comparison for the data. As of September 23, 2026, a 128GB iPhone 15 sold for about $387 on average on Swappa, compared with a trade-in quote of about $226 on the same price page. A 128GB iPhone 13 averaged about $242, against a trade-in quote of about $131.
Before you list it:
- Turn off Find My and sign out of your Apple Account to remove Activation Lock.
- Erase the iPhone in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. See How to Wipe an iPhone Before Selling It (the Right Way).
- Check your model’s value on Swappa’s price pages and list it with clear photos.
Swappa’s seller fee is 3% of your asking price, plus payment processing, and buyers pay you directly through PayPal at checkout. For the full walkthrough, see How to Sell Your Used Phone for the Most Money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my iMessages to Android?
Yes. Apple’s Transfer to Android tool in iOS 26.3 and later can move your message history to a new Android phone, along with photos, contacts, calendars, notes, and passwords. Future conversations with iPhone users will use RCS instead of iMessage.
Do I need to turn off iMessage before switching to Android?
Yes. If your number stays registered with iMessage, messages from iPhone users can fail to reach your new phone. Turn off iMessage and FaceTime in the iPhone’s Settings before you switch, or use Apple’s online Deregister iMessage tool if you no longer have the iPhone.
Will my Apple Watch work with an Android phone?
No. The Apple Watch requires an iPhone for setup and syncing. If you switch to Android permanently, unpair the watch, remove Activation Lock, and sell it, then consider a Galaxy Watch or Pixel Watch.
Can I use AirPods with an Android phone?
Yes, as standard Bluetooth earbuds. Music and calls work, but you lose Apple-specific features such as automatic switching between devices and one-tap pairing.
What is the best Android phone for iPhone users?
A Google Pixel 9a or Pixel 9 is the easiest transition for most iPhone users, with clean software and seven years of updates. A Samsung Galaxy S24 is a strong alternative if you want a compact flagship, and it starts around $217 used on Swappa.
The Bottom Line
Switching from iPhone to Android in 2026 comes down to three steps: run Apple’s Transfer to Android tool, turn off iMessage, and sell your iPhone while it still commands a strong price. A used Pixel or Galaxy with a long update window makes the switch cheaper, and the money from your iPhone can cover much of it.
