But we don't need to convince you of Android's merits; if you're here, you've already decided to make the switch. You might need some help with the change, though. Apple locks you into a very tight ecosystem, and even after you get your Android phone up and running, day-to-day tasks will be a little different than you remember them. However, the trade-off is that you'll be able to install whatever apps you want, manage your files in any way you see fit and spend a whole lot less money on a phone, if you so choose.
Bear in mind that this is just a general guide, and it will not walk you through each step in precise detail. If there's a particular feature about which you'd like more information, let us know in the comments, and we'll work up a guide for it. The first, and most difficult, part of switching from iOS to Android is selecting a new phone.
Phone selection is generally pretty simple: There's the latest model, in both small- and large-screen formats, and there's last year's model, which now costs a little less. There's also a model from two years ago, which you can buy if you want your system to become obsolete as quickly as possible. This year, we had an additional wrinkle with the iPhone X, but the bottom line is the same: Your options are limited.
Credit: Tom's GuideNot so with Android devices. Because new phones are coming out constantly, it's impossible to make specific phone recommendations on this page. However, you should consult the Tom's Guide lists for best smartphones and best Android phones as a starting point. These will help point you to the feature set that's right for you. If you're switching to Android primarily because iPhones have gotten too pricey, we also have a list of the best cheap Android smartphones. Generally speaking, before you pick a phone, you should make a mental list of what you use your phone for.
If all you need are social-networking and email apps, you can walk away with a budget phone. For those who lean heavily on music and video, a larger screen might be a smart investment, as might good speakers and expandable microSD storage. If you use your phone as a gaming device, it might help to get something powerful. Personally, I've found that the one area where iPhones generally perform better than Android phones is the camera. If you want your smartphone to take stellar shots, you'll probably have to invest in a flagship phone that's priced similarly to an iPhone.
Weigh your options accordingly if switching isn't absolutely imperative. The good news about transferring files from your old phone is that it's not as time-sensitive as you might think. If you've been using an Apple product for any length of time greater than about a month, you'll probably have amassed lots of contacts, photos, music, apps and more. These are all synced with your iCloud account, and your iCloud account doesn't actually go anywhere just because you get rid of your old phone.
You can also back up stuff through iTunes manually, but trust me, it's easier to just use iCloud. Your iTunes purchases are yours to keep, anyway. Before you make the jump, though, you should back up your old phone one last time, then factory-reset it to protect your security. Connect to a Wi-Fi network, go to Settings and tap on your name.
Tap on iCloud, and ensure that iCloud Backup is turned on. Then, tap Back Up Now, and wait for the magic to happen. This could take quite a while, depending on your connection, so be patient. When that's complete, it couldn't hurt to log into iCloud on a computer, just to make sure all of your files have transferred successfully.
Credit: AppleThen, you can wipe your device and leave it clean for the next user. Apple has a guide for wiping your phone as well, although it's really pretty simple. Just be sure to turn off Find My iPhone first; if you don't, the next user won't be able to set up the phone without putting in your email address first. Go to Settings, General and Reset. Enter your Apple ID password, and follow the instructions on screen. That's it. You're free from Apple's technological yoke.
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