Technologies

Make the Switch From iPhone to Android: Easy Tips for Changing Your Phone

A switch from an Apple iPhone to an Android one may sound scary, but a few essential steps can make the move easier to do.

With so many excellent Android phones on the market, iPhone owners have plenty of reasons to consider making the switch to Google’s mobile operating system. Seeing as you can use many of the same apps, make calls, watch videos and take photos whether you are using an iPhone or an Android phone, your options expand greatly by being open to swapping to the other phone operating system. You could even try out a different type of phone that isn’t currently made by Apple, such as one with a foldable screen or a 200-megapixel camera.

Yet, making the switch can be pretty intimidating if you’ve never done so before, especially if you’ve spent many years with an iPhone. Making the switch from iPhone to Android isn’t just switching phones; it’s switching ecosystems too. But the process is a lot easier than you think! Whether you’re switching to a Pixel, a Samsung or another Android handheld, we’ve got you covered.

But first: Back up and prep

Before you do anything, we highly recommend backing up your existing iPhone. Not only do you want to make sure that all of your precious data is stored away in case something goes awry, but this also makes it a lot easier if you just want to transfer specific data like photos and videos. You can backup to iCloud, though you might have an easier time later on if you use Google One.

In addition to backing up, we also recommend checking the transfer process of any authenticator apps and password managers. You don’t want to get locked out of any important apps or services on your new phone.

Next, turn off FaceTime and iMessage on your iPhone so you don’t miss any incoming calls or messages. To disable FaceTime, head to Settings, FaceTime and then select Turn off FaceTime. To disable iMessage, head to Settings, then Messages and then select Turn off iMessage. Alternatively, you can also deregister iMessage by heading to this Apple support page.

You should also sign up for a Google account if you don’t already have one. You don’t necessarily need one to use an Android phone, but it does significantly improve the experience since it allows you to use Google services like Gmail and Google Photos.

Lastly, ensure both the iPhone and your new Android handheld are powered on and charged to at least 80% battery life, and you’re ready to start.

Transferring your data with a cable

There are a few ways to transfer data from your iPhone to your new Android handset. The easiest and fastest way to do so is with a cable. If you have an iPhone 15 or newer you can use a USB-C to USB-C cable, but if you have an older iPhone you’ll have to either get a USB-C to Lightning cable or a USB-C adapter.

Different Android handsets might have slightly different procedures, but generally speaking, you follow the on-screen instructions when setting up your phone. If you’re switching to a Pixel, you should see Set up using another device, at which point select iPhone or iPad.

When prompted, activate your SIM (be it physical or eSIM) and set up your biometrics as well — most Android phones use a fingerprint sensor. You would then select Copy data from your iPhone. You will also be prompted to connect both devices using a cable.

After connecting the two phones, you will then be asked to select the data types you want to transfer, such as Contacts, Photos, Messages and more. Obviously, the more data types you select, the longer the transfer process will take. You can also choose to copy Apps, which will essentially bring up a list of matching apps over on Google Play that you can then download.

While most of your data should be able to transition over to your Android phone, keep in mind that some specific services might not be available. For instance, CNET Video Producer Carly Marsh tried to make the switch from iPhone to a Motorola Razr, but found that her Apple notes could not naturally transition without manually moving them to Google Keep first.

Transferring your data wirelessly or with an app

Certain Android handsets offer a way to transfer data wirelessly with the help of an app. If you’re switching from an iPhone to a Pixel, you can download the Android Switch App. If you’re switching to a Samsung device, you can get the Samsung Smart Switch Mobile app instead.

You would do the same exact setup on your Android phone — signing up on the Google account, activating the SIM card, etc. — but when it comes time to connect the two devices, you can select Copy without cable or Transfer wirelessly depending on the app. You might be prompted to enter your Apple ID password if your iPhone uses encryption for backup.

Transferring data from the cloud

If you don’t have too much data to transfer, or you’d rather just set up your Android phone as new, you can also choose to transfer your data from the cloud. This applies only to select data, however. If you use Google One, you can sync only photos, videos, contacts and calendars. To do so, simply backup your iPhone’s data with Google One and then open the Google One app on your Android phone.

If you use Samsung’s Smart Switch app, you have the option to transfer your iCloud data to your new Samsung phone. You would select Get data from iCloud and then login when prompted.

Set up your wallet, chat apps and other services

Much like the authenticator apps mentioned earlier, there are some services that can be used on only one phone at a time. All the cards in your Apple Wallet, for example, will have to be transferred to Google Wallet. Certain transit cards, like San Francisco’s Clipper card, for example, will need to be deleted from your old phone before it can be transferred to your new one. If you’re using the Clipper app instead, you’ll need to set up a new card on your Android device.

Popular chat apps like WhatsApp and Signal have specific instructions (here and here) for moving to new phones. For both of these, you’ll have to backup existing conversations in order to avoid losing them. Backing up WhatsApp chats is free. Signal’s Secure Backup allows you to store and transfer your texts and 45 days of media attachments for free, and charges $2 per month to store up to 100GB of media.

Technologies

Ring Finally Goes Wire-Free for Its Latest 4K Video Doorbells

The launch of battery-powered versions of the company’s powerful AI doorbells has been highly anticipated.

Security company Ring on Wednesday announced a significant expansion of its video doorbell line, notably battery-powered versions of both its 4K and 2K models, priced from $80.

Both Amazon’s Ring and Google Nest debuted high-resolution video doorbells with new AI features in the fall of 2025. But they were wired only, and in my tests, I kept thinking, «I sure wish there were battery models available.»

Wireless video doorbells are far better for most front doors than models that require connecting to your existing doorbell wiring, which is often poorly positioned for a security camera. Mine, for example, is located on a wall beside my door that’s useless for any kind of video views, no matter how you angle a lens.

«Enhancing image quality in battery-powered doorbells means customers can enjoy reliable performance with the flexibility to install devices in a way that suits their space, whether renting or living in homes without existing wiring,» a Ring spokesperson said.

At first, I wondered whether the higher 4K resolutions and more advanced AI features would use too much power to support batteries. If so, Ring is the first to fix that issue with this suite of doorbells, including these models available for preorder right now:

Ring Battery Doorbell Pro — $250: This model offers up to 4K resolution and 10x zoom, and Ring says it features a redesigned internal architecture to support battery power.
Ring Battery Doorbell Plus (2nd-gen) — $180: This model includes a quick-release battery pack along with 2K video.
Ring Battery Doorbell (2nd-gen) — $100: This video doorbell includes 2K video, a 6x zoom and what Ring calls a «streamlined, rechargeable design,» which means you take the entire video doorbell to charge it, not just the battery — a design I greatly prefer, since Ring’s battery packs can get fiddly.

There’s also a new version of a Ring wired doorbell with 2K resolution, starting at $80. It wouldn’t be Ring without a plethora of doorbell devices to confuse newcomers, which is why I have a guide specifically for Ring video doorbells that will need some updating once I finish testing these new models.

Resolution plus an intelligence upgrade

Ring’s ordinary subscriptions of the Ring Protect plan give you cloud video storage and intelligent alerts for people, packages and vehicles, which are important but not really advanced AI. But spring for the $20-per-month Ring AI Pro cam, and this new generation of cameras opens up other capabilities.

Ring’s AI features include AI video descriptions, so if you get an alert, you can also get a summary of what the doorbell saw, including people and activities. A similar feature lets you search your video history with specific terms, such as «bike,» «truck» and so on. You also get the beta version of Ring’s Familiar Faces feature, which can ID logged faces of people who approach.

If these AI features make you uneasy and you’d rather protect your privacy, the best option is to avoid a subscription altogether or choose a lower-tier plan that gives you cloud storage without AI.

I also have a guide on how to turn off Ring’s detection and data-sharing features that might make you nervous, so you can keep what you like while ditching what you don’t.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Thursday, March 26

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 26.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Baseball is back! You’ll see baseball images patterned throughout today’s Mini Crossword grid, and when you solve the puzzle, they’ll spell out a certain word. Play ball! Er, read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Degrees for boardroom execs
Answer: MBAS

5A clue: «___ want for Christmas …»
Answer: ALLI

6A clue: What Hamlet holds while giving his «Alas, poor Yorick!» speech
Answer: SKULL

7A clue: Wild, as an animal
Answer: FERAL

8A clue: Sphere
Answer: ORB

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Word after «match» or «mischief»
Answer: MAKER

2D clue: Bit of writing on a book jacket
Answer: BLURB

3D clue: Penne ___ vodka
Answer: ALLA

4D clue: Window ledge
Answer: SILL

6D clue: Bay Area airport, for short
Answer: SFO

Technologies

McDonald’s KPop Demon Hunter Meals Include Bright Purple Nugget Sauce

The Derpy McFlurry mixes popping boba pearls and berry sauce into a soft-serve dessert.

McDonald’s has seen success with themed combo meals, including its holiday Grinch Meal. Now, the fast-food chain is capitalizing on Netflix’s Oscar-winning animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, with new upcoming menu items and both a breakfast meal and a lunch/dinner offering. Let’s hope you like the color purple.

The HUNTR/X Meal, named for the K-pop girl group in the movie, is a 10-piece chicken McNuggets meal that includes a medium drink and three special menu items.

Ramyeon McShaker fries come with a small bag of soy, garlic, sesame and spice seasoning, along with regular McDonald’s french fries. You sprinkle the seasoning into the provided bag, dump in the fries, shake it all up and eat.

The meal includes two new sauces for the fries and nuggets. Hunter sauce is a sweet chili sauce mixing notes of chili, garlic and pepper. But my favorite item on this new menu is Demon sauce, a bold mustard sauce with some heat and a bold purple color. There’s just not enough dark purple food out there.

There’s also a new dessert, the Derpy McFlurry, which blends creamy vanilla soft serve with berry-flavored popping boba pearls, served with a swirl of wild berry sauce. McDonald’s named it for the supernatural feline, Derpy Tiger, from the movie.

If breakfast is your bag, the new morning meal is the Saja Boys Breakfast Meal, named for the movie’s boy band.

It includes a Spicy Saja McMuffin sandwich, which is a sausage McMuffin with egg and a spicy Saja sauce, hash browns and a small drink.

Both meals come with a photocard for one of the bands and a Derpy card. The Derpy card includes a QR code you can scan to unlock online content about the film.

The full KPop Demon Hunters menu should be available at participating McDonald’s beginning March 31.

The McDonald’s Grinch meal (and its accompanying patterned socks) sold out quickly, so KPop Demon Hunters fans may want to mark their calendars and nab a meal when they are released.