How to switch between an iPad and an Android tablet

By Anula Wiwatowska

Last updated 27 May 2021

How to switch between an iPad and an Android tablet

Getting a new gadget is exciting, especially when you’ve taken the plunge and decided to swap operating systems. Switching from Android and Apple, or from Apple to Android might seem like a big step but it's actually not that complicated.

No matter which way you’re moving it will just take an app, and some time for the most part. There are however a few other niggly bits to be aware of.

Moving data from an iPad to an Android tablet
Moving data from an Android tablet to an iPad
Tips to make switching easier

How to switch from Apple iPad to an Android tablet

If you want to move from an iPad across to a Samsung (or other Android powered) tablet you can do it with Google Drive.

Using Google Drive you’re able to transfer across your contacts, calendar events, photos and videos. Anything else that you might want to bring across from iPadOS to Android will take a little bit more elbow grease. More about that in a minute, first this is how to use Google Drive to transfer from an iPad to an Android tablet.

Download Google Drive to your iPad
Sign in to your Google account
Go to menu > settings > backup to back up your data
Select the content that you want to back up and click Start Backup
Note that backup can take several hours, so you’ll want to be connected to WiFi and plugged in to a charger
On your new device, sign in using the same Google account you used to back up your data
All your data will be available through Google Photos, Google Calendar and your Contacts app

Switching Notes from iPad to Android tablet

Google won’t back up your notes, but that doesn’t mean that all of your late night ramblings and grocery lists need to disappear. There are a few ways to get your notes from one device to another, but the easiest way is to just transfer your notes using Gmail.

If you’re switching over to an Android tablet, chances are that you’re going to be utilising Google apps more anyway, so linking the two together just makes sense. Here’s how to move your Apple Notes to an Android device using Gmail.

On your iPad open settings
Scroll down to Notes and open
Tap on Accounts
If your Gmail account is not yet linked, link it to your Notes app.
You should now have a Notes folder in your Gmail account. You can now access these notes from Gmail on any device.

Switching your email from iPad to Android tablet

Email really isn’t that complicated to change from. While on Apple products, you’ll use the Mail app to house whatever email account you have - on Android you can just download the app and use that directly.

All you’ll need to do is to find the right app, download it, and log in to your account. Everything will be there already. In some cases the app may already be preinstalled on your device. Samsung’s Tab S6 Lite for example comes with Gmail and Microsoft Outlook already installed.

How to switch from an Android tablet to Apple iPad

Shifting from an Android tablet to an iPad can take a bit more getting used to, just because of how tightly bound Apple software is. A quick way to get the bulk done is to use the Move to iOS app.

Using Move to iOS you’ll be able to transfer your Google account info, bookmarks, messages, contacts, and your camera roll. There are a few things you’ll still need to do manually, but this will make sure that the bulk of your data makes it across with minimal effort.

Follow these steps to transfer from an Android tablet to an iPad using Move to iOS.

Set up your iPad until you get to the screen titled Apps and Data
Select the Move data from Android option
Download Move to iOS from Google Play on your current Android device and open the app
Tap continue on both devices
Agree and tap next on your Android tablet
A 12 digit code will appear on your iPad, enter this code to Move to iOS where prompted
You’ll be asked which data you want to transfer across, select all that apply
This data will then be transferred to your iPad, but note that this may take some time.
Once the transfer is complete continue to set up your iPad

Access your Google Keep notes on iPad

If you’re an avid note taker and list maker then losing your notes can send you into disarray. Luckily there is a really simple way to have continued access to your Google Keep on your iPad. Just download the app.

All of your saved notes will carry over through the app, and you can just continue using Google Keep as your primary note taking app. Alternatively, you can send your Keep notes individually over to another app, such as the Apple Notes application.

To do so:

Open Google Keep on your iPad and open the note you want to send
Tap the ellipsis button in the bottom right corner
Tap send and select the app you want to share with

Setting up email on your iPad

We’re all pretty familiar with how an email account works, you can access it from anywhere provided that you have your email address and password handy. With Apple products however, they really like you to use their apps. Like really. Even if you’re accessing a different platform they want you to be doing it through the iOS Mail app.

Luckily, you can connect pretty much any account, from any email provider to this app. All you’ll need to do is set up your account through the Mail app - here’s how.

Open settings on your iPad
Select Mail and tap accounts
Pick from your already connected accounts, or select Add Account
You’ll then be able to log in through a range of different email providers
Once your account is set up, you’ll be able to access these emails directly through the Apple Mail app

There are however a plethora of third party email apps available on the App Store, including Gmail and Outlook.

Tips to make switching easier

Chances are that you’re not going to be jumping between operating systems over, and over again, but just in case you do there is one tip that makes it infinitely easier. Set yourself up to be primarily cloud based.

Keeping most of your data on the cloud means that switching between devices should mostly just involve redownloading your supporting apps.

There are a range of applications that work across both operating systems, but Google Drive is always a solid option and is well supported by both manufacturers.