Here's the best and easiest way to switch from an Android device to an iPhone (AAPL, GOOG)

Switching from an Android phone to an iPhone can be tough, because you have to adjust to a whole new operating system.
But making the switch itself only requires a few steps, and Apple even created a special app to help you out.
Here's how to quickly and easily switch to an iPhone from an Android device.

Switching from Android to iOS can be daunting — you're not just switching to a new device, you're switching to an entirely new operating system.

But it turns out that the switch itself actually might be the easiest part.

Back in 2015, Apple introduced an Android app called Move to iOS — one of only two apps that Apple has made for Android, with Apple Music as the other.

The Move to iOS app is intended to help Android users seamlessly swap to an iPhone without losing their important data, like contacts, photos, calendars, and more.

The app is a key part of making the switch, but there are a few other steps along the way before you can get started with your new iPhone.

Here's everything you need to do to switch from an Android device to an iPhone:

Step 1: Back up all your data.

Before making the permanent switch to a new device, make sure all your data is backed up.

On your Android device, go to your settings and look for "Backup & reset" (on some devices, this option may be under "Cloud and Accounts"). Then, check to make sure you have a working email address listed under "Backup account" and ensure "Back up my data" is set to "On."

Step 2: Download the Google Photos app.

For many people, preserving their photos is a major concern when switching to a new device.

There are ways to transfer your photos in one batch along with all the rest of your data (more on that in a minute), but using Google Photos is a smart precautionary measure.

The Google Photos app works on both Android and iOS devices. The app also offers unlimited storage and automatic backups, so it's a good idea to use it all the time, not just when switching to a new phone.

Before you start the switch, download the app if you don't have it already. Then, allow it to backup all the photos in your camera roll. When you set up your new iPhone, just add the Google Photos app, sign in, and you should see all your photos.