How to Fix Move to iOS Stuck on 'Preparing' or 'Transferring' for Hours
"Preparing" and "Transferring" are different stages, so first identify where the process is stuck. Preparing happens while WhatsApp on Android creates the data package after you tap Start. Transferring begins after you return to Move to iOS and the data starts moving to the iPhone. Use the fix for the stage you can actually see.
If WhatsApp is stuck on Preparing
- Keep the Android phone connected to power and leave WhatsApp/Move to iOS in the foreground.
- Confirm you are using the same phone number for the migration and that the Android phone is running a current WhatsApp version.
- Wait for WhatsApp to finish preparing the export before switching back to Move to iOS.
- If preparation fails or never completes after a reasonable retry, restart both phones and start the supported migration flow again from iPhone setup.
If Move to iOS is stuck on Transferring
- Keep both phones connected to power and on the same Wi-Fi network, or connect Android to the iPhone hotspot.
- Turn off cellular data on Android and disable apps or settings that can interfere with Wi-Fi.
- Do not use another app or take a call on Android while Move to iOS is running.
- Check that the iPhone has enough free storage for the Android content and leave the devices near each other until the iPhone loading bar finishes.
Note:
If Move to iOS itself force quits, fails, or is cancelled, WhatsApp directs users to Apple Support for the Move to iOS app issue.
After the transfer finishes
Complete iPhone setup first. Then install the latest WhatsApp from the App Store, sign in with the same phone number, and start the import when prompted. If WhatsApp was already activated on the new iPhone, the official migration requires putting the iPhone back into setup state, which erases the device.
If you need a separate desktop approach for WhatsApp data, Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer provides a dedicated WhatsApp transfer workflow.
