How to transfer data from one Android to another: a complete guide in 10 minutes

Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, but the joy of a new thing is often overshadowed by the thought: “How can I now transfer all the data from the old phone?” Photos for 5 years, saved passwords, correspondence in instant messengers, game achievements - losing it is scary, and copying it manually is tedious. Fortunately, Android offers dozens of migration methodsand most of them take no more than 10 minutes. The main thing is to choose the right method for your situation. Android offers dozens of migration methods. In this article, we will analyze between Android devices: from standard Google tools to little-known life hacks for specific brands (etc.). You'll learn how to save

In this article we will look at all current methods of data transfer between Android devices: from standard Google tools to little-known life hacks for specific brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei etc.). You will learn how to save 100% of information —including SMS, calls, Wi-Fi settings, and even data from banking apps—without loss and with minimal effort. We’ll also tell you what errors during transfer lead to failures in 90% of cases and how to avoid them.

1. Preparing for the transfer: what you need to do BEFORE you start

Before you rush to copy files, follow 3 critical steps - they will save you hours of troubleshooting problems later.

Step 1: Check the compatibility of Android versions. If on the old phone Android 8.0, and on the new one - Android 14, some system settings may don't be transported. In this case, use Google Drive or Smart Switch (for Samsung) - they adapt the data to the new OS automatically.

Step 2: Clean up the garbage are suitable. Transferring gigabytes of cache, duplicate photos and unnecessary APK files is pointless. Launch it on your old phone Settings → Storage → Free up space and remove everything unnecessary. For deep cleaning, utilities like Files by Google or CCleaner.

Step 3: Charge both devices to at least 50%. Data transfer is a resource-intensive process. If your phone dies halfway through, you risk losing some files or experiencing crashes in new applications. Connect both devices to charge during the migration.

• 🔋 Battery: at least 50% on both phones (optimally 80%).
• 📶 Internet: Stable Wi-Fi (mobile traffic is not suitable for large volumes).
• 📂 Memory: on the new phone there should be 20% more free data than the data on the old one.
• 🔑 Accounts: log in Google on both devices under one login.

⚠️ Attention: If you are transferring data from Huawei to a device of another brand, first disable Huawei Mobile Services in the account settings. Otherwise, some applications (for example, AppGallery) may not work correctly.

2. Method 1: Automatic transfer via Google Account (the most reliable)

This is official method from Googlewhich works on all Android devices, regardless of brand. It transfers:

• 📞 Contacts, call history
• 📧 Emails and settings Gmail
• 📅 Calendars and events
• 📸 Photos and videos (if synchronization with Google Photos is enabled)
• 🎮 Data of some games (via Google Play Games)
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, brightness, etc.)

How it works:

1. On the old one on your phone, open Settings → Google → Backup and enable the option Upload to Google Drive.
2. Click Create a backup now and wait for it to finish (it may take up to From cloud
3. On a new phone, when you turn it on for the first time, select Copy data from old device → From the cloud → enter the same Google account.
4. Select the latest backup and confirm the restoration.

✅ Pros: does not require cables, works on any device, saves most system settings.

❌ Cons: no transfers SMS, applications (only a list of them for re-installation), and some game data.

Is contact syncing enabled in Google Contacts|Is there enough space in Google Drive (free 15 GB)|Both phones have the same Google account|Google Photos does not sync suspended-->

3. Method 2: Quick transfer via cable (for Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus)

If you have phones one brand (or supporting ones USB OTG), the fastest way is a direct connection via cable. This transfers everythingincluding:

• 📱 Applications with data (for example, progress in games)
• 💬 SMS, call history
• 📁 Files and folders (including hidden ones)
• 🔐 Security settings (fingerprints, PIN codes - only for Samsung)

Instructions for Samsung (Smart Switch):

1. Download Smart Switch to both phones from Galaxy Store or Google Play.
2. Connect the phones with a cable USB-C → USB-C (or via an adapter).
3. On the old phone, select Send data, on the new one - Receive data.
4. Select the types of data to transfer (everything is possible) and confirm.

Instructions for Xiaomi (Mi Mover):

1. On the new Xiaomi When you turn it on for the first time, select Data Transfer → With Android.
2. Connect the phones via a cable (an adapter is needed USB-A → USB-Cif the ports are different).
3. On the old phone, allow access to files and confirm the transfer.

Important! For OnePlus and Oppo use Clone Phone, for Huawei — Phone Clone. These utilities are pre-installed on new brand devices.

⚠️ Attention: If, when connected with a cable, the phone starts charging, but does not detect a second device, try another cable (needed data cable, and not just for charging) or turn on the mode File transfer (MTP) in the notification shade.

4. Method 3: Transfer via local Wi-Fi network (without cables and cloud)

If you don’t have a cable or don’t want to upload data to the cloud, Wi-Fi transfer is a great alternative. The following applications are suitable for this:

• 🔄 Send Anywhere - transfers files of any type without size restrictions.
• 📲 Xender - supports the transfer of applications and their data.
• 🚀 LocalSend - open source code, without unnecessary water.

adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f /sdcard/backup.ab
adb restore /sdcard/backup.ab