Have you bought a new smartphone and are now faced with the need to transfer thousands of photos, contacts and messages from your old device? This is a classic situation that every second user encounters when updating a gadget. The question “what is the name of the application for transferring data from phone to an Android phone” becomes one of the most popular in search engines precisely at such moments.
In fact, there is no single answer, since the Android ecosystem offers many solutions: from built-in system utilities to third-party instant messengers. The choice of a specific tool depends on the amount of information, connection speed and the brand of your device. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available options so that you can choose the most effective migration method.
Built-in solutions from Google and manufacturers
Modern smartphones do not require the installation of additional software for basic information transfer. Google has implemented a powerful tool right into the core of the operating system. When you set up your new device for the first time, you'll be prompted to copy data from your old phone via cable or Wi-Fi. This process is managed by a service Android Switchthat runs in the background.
However, the largest manufacturers often create their own add-ons on top of the standard functionality. For example, device owners Samsung use the utility Smart Switch, which allows you to transfer even the arrangement of icons on the desktop and alarm settings. Similar solutions are available for Xiaomi (Mi Mover) and Huawei (Phone Clone). These applications are optimized for specific hardware, which ensures maximum transfer speed.
Using native tools has one undeniable advantage: they have deep access to the system. Third-party apps are often limited by access rights and cannot transfer call or SMS history without complex manipulations. If you are changing phones within the same brand, an integrated solution will always be the first choice.
⚠️ Attention: When using a cable connection, make sure that both devices are unlocked and the screens do not turn off during the process. Interrupting the transfer while writing system files may result in a software failure of the new smartphone.
Before starting the migration, be sure to update the operating system on both devices to the latest available version. This ensures compatibility of data transfer protocols and fixes known security bugs.
Universal cross-platform applications
What if you are switching from Android to iPhone or vice versa? In this case, universal utilities that work regardless of the brand come to the rescue. The most popular answer to the question of what the data application is called is Send Anywhere. It generates a unique 6-digit key that must be entered on the receiving device to establish a connection.
The operating principle of such apps is based on creating a local Wi-Fi network between devices. Data is transmitted directly without being uploaded to the Internet, which ensures high speed and confidentiality. Another market leader is the application Xender, which also supports transferring files between your phone and computer without using wires.
Key features of universal solutions:
- 🚀 High transfer speed up to 40 Mb/s without consuming mobile traffic.
- 📱 Support all versions of Android from 4.4 and higher, as well as iOS and Windows.
- 🔒 Encrypts data when transferred over a local network.
It is important to note that some of these applications contain built-in advertising, which can be distracting during the process. Free versions often have limits on the size of a single transferred file, usually up to 4 GB. To transfer heavy video files in 4K resolution, a paid subscription may be required.
Quick Share technology (formerly Nearby Share)
If you are looking for an analogue of AirDrop for the Android ecosystem, then you need technology Quick Share. Formerly known as Nearby Share, this feature is now integrated into most modern devices. It allows you to instantly share photos, videos and contacts with nearby devices.
To activate the function, you must go to Settings → Google → Devices and data sharing → Quick sharing. Make sure your device visibility is set to All Contacts or All Devices if you're sharing a file with a stranger. The technology automatically selects the best communication protocol: Bluetooth for discovery and Wi-Fi Direct for fast transfer of the file itself.
The main advantage of Quick Share is its seamlessness. You don't need to install additional apps or enter passwords. Just select a file in the gallery, click the “Share” button and select the recipient’s name from the list of devices that appear. The process takes a matter of seconds.
Why doesn’t Quick Share see devices?
If the function does not detect nearby phones, check whether Bluetooth and geolocation are turned on on both devices. Also make sure that the phone screens are active, as in sleep mode the Wi-Fi Direct module may be turned off to save energy.
Comparison of popular migration applications
To help you choose the best tool, we have compiled a comparative table of market leaders. Each of them has its own strengths depending on your specific tasks.
| Application | Speed | File type | Do you need Internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Switch | High | Full copy systems | No |
| Send Anywhere | Average | Media and documents | No (local) |
| SHAREit | Very high | Any files | No |
| Google Drive | Depends on the network | Backups | Yes |
As you can see from the table, specialized utilities like Smart Switch are best suited for completely cloning a smartphone. If your goal is to quickly send a couple of photos to a colleague, then cloud services or instant messengers will be more convenient, despite the need to connect to the network.
⚠️ Attention: Application interfaces and menu item names may differ depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, ColorOS). Always check the latest reference materials on the official website of your smartphone manufacturer.
For one-time transfer of large amounts of data (more than 50 GB), using a USB-C to USB-C cable will provide stability and speed not available for wireless methods.
Cloud services as an alternative to direct connections
Don't forget about cloud services technologies that make the question “what is the name of the application” less relevant. Services like Google Photos, Yandex.Disk or Drobox automatically synchronize your data. When you log into your account on a new phone, all information appears automatically.
This method is ideal for those who don't want to bother with wires or setting up direct connections. It is enough to install the cloud storage application on your old phone, wait for it to download, and then log into the same account on the new device. Automatic synchronization eliminates the need to manually select files.
However, the cloud method has a significant drawback - dependence on Internet speed. Uploading 100GB of photos can take hours or even days on a slow connection. In addition, free plans are usually limited to 15 GB, which requires the purchase of additional space for large archives.
Checklist for preparing for data transfer
For the process to be successful and without losing important information, it is recommended to follow a clear algorithm of actions. Ignoring the preparatory steps often leads to errors or incomplete data transfer.
☑️ Preparing for data transfer
Before starting the procedure, be sure to check the available space on the target device. If the new phone has less memory than the old one, you will have to delete unnecessary files in advance or use selective transfer. It is also recommended to disable the power saving mode, which may limit the operation of the Wi-Fi module.
An important step is backing up critical data. Even the most reliable applications can fail. Save important documents and photos to an external storage device or computer before starting a mass migration. This action will take a few minutes, but will save your data in case of an unexpected error.
Is it possible to transfer data via Bluetooth?
Technically this is possible, but it is highly not recommended for large files. Bluetooth speed is only about 2-3Mbps, so transferring a 1GB video will take over an hour. Use this method only for contacts or small documents.
Is it safe to use applications like SHAREit?
Yes, when transferred over a local network, the data does not go to the Internet. However, download applications only from the official Google Play store to avoid malicious modifications that can steal personal data.
What to do if the transfer is stuck at 99%?
Do not reboot your phones right away. Please wait 5-10 minutes as the system may finish writing the latest files. If the process does not move, try breaking the connection and starting the transfer again, selecting only the remaining files.
Will WhatsApp chat history be transferred?
When using built-in migration tools (for example, when setting up a new Android), WhatsApp history is transferred automatically. When using third-party applications like Send Anywhere, chats are not transferred; you need to use the built-in backup function inside the messenger itself.