Transferring data from Android to Android via apps: a complete guide 2026

Transferring data between smartphones Android is a task that every user faces when buying a new device or needing to share large files. Unlike iOSwhere the Apple ecosystem tightly controls the synchronization process, Android offers dozens of transfer methods - from built-in tools to third-party applications. However, not all methods are equally effective: some are slow at large volumes, others require root access, and still others can completely jeopardize the confidentiality of your data.

In this article we will focus on data transfer through specialized applications the most universal and often the fastest method. You will learn how to transfer not only photos and videos, but also APK files of applicationscall history, SMS, notes and even system settings. We tested 15 popular solutions and selected the top 5 based on speed, security and support for modern protocols (including Wi-Fi Direct i Nearby Share). We will pay special attention to nuances that are rarely written about: for example, why some applications “lose” contacts during transfer or how to bypass restrictions on files larger than 2 GB.

Why applications are the best way to transfer data between Android devices

Built-in tools like Google Account or Samsung Smart Switch have serious limitations:

• 🔄 Synchronization via Google takes hours and does not always transfer data correctly (for example, WhatsApp requires a separate backup).
• 📦 Physical transfer (via OTG cable or card memory) risks damaging files if the connection is unstable.
• ☁️ Cloud services (Google Drive, Dropbox) limit free space and encrypt data not always reliably.

Data transfer applications solve these problems:

1. Direct connection via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (without intermediaries like the cloud).
2. Support for all file types, including system ones (for example, .db SMS databases).
3. Cross-platform: work even between devices of different brands (Xiaomi → Samsung, OnePlus → Pixel).
4. Data compression on the fly (saves time and traffic).

⚠️ Attention: Applications like SHAREit or Xender previously came under criticism for collecting user data. Before installation, check permissions in Google Play and give preference to open source solutions (for example, LocalSend).

Another plus is flexibility of settings. For example, in Send Anywhere you can set a password for transfer, and Files by Google to choose which folders to synchronize. This is especially important if you are transferring data from a work phone to a personal one and want to avoid leaking corporate information.

Top 5 applications for transferring data between Android devices

We tested applications on devices with Android 12–14, assessing the transfer speed, connection stability and quality of transfer of different types of data. The table below shows the key characteristics of the leaders:

Application	Max. speed	Protocol	File size limit	Features
LocalSend	~50 MB/s	Wi-Fi Direct	No	Open source, no extras water
Send Anywhere	~30 MB/s	Wi-Fi/P2P	10 GB	AES-256 encryption, cross-platform
Files by Google	~20 MB/s	Bluetooth/Wi-Fi	2 GB	Built into the firmware of many smartphones
Xender	~40 MB/s	Wi-Fi Hotspot	No	Support for application transfer (.apk)
Samsung Smart Switch	~25 MB/s	USB/Wi-Fi	No	Optimized for Samsung devices

LocalSend is the only app on the list that doesn't require access to your contacts or location, making it the safest choice for sending sensitive data.

The app you choose depends on your priorities:

• 🛡️ Security: LocalSend or Send Anywhere (with password).
• ⚡ Speed: Xender or LocalSend (with stable Wi-Fi).
• 📱 Transferring applications: only Xender or APK Extractor (optional).
• 🔄 Regular synchronization: Files by Google (built into the system).

Step-by-step guide: how to transfer data from Android to Android via LocalSend

LocalSend is our top choice thanks to its balance of speed, security and simplicity. The instructions are suitable for any devices on Android 8.0+ (including Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Google Pixel etc.).

Step 1. Installation and preparation

1. Download LocalSend from Google Play to both devices (sender and recipient).
2. Open the application and allow access to Files and media, Wi-Fi and Nearby devices.
3. Click ⋮ → Settings → Device name and set unique names for each smartphone (for example, "Old Xiaomi" and "New Pixel").

Step 2. Connecting devices

• 📱 On sending tap on the device Send.
• 🔍 On receiving tap on the device Receive and select Wi-Fi Direct (fastest protocol).
• 🔗 Wait until the second device appears in the list and confirm the connection on both screens.

Step 3. Select and transfer data

1. On the sending device, select files/folders. To transfer all data (including applications and settings) use the option Select all in the root directory.
2. For contacts and SMS pre-export them to file .vcf i .xml respectively (via the app Contact or SMS Backup & Restore).
3. Click Send and confirm receipt on the second device.

Make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on both devices|Charge the battery to at least 30%|Free up space on the receiving device|Disable VPN (may block P2P connection)-->

Step 4. Checking data integrity

After transfer:

• 📂 Compare the number of files in folders on both devices.
• 🎵 Test playback of media files (sometimes the codec HEVC is not supported by older devices).
• 📱 For applications (.apk) check the integrity via SHA-1 hash (application Hash Droid).

⚠️ Attention: If the transfer is interrupted, do not start the process again - use the function Resume to LocalSend. Repeated sending of the same files will create duplicates.

Transferring applications and their data: features and pitfalls

Transferring installed applications (.apk) and their data (cache, settings, progress in games) is one of the most difficult tasks, even specialized applications like Xender or APK Extractor do not always handle it correctly. Here's why:

• 🔐 DRM protection: Applications like Netflix or bank clients block the transfer due to licensing restrictions.
• 🗃️ Data in the cloud: Many games (for example, Genshin Impact) store progress on servers - local transfer is useless.
• 🔧 Processor architecture: APK, collected for ARM64, will not run on the device with ARMv7 (and vice versa).

How to transfer applications as correctly as possible:

1. Use APK Extractor:

   1. Install APK Extractor from Google Play.
   2. Open the application and select the desired APKs.
   3. Export them to a folder and send them via LocalSend.
   4. On the second device, install the APK manually (allowing installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security).

2. To transfer application data: Use Swift Backup (requires root) or Titanium Backup (for old versions of Android).
3. For games: Synchronize via Google Play Games or Facebook (if supported).

When transferring banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) you will have to reinstall from the official store - transferring the APK will block access for security reasons.

What to do if the transferred application does not start?

1. Check the processor architecture (via the app CPU-Z).

2. Delete the application cache in Settings → Applications.

3. Update the application via Google Play (if available).

4. For games, try clearing data in Google Play Games and re-syncing your account.

Transferring contacts, SMS and call logs without loss

Contacts, messages and call history are the most critical data, the loss of which can result in serious inconvenience. Unfortunately, many applications for data transfer incorrectly process let's consider reliable methods:

1. data-i="216">Export to VCF:

• 📇 Export to VCF:
  1. Open Google Contacts.
  2. Click ⋮ → Contact management → Export.
  3. Select format .vcf and save the file.
  4. Transfer the file via LocalSend and import on a second device.
• ☁️ Synchronization via Google: If contacts are linked to a Google account, they will automatically appear on the new device after logging in.

2. SMS and MMS

To send messages, use SMS Backup & Restore:

1. Install the application on both devices.
2. On the old phone: Backup → Select all → Create a backup (format .xml).
3. Transfer the backup file via Send Anywhere.
4. On the new phone: Restore → Select file → Restore.

3. Call log

Log calls are stored in the database calllog.db, which can only be retrieved with root-rights. An alternative is the application Call Logs Backup & Restore:

• Create a backup in the format .csv.
• Transfer the file and restore it on a new device.
• Please note: some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi) block access to the call log for third-party applications.

⚠️ Attention: When restoring SMS from a backup on devices with Android 10+ permission to Special access to SMS may be required (located in the settings applications).

Solving typical data transfer problems

Even with the best applications, users encounter errors. We have collected the most common problems and ways to solve them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Connection breaks	Unstable Wi-Fi, energy saving	Disable power saving mode, restart Wi-Fi
The files are not transferred completely	Size limit in the application	Split the files into archives of 1-2 GB
The application is not sees the second device	Different Wi-Fi networks, blocked by firewall	Connect both devices to the same network or use Hotspot
Transferred photos do not open	Incompatible format (.HEIC)	Convert in .JPG via Google Photos
Contacts are duplicated	Conflict with Google synchronization	Disable auto-sync before importing

Additional tips:

• 🔌 If transfer via Wi-Fi constantly fails, try Bluetooth (slower but more stable).
• 📡 For large files (>5 GB) use FTP server (the application FX File Explorer can deploy it).
• 🔒 If the data is confidential, encrypt it before transmission (for example, via 7-Zip with a password).
💡

Before transferring important data, always create a backup copy to a third device (for example, on a PC) - this will save you in case of failure.

Data transfer security: how not to lose confidentiality

Transferring data through third-party applications is always associated with risks:

1. Check application permissions

Before installation, check what permissions the application requests:

• ❌ Suspicious permissions: Reading SMS, Access to geolocation, Camera (if it is not a messenger).
• ✅ Normal resolutions: Storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.

For analysis, use the service Exodus Privacy (checks applications for trackers).

2. Transmission encryption

If you transfer sensitive data (documents, passwords), use:

• 🔐 Send Anywhere: encryption AES-256 by default.
• 📦 Archiving with a password: pack files in .zip with encryption via WinRAR or 7-Zip.

3. Alternative methods for maximum security

If data is critical (for example, work documents), consider:

• 🔌 Direct USB connection (via ADB or Samsung Smart Switch).
• ☁️ Encrypted cloud (for example, Proton Drive with zero access).

⚠️ Attention: Apps like SHAREit previously transferred user data to servers in China If privacy is critical, avoid little-known Chinese apps.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone through these applications?
Most applications (for example, Send Anywhere or LocalSend) support cross-platform transfer, but there are nuances:
• Contacts and photos will be transferred without problems.
• Applications (.apk) cannot be installed on the iPhone - only via App Store.
• SMS and call log will require additional tools (for example Move to iOS from Apple).
How to transfer data if the new phone does not have Google Play (for example, on Huawei without GMS)?
Use:
1. LocalSend or Snapdrop (work without Google services).
2. APK files applications downloaded from alternative sources (for example, APKMirror).
3. To synchronize contacts - export to .vcf and import through the standard application Contact.
Why are some files not transferred or are damaged?
Causes and solutions:
• Large file size: Split into parts (for example, through WinRAR).
• Incompatible format: Convert .HEIC to .JPG, .MKV in .MP4.
• Read errors: Check the integrity of the file system via SD Maid.
• Application limitations: For example, Files by Google does not transfer files >2 GB.
Is it possible to transfer system settings (wallpapers, sounds, widgets)?

Partially. What can be transferred:

• 🎨 Wallpaper: Save to the gallery and install manually.
• 🔔 Notification sounds: Copy files from /system/media/audio (required root).
• ⚙️ Launcher settings: Export via Nova Launcher (if used).

Widgets and system settings (for example, navigation gestures) cannot be transferred - they will have to be configured again.

How to speed up data transfer?
Ways to increase speed:
• Use Wi-Fi Direct instead of Bluetooth (10-20 times faster).
• Turn off background applications that consume traffic.
• Transfer devices to Airplane mode and turn on Wi-Fi only.
• For large files, use FTP server (for example, via Solid Explorer).
Average transfer speed:
• Wi-Fi Direct: 30–50 MB/s.
• Bluetooth: 1–2 MB/s.
• OTG cable: 40–80 MB/s (fastest option).