How to transfer data from Android to Android via Google Account: complete guide

If you are transferring data to a new device, when you turn it on for the first time, the system will offer to restore the data from the backup. Select the account Googleunder which the copy was created and confirm the restoration. The process may take from several minutes to an hour, depending on the amount of data and Internet speed.

Make sure that both phones have the same Google account|Check the free space in Google Drive (at least 1 GB)|Turn on Wi-Fi to speed up transfer|Update Google Play Services|Activate backup in settings-->

⚠️ Attention: If you If you are using Android 12 or later, some synchronization settings may be in a different menu. For example, the backup path might look like this: Settings → System → Backup. Always check the current menu items in your OS version.

3. Step-by-step guide: how to transfer contacts and calendars

Contacts and calendars are the easiest to synchronize, since Google automatically saves them in the cloud. Here's how to make sure that they are transferred correctly:

Synchronizing contacts

1. Open the application Contact on your old device.
2. Click on the three dots (menu) → Settings → Manage contacts.
3. Select Sync contacts and make sure that the account Google is checked.
4. On a new device repeat the same steps - the contacts will appear automatically.

Synchronizing calendars

1. Open Google Calendar on your old phone.
2. Go to Settings → [Your account] → Synchronizing calendars.
3. Make sure that all the necessary calendars are enabled.
4. On the new device, update the application Calendar —events will be pulled from the cloud.

If contacts or events do not appear on the new phone, check:

• 🔄 Internet connection (synchronization does not work offline).
• ⏳ Time of last synchronization (sometimes a forced update is required).
• 📱 Account setup (perhaps synchronization is disabled on the new device for Contacts or Calendar).

4. Transferring photos and videos via Google Photos

Google Photos is the most convenient way to transfer media files, but there are important nuances. By default, the service offers two storage options:

• High quality (free, without volume restrictions, but compression up to 16 MP for photos and 1080p for video).
• Original quality (takes up space in Google Drive, limited to 15 GB).

To transfer photos and videos:

1. Open Google Photos on the old phone.
2. Go to Settings → Backup and synchronization and enable the function.
3. Select storage quality (we recommend High, if the original resolution is not critical).
4. Wait for the download to complete (you can track the progress in notifications).
5. On the new device, log in using the same account - all media files will appear in Google Photos.

If you need to transfer only certain albums or folders, use the function Sharing:

1. Select the desired photos/videos in Google Photos.
2. Click Share → Save to album or Create link.
3. Open the link on a new device and download the files.

⚠️ Attention: If you choose Original quality, Please note that 15 GB in Google Drive will fill up very quickly. For example, 1000 photos in RAW format (20 MB each) will take about 20 GB. Before transferring, clear unnecessary files or buy additional space.

Via Google Photos|Via USB cable|Via messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp)|I use the cloud (Dropbox, Yandex Disk)|Other method-->

5. Backup and restore applications

Android allows you to save application data to Google Drive, but this feature does not work with all apps. Here's how to set it up:

1. On your old device, go to Settings → Google → Backup.
2. Enable the option Backup to Google Drive.
3. Press Create a backup now (if the button is active).
4. On a new device, when you turn it on for the first time, select Restore data from backup and specify the desired account.

It is important to understand that:

• 📱 Not all applications support backup. For example, WhatsApp saves chats separately, and many games do not synchronize progress. Google Drive separately, and many games do not synchronize progress.
• ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, screen brightness) are partially restored.
• 🔒 Banking data applications (for example, SberBank Online) are not copied for security reasons.

To check which applications support backup:

1. Open Settings → Applications.
2. Select the desired application → Memory → Data backup.
3. If the option is active, the data will be saved in the cloud.

6. Alternative data transfer methods

If Google Account is not suitable (for example, due to lack of space or incompatibility), consider these options:

For example, to transfer data between smartphones Samsung it is more convenient to use Samsung Smart Switch —it even copies the history of calls and messages. And if you need to transfer files between Android and iPhone, Move to iOS will do (but only during the first setup iPhone).

7. Typical errors and their solutions

When transferring data via Google Account users often encounter problems. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

• 🚫 Data is not synchronized:
  Check your connection. Internet, update Google Play Services and restart the device. Also make sure that synchronization is enabled on the new phone for the necessary services (Settings → Accounts → Google → Account synchronization).
• ⚠️ Not enough space in Google Drive:
  Clean up unnecessary files in drive.google.com or reduce the quality of photo storage in Google Photos. Alternative - buy additional space (from 100 GB for ~139 ₽/month).
• 🔄 Contacts are duplicated:
  Use the merge tool in Google Contacts (web version) or disable synchronization with other accounts (for example, VK or Facebook).
• 📱 Applications have not been restored:
  Check whether the application supports backup. If not, transfer data manually (for example, through export/import c WhatsApp).

If the problem cannot be solved, try:

1. Delete the account Google on the new device and add it again.
2. Clear cache Google Play Services (Settings → Applications → Google Play Services → Memory → Clear cache).
3. Reset network settings (Settings → System → Reset → Reset settings Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

⚠️ Attention: If you are using Android 14 or newer, some backup functions may work differently. For example, the latest versions of the OS Google restricted the automatic synchronization of some types of data to save battery power. In this case, enable the option Unlimited synchronization in your account settings.

8. Security: how to protect your data

Data transmission via Google Account is considered secure, but there are risks that you should be aware of:

• 🔐 Two-factor authentication (2FA):
  Enable it in settings Google Account (Security → Two-step authentication). This will protect your data even if someone finds out your password.
• 📱 Remote control device:
  Activate the function Find My Device (Settings → Google → Security → Find My Device). This will allow you to block or erase data from a lost phone.
• 🔍 Checking account activity:
  Regularly log in myaccount.google.com/security and view the list of devices connected to your account. Remove unknown gadgets.

Also pay attention to:

• 🔄 Password synchronization: If you use Google Smart Lock to save passwords, they will also be transferred to the new device. Make sure it is secure (for example, do not connect your account to other people's phones).
• 📂 Access to files: Do not share links to backup copies Google Drive with strangers - this may lead to a leak of personal data.

If you are selling or transferring an old smartphone, be sure to:

1. Delete your account Google (Settings → Accounts → Delete account).
2. Reset to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset → Delete all data).
3. Check that backups have been created and are available on the new device.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions