Transferring applications between smartphones Android is a task that every user faces when buying a new device or changing gadgets. However, simply copying the APK file is not enough: without proper data transfer, you will lose your game progress, chat history, app settings and other critical files. In this article we will look at 5 proven methodsthat will help you transfer applications with preservation of all data —from built-in tools Google to specialized backup utilities.

We will pay special attention to the nuances: why some applications (for example, banking or instant messengers like WhatsApp) require a separate approach, how to bypass restrictions on corporate devices, and what to do if a new smartphone runs on an older version Androidthan the previous one. We will also consider the only reliable way to transfer game data linked to a Google Play Games account - without it, progress may be lost forever.

Before you begin, check:

  • 🔋 Battery charge on both devices (minimum 50%) - data transfer may take up to an hour.
  • 📶 Stable Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile network with unlimited traffic).
  • 📱 Free space on new device (the volume must exceed the size of the transferred data by at least 20%).

📊 How often do you change your smartphone?
Every 1-2 years
Every 3-4 years
Less than once every 5 years
Only in case of breakdown

1. Official method: backup via Google Account

The simplest and most universal method is to use the built-in backup function from Google. It automatically saves:

  • 📱 List of installed applications (but not the APK files themselves).
  • ⚙️ System settings (Wi-Fi networks, wallpaper, screen brightness).
  • 🎮 Progress in games (if the game supports Google Play Games).
  • 💬 Data of some applications (for example, Google Keep, Chrome).

To enable backup on an old device:

  1. Open Settings → System → Backup.
  2. Activate the switch Upload to Google Drive.
  3. Click Create a backup now.

On a new device, when you turn it on for the first time, select option Restore data from backup and log in with the same account Google. Applications will begin to be installed automatically, and data will be restored after they are launched.

⚠️ Attention: Not all applications support cloud backup. For example, Telegram saves only chats, but not media files, and Viber requires a separate backup through the messenger settings.

Connect your device to Wi-Fi

Check free space in Google Disk (minimum 5 GB)

Make sure that synchronization is enabled on the device (Settings → Accounts → Google)

Close all applications before creating a backup -->

2. Transfer via OTG cable or adapter (for local copying)

If you do not have access to the Internet or want to transfer data without cloud services, use a direct cable USB OTG (or adapter USB-C to USB-C for modern smartphones). This method is suitable for:

  • 📁 APK files of applications (using APK Extractor).
  • 🗃️ Folders with data (for example, /Android/obb/ for games).
  • 📂 Media files from applications (photos, videos, documents).

Instructions:

  1. Connect the old device to the new one via OTG cable.
  2. On the old smartphone, allow access to files (a notification will appear USB for file transfer).
  3. Open Explorer on the new device and copy the necessary folders: 
    /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ - application data

    /storage/emulated/0/Android/obb/ - game cache
    

    /storage/emulated/0/Download/ - downloaded files

  4. Install APK files manually (allow installation from unknown sources in Settings → Security).

This method does not transfer application settings i game savesif they are not stored in open folders. For example, progress in Clash of Clans or Brawl Stars will have to be restored through linking to your account.

💡

If you have a smartphone Samsung, use the proprietary utility Smart Switch —it automatically finds and transfers data from supported applications, including some games.

3. Using specialized applications (Titanium Backup, Swift Backup)

For full control applications like Titanium Backup (requires root access) or Swift Backup (works on some devices without root) are suitable. They allow:

  • 🔄 Create backups of applications + data in one click.
  • 📦 Restore settings even system apps.
  • 🔒 Encrypt backups for security.
  • ⏱️ Automate the process on a schedule.

Example of work c Swift Backup:

  1. Install the application on both devices.
  2. On your old smartphone, select applications for backup and click Create backup.
  3. Copy the backup file to the new device (via the cloud or OTG).
  4. On a new device, restore data via Restore.
⚠️ Attention: Applications with backup require ADB permissions (even without root). To turn it on, connect your smartphone to the PC and run the command: 
adb -d shell pm grant com.machinarium.swiftbackup android.permission.BACKUP

Without this, data backup will be impossible.

Application Requires root Supports Android 12+ Encryption
Titanium Backup ✅ Yes ❌ No ✅ Yes
Swift Backup ❌ No (with ADB) ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
OAndBackupX ❌ No ✅ Yes ❌ No

4. Transferring games while saving progress (Google Play Games and alternatives)

Games are the most problematic type of application when transferring. Most modern games (for example Genshin Impact, PUBG Mobile, Clash Royale) tie progress to your account Google Play Games, Facebook or your own server. If you have not synchronized your account in advance, it will be impossible to restore your saves.

How to transfer the game while saving progress:

  1. Open the game on the old device and check the link to your account (usually in the settings there is an item Link to Google Play or Sign in with Facebook).
  2. Install the game on a new device from Google Play.
  3. Launch the game and log into the same account - progress will be updated automatically.

For games without cloud synchronization (for example, offline projects like Minecraft or Stardew Valley):

  • 📂 Copy the save folder (usually located in /Android/data/[game package]/files/ or /games/).
  • 🔄 Paste it into a similar folder on the new device before the first launch of the game.
What to do if the game does not see the save?

If after copying the files the game creates a new save, delete its data (Settings → Applications → [game] → Storage → Clear data) and repeat the transfer. Some games (for example, The Room) require an exact match of file paths.

5. Transferring instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) without losing history

Messengers store data locally, and their transfer requires a separate approach. Let's look at three popular applications:

WhatsApp:

  1. Create a backup on your old device: ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup.
  2. Copy the file msgstore.db.crypt14 from /sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases/ to a new device.
  3. Install WhatsApp on a new smartphone and restore chats on the first launch.

Telegram:

  • 🔄 Chat bot @SaveMessagesBot to export history.
  • 📁 Manually copy the folder /Telegram/Telegram Documents/ (media files).

Viber:

  1. Create a backup in the settings: More → Settings → Account → Backup.
  2. Transfer the file viber.bak to a new device.
  3. Restore the data at the first start Viber.
⚠️ Attention: B WhatsApp i Viber the backup is linked to the phone number. If you change the SIM card, first activate it on the new device, otherwise restoration will be impossible.
💡

For instant messengers, always create a backup BEFORE deleting the application from the old device. Without a local copy of the files, chat history will be lost forever.

6. Alternative methods: ADB, cloud storage and physical SIM card

If the standard methods do not work, try:

🖥️ ADB (Android Debug Bridge):

A tool for advanced users that allows you to copy application data via the command line. Example command for backup:

adb backup -f backup.ab -apk -obb -shared -all

For recovery:

adb restore backup.ab

☁️ Cloud storage:

  • Download APK and data to Google Drive, Dropbox or Yandex Disk.
  • Download the files to a new device and install manually.

📱 Physical SIM card:

Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) offer the service Transferring contacts and messages when replacing the SIM. Check the details at the communication store.

Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems. Considerable errors and their solutions:

Problem Cause Solution
Applications are not restored from backup Incompatibility of Android versions Update the new device to the latest firmware
The game does not see the save The files were copied after the first launch Clear the game data and repeat the transfer
WhatsApp does not restore chats The backup file is damaged or outdated Create a new backup on the old device
Swift Backup does not see the application ADB permission is missing Run command adb grant (see above)

If none of the methods worked, check:

  • 🔍 Availability of root access (for Titanium Backup).
  • 📋 Architecture compatibility (for example, ARM vs x86 for emulators).
  • 🔒 Manufacturer restrictions (on devices Huawei without GMS transfer via Google impossible).
💡

If you transfer data to a device of another brand (for example, from Xiaomi to Samsung), use branded utilities: Mi Mover for Xiaomi, Smart Switch for Samsung, Phone Clone for Huawei. They are optimized for specific firmware.

Is it possible to transfer an application from Android to iPhone?

Partially. Application data (for example, progress in games) can be transferred if they support cross-platform synchronization through the account Google/Facebook. The APK files themselves will not be installed on iOS you will need to download the application from App Store.

Why do some applications crash after transfer?

This is due to incompatibility of versions Android or processor architecture. For example, an application built for Android 10may not work on Android 13 without updating. Solution: update the application via Google Play or contact the developer.

How to transfer application data if it does not support backup?

Use ADB to copy folders /data/data/[application package]. For example: 

adb pull /data/data/com.example.app

Then restore the data on a new device:

adb push com.example.app /data/data/
Attention: required root access!

Is it possible to transfer the application while preserving the data to a device without Google Play?

Yes, but with restrictions. On devices without GMS (for example, Huawei after sanctions), use:

  • Local transfer via OTG or ADB.
  • Third-party stores like Aurora Store or APKMirror.
  • Alternative clouds (for example, Huawei Cloud).

Synchronization via Google Play Games will not work.

What to do if the new device has less memory than the data from the old one?

Optimize the transfer:

  1. Exclude large files (for example, game cache in /Android/obb/).
  2. Use the cloud to store media (photos, videos).
  3. Transfer only critical applications, install the rest later.

To temporarily expand memory, use OTG drive or microSD (if supported).