Changing a smartphone always causes mixed feelings: on the one hand, the anticipation of working with a new, fast and powerful device, and on the other hand, the fear of losing important data or spending hours setting up. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android has made huge leaps in migration convenience in recent years. Now the process of moving to a new Android phone has become as automated as possible and understandable even for inexperienced users.
In this article we will analyze in detail all possible methods of transferring information: from using built-in cloud services Google to specialized utilities from manufacturers, such as Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi Mi Mover. You'll learn how to save your folder structure, Wi-Fi passwords, and even the location of your desktop icons. Preparing for the procedure will take a little time, but it will save you nerves in the future.
Regardless of whether you are switching from a device based on a pure Android or from a custom shell like One UI or MIUI, the basic principles remain similar. The main thing is to take your time and carefully follow the steps so that not a single important file remains in the memory of the old gadget.
Preparatory stage before starting migration
Before you start directly copying files, you need to make sure that both devices are ready for use. Charge both smartphones to at least 80% or connect them to power sources. Transferring large amounts of data, especially high-resolution photos and videos, can take a significant toll on battery power.
Check whether you have enough free space on your new device. The amount of available memory must be greater than the amount of data you plan to transfer from your old phone. If you use memory cards microSD, consider physically moving them if the slots are compatible, or use them as temporary storage.
⚠️ Attention! If your old phone has data encryption enabled or a complex screen lock password, make sure you remember it. In some cases, the system may ask you to confirm your identity before transferring sensitive information.
It is also recommended to update the operating system on both devices to the latest available version. Developers often release patches that improve the stability of the connection that is used during data transfer. Go to Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth, which are used when transmitting data. Go to Settings → System → System update and check for updates.
☑️ Checklist for preparing for moving
Usage Google account for synchronization
The most reliable and universal way to transfer contacts, calendars, notes and application settings is synchronization through your account Google. This method does not require a physical connection between phones and works reliably even if the device manufacturer changes. All data is stored in the cloud and is automatically retrieved upon first login.
On your old smartphone, open the settings and find the section Accounts or Users and accounts. Select your profile Google and click the button Synchronize. Make sure the switches next to Contacts, Calendar, Documents, and Application Data are enabled. The system will begin uploading information to the servers.
After completing the process on the new phone, just enter the same email address and password during the initial setup. The system will offer to restore data from a backup copy. You'll be able to choose which apps you want to install automatically and which you'd rather add manually later.
Before resetting your old phone, go to Google Photos and make sure the backup status shows as "Done." This guarantees the safety of your media library.
It is worth considering that the recovery speed depends on the quality of the Internet connection. If you have a tariff with limited traffic, it is better to perform these actions through a stable network Wi-Fi. Also keep in mind that some specific launcher settings may not be transferred if you change the brand of your smartphone.
Wired connection and USB-C cable
For those who prefer speed and reliability over wireless methods, a wired connection is ideal. Modern smartphones support data transfer directly via cable USB-C to USB-C. This method is especially relevant when transferring huge amounts of data, for example, tens of gigabytes of video format 4K.
You will need an appropriate adapter or cable. Connect both devices to each other. A setup wizard will launch on the screen of the new phone, which will automatically detect the connected device. Follow the on-screen prompts: you may need to allow access to the data on your old device by pressing a button Trust or entering a PIN code.
| Data type | Transmission speed (approx.) | Reliability | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts and SMS | Instant | High | Any cable |
| Photo and Video | High (up to 40 MB/s) | Very high | USB 3.0/3.1 cable |
| Applications | Medium | High | Stable connection |
| System settings | Instant | Average | Same version of Android |
The advantage of the wired method is that it does not depend on the quality of the wireless network and does not interfere with other devices on the air. However, if the connectors on the phones are different (for example, one USB-C, and the other is outdated Micro-USB), you will need a special adapter, which is not always included.
Branded utilities from manufacturers
Large vendors understand the importance of a seamless transition for their clients, so they develop their own migration applications. These utilities are often able to transfer even what standard tools Android ignore: alarm clocks, alarm settings, home screen layout and specific gestures.
If you go to the device Samsung, use the application Smart Switch. It is available for installation on most Android smartphones and even iPhones. For owners Xiaomi, Redmi i POCO application provided Mi Mover. Users Huawei and Honor can use the service Phone Clone. The principle of operation is similar for all: install the application on both phones, scan the QR code for pairing and select data.
Particular attention should be paid to transferring messages from instant messengers. Standard tools often transfer only the list of chats, but not the chat history. Branded utilities sometimes have special modules for WhatsApp or Viber, which create a complete copy of the database and restore it to a new location without losing history.
⚠️ Attention! When using third-party utilities from manufacturers, make sure that all requested permissions are granted on both devices, including access to storage and location (needed to find devices on the same network).
It is important to note that the interfaces of these apps may differ depending on the version of the shell. If you don't find the button you need, use the settings search by entering the name of the utility. Sometimes they are hidden in the “Tools” or “System Applications” folder.
What to do if the proprietary utility freezes?
If the transfer process freezes at a certain percentage, do not rush to reboot the phones. Try disabling the screen lock on both devices and bringing them closer to each other. In 90% of cases this re-establishes the connection. If it doesn’t help, interrupt the process and try to transfer the data in parts (first photos, then contacts).
Manual transfer of media files via PC
Sometimes automatic systems fail, or you need to transfer files of specific formats that are not recognized as media. In such cases, the good old method of connecting to a computer remains the most effective. It gives you full control over which folders are copied.
Connect your old phone to your computer via a USB cable. In the notification on the smartphone screen, select the operating mode File transfer or MTP. Open File Explorer on your PC, find your device and copy the folders DCIM (photo from the camera), Pictures (screenshots and downloads), Download and Music to the hard drive.
Then connect new phone and copy these folders to the appropriate directories in the internal memory. The folder structure is Android standardized, so the new phone's gallery automatically recognizes copied images and videos. This method also allows you to clear your old phone of unnecessary debris before selling it, without moving it further.
When manually copying, pay attention to hidden folders whose names begin with a dot (for example, .thumbnails). There is no need to copy them, since the new phone's system will create its own caches. Also check the folder Android/media, data of some offline applications may be stored there.
Manual copying via a PC is the only way to guarantee transfer of files if the wireless modules on one of the phones are faulty.
Transferring application and banking client data
The most delicate part of moving is financial applications and instant messengers. For security reasons, banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank and others) do not transfer your session tokens. You will have to re-enter each of them using your login, password and confirmation via SMS or push notification on your old device (if it is still active).
For messengers the situation is as follows: Telegram stores the entire history in the cloud, so you just need to log into your account using your phone number. But WhatsApp requires the creation of a local or cloud backup. Go to the chat settings of your old phone, click Backup and create it right before moving. On a new device, when launched for the first time, the application will offer to restore chats.
Don't forget about two-factor authentication. If you use authenticator apps (for example Google Authenticator), be sure to export the codes in advance. In your account settings Google Authenticator there is an “Account Transfer” function that generates a QR code for scanning by a new phone. Without this, you may lose access to important services.
⚠️ Attention! Never reset your old phone to factory settings until you are sure all banking apps work on your new device and you can make payments. You may need your old phone to confirm login.
Also check the operation of applications with subscriptions. Sometimes, when you change your device, you need to re-verify your subscription through the store Google Play. Go to the store profile and the "Subscriptions" section to make sure that all active services are displayed correctly.
Completing the move and cleaning the old device
After all the data has been transferred and verified, the final stage begins. Conduct a thorough audit of your new smartphone: open the gallery, check contacts, go to banking applications and instant messengers. Make sure notifications and real-time syncing are working.
If you plan to sell, give away, or recycle your old phone, you'll need to perform a hard reset. Don't just delete files, but do a Hard Reset. To do this, go to Settings → System → Reset settings and select item Erase all data (factory reset). This ensures that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands.
Before resetting, do not forget to remove the memory card and SIM card. Also, if an account was linked to the phone Google, it is recommended to delete it from the "Accounts" section before resetting to avoid triggering FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, which can block the device for the new owner.
After moving, go to the battery settings of your new phone and see which applications consume the most energy. Sometimes migrated old versions of applications may not work correctly on the new hardware, causing battery drain. Update them in the store.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer data from iPhone to Android?
Yes, it is possible. When initially setting up a new Android smartphone (Android 12 and above), you are often offered the option to copy data from iOS via a Lightning to USB-C cable. Also, many manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi) have special versions of their migration utilities for iOS, which allow you to transfer contacts, photos and calendars.
What to do if there is not enough memory on your new phone?
If the amount of data exceeds the available space, use cloud services (Google Photos, Yandex.Disk) to store an archive of old photos and videos, leaving only current files. You can also use a microSD memory card if your new smartphone supports its installation.
Are passwords from Wi-Fi networks transferred?
Yes, when using a full restore from a Google backup or with a wired connection, passwords from saved Wi-Fi networks are usually transferred automatically. You won't have to enter them again, the phone will connect to familiar networks on its own.
Will photos from WhatsApp disappear when transferred?
Photos received in chats are stored in the phone's general gallery and are transferred along with other media files. However, in order to save your chat history, you definitely need to make a backup inside the WhatsApp application itself before moving to a new phone.
Do you need to delete your Google account from your old phone before selling it?
Yes, this is critically important. If you just do a factory reset without manually deleting the account in the settings menu, FRP protection may kick in. The new owner will not be able to activate the phone without your password. It is best to delete your account through the menu Settings → Accountsand then perform a reset.