Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to the safety of valuable data. Vacation photos, work contacts, instant messenger correspondence, and even progress in games - all this requires careful transfer. Fortunately, Android offers many ways to migrate data, from built-in tools to third-party applications. But how to choose the optimal method if one phone supports NFC, but the other does not? Or if the data volume exceeds 100 GB?

In this article we will analyze 7 working ways transferring information between devices to Android, compare them in terms of speed, reliability and limitations. You'll learn how to avoid data loss when changing smartphones, what settings you need to check in advance, and why sometimes it's easier to use the cloud rather than a cable. And also - how to transfer data even from a phone that does not turn on or is locked.

1. Built-in "Data Copy" function (Android 10 and later)

Starting from Android 10, Google has integrated a tool into the system for quickly transferring data when you turn on a new device for the first time. This method works on a plug-and-copy basis and supports transfer of most file types, including: Contacts and call history calls

  • 📞 Contacts and call log
  • 📷 Photos and videos (including albums Google Photos)
  • 💬 SMS/MMS and call history
  • 🎮 Data of some applications (if they support backup)
  • 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, brightness, etc.)

To use this function, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on your new smartphone and go to setup stage with the offer Copy data.
  2. On your old phone, open Settings → Google → Setup and recovery → Copy data.
  3. Bring the devices close to each other (if supported NFC) or connect them via USB-C/OTG cable.
  4. Select the data to transfer and confirm the start of the process.

Synchronize contacts with your Google account in advance|

Charge both phones for at least 50%. it supports transferring notes

Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network (for high volumes)|

Make sure your new phone has enough memory -->

💡

If you have Samsung, use Smart Switch instead of a standard tool - it supports transferring notes Samsung Notes and data Secure Folder.

The transfer speed depends on the amount of data and connection type:

Connection type Speed (approximately) Limitations
USB-C/OTG cable 1–2 GB/min Requires an adapter for older models
Wi-Fi Direct 300–500 MB/min Depends on network interference
NFC (startup only) — Works only to initialize the connection
⚠️ Attention: If the old phone is enabled data encryption, the process may take 20–30% more time. It is not recommended to disable encryption - this will reduce security.

2. Transfer via Google Account (cloud backup)

The most universal way is synchronization with Google Account. It is suitable even if:

  • 🔄 You do not have physical access to the old phone (lost/broken).
  • 📡 The new phone has not yet been purchased, but you want to save the data in advance.
  • 🌍 The devices are located in different countries (for example, when moving).

What exactly can be transferred via Google:

  • 📇 Contacts, calendars, tasks (Google Contacts/Calendar).
  • 📎 Notes (Google Keep).
  • 📱 Device settings (Wi-Fi, wallpaper, languages).
  • 🎮 Data of some games (if they support Google Play Games).
  • 📁 Files from folders Download, Documents (if backup to Google Drive).

Setup instructions:

  1. On an old phone go to Settings → Google → Backup data-i="100">Create a backup now Settings → Google → Backup.
  2. Enable the option Upload to Google Drive and select an account.
  3. Click Create a backup now.
  4. On a new phone, when setting up, select Restore from a backup and log in to the same account.
📊 How often do you make backups data?
Once a week
Once a month
Only before changing phone
Never
⚠️ Attention: Free tariff Google Drive limited 15 GB. If you have more data, you will either have to buy additional space (from 139 ₽/month for 100 GB), or use another method.

Advantages of this method:

  • ✅ Automatic update backup copies (if enabled).
  • ✅ Access to data from any device.
  • ✅ Possibility of selective recovery (for example, only contacts).

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Not all applications support backup.
  • ❌ Photos and videos in high resolution take up a lot of space.
  • ❌ Restoration may take several hours if the volume is large.

3. Using a USB cable and a PC (for large volumes)

If you need to transfer tens of gigabytes data (for example, a collection of movies or RAW photos), the most reliable way is to connect both phones to the computer and copy the files manually. This method works even if:

  • 📵 Phones do not have Internet access.
  • 🔌 The battery is low (you can connect it to a charger while copying).
  • 🚫 Built-in Android tools do not support your model.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Connect both phones to the PC via USB cables (preferably original).
  2. On phones, select mode File transfer (or MTP in the USB settings).
  3. Open This computer (Windows) or Finder (macOS) - the devices will appear as removable drives.
  4. Copy the required folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, etc.) from one phone to another.
Which folders must be copied?

DCIM - photos and videos from the camera. Pictures - images from messengers and screenshots. Download — downloaded files. Android/data — saves of some games (for example, Minecraft or Brawl Stars). WhatsApp/Media — media files from WhatsApp (if not synchronized with Google Drive).

To speed up the process:

  • 🔌 Use USB 3.0 (blue connector) and high-quality cables.
  • 📂 Archive folders in .zip before copying (will reduce the number of files).
  • 🛑 Close all apps on your PC that may interfere (antiviruses, torrents).
⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers (for example, Xiaomi or Huawei) block access to the folder Android/data via MTP. In this case, you will have to use ADB or root access.

4. Applications for wireless transfer (Wi-Fi Direct)

If there are no cables at hand and the cloud is too slow, they come to the rescue. specialized applications. They create a local network between phones and transfer data without the Internet. Popular options:

Application Max speed Limitations Features
Send Anywhere up to 10 MB/s Limit 10 GB per session Supports transfer via QR code
Xender up to 40 MB/s Advertising in the free version There is a function "Group transfer" for 4+ devices
ShareMe (Mi Drop) up to 20 MB/s Requires registration on Xiaomidevices Optimized for phones Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO
LocalSend up to 15 MB/s No limits Open-source, without unnecessary water

How to use (by example Send Anywhere):

  1. Install the application on both phones.
  2. On the sending device, select files and press Send.
  3. Select the transfer method: Wi-Fi Direct or QR code.
  4. On the receiving phone, confirm receipt.

1. Reboot both phones.

2. Disable VPN or firewall.

3. (in the application settings).-->

Advantages of wireless applications:

  • ✅ No need for cables or a PC.
  • ✅ Works even without a SIM card.
  • ✅ You can transfer files between Android i iOS (in some applications).

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Speed depends on network interference.
  • ❌ Some applications limit the file size (for example, Xender not transfers files >4 GB).

5. Transfer via memory card (microSD)

If both phones support memory card. data-i="208">📸 Photographers (transfer RAW files)., this method will be the simplest solution for:

  • 📸 Photographers (transfer RAW files).
  • 🎵 Music lovers (music collections in .flac).
  • 🎮 Gamers (game saves, for example, Genshin Impact).

Instructions:

  1. Insert microSD into the old phone.
  2. Transfer the necessary files to the card (for example, through File manager or Galery).
  3. Remove the card and insert into the new one telephone.
  4. Copy the data to the internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: Not all applications allow you to save data to SD card by default. For example, WhatsApp requires manual transfer of the folder Media.

Advantages:

  • ✅ Maximum speed (up to 90 MB/s on UHS-I cards).
  • ✅ No dependence on the Internet or PC.
  • ✅ The card can be used as backup storage.

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Not all phones support microSD (for example, Google Pixel or iPhone).
  • ❌ Cards with a capacity >128 GB may work slower on older devices.
💡

If your new phone does not support microSD, but your old one has a slot, use USB card reader to connect the card to the PC and continue copying to a new device.

6. Transferring data from a locked or broken phone

The situation becomes more complicated if the old phone:

  • 🔒 Locked (forgotten pattern key or PIN).
  • 💥 Does not turn on (the screen is broken or the motherboard is burned out).
  • 🔋 Discharged and does not hold a charge.

In such cases, it will help:

Method 1: Removing the memory card (if the phone is recognized by the PC)

If the phone somehow reacts to connecting to the PC (for example, it makes a sound or vibrates), try:

  1. Connect the phone to the computer.
  2. Open Device Manager (Windows) and check if the device is recognized as MTP or Removable disk.
  3. If yes, copy the data via This computer.
  4. If not, try rebooting the phone to Fastboot Mode (press Power + Volume down) and use ADB.

Method 2: Recover via Google Account

If the phone was turned on Find My Device (Settings → Security → Find My Device), you can:

  1. Go to the site google.com/android/find from a PC.
  2. Select a blocked device.
  3. Press Erase data (this will delete everything, but will unlock the phone for further restoration from the backup).

Method 3: Contact the service center

If the phone is physically broken (for example, the screen does not work, but the device turns on), some service centers offer the service data extraction via JTAG. Cost: from 1500 ₽. Suitable for:

  • 📱 Phones with a damaged connector USB-C.
  • 🔋 Devices that do not charge.
  • 🔒 Devices with a blocked bootloader.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone was enabled data encryption (by default on Android 6+), it is almost impossible to extract files without a password. In this case, only a cloud backup will help.

7. Transferring data between phones of different brands (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google, etc.)

Manufacturers often add proprietary migration tools to their devices. Let's consider the most popular:

Brand Tool Features Download link
Samsung Smart Switch Transfers data Samsung Notes, Secure Folder, settings Bixby Official website
Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO Mi Mover Built-in Settings → Advanced → Mi Mover Preinstalled
Google Pixel Quick Switch Adapter Uses a USB-C → USB-C cable (included) Preinstalled
Huawei/Honor Phone Clone Supports data transfer from iOS Official website

Transfer example via Samsung Smart Switch:

  1. Install Smart Switch on both phones (available in Google Play).
  2. On the new phone (Samsung) select Get data → Android.
  3. Connect your phones via USB cable or Wi-Fi.
  4. Select data to transfer (including Samsung Pay and Samsung Health).
💡

If you are transferring data from iPhone on Samsung, use Smart Switch with Lightning cable —it supports migration iMessage and photos from iCloud.

Important nuances:

  • 🔄 Xiaomi and Samsung do not always correctly transfer each other’s data through standard tools. In this case, it is better to use Google Account or cable. + PC.
  • 📱 On phones Google Pixel the function Quick Switch works only when turned on for the first time.
  • 🔒 Huawei may block the transfer of some applications (for example, Google Maps) due to restrictions HMS.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about data transfer

Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone?

Yes, but with restrictions. Use:

  • Move to iOS (official app from Apple) - transfers contacts, photos, mail and some applications.
  • Google Drive — for backing up photos and contacts.
  • AnyTrans (paid) — for transferring music and videos.

Please note: WhatsApp and other instant messengers do not support direct transfer from Android to iOS.

Why does the speed drop when transferring via Wi-Fi?

Reasons and solutions:

  • 📶 Weak signal - bring the phones closer to each other friend.
  • 🔋 Battery saver —turn off power saving mode.
  • 🔒 VPN or firewall —disable them temporarily.
  • 📡 Interference from other devices —switch to the band 5 GHz in the Wi-Fi settings.
How to transfer progress in games?

Methods depending on the game:

  • Google Play Games — if the game supports cloud saves (for example, Clash of Clans), log in to the same account on the new phone.
  • Manual transfer — copy the folder Android/obb or Android/data/[game name] via cable.
  • Helium (requires root) - creates backup copies of application data.

For Genshin Impact or Honkai: Star Rail use linking to your account miHoYo.

What to do if the new phone does not see files after transfer?

Possible reasons and solutions:

  • 📂 Files are hidden — enable the display of hidden folders in the file manager.
  • 🔍 Incompatible format —for example, Samsung may not open the video in .mov (use a converter).
  • 🔒 Access rights —give permission to access the files in Settings → Applications → File manager.
  • 🗃️ Files in the cloud —check the folder Download or Google Drive.
How to transfer data if the new phone has a different SIM card?

The SIM card does not affect the data transfer, since the information is linked to:

  • Google Account (contacts, mail, calendar).
  • Internal memory (photos, videos, applications).
  • SD card (if used).

Exception: if you transfer SMS/MMS, some applications (for example Samsung Messages) may require the same SIM card for recovery. In this case, use backup via PC (apps like SMS Backup & Restore).