Switching to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, especially when it comes to Samsung Galaxy A52 with its advanced features and extensive settings. But the joy of updating your gadget can be overshadowed by one question: how to transfer all the data from an old Android device without losing contacts, photos, or game saves? Spoiler: there are more ways than it seems at first glance, and most of them do not require technical skills.

Many users mistakenly believe that for migration data you definitely need a computer or deep knowledge of firmware. In fact, Galaxy A52 supports several built-in tools that simplify the process to just a couple of clicks. And if you are afraid of losing something important, we will tell you how to make a backup copy before transferring and what data should be duplicated manually. In this article you will find 7 proven methodsincluding the official solution from Samsung, cloud services and even workarounds for rare cases.

But before you start, answer one question:

📊 What is most important to save when transferring?
Contacts and messages
Photos and videos
Applications with settings
Game saves
Documents and files

1. Preparing for the transfer: what you need to do before you start

Data transfer is not only copying files, but preliminary optimization both devices. Let's start with the old smartphone:

First check free space on both devices. If Galaxy A52 less than 10% of memory remains, delete unnecessary files or transfer them to a memory card. This is especially important when using Smart Switch —the application may refuse to work if there is critically little space on the new phone.

Next, update the firmware on both devices. Go to Settings → Software update and install the latest patches. This minimizes the risk of migration failures. Also do not forget charge both smartphones at least to 50% - the process can take from 20 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data.

  • 🔋 Battery charge: at least 50% on both devices (better 80%).
  • 📱 Free space: at least 5 GB for Galaxy A52 for temporary files.
  • 🔄 Updates: current versions of Android and Smart Switch.
  • 🔒 Blocking: disable the pattern or PIN on the old phone (required for some methods).
⚠️ Attention: If you are transferring data from a device based Android 5.0 or older, some methods (for example, Smart Switch via Wi-Fi) may not work. In this case, use cable or cloud services.

2. Official method: Samsung Smart Switch

Smart Switch is a proprietary solution from Samsung that allows you to transfer almost all data: from contacts to screen settings. The application is preinstalled on Galaxy A52, and for an old phone you can download it from Google Play.

There are three connection options:

  1. Via cable: the fastest and most reliable way. Suitable for large amounts of data (10+ GB).
  2. By Wi-Fi: convenient if there is no cable, but the speed depends on the network.
  3. Via a computer: relevant if both phones cannot connect directly.

Consider transfer by cable as the most universal method:

  1. Connect both phones with a cable (use the original USB-C from Samsung).
  2. On Galaxy A52 run Smart Switch (found in the application menu).
  3. Select Get data → Android.
  4. On your old phone, allow access to data (may be required installation Smart Switch).
  5. Select the types of data to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, etc.) and press Transfer.

The original cable is connected (not all USB-C support data transfer)

The power saving mode is disabled on both phones

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on (even for cable connection)

The old phone is unlocked and does not go into sleep mode -->

If Smart Switch does not see the old device:

  • 🔌 Try a different cable (preferably the original one from Samsung).
  • 📱 Reboot both phones.
  • 🔄 Update Smart Switch to the latest version.
  • 🛠️ On the old phone, turn on USB Debugging to Settings → About phone → Build number (press 7 times, then return to Settings → System → For developers).
⚠️ Attention: Smart Switch does not transfer data from some applications (for example WhatsApp or banking apps). They will require separate backup copies.

3. Transfer via Google Account (for contacts, calendar, mail)

If you use Google services, most of the data is already synchronized automatically. This method is suitable for:

  • 📇 Contacts (from the application Google Contacts).
  • 📅 Calendar (Google Calendar).
  • ✉️ Mail (Gmail).
  • 📁 Files from Google Drive.

To transfer data:

  1. On your old phone, open Settings → Accounts → Google.
  2. Make sure synchronization is enabled for the desired categories (contacts, calendar, etc.).
  3. On Galaxy A52 add the same Google account to Settings → Accounts.
  4. Wait for automatic synchronization (may take up to 10 minutes).

For photos and videos use Google Photos:

  1. On your old phone open Google Photos and enable Backup.
  2. Wait for the download to complete (check in Settings → Backup).
  3. Login into the same account - the photos will appear automatically. Galaxy A52 Log in to the same account - photos will appear automatically.
💡

If you have slow Internet, connect to Wi-Fi and charge your phone before synchronizing. Google Photos may take several hours to download data in the background.

Important: Google Photos compresses photos and videos during free backup (High quality). To keep the original resolution, you will need a Google One subscription or cable transfer.

4. Transferring applications and their data

Unfortunately, not all applications support transferring data between devices. Here's what you can do:

Application type Transfer method Notes
Social networks (VK, Telegram) Authorization through account Data is synchronized automatically after logging in.
Messengers (WhatsApp, Viber) Backup to the cloud B WhatsApp: Settings → Chat → Backup.
Games (PUBG, Clash of Clans) Linking to a Google/Facebook account Without linking, progress will be lost!
Banking applications Reinstallation + authorization Data transfer is usually prohibited for security reasons.

For WhatsApp:

  1. On your old phone, create a backup: Settings → Chat → Backup → Create a copy.
  2. Install WhatsApp to Galaxy A52 and log in with the same number.
  3. During setup, the application will offer to restore chats from a backup.
⚠️ Attention: If you use WhatsApp Business, backup copies are not compatible with the regular version WhatsApp. Transfer data only between identical versions of the application.

5. Transfer via a memory card or USB drive

If you do not have access to the cloud or cable, you can use memory card (microSD) or USB drive with adapter OTG. This method is suitable for:

  • 📷 Photos and videos.
  • 🎵 Music and audio files.
  • 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel).
  • 🎮 Game saves (if they are stored in the folder Android/data).

Instructions:

  1. Insert the memory card into the old phone.
  2. Transfer files manually (for example, via Explorer or Google files).
  3. Remove the card and insert into Galaxy A52.
  4. Copy the files to the internal memory or leave on the card.

For USB drive:

  1. Connect the flash drive to the old phone via OTG adapter.
  2. Copy the data to the drive.
  3. Connect the flash drive to Galaxy A52 and transfer the files.
How to transfer game saves from a memory card?

Many games (for example, Minecraft or Stardew Valley) store saves in the folder /Android/data/game_folder_name. to a memory card, then transfer it to the new phone in the same location. Important: Some games encrypt saves, and they may not work after transfer.

6. Alternative methods: through a PC or third-party applications

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use computer or specialized apps.

Via PC (Windows/Mac):

  1. Connect your old phone to the computer and copy