Changing a smartphone is always an exciting process, which is often overshadowed by the fear of losing valuable pictures and videos. Your gallery could contain thousands of files, and simply copying them manually can be extremely tedious. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android offers a variety of tools for data migration, from cloud services to direct cable connections.
The choice of a specific method depends on the size of your media library and the availability of additional accessories on hand. If you only have a couple hundred photos, fast sync is fine, but if you're transferring tens of gigabytes, you'll be better off using a wired connection. In this article, we will analyze in detail all the available options so that you can painlessly transfer your memories to a new device.
Before starting any procedure, make sure that both devices are charged at least 50-60%. The process of transferring large amounts of data can be energy-intensive, and a sudden power outage can interrupt the operation, leaving files damaged or incomplete.
Using cloud storage for synchronization
The most modern and convenient way to transfer is to use cloud services such as Google Photos. This method is wire-free and allows you to start viewing photos on your new phone before the full download is complete. The principle of operation is simple: you upload content to the Internet from your old device, and then download it or simply view it online on a new one.
To get started, open the application Settings → Google → Backup on your old smartphone. Make sure the switch Google Photos is activated. The system will automatically begin uploading the media library to your account. This process may take time depending on the speed of your Internet connection and the number of gigabytes.
Use the “Bandwidth Saver” function in the Google Photos settings if you have limited mobile data so that downloading occurs only through Wi-Fi.
After the download is completed on the old device, take the new phone. Log in to the same Google account. Open your gallery app or Google Photos and your photos will appear there automatically. If you need to physically save them to your device's memory, select the desired albums and click the "Download" button.
Cloud synchronization is ideal for regular backups, but requires stable high-speed Internet to quickly migrate large amounts of data.
⚠️ Attention: Free space Google account is limited to 15 GB. If your gallery takes up more space, the service will offer to sign up for a paid subscription or the transfer will stop.
Direct connection via USB cable
If speed is a priority for you, and the file size is tens of gigabytes, it is best to use a physical connection. This method provides the maximum transfer speed and does not depend on the quality of the wireless network. You will need a cable USB Type-C or an adapter OTG.
Connect both phones with a cable. The screen may ask you to select the USB operating mode. Select mode File transfer or MTP. On some models, for example Samsung or Xiaomi, the system itself will offer to launch the data transfer wizard.
- 📱 Connect the cable to the charging connector of both devices.
- 🔓 Unlock the screens of both smartphones to confirm access.
- 📂 In the file manager, select the folder
DCIMiPictures. - 📤 Copy the contents and paste into similar folders on the new device.
When using a standard file manager Files by Google or built-in Explorer, navigation is intuitive. Just find the source and target directory. Make sure that the new phone has enough free memory to receive all files, otherwise copying will be interrupted with an error.
☑️ Preparing for cable transfer
Migration applications from manufacturers
Large brands create their own utilities optimized for their ecosystem. These apps can often transfer not only the gallery, but also system settings, icon placement, and application data. For Samsung this application is Smart Switch, for Xiaomi — Mi Mover, and for Huawei — Phone Clone.
Install the corresponding application on both devices. Launch it and select the role of each phone: “Sender” on the old one and “Recipient” on the new one. Applications will create a secure local network Wi-Fi Direct for data transfer.
In the data selection menu, be sure to check the sections Images and Videos. You can also deselect (unselect) system settings if you want to set up a new phone from scratch, leaving only personal files.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and capabilities of carrier applications may vary depending on the version of Android and the specific smartphone model. Check the menu items with the current manufacturer's instructions.
What to do if applications do not see each other?
Make sure that GPS and location permission are enabled on both phones. Many data transfer protocols require access to geolocation for Wi-Fi Direct to work.
Transferring data using an SD card
This method is “classic” and is great if you have a memory card of a suitable size and a card reader, or if both phones support microSD. This is ideal for creating a physical copy of your data before selling your old device.
Insert the memory card into your old phone. Using the file manager, copy folders with media files to external storage. Once completed, remove the card and insert it into the new smartphone.
| Card type | Maximum speed (theoretically) | Compatibility | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| microSDHC | up to 25 MB/s | Old devices | Only for small archives |
| microSDXC UHS-I | up to 104 MB/s | Most modern ones | Optimal choice |
| microSDXC UHS-II | up to 312 MB/s | Flagships | For 4K video and large volumes |
After installing the card in a new device, the system may prompt you to format it. Be careful: formatting will delete all data! Select the option to use the card as portable storageto simply read files.
Wireless transfer via Nearby Share
Function Nearby Share (Quick connection) is an analogue of AirDrop for Android. It allows you to transfer files between devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi without setting up complex networks. This is convenient for quickly transferring individual albums or favorite photos.
Enable the function in the notification shade on both phones. Select a photo in the gallery of your old phone, click the “Share” button and the Nearby Shareicon. A request to confirm reception will appear on the screen of the new device.
The transmission speed here is higher than that of classic Bluetooth, but lower than that of a cable. The method is convenient because it does not require the installation of third-party software and works “out of the box” on modern devices with version Android 6.0 and higher.
⚠️ Attention: For Nearby Share to work correctly, the screen must be turned on on both devices. If the screen goes dark, the connection may be lost.
Troubleshooting and common errors
Sometimes the transfer process may encounter technical obstacles. One of the common problems is the "Not enough space" error, even if there seems to be free memory. This is because the file system requires backup space for temporary files during the operation.
Another common situation is that files become corrupted after a transfer. This often happens when using cheap or damaged cables, or when the Wi-Fi connection is unstable. Always check the integrity of the data by opening a few random photos and videos on the new device.
If you are transferring photos taken on a high-resolution camera (for example, 108 MP or 200 MP), make sure that the new phone supports the format HEIC or specific codecs. Otherwise, images may not be displayed without installing additional software.
Always do a final check: compare the number of files in the source and destination folders to ensure that no snapshots were lost during the migration process.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will hidden folders and albums be transferred?
Most standard transfer tools (cable, SD card) copy all files, including hidden ones, if you copy the entire folder. However, synchronizer applications (like Google Photos) can ignore folders with a file .nomediaunless specifically configured.
Will photos be erased from the old phone after transferring?
No, when using copy methods (cable, cloud, applications), the data on the old device remains intact. They are deleted only if you manually format or clear the memory after checking.
Is it possible to transfer photos if the screen of your old phone is broken?
Yes, if the phone turns on and is recognized by the computer. Connect it to your PC via USB, unlock it (if entering a PIN code blindly or via an OTG mouse works) and copy the folder DCIM to the computer and then to the new phone.
What to do with the metadata (date and time of shooting)?
If copied correctly (via cable or file managers) metadata EXIFcontaining date, time and geolocation are completely saved. When uploaded to some social networks or instant messengers, this information may be deleted.