Changing a smartphone is always stressful, especially when it comes to your favorite mobile games. Losing hundreds of hours of progress, rare achievements, or purchased in-game content due to an incorrect transfer is a real nightmare for any gamer. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android provides many migration tools, but not all of them work equally effectively for different types of applications.
In this guide, we will look at all the current methods for transferring game data: from standard synchronization across accounts to advanced methods using local backups. You'll learn why some games port themselves, while others require manual manipulation of the file system. It is important to understand that the success of the operation depends not only on the phone model, but also on the policy of the developer of a particular title.
Before taking active steps, it is necessary to carry out a little preparation of both devices. Make sure that the same version of the operating system or at least compatible builds are installed on the old and new smartphones. Differences in processor architecture or versions Android can lead to the fact that the transferred data simply will not be read by the new device.
Synchronization through cloud services and accounts
The most reliable and easiest way to save progress is to link the game to a cloud service. Most modern developers integrate SDK from Google Play Games. This technology automatically saves achievements and progress in the cloud, linking them to your Google account. When installing the game on a new phone and logging into the same account, the system will offer to restore the save.
However, you should not rely on just one method. Many large projects, such as Clash of Clans or PUBG Mobile, use their own account systems or third-party services like Facebook and Apple ID. In such cases, logging in through Google Play may not work. You will need to find the “Link account” or “Link Account” button in the game settings and select the desired authorization method.
⚠️ Attention: Never delete the game from your old device until you are 100% sure that the progress has loaded correctly on the new smartphone. Cloud synchronization sometimes fails or requires manual confirmation.
If the game supports cross-platform, you can use a single developer account. Register on the official website of the project, create a profile and log in to it from both devices. This ensures that your data will be stored on the company's servers and not locally on the phone, which makes migration almost instantaneous.
Using built-in Android migration tools
Modern smartphones are equipped with powerful utilities for transferring data during the first setup. Branded solutions from manufacturers, such as Samsung Smart Switch, Xiaomi Mi Mover or OnePlus Clone Phone, can copy not only contacts and photos, but also installed applications with data. This method is ideal for bulk transferring all the contents of an old phone to a new one.
The process usually looks like this: you launch the migration app on both devices, scan the QR code to establish a connection, and select the "Applications" category. The system will copy the APK files and corresponding data folders from the internal memory. For most single-player games, this is quite enough.
However, this approach has its limitations. Some protected applications or games with a serious anti-cheat system may block data transfer by third-party utilities. In this case, after the transfer, the game may start as new, ignoring the copied files. It is also worth considering that transferring large amounts of data via Wi-Fi Direct can take considerable time.
☑️ Preparing for data migration
Manually copying files through a file manager
For advanced users who want to have full control over the process, there is a method for manually copying save files. Most games store their data in hidden system folders, access to which in new versions Android (11 and higher) is limited. However, with the help of special file managers, such as Total Commander or FX File Explorer, you can bypass these restrictions.
The main directory, where the cache and game data is located, is located along the path /Android/data/ or /Android/obb/. Here you will find folders with the names of game packages, for example com.supercell.clashofclans. You need to copy the entire folder from the old device and paste it into a similar directory on the new phone, after installing the game itself (but not launching it).
It is important to follow the directory structure. If you place files in the wrong place, the game will simply not see them and create new ones. Also pay attention to access rights: Android 13/14 the system may request special permission to access the folder Android. Without this confirmation, the copy operation will fail.
Before copying folders through the file manager, it is best to use the “Compress to ZIP” function on your old phone. This will speed up the transfer and ensure that no hidden files are lost when unpacking on the new device.
Creating local backups via ADB and computer
If wireless methods are not trustworthy or you need to transfer data to a phone with a different firmware version, the most reliable option is to use a computer and utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This tool allows you to create complete backups of applications along with data, which can then be restored on any other device.
First, you need to activate developer mode on your smartphone. Go to Settings → About phone and click 7 times on the build number. Then, in the Developer Options menu, enable USB Debugging. Connect the phone to the PC, install drivers and platform Android SDK Platform-Tools.
The command to create a backup is as follows:
adb backup -f game_backup.ab -apk com.name.of.gameAfter entering the command, a request to confirm the creation of a backup will appear on the phone screen. Enter your password (if required) and click “Backup.” To restore data on a new device, use the command:
adb restore game_backup.ab| Command parameter | Function description | Recommended value |
|---|---|---|
-f |
Indicates the name of the backup file | game_backup.ab |
-apk |
Includes the application file itself in the backup | Yes (required) |
-nosystem |
Excludes system applications | Yes (for speed) |
-all |
Backs up all installed applications | No (better by package) |
This method is universal, but requires care. Some highly secure applications (banking, some online shooters) can block the creation of backups via ADB at the system level. In this case, you will see a message in the console log about the packet being missed.
Features of transferring heavy games with cache
Modern graphic hits, such as Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile or Asphalt 9, weigh several gigabytes. The bulk of this weight comes from cache files (textures, models, sounds), which are stored separately from the installation APK. When transferring such games, it is critical to maintain the integrity of the cache.
A common problem is that when you install a game from Google Play, it may start downloading the cache again, ignoring your files. To avoid this, install the game, run it once until the logo appears, then force close. After that, replace the folders in /Android/obb/ with your copied files and launch the game again. It should pick up local data.
⚠️ Attention: Application store interfaces (Google Play, Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery) and paths to system folders may change with the release of Android updates. Always check the current paths in the file manager of your specific phone model.
If the game requires you to log in to your account immediately at startup, make sure that you log into the same service that was used on the old device. Different regions of accounts (for example, a European server and an Asian server) often have separate databases, and progress is not transferred between them.
What to do if the cache is not picked up?
If the game starts downloading data again, try clearing the application cache in the Android settings before replacing files. Also check if the version of the game on the new phone matches the version with which the backup was made. A difference of even one minor version can lead to a file conflict.
Solving problems and common mistakes during migration
Even if you follow all the instructions, unexpected situations may arise. The most common error is “Version conflict”. If the game was updated to a beta version on your old phone, and you installed the stable version from the store on your new phone, the saves may not work. Always strive to ensure that the software versions match.
Another problem is related to data encryption. B Android 10 and newer folder /Android/data/ protected from access by third-party applications. If your file manager can't open it, use Google's built-in Files app or grant special permissions through system settings. Without this, you simply will not see the files to copy.
Sometimes a complete reset of the game settings before restoring helps. If you use cloud synchronization, but your progress is not updated, try clicking the “Logout” button in the game settings on your new phone, restarting the application and logging in again. This forcibly initiates a request to the server to receive the latest data.
Matching the versions of the game and the operating system on both devices is the key to successfully transferring local save files. Differences in architecture can make the backup unreadable.
Is it possible to transfer a game from Android to iPhone?
In most cases, no. Progress in games is tied to the ecosystem (Google Play Games or Apple Game Center). Even if the game is cross-platform, a special “Transfer Progress” function is often required within the settings of the game itself, which is not available in all projects. Purchased currency also usually does not transfer between the App Store and Google Play.
What is an OBB file and why do you need it?
OBB (Opaque Binary Blob) is an extension file used in Android to store large amounts of application data, such as graphics and media files. It is in the folder /Android/obb/. Without this file, a heavy game will either not start or will require resuming gigabytes of data via the Internet.
Will I lose in-game currency during the transfer?
If the game is online and progress is stored on the server (via an account), the currency will be saved. If the game is completely offline and the data is stored only in the phone's memory, then if the save file is lost, the currency will disappear. Always link offline games to Google Drive if the developer provides such an option.
How to transfer data if your old phone is broken?
If the screen does not work, but the phone turns on, you can try connecting a mouse via an OTG adapter for control. If the card is dead, local data cannot be recovered. There is only hope for those games that were synchronized with the cloud before the device failed.