How to transfer a game from one device to another Android

Changing a smartphone is always stressful, especially when it comes to your favorite game in which you have invested hours of your time. The loss of progress due to the fact that the save is stuck in the memory of the old device can completely discourage the desire to continue playing. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android provides many tools for data migration, but not all of them work equally well for different genres of games.

The migration process depends on the type of game: online projects with server authorization are transferred automatically, while offline titles require manual intervention. In this article, we will analyze in detail all existing methods, from the simplest cloud synchronization to advanced use ADB commands for experienced users.

Regardless of whether you are changing your device to a new model of the same brand or switching to a phone from another manufacturer, proper planning of actions will save your gaming achievements. We will look at the nuances of working with files OBB, features of backup via Google Drive and the pitfalls that gamers encounter when trying to restore data.

Synchronization through cloud services and accounts

The easiest and most reliable way to save progress is to use the built-in cloud functions. Most modern developers integrate support Google Play Games or Facebookinto their projects. When you first launch the game, it usually prompts you to sign in to your account, and if you confirm this action, your saves are automatically uploaded to the server.

To check the synchronization status on your old device, go to the settings of the game itself and find the "Account" or "Cloud" section. Make sure the cloud icon is active and shows the date it was last updated. On a new smartphone, you just need to install the application, log in to the same account, and your progress will be updated automatically.

⚠️ Attention: Some games use their own launchers (for example, Supercell ID or Garena). In such cases, the standard login through Google Play may not work - use a specific ID associated with the mail.

However, you should not rely only on automation. If the game was installed a long time ago and synchronization is disabled, the data may be out of date. Always check the save version number before deleting the application from your old phone.

For online games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty progress is stored exclusively on the developer's servers. Here you just need to enter the login and password from the linked account (Twitter, Apple ID, VK), and the entire inventory will be available instantly.

Manual copying of data and cache files

Many heavy games store their resources in separate folders, which are not copied during the standard installation of an APK file. We are talking about the so-called OBB files data folders. If you simply transfer the installation file, the game will launch, but will require you to download gigabytes of data again or will not see the save.

Physical path to these files in modern versions Android (11 and above) has become more secure. Usually the data lies along the path /Android/obb/ and /Android/data/. You will need a file manager with access rights to system folders, for example Total Commander or FX File Explorer.

The algorithm of actions is as follows: first find the folder with the name of the game package (for example, com.rockstargames.gtasa) in the directory obb. Copy the entire folder to your computer or cloud storage. Then do the same with the folder in the directory dataif it is there.

File type	Location	Size	Importance
APK	Installer applications	50-200 MB	High
OBB	/Android/obb/	1-5 GB	Critical
Data	/Android/data/	Miscellaneous	Contains saves
Cache	/Android/obb/.../cache	Different	Low

After transferring files to a new device, it is important to follow the installation order. First, install a clean APK file of the game, launch it once to the main menu (so that the system creates the necessary directories), close the application and only then replace empty folders with your copied files.

Keep in mind that on some smartphones from Xiaomi or Samsung access to the folder Android/data can be limited without providing special permissions through the system storage settings menu.

Using specialized backup software

For users who want to transfer absolutely everything, including control settings and in-game currency in offline modes, standard tools may not be enough. This is where powerful backup utilities come to the rescue, such as Titanium Backup or Swift Backup.

These applications require root access on both devices. They know how to “freeze” an application and pack its data into a single archive, which can then be restored on another phone, down to the byte. This is an ideal option for emulators and old RPGs.

The process looks like this: install the utility on your old phone, make a backup of the desired game (select the "App + Data" option). Transfer the resulting file to a new smartphone and perform a recovery. The system will write the files to the same memory cells where they were before.

⚠️ Attention: Restoring a backup with root access to a device without superuser rights is impossible. Also, the method will not work if the processor architectures are very different (for example, transferring from a 32-bit to a 64-bit system).

If you do not have root access, you can try the "Backup to SD card" function in the settings of some launchers or use the manufacturers' built-in tools, such as Mi Mover or Samsung Smart Switch. They often know how to drag and drop game data, but (the success rate) varies from 60 to 90%.

Transfer via computer and ADB commands

For advanced users who do not want to obtain root access, there is a golden mean - using a debug tool bridge ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to offload application data through your computer even if you do not have root privileges, although with some restrictions in newer versions of Android.

First you need to activate developer mode on both phones and enable USB debugging. Connect your old smartphone to your PC and run the command to create a backup of a specific package. The command syntax requires care, as an error in the package name will result in the creation of an empty file.

adb backup -f game_backup.ab -noapk com.example.gamename

After executing the command, a request to confirm the backup will appear on the phone screen - be sure to click "Create a backup copy" and enter the password if the system asks for it. The resulting file .ab will need to be unpacked on your computer using the utility abe (Android Backup Extractor)to extract the data files.

Next, the files are downloaded to the new device, and the process is started in reverse order through the command adb restore. This method is the most reliable for transferring data between devices with the same version of the operating system.

What to do if ADB displays a device error?

Make sure that the latest ADB drivers are installed on your computer. Try using a different USB cable or a USB 2.0 port instead of 3.0, as some older phone controllers are unstable with high-speed ports.

It is important to understand that starting from Android 12the command adb backup is often ignored by applications unless the developer has explicitly prohibited it in the app manifest. In this case, the method will only work for system applications or old games.

Features of transferring to devices of different brands

When changing the smartphone manufacturer (for example, switching from Samsung to Xiaomi), file path conflicts may arise. Different shells (One UI, MIUI, ColorOS) interpret folder structure and access rights differently.

A common problem is version incompatibility Google Play Services. If the services on the new phone are outdated, the game may not see the cloud save, even if everything worked perfectly on the old device. Before transferring, update all system components in the application store.

It is also worth paying attention to the difference in screen resolutions. Saves in some games are strictly locked to resolution or aspect ratio. When transferred to a device with a different screen (for example, from a regular screen to an ultra wide one), the interface may move, but progress is usually saved.

Some Chinese versions of games (especially from servers Tencent or NetEase) may require the installation of specific plugins or frameworks that are not installed by default on global firmware versions. In such cases, it is easier to download the game again through the regional application store.

Solving common problems and errors during recovery

Even after following all the instructions, users often encounter a situation where the game starts, but offers to start from scratch. The most common reason is client versions being out of sync. Make sure that the same version of the game (or newer) is installed on the new device as on the old one.

If you used manual copying, check the folder permissions. After rebooting the phone, the system may have reset permissions and the game simply cannot read save files. Go to the application settings, find the game and manually grant permission to access the storage.

In the case of online games, the problem may be on the server side. Sometimes you need to wait a few minutes after logging into your account for the database to update your session status. Do not try to restart the application every 10 seconds - this may cause a temporary ban for suspicious activity.

⚠️ Attention: If the game requires a constant Internet connection, transferring local save files is useless. All progress in such projects (MMORPG, shooters) is stored only on a remote server.

For emulators on PC (for example, BlueStacks or Nox) the procedure is simplified: just find the folder with the emulator disk image on your computer and copy it to a new PC. However, when transferring from a phone to an emulator, problems with control often arise, since the configuration of the buttons is tied to the type of device.

FAQ: Questions and answers on transferring games

Is it possible to transfer a game if the screen is broken on an old phone?

Yes, this is possible if the phone had one in advance USB debugging is enabled. You can connect a mouse via an OTG cable for control, or use a app Scrcpy on your computer to see the screen and control the device, and then make a backup via ADB.

What should you do if the game crashes on startup after the transfer?

Most likely, the cache files are damaged or the application signatures do not match. Try deleting the folder cache inside the game directory manually. If it doesn’t help, delete the game completely, clear the remaining folders Android/data and install a clean version, then repeat the transfer of only the save folder.

Will the purchased currency and donations be transferred?

In-game currency and purchases are tied to your account (Google Play, Apple ID, Facebook). When you log into the same account on a new device, the store will restore your purchase history and the currency will appear on your balance automatically. Local files have nothing to do with it.

How to transfer the game without the Internet?

Use the method of manually copying files via a computer or memory card. Download the APK and OBB files to your computer in advance, then transfer them to your new phone via cable. This method is completely offline.

Is it safe to use apps like Titanium Backup?

Yes, if you download them from trusted sources (for example, GitHub or the official website of the developer). However, remember that their operation requires root access, which can void the device warranty and theoretically reduce the security of the system.