Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting time, but transferring data often turns into a headache. Contacts, photos, messages, application settings and even progress in games - all this needs to be saved so as not to start from scratch. Fortunately, Android offers several migration methods, from automatic to manual, and we will analyze each of them.

In this article you will find step-by-step guide all popular methods: from synchronization via Google Account to using a cable USB-OTG or SD cards. We will pay special attention saving application data (including games with progress), and also analyze typical errors that may arise during the transfer. If you are afraid of losing something important, don’t worry: we will show you how to make a backup copy before migration.

Important: the transfer procedure may differ depending on the version Android (for example, to Samsung Galaxy c One UI or Xiaomi c MIUI there are proprietary tools). However, the basic principles work on all devices from Android 6.0 Marshmallow and later.

1. Preparing for Migration: What You Need to Do Before You Begin

Before you begin your migration, take a few critical steps. This will help avoid data loss and speed up the process.

Step 1: Check device compatibility. Make sure that both smartphones support the selected transfer method. For example, wireless transmission via Google requires Android 5.0+, and for cable connection you may need an adapter USB-C/USB-OTGif the ports are different.

Step 2: Free up space on the new device. Transfer large amounts of data (for example, 100 GB of photos and videos) may take a long time or even be interrupted due to lack of memory. Check the free space in Settings → Memory.

Step 3: Update the software on both devices. Outdated versions Android or proprietary shells (for example ColorOS on Oppo) may not support modern transmission protocols. Go to Settings → System → Software update and install the latest patches.

  • 🔋 Charge both devices to at least 50%. Data transfer may take from 10 minutes to several hours - do not risk being left without power in mid-process.
  • 📡 Connect to a stable Wi-Fi. Wireless methods (for example, via Google Drive) consume a lot of traffic. mobile data is not suitable!
  • 🔑 Remember your account passwords. After the transfer, you will need to log in to Google, Samsung Account, Mi Account and other services.
  • 📱 Delete unnecessary files from your old phone. Transfer garbage (cache, duplicate photos, old APK) makes no sense.

Charge both devices to 50%+

Connect to Wi-Fi (for wireless methods)

Update software on both smartphones

Free up space on the new one device

Record account passwords

Delete unnecessary files from old phone-->

Critical error: if you use two-factor authentication (2FA) in applications, transfer backup codes or disable it before migration. Otherwise, you risk losing access to your accounts!

2. Method 1: Automatic transfer via Google Account

The simplest and most universal method is synchronization via Google Account. It is suitable for transferring contacts, calendars, notes, some settings and even part of application data (if they support backup to Google Drive).

How it works: Android automatically saves selected data to the cloud Google, and on a new device restores them when you turn it on for the first time. The disadvantage of the method is that not all applications support such a transfer (for example, progress in games or SMS).

  1. On the old phone: Open Settings → Google → Backup. Turn on the option Backup to Google Drive and press Create a copy now.
  2. On the new phone: When you turn it on for the first time, select Copy data from old device → From cloud storage → enter data Google Account.
  3. Select data to restore: Tick the checkboxes Applications, Contact, SMS (if available) and Media.
Data type Transferred via Google? Notes
Contact ✅ Yes Syncs automatically if saved to Google Contacts.
SMS/MMS ⚠️ Partially Only if SMS backup is enabled in Settings → Google → Backup.
Photo/video ✅ Yes If auto-download is enabled in Google Photos.
Applications ✅ Yes (partially) Lists of installed applications are transferred, but not always settings or data are saved.
Game progress ❌ No Requires binding to Google Play Games or manual transfer.

Method limitations:

  • 🚫 Not all applications support backup. For example, WhatsApp or Telegram require a separate backup.
  • 📉 Size limit. Free Google Drive gives only 15 GB, which may not be enough for a full copy.
  • ⏳ Long recovery. If there is a large amount of data, the process may take several hours.
💡

If If you don't have enough space in Google Drive, please delete your old backups before transferring. To do this, go to drive.google.com → Backups → Delete unnecessary ones.

3. Method 2: Transfer via cable (USB-OTG or adapter)

The fastest and most reliable method is to directly connect devices via cable. It is suitable for transfer all data types, including applications with their settings (if root access is not required). Minus - additional accessories are needed: cable USB-C/USB-C or adapter USB-OTG (if the ports are different).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Connect the old device to the new one using a cable. On the screen of the old phone, select the mode File transfer (MTP).
  2. On the new phone, open the notification USB connection and select Data Transfer (on some devices - Android Setup).
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen. The system will prompt you to choose which data to copy: Applications, Photo, Music, Documents etc.
  4. Wait for the process to complete. Do not disconnect the cable until the success notification appears!

Advantages of the method:

  • ⚡ Maximum speed. Transferring 50 GB of data will take 15-30 minutes (versus several hours via Wi-Fi).
  • 🔒 Security. Data is not transmitted over the Internet, the risk of leakage is minimal.
  • 📁 Full control. You can choose which files and applications to transfer.
⚠️ Attention: On some devices (for example, Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 7), special software is required for cable transfer. Smart Switch or Android File TransferCheck this in the instructions for your model.
What to do if the phone does not recognize the connection?

1. Check the cable - it must support data transfer (not all USB charging cables are suitable).

2. Try a different port or adapter USB-OTG.

3. On your phone, enable USB debugging in Settings → For Developers (if available).

4. Reboot both devices.

4. Method 3: Transfer via SD card or flash drive

If your devices have a slot microSD or port USB-C/OTG, you can use a removable drive as an intermediary. This method is suitable for transferring photos, videos, music and documents, but does not always work with applications and their data.

How to transfer data:

  1. Paste SD card or USB flash drive (via adapter) to the old device.
  2. Copy the necessary files manually (for example, via File manager or Gallery).
  3. Remove the drive and insert it into the new phone.
  4. Copy the files to the internal memory or leave it on the card (if it will be used constantly).

What data can be transfer:

  • 📸 Photos and videos (from folders DCIM, Pictures).
  • 🎵 Music and podcasts (from Music or Downloads).
  • 📄 Documents (PDF, Word, Excel from Documents).
  • 🎮 Game saves (if they are stored in the folder Android/obb or Android/data).

Restrictions:

  • ❌ Applications are not transferred. Only their data (and not always).
  • ⚠️ Risk of data loss. If SD card is damaged, the files may not be copied.
  • 🐢 Slower than cable. Read/write speed on microSD usually lower than with a direct connection.

Via Google Account

By cable (USB-OTG)

Via SD card or flash drive

Using third-party applications (for example, ShareIt)

Another method-->

5. Method 4: Transferring applications with data (including games)

Standard methods (via Google or cable) do not always save application data for example, progress in games, messenger settings or local databases. This requires special tools.

Option 1: Backup via ADB (for advanced users).

If you have access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge), you can create a complete copy of the applications with data. To do this:

  1. Enable USB debugging on the old phone (Settings → About phone → Build number → press 7 times to unlock developer mode).
  2. Connect the phone to the PC and run the command: 
    adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f backup.ab

    This will create a file backup.ab with all applications and their data.

  3. Copy the file to a new phone and restore via: 
    adb restore backup.ab

Option 2: Applications for backup (without root).

If ADB seems complicated, use specialized utilities:

  • 🔄 Titanium Backup (requires root) - the most powerful solution for a full backup.
  • 📦 Swift Backup (without root, but with restrictions) - saves applications and part of the data.
  • 🎮 Helium - specializes in games and their progress.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring application data through third-party utilities never restore system ones applications (for example, com.android.settings). This may cause the system to crash!
💡

To transfer progress in games (for example, Genshin Impact or Clash of Clans) the easiest way is to link the game to your account Google Play Games or social network. Then the progress is synchronized automatically.

6. Method 5: Transfer through third-party applications (ShareIt, Xender, etc.)

If standard methods are not suitable, you can use applications for wireless data transfer. They work via Wi-Fi Direct or local network and do not require the Internet. Popular options: ShareIt, Xender, Send Anywhere.

How to transfer data:

  1. Install the same application on both phones (for example, Xender).
  2. On the old phone, select files to transfer (photos, videos, APK).
  3. Click Send and select the method Wi-Fi Direct or Hot spot.
  4. On the new phone, connect to the created network and confirm receiving files.

Pros and disadvantages of the method:

Advantages Disadvantages
✅ No cable or cloud needed. ❌ Slower than a cable connection.
✅ Works without Internet. ❌ Does not transfer applications with data.
✅ Simple interface. ❌ Advertising in free versions.

Important: When using such applications turn off mobile data on both devices to avoid costs traffic. Also check that there is enough space on the new phone - some applications (for example ShareItfirst download files to a temporary folder.

7 Method 6: Transferring data via a computer (PC or Mac)

If you have a computer, you can use it as an intermediary for transferring data. This method is suitable for large files (for example, 4K videos) or when other methods do not work.

Instructions for Windows:

  1. Connect the old device to the PC via USB cable and select the mode File transfer (MTP).
  2. Open This computer → find the connected phone → copy the necessary files to your hard drive.
  3. Disconnect the old device, connect the new one and transfer the files back.

Instructions for Mac:

  1. Install Android File Transfer (official software from Google).
  2. Connect your phone to Mac and open the app.
  3. Drag the files to the folder on computer, then repeat the process for a new device.

What can be transferred:

  • 📁 Any files: photos, videos, music, documents.
  • 📱 Application backups: if you have previously created a backup via Titanium Backup or ADB.
  • 🎮 Game saves: copy folders Android/obb and Android/data.
⚠️ Attention: When copying folders Android/data or Android/obb to a new device keep the original folder structure. Otherwise, applications will not see their data!

8. avoid

Even when following the instructions, users often encounter problems. Let's look at the most common errors and ways to solve them.

Error 1: “There is not enough space on the new device.”

Solution:

  • Delete unnecessary files from your old phone before transfer.
  • Use SD card or cloud (Google Drive, Yandex Disk) for temporary storage.
  • Transfer data in parts (for example, first photos, then videos).

Error 2: “Applications were transferred, but the data was lost.”

Solution:

  • Check whether the application supports backup (for example, through Google Account or Helium).
  • For games, connect to Google Play Games or social network.
  • Use ADB or Titanium Backup for a full backup.

Error 3: "The transfer was interrupted halfway."

Solution:

  • Check the battery charge (should be ≥50%).
  • Use an original cable or a high-quality USB-OTG adapter.
  • If the transfer is via Wi-Fi, make sure that both devices are connected to the same network.

Error 4: “I can’t log into my accounts after the transfer.”

Solution:

  • Check if synchronization is enabled in Settings → Accounts.
  • If you use 2FA, restore access through backup codes.
  • For WhatsApp or Telegram make a separate backup (in the application settings).
💡

If applications are unstable after transferring, clear their cache: Settings → Applications → Select an application → Memory → Clear cache.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer SMS from an old Android to a new one?

Yes, but not all methods support this. methods:

  • Through Google Account (if SMS backup is enabled to Settings → Google → Backup).
  • Using applications like SMS Backup & Restore (saves SMS to an XML file).
  • Through Smart Switch (for devices Samsung).

On a new phone, restore the backup through the same application.

How to transfer WhatsApp with message history?

WhatsApp does not synchronize via Google Account, but supports local backup:

  1. On your old phone, open WhatsApp → ⋮ → Settings → Chat → Backup.
  2. Create a backup in Google Drive or on SD card.
  3. Install WhatsApp on a new phone and log in to the same account.
  4. When prompted, restore chats from backup.

Important: the phone number must be the same!

Will Wi-Fi settings and passwords be transferred?

Yes, but only if you use:

  • Transfer via Google Account (network settings are synchronized automatically).
  • Cable connection with option Transfer settings.
  • Applications like Smart Switch (for Samsung) or Mi Mover (for Xiaomi).

If these methods do not work, you will have to enter passwords manually.

Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone?

Yes, but with limitations. Apple offers an application Move to iOSthat transfers:

  • Contacts, messages, photos and videos.
  • Bookmarks from Chrome.
  • Some free applications (if there are versions for iOS).

Which will not be transferred:

  • Music (except for purchases in Google Play Music).
  • Applications and their data (except some games via Game Center).
  • Android Settings.
How to transfer data if the old device is broken?

If the screen does not work, but the phone turns on:

  • Connect it to the PC via USB and copy the files manually (if the mode is enabled MTP).
  • Use ADB to create a backup (if enabled USB debugging).

If the phone does not turn on:

  • Remove SD card (if there is data on it) and insert it into the new device.
  • Contact the service center to extract data from the internal memory.