Transferring applications from an old Android device to a new smartphone Samsung is a task that every user faces when changing gadgets. Even if you save your account Google Play, not all settings, application data and APK files themselves are synced automatically. This is especially true for games with progress, instant messengers with chat history, or specialized software that is not in the official store.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods application transfer - from a proprietary solution Samsung Smart Switch to manual copying of APK via ADB. You will learn how to save not only the apps themselves, but also their data (for example, saves in games or settings in VLC), and also avoid common errors due to which applications may not start on a new device. We will separately dwell on the nuances for devices with Android 14 and newer, where the rules for working with the file system have changed.

If you are switching from Xiaomi, Huawei or another brand to Galaxy S24/A54/Z Fold 5, this instruction will help save hours on re-setting. And for those who like experiments, we have added a section about transferring through custom firmware —but we warn you: this method is only suitable for experienced users.

1. Samsung Smart Switch: the official method for beginners

Samsung Smart Switch is a proprietary solution from the manufacturer, which is installed by default on all new smartphones Galaxy. It allows you to transfer not only applications, but also contacts, messages, photos and even screen settings. However, there are nuances: not all application data is copied correctly, and some APKs may not install due to differences in processor architecture (for example, when switching from MediaTek to Exynos).

To use Smart Switch, follow these steps:

  • 📱 Install the application Smart Switch on both devices (old and new) from Google Play or Galaxy Store. On new ones Samsung it is already pre-installed.
  • 🔗 Connect the devices via USB cable (recommended original cable Samsung type C-to-C) or Wi-Fi Direct (slower, but more convenient).
  • 📋 On your old phone, select the category of data to transfer. Be sure to check the box "Applications" and, if necessary, "Application data".
  • ⚙️ On the new device, confirm the start of the transfer. The process may take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.

Important: Smart Switch does not transfer APK filesinstalled manually (for example, from .apk or through APKMirrorThere may also be problems with applications that use DRM protection (for example, banking applications). or Netflix). In such cases, you will have to install them again from the official store.

Make sure both devices have enough charge (minimum 50%)|Use the original USB cable|Turn off VPN and firewalls|Close all background applications-->

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If the transfer is stuck at the "Data Preparation" stage, reboot both devices and repeat try. This often helps with synchronization errors.

After the transfer is complete, check the functionality of the applications. If some of them do not start, try updating them via Google Play or reinstalling them manually. For games with saves (for example Genshin Impact or Clash of Clans), additional synchronization through the developer account may be required.

2. Transfer via Google Account: what is copied automatically

If you use Google account on both devices, some applications and their data are synchronized automatically when you turn on the new one for the first time. Samsung. However, this method has limitations:

  • 📱 Only applications installed from Google Playare transferred. APKs from other sources are ignored.
  • 🔄 Not all data is restored. For example, chats will not be transferred to WhatsApp without a separate backup, and progress in games may be reset.
  • ⏳ The process depends on the Internet speed. With a slow connection, synchronization may take hours.

To use this function:

  1. On the new one Samsung When you turn it on for the first time, select "Copy data from old device" → "From the cloud" → "Google Account".
  2. Enter your account information Google (the same as on your old phone).
  3. Select applications to restore. Please note that some apps may not appear in the list if they are incompatible with the new version Android.

Critical nuance: if synchronization with Google is disabled on your old device (in your account settings), application data will not be saved in the cloud. Before transferring, check that the option "Sync application data" is enabled in Settings → Accounts → Google → Account synchronization.

Smart Switch|Google Account|Manual transfer of APK|Cloud services (Dropbox, Google Drive)|Other-->

3. Manual transfer of APK files: for experienced users

If you need to transfer applications that are not in Google Play (for example, modified APK or corporate software), or you want to save a specific version of the app, the manual method is suitable. It takes more time, but gives full control over the process.

You will need:

  • 📁 A file manager with access to the root folder (for example, Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer).
  • 🔌 USB cable or cloud storage for transfer files.
  • 🛠️ The new device has the option enabled "Install from unknown sources" (path: Settings → Security → Installing unknown applications).

Instructions:

  1. On the old device, open the file manager and go to the folder /data/app/ (required root access) or /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/ (for some applications).
  2. Find folders with the names of the desired applications (for example, com.whatsapp for WhatsAppCopy them to an external drive or to the cloud.
  3. Transfer the files to a new one Samsung and install the APK through the file manager or command adb install file_name.apk.
What to do if the APK is not installed?

If an error appears during installation "Application not installed", check:

1) Processor architecture (ARM/x86) - APK must be built for your platform.

2) Android version - some APKs require a specific OS version.

3) File integrity - download it again, if it is damaged.

To bypass restrictions, you can use APK Editor or SAI (Split APK Installer) (for applications with multiple installation files, for example, Google Maps).

Please note: this method does not guarantee transfer application data (for example, game saves or settings). To do this, you will need to additionally copy folders from /data/data/[package_name]/, but without root access, access to them is limited.

4. data-i="145">If you are familiar with

If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can transfer applications along with their data via the command line. This method is suitable for saving progress in games, app settings and even system applications (if you have root).

Prerequisites:

  • 🖥️ Installed ADB and Fastboot on PC (you can download from the site Android Developers).
  • 🔌 Enabled USB debugging on both devices (Settings → About the phone → Build number (7 taps) → Developer settings → USB debugging).
  • 📡 Stable connection to a PC via USB.

Steps for transfer:

  1. Connect the old device to the PC and run the command to get a list of packages: 
    adb shell pm list packages -f

    Copy the paths to the required APKs (for example, package:/data/app/com.example.app-base.apk).

  2. Extract the APK and data: 
    adb pull /data/app/com.example.app-base.apk

    adb backup -f backup.ab com.example.app

    (For Android 11+ instead adb backup may be required Titanium Backup with root access).

  3. Connect a new one Samsung and install the APK: 
    adb install base.apk

    Then restore the data:

    adb restore backup.ab

⚠️ Attention: On Android 12 and newer command adb backup may not work due to Google restrictions. In this case, use alternative tools like Swift Backup (requires root) or OAndBackupX.

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ADB approach allows you to transfer even system applications, but requires technical skills. Without root access, some data (for example, game saves) may not be copied.

5. Cloud services: Dropbox, Google Drive and alternatives

If you do not have access to a PC or cable, you can use cloud storage. This method is universal, but depends on the Internet speed and the amount of available space. Suitable for transferring APK and data backups (if they are created in advance).

Step-by-step guide:

  1. On your old device, copy APK files to the cloud:
    • 📁 For Google Drive: upload the files to the folder and share them.
    • 🌐 For Dropbox: use the option "Download files" in the application.
  • On new Samsung download files from the cloud.
  • Install APK through a file manager or SAI (for applications with multiple files, for example, Google Chrome).

    • To backup application data before uploading to the cloud, use:

    • 🎮 For games: built-in synchronization functions (for example, Google Play Games or developer account).
    • 💬 For instant messengers: WhatsApp → Settings → Chat → Backup (in Google Drive).
    • 📁 For others: Titanium Backup (root) or OAndBackupX (without root, but with restrictions).

    ⚠️ Attention: Some applications (for example, banking) block work on devices with an unlocked bootloader or root access. If you used custom firmware on an old phone, on a new one Samsung such apps may not start even after the transfer.

    6. Transfer via custom firmware (only for experienced ones)

    This method is suitable for those who use custom firmware like LineageOS or Pixel Experience. It allows you to transfer not only applications, but also their data, as well as system settings. However, it requires unlocking the bootloader and installing TWRP or another custom recovery.

    Main steps:

    1. On the old device, create a full backup via TWRP (Backup → Select partitions (Data, System) → Swipe to confirm).
    2. Copy the backup to an external drive or to the cloud.
    3. On the new one Samsung unlock the bootloader (command fastboot oem unlock), install TWRP and restore backup.

    ⚠️ Attention: This method is will reset all data on a new device and can lead to problems with Knox (on Samsung this disables Samsung Pay, Secure Folder and reduces the security of the device). Also, some applications (for example Netflix or banking) may refuse to work due to a change in the device signature.

    Transfer method Speed Saving application data Required skills Limitations
    Smart Switch ⚡ Fast (10-60 min) ❌ Partially (not all applications) 🟢 Initial Does not transfer APKs from unknown sources
    Google Account 🐢 Slow (depends on the Internet) ❌ Only settings for some applications 🟢 Basic Does not work with manual APK
    Manual transfer APK ⚡ Fast (if files are available) ❌ Only if data is copied from /data 🟡 Medium Requires root for full backup
    ADB ⚡ Fast ✅ Yes (with the right commands) 🔴 Advanced Does not work with Android 12+ without root
    Custom firmware 🐢 Long (1-2 hours) ✅ Completely 🔴 Expert Breaks Knox, risk of "brick"

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring applications to Samsung

    Is it possible to transfer applications from iPhone to Samsung?

    Yes, but not directly. Use Samsung Smart Switch to transfer contacts, photos and some data, but applications will have to be reinstalled from Google Play. To transfer chats WhatsApp use the official migration function in the messenger settings.

    Why do some applications not start after transfer?

    The reasons may be different:

    • 🔧 Incompatibility with the version Android (check the requirements in Google Play).
    • 🚫 Blocked due to a changed device signature (relevant after unlocking the bootloader).
    • 🔒 Lack of necessary permissions (for example, for Netflix certification is required Widevine L1).

    Try updating the application or installing it again.

    How to transfer saves in games?

    Methods depend on the game:

    • 🎮 If the game supports Google Play Games, synchronization will occur automatically when you log into your account.
    • 🖥️ For games with your own accounts (for example, Genshin Impact), link your progress to your email or social network.
    • 📁 For offline games, copy the save folder (usually located in /Android/obb/ or /data/data/) via root or ADB.

    Is it possible to transfer applications without losing data?

    Yes, but only if:

    • 📱 The application supports cloud synchronization (for example, Spotify or Evernote).
    • 🔧 You use Titanium Backup or Swift Backup with root access.
    • 🖥️ You transfer data via ADB (does not work on all versions of Android).

    For most applications without root access, complete data transfer is not possible.

    What to do if your new Samsung does not have enough memory for the transfer?

    Clean up space before transferring:

    • 🗑️ Delete unnecessary files through Settings → Device care → Storage.
    • ☁️ Transfer photos and videos to Google Photo or Samsung Cloud.
    • 📱 Use a memory card (if the model Samsung supports MicroSD).

    You can also transfer applications in parts, starting with the most important ones.