Buying a new smartphone is always a joyful event, but it is inevitably accompanied by the headache of transferring your entire digital life from an old device. This issue is especially acute for users of the ecosystem Android, where the variety of manufacturers and versions of the operating system can confuse even an experienced user. How to restore a familiar environment, not lose progress in games and configure banking applications so that they work immediately?
Modern data migration tools have stepped far ahead compared to what was available five years ago. Today, you don't have to manually download hundreds of APK files or search for contacts in your address book. The bulk of information, including list of installed applications, photos and settings, can be transferred automatically when you first launch a new gadget. However, there are nuances that require manual intervention or the use of specific software from manufacturers.
In this article we will analyze all the current migration methods: from using Google cloud services to proprietary utilities like Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi Mi Mover. You will learn how to prepare for the process, what risks exist, and why some applications may not be transferred along with your login history. The instructions are designed so that you can choose the optimal method specifically for your pair of devices.
Preparing devices for the migration process
The success of the data transfer operation depends 90% on the correct preparation of both smartphones. Before starting any manipulations, you must make sure that both devices have sufficient battery power. The optimal solution would be to connect them to a power source, since the process of transferring large amounts of data via Wi-Fi or cable can be energy-consuming and time-consuming.
The second critical step is updating the software. Check for updates in the system settings on both devices. Different versions Android may have incompatible data transfer protocols, which will lead to an error in the middle of the process or loss of some information. Also make sure that your new device has enough free space to accommodate all the apps and media files from your old phone.
Remember to back up your important data to the cloud, even if you plan to use the direct transfer method. This will create an additional recovery point in case of failure. Pay special attention to two-factor authentication: make sure that you have access to your phone number or backup codes, since many banking applications messengers will require re-verification of your identity on a new device.
☑️ Checklist for preparing for transfer
⚠️ Attention: Some manufacturers block the ability to completely transfer data if developer mode is enabled on one of the devices or received root access. Before starting the procedure, it is recommended to disable USB debugging and return the system to stock state, if possible.
Using built-in Google tools at first start
The easiest and most universal way to transfer applications is to use the standard Android setup wizard. This method works on any device running Android 5.0 and above, regardless of brand. When you turn on your new smartphone for the first time, the system will prompt you to copy data from another device. You will need to connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network or connect them with a USB-C cable.
After selecting a data source, the system will analyze the contents of the old phone. You will be offered a list of applications that can be installed on your new gadget. It is important to understand that in most cases only installation files (APK) and shortcuts are transferred. Data inside applications (logins, game saves, settings) are transferred only if the developer has implemented support for Google Drive cloud backup.
The installation process can take from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the number of applications and the speed of the Internet connection. New devices will download the latest versions of apps directly from Google Play Market, which guarantees the absence of malicious code and compatibility with the current version of the OS. Photos and contacts will also begin downloading in the background if they have been synchronized with the account.
What to do if the process is frozen at the "Data Preparation" stage?
If the progress indicator does not move for more than 10 minutes, try rebooting both devices. Make sure that smartphone screens do not turn off (increase the screen timeout in the settings), since the Wi-Fi Direct connection often breaks when the screen of an old phone is locked.
Branded utilities from smartphone manufacturers
Large vendors, such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and OnePlus, develop their own migration tools, which are often more stable than standard Google tools. These utilities can transfer not only applications, but also specific system settings, the arrangement of icons on the desktop, and even alarm clocks. For example, Samsung Smart Switch allows you to transfer data even from iPhone to Galaxy, although the functionality will be limited.
The main advantage of proprietary solutions is the ability to transfer data from system applications. If you switch, say, from one Xiaomi to another, the utility Mi Mover will save theme settings, a list of blocked numbers, and even the entire call history. For data transfer, a direct Wi-Fi access point is usually created between devices, which provides high speed without loading the home router.
However, there is a downside to the coin. When switching between devices of different brands (for example, from Huawei to Samsung), the functionality of such apps is greatly reduced. You will only be able to transfer media files and contacts, and the list of applications will have to be restored manually through the store. Therefore, always check the compatibility of the utility with the model of your old smartphone before starting the procedure.
| Manufacturer | Utility name | iOS support | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Smart Switch | Yes (partially) | Move desktop layout, alarm clocks |
| Xiaomi / POCO | Mi Mover | No | High speed, transfer themes |
| Huawei / Honor | Phone Clone | Yes | Works without the Internet, data encryption |
| OnePlus / OPPO | Clone Phone | Yes | Support for transfer from any Android |
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and names of menu items in proprietary utilities may change with each firmware update. If you do not find the option you need, use the settings search or refer to the help on the manufacturer's official website.
Manual transfer via Google Play and backups
If the automatic methods did not work for some reason or you want to select only specific applications, you can use the manual method. Go to Google Play Market on the new device, click on the profile icon and select Manage applications and device. Go to the tab Management and change the filter from “Installed” to “Not installed”.
A complete list of all apps that have ever been downloaded to your account will be displayed here. You can sort them by installation date or size. Check the boxes for the applications you want and click the install button. This method is convenient because you do not clog up your new phone with unnecessary software that has been accumulated on the old device for years.
To restore data inside applications (for example, progress in games), you need to make sure that synchronization was active on the old phone. Most games use Google Play Games to save progress. When you first start the game on a new device, just log in to the same account, and the save will be pulled from the cloud automatically.
Before deleting the old application from your smartphone, make sure that you remember the login and password for it. Not all data is synchronized automatically, especially for instant messengers like Telegram or WhatsApp, where the correspondence history is stored locally or in specific clouds.
The subtleties of transferring instant messengers and banking applications
Applications related to financial security and personal correspondence deserve special attention. Banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff, Alpha Mobile) have an increased level of protection. When installed on a new device, they often require you to re-bind your phone number and enter an SMS code. In some cases, the bank's security system may block the entrance if it detects a change in device and require a call to support.
With messengers the situation is different. WhatsApp does not automatically transfer correspondence history through a standard Google backup when changing devices, unless you use the migration function inside the application itself or restore the backup copy from Google Drive manually. For Telegram everything is simpler: the history is stored in the cloud, so just enter your phone number and all chats will appear instantly.
Two-factor authentication (2FA) can be a hindrance. If you use an authenticator app (for example Google Authenticator), do not remove it from your old phone until you transfer the keys. New versions Google Authenticator have a feature for exporting accounts via QR code, which greatly simplifies life when changing smartphones.
Banking applications and services with 2FA require special attention: always have a SIM card with an active number on hand to receive SMS confirmations the first time you log in to a new device.
Alternative methods: ADB and local backups
For advanced users who find standard methods insufficiently flexible, there is the possibility of using tools ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This method allows you to create complete copies of applications along with data (.apk + data) and restore them on another device. However, to do this, both phones must have USB debugging enabled.
The process is as follows: Connect your old phone to your computer and run the backup command. Then connect a new phone and restore the data. This is the only way to transfer data from applications that do not support cloud backup and do not have root access. However, the method requires a PC and basic knowledge of working with the command line.
adb backup -apk -shared -all -system -f backup.abAfter creating the file backup.ab it can be transferred to a new device and restored with the command adb restore. It is worth noting that starting from Android 9 and higher, many manufacturers limit the ability to create full backups via ADB for security reasons, so this method may not work on the latest smartphone models.
⚠️ Warning: Using ADB and installing applications from unverified sources (if you decide to pull the APK manually) carries security risks. Never restore data from backups created on rooted devices to clean smartphones - this may compromise the security system (SafetyNet/Play Integrity).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will my game saves be transferred to the new phone?
It depends on the game developer. If the game supports logging in through Google Play Games, Facebook or your own account, then your progress will be saved after authorization. Offline games not linked to an account will most likely start from scratch if you do not use a full system backup or root access.
Can I transfer applications if I change the brand (for example, from Samsung to Xiaomi)?
Yes, the list of applications can be transferred through a Google Play account. However, specific settings, widgets and data from some system utilities may not be transferred due to differences in shells (One UI vs MIUI). Branded utilities like Smart Switch often have limited functionality when working with third-party devices.
Do you need to delete applications from your old phone after transferring?
No, this is not necessary. When using the standard method via Google Play, the latest versions of applications are downloaded from the Internet on the new device, rather than files being copied from the old phone. The old device can be used as a backup or prepared for sale by first performing a factory reset.
What to do if the application does not install on the new device?
Check the compatibility of the Android version. If the application was developed for an older version of the system and was not updated by the developer, it may not be compatible with the new Android 13 or 14. In this case, look for an alternative in the Play Market or try installing the APK file manually if the developer provides such an option.
How long does it take to transfer 50-100 applications?
The process of copying the list and settings takes 5-10 minutes. However, the actual download and installation of apps depends on your internet speed. With average Wi-Fi speed, a complete installation cycle of 100 applications can take from 30 minutes to 1 hour. It is recommended to run the process at night or when you do not plan to use the phone.