Moving to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment. Even if you bought a top model Samsung Galaxy S24 or a budget one Redmi Note 13, the main question remains: how to transfer all the data from the old Android devices without loss and without a computer? Contacts, photos, messages, applications, passwords - all this needs to be saved, but connecting a laptop or looking for an OTG cable is not always convenient.

Fortunately, in 2026, transferring data between Android smartphones has become easier than ever. Manufacturers have built convenient tools into systems, and third-party services offer free solutions without restrictions. In this article - 5 working ways data migration without a PC, with detailed instructions, warnings about pitfalls and a comparison of methods in terms of speed and reliability. You will find out which option to choose for to completely transfer all data in 10-30 minuteseven if you have slow Internet or little space on your devices.

1. Official method: Google Account and backup

The most reliable and universal method is synchronization through an account Google. It works on all devices with Android 5.0 and later, does not require additional applications and saves most of the data in the cloud. The main advantage: even if you lose both phones, the information will remain safe.

How does it work? Linked to the phone Google account automatically reserves:

  • 📇 Contacts (from the application Google Contacts)
  • 📅 Calendars and events
  • 📱 System settings (Wi-Fi networks, wallpaper, brightness, etc.)
  • 📁 Files of some applications (for example, Google Photos, Keep)
  • 🔑 Passwords (if synchronization is enabled in Settings → Google → Google account management → Security)

However, the method has limitations:

Data typeSynchronized?Notes
Contact✅ YesOnly if saved in a Google account and not on SIM
Photo/video⚠️ PartiallyOnly if backup is enabled Google Photos
Applications✅ YesList of installed apps, but not their data
SMS/MMS❌ NoRequires third-party software (see section 3)
Calls (history)❌ NoNot synchronized by default

Step-by-step guide:

  1. On on your old phone open Settings → Google → Backup.
  2. Turn on the switch Backup to Google Drive.
  3. Press Create a backup now and wait for completion.
  4. On new phone When you turn it on for the first time, select Copy data → From cloud storage.
  5. Log in to the same Google account and select the latest backup.
⚠️ Attention: If an account has already been set up on the new phone, reset it to factory settings (Settings → System → Reset), otherwise the option to restore from a backup may not appear.

Connecting to Wi-Fi (cloud does not work via mobile data)|Free space on Google Disk (minimum 5–10 GB)|Google account on both phones is the same|Battery charge >50%-->

2. Quick transfer via Wi-Fi Direct: Samsung Smart Switch and analogs

If both phones support Wi-Fi Direct (and this is 99% of modern devices), you can transfer data directly - without the cloud and without the Internet. Manufacturers offer branded utilities:

  • 📱 Samsung Smart Switch — for gadgets Galaxy (works with other brands)
  • 📱 Xiaomi Migration — for Redmi, POCO, Mi
  • 📱 Huawei Phone Clone — for Huawei i Honor
  • 📱 Oppo Clone Phone — for Oppo, Realme, OnePlus

These applications copy all content: contacts, messages, photos, videos, music, applications (including their data), call history and even some system settings. The transfer speed depends on the amount of data and Wi-Fi version, but on average it takes 15–40 minutes.

Instructions using the example of Samsung Smart Switch:

  1. Install Smart Switch on both phones from Google Play.
  2. On new phone select Receive data → Android.
  3. On old phone select Send data → Wireless.
  4. Bring the devices close to each other - they will automatically find each other by Wi-Fi Direct.
  5. On the old phone, select the types of data to transfer and confirm the start.
⚠️ Attention: If the new phone already has data, it may be overwritten! It is recommended to transfer to a clean device or create a backup copy first.
💡

If the phones do not find each other via Wi-Fi Direct, check whether the mode Visibility for other devices is enabled in the Wi-Fi settings on both devices.

3. Transfer of SMS, calls and applications: third-party applications

Official methods do not always copy messages, call log or application data (for example, saves in games). To do this, you will need specialized utilities. The best free options:

  • 💬 SMS Backup & Restore - transfers SMS/MMS and call history to an XML file.
  • 📱 App Backup & Restore - saves APK files of applications and their data (requires root for a full backup).
  • 🔄 Send Anywhere — transfers files of any type via Wi-Fi P2P (without cloud).

How to transfer SMS using SMS Backup & Restore:

  1. Install the application on both phones.
  2. On old phone press Backup → select SMS/MMS → Create backup.
  3. Save the file to your device or to the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox).
  4. Transfer the file to a new phone (for example, via Send Anywhere or Google Drive).
  5. On the new phone in SMS Backup & Restore click Restore and select the file.

For transfer application data without root access, suitable Send Anywhere:

  1. On your old phone, select files/folders (for example, /Android/data/ for some games).
  2. Click Send → Generate key.
  3. On the new phone, enter the 6-digit key and download the files.
  4. Install APK applications manually and place data to the appropriate folders.
What to do if the application does not recover data?

Some apps (for example, instant messengers) store data in encrypted form. In this case:

1. Check if the application has a built-in export function (for example, in Settings → Chat → Backup 2. If root is required, use (advanced users only). 3. For games with cloud saves (for example WhatsApp: Settings → Chat → Backup).

2. If root is required, use Titanium Backup (for advanced users only).

3. For games with cloud saves (for example, Genshin Impact), log in to the new phone using the same account.

4. Transferring files through cloud services: Google Drive, Yandex.Disk, Telegram

If you only need to transfer photos, documents or music, the easiest way is to upload them to cloud and download to a new phone. Let's compare popular services:

ServiceMax. free spaceDownload speedFeatures
Google Drive15 GB⚡ Fast (with good internet)Integration with Android, automatic backup
Yandex.Disk10 GB⚡⚡ MediumNo restrictions on file types
Telegram (Saved Messages)Unlimited*⚡⚡⚡ Slow (2 GB/file limit)Convenient for small files, no compression
Mega20 GB⚡ Fast (encryption)Requires registration, traffic limit

* In Telegram, the limit on the size of one file is 2 GB, but the number of files is not limited.

Step-by-step guide for Google Drive:

  1. On your old phone, open Google Drive i click + → Upload.
  2. Select files/folders (for example, DCIM/Camera for photos).
  3. Wait for the download to complete (you can track it in the section My files).
  4. On the new phone, open Google Drive, find the files and click Download.
⚠️ Attention: If you have slow mobile data, download files only through Wi-Fi. For example, 10 GB of photos over 4G can take more than 5 hours and consume up to 30 GB of traffic.
📊 Which cloud service do you use most often?
Google Drive
Yandex.Disk
Telegram
Dropbox
Other

5. Transfer via Bluetooth: slow, but without Internet

If you do not have Wi-Fi and mobile data is limited, you can use BluetoothThis method is suitable for transfer. data-i="216">(contacts, several photos, documents), but not suitable for complete data transfer due to low speed (maximum small files (contacts, several photos, documents), but not suitable for complete data transfer due to low speed (maximum 2–3 MB/s).

How to transfer contacts via Bluetooth:

  1. On both turn on your phones Bluetooth and make them Visible to everyone.
  2. On old open your phone Contact, press ⋮ → Export/Import → Send via Bluetooth.
  3. Select contacts and confirm sending.
  4. To new phone, accept the file (usually in format .vcf) and import contacts.

To transfer photos or documents:

  1. In the file manager (for example Files by Google) select files.
  2. Click Share → Bluetooth.
  3. Select the target device and confirm the transfer.

Benefits method:

  • ✅ Does not require internet.
  • ✅ Works on any Android devices (even older versions).

Disadvantages:

  • ❌ Very slow (1 GB of data = ~10–15 minutes).
  • ❌ Not all file types are supported (for example, applications cannot be transferred).
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Bluetooth is only suitable for emergency transfer of small data. For complete migration, use Wi-Fi Direct or the cloud.

6. Transferring data via QR code: a new method from Google

In 2026 Google added to Android 14+ function Fast migration using a QR code. It allows you to transfer basic data (contacts, SMS, applications, Wi-Fi settings) in a few minutes by simply scanning a code. The function is not yet available on all devices, but its support is expanding.

How it works:

  1. On new on the phone, when you first turn it on, select Copy data → From Android device.
  2. Press Next until the QR code appears.
  3. On old open the phone Settings → Google → Device settings → Copy data.
  4. Scan the QR code from the new phone.
  5. Select data to transfer and confirm.

Advantages:

  • ✅ Fast (3-5 minutes for basic data).
  • ✅ Does not require cables or third-party applications.
  • ✅ Works even without the Internet (uses Wi-Fi Direct).
⚠️ Attention: If your new phone is already configured Google account, reset it to factory settings, otherwise the QR migration option may not appear.

Comparison methods: which one to choose?

To decide on the optimal method, answer two questions:

  1. How much data needs to be transferred?
    • 📱 Only contacts/SMS → Bluetooth or SMS Backup & Restore.
    • 📷 Photo/video (up to 15 GB) → Google Photos or Google Drive.
    • 💾 All contents of the phone → Smart Switch or QR code (Android 14+).
  • Do you have fast internet?
    • ✅ Yes (Wi-Fi) → Cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).
    • ❌ No → Wi-Fi Direct (Smart Switchor Bluetooth (for small files).
    MethodSpeedData volumeInternet required?Difficulty
    Google Backup⚡⚡ MediumUnlimited*✅ Yes⭐⭐ Easy
    Smart Switch (Wi-Fi Direct)⚡⚡⚡ FastUnlimited❌ No⭐ Easy
    QR code (Android 14+)⚡⚡⚡⚡ Very fastUp to 100 GB❌ No⭐ Easy
    Cloud (Google Drive)⚡ SlowUp to 15 GB✅ Yes⭐⭐ Easy
    Bluetooth⚡ Very slowUp to 1–2 GB❌ No⭐⭐⭐ Average

    * Limited by free space in Google Drive.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about data transfer

    🔹 Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone without a computer?

    Yes, but with restrictions. Use the app Move to iOS from Apple. It transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, email accounts and calendars. However, applications and their data will have to be reinstalled via App Store.

    Important: Move to iOS works only when setting up the iPhone for the first time. If the device is already configured, you will have to reset it.

    🔹 Why doesn't Smart Switch see my old phone?

    The problem may be:

    • 📶 Disabled Wi-Fi Direct —check the Wi-Fi settings on both phones.
    • 🔋 Low battery —recharge both devices to 50%+.
    • 📱 Old versions Android —update the software or use an OTG cable.
    • 🛡️ Firewall/antivirus —temporarily disable protection.

    If all else fails, try Send Anywhere or cloud transfer.

    🔹 How to transfer saves from games?

    The method depends on the game:

    • 🎮 Cloud saves (for example, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile) - log in to the new phone using the same account (Google Play Games, Facebook, miHoYo).
    • 📁 Local save — copy the folder /Android/data/{game_name} via Send Anywhere or Google Drive (manual placement of files on the new phone is required).
    • 🔧 Root access —use Titanium Backup (only for advanced users).

    Attention: Some games (for example, PUBG Mobile) tie progress to your account Facebook or Twitter. Check the game settings on your old phone!

    🔹 Is it possible to transfer data from a broken screen?

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

    1. Connect USB mouse via OTG adapter - this way you can control the device.
    2. Use Smart Switch (PC version) or Google Backupif the phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
    3. If the screen is completely black, but the phone responds to charging, try connecting it to ADB via a computer (but this is no longer “without a PC”).

    If the phone does not turn on, remove the memory card (if any) and insert it into a new device.

    🔹 How long does it take to transfer 50 GB of data?

    Depends on the method:

    • 📶 Wi-Fi Direct (Smart Switch) — ~20–40 minutes (speed ~30–50 MB/s).
    • ☁️ Google Drive (via Wi-Fi) — ~1–3 hours (depending on Internet speed).
    • 📱 QR code (Android 14+) — ~10–15 minutes (optimized for fast transfers).
    • 🔵 Bluetooth — ~5–8 hours (not recommended for large volumes).

    Tip: Before transferring, clear unnecessary files (for example, application cache) using Files by Google or CCleaner —this will speed up the process.