Switching to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment. Even if you upgraded Samsung Galaxy S22 to S24 Ultra or switched from Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 to POCO F6, the main task is to save all important data. Contacts, correspondence in WhatsApp, family photos, notes and even progress in games - it’s a shame to lose this due to an incorrect transfer. Fortunately, a computer will help make the process controllable and reliable.
In this article we will examine 5 proven ways data transfer between Android devices via a PC: from standard tools Google to professional utilities like Dr.Fone or MobileTrans. You will learn which method is suitable for contacts, multimedia, applications or SMS, as well as how to avoid mistakes - for example, loss of photo quality or synchronization failure. We will pay special attention security: why you should not use dubious “cloud services” and how to protect personal data when connecting phones to other people’s computers.
If you are in a hurry, use the quick checklist in the next section. For a detailed analysis, read on.
1. Preparing phones and computer: checklist before transfer
Before connecting devices, follow required stepsto avoid failures:
Load both phones at least 50% (if discharged during copying, files may get damaged)
Install the latest drivers for your models on your PC (download from official websites Samsung, Xiaomi etc.)
Disable the screen lock (PIN, pattern) on both phones or add the computer to "trusted devices"
Check the free space on your PC - should be at least 1.5 times the volume of transferred data
Create a backup copy of important files on a cloud drive (in case of failure)
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Pay special attention cables. Use original cords from the manufacturer or certified ones USB-C/USB-A with support USB 3.0 (blue connectors). Cheap Chinese cables can limit the transmission speed to 480 Mbit/s (vs 5–10 Gbit/s high-quality ones), which is 10–20 times slower. If you transfer more than 20 GB, the difference will be noticeable: 1 hour instead of 10 minutes.
⚠️ Attention: On phones with Android 11+ When you connect to your PC for the first time, you will be asked to allow file transfer. Select modeFile transfer (MTP)rather thanCharging only. If the window does not appear, unlock the screen and pull the notification shade down.
2. Method 1: Standard transfer via wire (MTP protocol)
The simplest method is to connect both phones to the computer and manually copy the files. It is suitable for photos, videos, music, documents and most user data (but not for applications or SMS).
Step-by-step guide:
Connect old phone to your PC via USB. In the notification shade, select
File transfer (MTP).Open
This computer(My Computer) - your phone will appear as a removable disk (for example,Galaxy S23 (G:)).Go to folders:
- 📷 Photo/video:
DCIM → CameraorPictures - 🎵 Music:
MusicorMedia → Audio - 📄 Documents:
DocumentsorDownload - 📞 Contacts:
Export.vcf(must first be exported via the app Contact)
- 📷 Photo/video:
Copy the files to your computer (for example, to the folder D:\Android_Transfer).
Disconnect the old phone, connect the new one and transfer the data to the same folders.
Advantages of the method: does not require Internet, works on all versions Android, maximum speed (up to 40 MB/s on USB 3.0).
Cons: does not tolerate applications, settings or SMS (files only). They require specialized utilities (see methods 3–5).
If folders on the phone are not displayed, turn on the display of hidden files in Explorer: tab View → Hidden elements.
3. Method 2: Transfer via Google Account (synchronization)
If both phones are linked to the same account Google, some of the data can be synchronized automatically. This method is free and does not require cables, but has limitations.
What is transferred:
- 📇 Contacts (from the application Google Contacts)
- 📅 Calendars (Google Calendar)
- 📝 Notes (Google Keep)
- 📍 Location history (Google Maps)
- 🔑 Passwords (if synchronization is enabled in Google Smart Lock)
What is NOT transferred: SMS, calls, photos (except those uploaded to Google Photos), applications, music.
How to enable synchronization:
On old phone go to
Settings → Accounts → Google → [your email] → Account synchronization.Activate the sliders for the required data (contacts, calendars, etc.).
On new phone log in to the same account Google and wait for synchronization to complete (may take up to 1 hour).
⚠️ Attention: If the application was used on the old phone Contact from the manufacturer (for example, Samsung Contacts or Mi Contacts), the data may not sync with Google Contacts. Before transferring, export them to a file .vcf via the app menu.
How to transfer photos via Google Photos?
1. Install the application Google Photos on your old phone.
2. Enable backup: Photo → Settings → Backup and synchronization.
3. Select quality Original (if maintaining quality is important) or High (compression up to 16 MP).
4. Wait for all the photos to download (check in the web version photos.google.com).
5. On the new phone, log in to the same account and download the photos through the app.
4. Method 3: apps for complete transfer (including SMS and applications)
For transfer all data — including SMS, call log, applications and their settings - you will need specialized utilities. We tested 3 popular solutions:
| app | Supported data | Speed | Cost | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MobileTrans (Wondershare) | Contacts, SMS, calls, photos, videos, music, applications, WhatsApp | Up to 50 MB/s | From $39.95 (one-time license) | Supports Android 4.0–14, transfer between different brands |
| Dr.Fone — Phone Transfer (Wondershare) | All data + iOS backups | Up to 45 MB/s | From $39.95 | There is a function to recover deleted data |
| Samsung Smart Switch | All data (optimized for Samsung) | Up to 60 MB/s | Free | Works only with devices Samsung i Google Pixel |
Instructions for MobileTrans (universal version):
Download and install the app from official website.
Connect both phones to the PC via USB. In the app, select the mode
Phone Transfer → Phone to Phone.Specify source (old phone) and destination (new). Click
Start.Select data types to transfer (for example,
Messages,Apps,Call Logs) and confirm.Wait for completion (time depends on volume data). Do not turn off your phones until the message "Transfer Completed" appears — interruption may lead to the loss of some files.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring WhatsApp via MobileTrans or Dr.Fone on a new phone you will have to reactivate your account (enter the code from the SMS). The correspondence will be saved, but the latest messages (1-2 days in advance) may not be transferred if there was no backup.
5. Method 4: Transfer via ADB (for advanced users)
If you are familiar with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can transfer data via the command line. This method is suitable for system files, application settings or when standard methods do not work (for example, on custom firmware).
Requirements:
- 🖥️ Computer with Windows/macOS/Linux
- 📱 Enabled
USB Debuggingon both phones (Settings → About the phone → Build number- tap 7 times, then return toSettings → System → For developers) - 🔌 Installed drivers ADB (download in Android SDK Platform-Tools)
Commands for transfer:
# Connecting devices (check)adb devices
Creating a backup copy on an old phone
adb backup -apk -obb -shared -all -f C:\backup.ab
Recovery on a new phone
adb restore C:\backup.ab
Warnings:
- ⚠️ Not all applications support backup via
ADB(for example, WhatsApp or banking apps). - ⚠️ Some data (for example, SMS) may not be transferred due to security restrictions. Android 10+ Some data (for example, SMS) may not be transferred due to security restrictions.
ADB is the most flexible method, but requires technical knowledge. Use it only if other methods have not worked or you need to transfer specific data (for example, saving games without root access).
6. Method 5: Cloud services (alternative to a computer)
If you don’t have a computer at hand, you can use cloud storage. This method is slower (depending on Internet speed), but convenient for transferring photos, videos or documents.
Popular services:
- 🌥️ Google Drive (15 GB free)
- 📦 Dropbox (2 GB free)
- ☁️ Yandex Disk (10 GB free)
- 🍎 iCloud (5 GB free, but optimized for data-i="256">How to transfer data: iPhone)
How to transfer data:
On old phone upload files to the cloud through the app (for example, Google Drive).
On new phone log in to the same account and download files.
⚠️ Attention: When downloading a large amount of data (for example, 50 GB of photos) Google Drive the account may be blocked for 24 hours due to suspicion of automated activity. Break the download into parts of 10-15 GB with breaks of 1-2. hours.
7. Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Even when following instructions, users encounter problems. Here top 5 errors and their solutions:
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| The computer does not see phone | Drivers are not installed or the mode is selected Charging only |
Install drivers from the manufacturer's website, select MTP in the notification shade |
| Photos were transferred, but not open | File damage during copying | Use CHKDSK to check the disk or repeat the transfer |
| SMS is not transferred | Standard methods do not support SMS | Use MobileTrans or SMS Backup & Restore |
| Slow transfer speed | USB 2.0 cable or port | Connect to USB 3.0 (blue connector) or use Wi-Fi Direct |
| Applications do not work after transfer | Incompatibility of versions Android or architecture (ARM/x86) | Reinstall applications via Google Play |
If none of the methods worked, check:
- 🔌 Cables and ports (try another USB connector on your PC).
- 📱 Developer mode (on some firmware you need to enable
USB debugging). - 🔒 Antivirus (sometimes blocks data transfer).
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to transfer data from Android to iPhone via a computer?
Yes, but with limitations. To do this, use the app Move to iOS from Apple (free) or MobileTrans (paid version). Contacts, photos, videos, bookmarks and some settings will be transferred, but applications from Google Play you will have to install again from App Store.
How to transfer progress in games?
Most games save progress in the cloud (for example, through Google Play Games or a developer account). To transfer saves:
- Make sure that the game is linked to your account (
Game settings → Account). - On a new phone, install the game and log into the same account.
- If the game does not support the cloud, use Helium (requires root) or manually copy files from
/Android/obb/[game name].
How long does it take to transfer 64 GB of data?
Time depends on the method:
- USB 3.0 (MTP): ~30–40 minutes (speed ~30 MB/s).
- Wi-Fi (cloud): 2–5 hours (depending on Internet speed).
- apps (MobileTrans): ~20–30 minutes.
To speed up, use a cable USB-C 3.1 and connect phones to the rear ports of the system unit (they are usually faster than the front ones).
Is it possible to transfer data without a computer?
Yes, there are several ways:
- Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct: suitable for small files (up to 1-2 GB), but slow.
- Transfer applications: Send Anywhere, Xender or ShareIt (speed up to 20 MB/s).
- NFC: only for contacts or links (not suitable for large files).
For a complete transfer (including SMS and applications), a computer is still more reliable.
Why did the photos lose quality after transfer?
This happens for two reasons:
- Compression when copying: some file managers (for example, in Windows 10) automatically optimize images. Use
TeraCopyfor accurate copying. - Cloud services: Google Photos in mode
High qualitycompresses photos up to 16 MP. ChooseOriginal quality.
To return the original quality, transfer the photo again through USB in MTPmode, disabling all apps for automatic image processing.