Changing a mobile device inevitably leads to a lot of routine tasks, the main one of which is saving all the accumulated information. Smartphone owners often look for ways how to copy data from Android to Android using a computer, since this method is considered one of the most reliable and controlled. Unlike cloud services, which can take a long time to load if the Internet is poor, a direct connection via a PC ensures high speed and security of the process.
Using a personal computer as an intermediate link allows you not only to duplicate files, but also to structure them, clear them of garbage before transferring them to a new one gadget. Windows or macOS act as a universal clipboard that can work with the file system of any modern smartphone. This is especially true when moving to devices with a large amount of internal memory, when you need to move hundreds of gigabytes of multimedia.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the stages of preparation, the necessary tools and possible pitfalls that you may encounter. You'll learn how to properly set up debug mode, what drivers to install, and why standard file transfer mode sometimes doesn't work. The instructions cover both basic methods for ordinary users and advanced techniques for those who want complete control over the migration process.
Preparing equipment and installing drivers
Before starting any information transfer operation, it is critical to ensure a stable physical connection between devices. You will need a high-quality USB cable, preferably original or certified, since cheap analogues often only support charging, but not data transfer. Also make sure that the latest drivers for mobile devices are installed on your computer so that the system correctly recognizes both phones at the same time.
Users of the operating system Windows often require installation of a universal driver Google USB Driver or specific software from the smartphone manufacturer, such as Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi PC Suite. Without these components, the computer may only see the device as a charging storage device, ignoring the file system. You can check for drivers through Device Manager, where there should be no unknown devices with yellow exclamation marks.
⚠️ Attention: Never use damaged or broken cables to transfer large amounts of data. Breaking the contact during the copying process can lead to damage to the file system or loss of some files without the possibility of recovery.
If you are working on macOS, the situation is slightly different: to work with the Android file system you will need third-party software, for example Android File Transfer or OpenMTP, since native support for the MTP protocol in this OS is limited. Make sure the USB ports on your computer are working properly and provide sufficient power, especially if you are connecting two devices through one hub.
Use USB 3.0 ports (usually blue) on the back of the system unit for maximum data transfer speeds, as the front ports often have poorer contact and less bandwidth.
Setting up developer mode and debugging software USB
To obtain advanced access rights to the file system and use professional transfer tools, you must activate the hidden menu on both smartphones. Go to the section Settings, find the item About phone and quickly click 7 times on the field Build number. After this, a new section will appear in the settings menu For developers, which will provide access to critical functions.
Inside the menu developers, find the switch USB debugging and activate it. This feature allows the computer to send commands to the phone and gain full access to files, bypassing some system restrictions. When you connect the cable for the first time, a request to confirm debugging with an RSA key fingerprint will appear on the smartphone screen - be sure to click “Allow”, otherwise the connection will not be established.
adb devices
After enabling debugging, check the connection via the command line on the computer. Enter the command adb devicesto see a list of connected devices. If the list displays the serial number of your smartphone with status device, it means the connection has been established successfully. In case of status unauthorized, check the phone screen and confirm the access request.
Why do you need USB debugging?
This mode is necessary not only for advanced users, but also for the stable operation of many backup apps. It prevents the connection from automatically disconnecting when idle and gives access to system folders hidden in normal mode.
It is worth noting that enabling developer mode does not erase your data, but makes the device more vulnerable when connecting to other people's computers. Therefore, after completing all data transfer operations, it is recommended to disable USB debugging again in the settings.
Direct copying of files through Explorer
The easiest and most intuitive way to transfer is to use the standard file manager of the operating system. Connect your old smartphone to the computer, select the USB operating mode File transfer (MTP) in the notification shade. Open "My Computer", find the device and copy the necessary folders, such as DCIM (photos and videos), Download (downloads) and Documents, to your PC hard drive.
Then disconnect the old phone and connect the new one. The folder structure on a new device may differ depending on the version Android and shell of the manufacturer. You need to find the relevant directives and paste the copied data. It is important to follow the placement logic: it is better to place photos in DCIM/Cameraso that the gallery of the new phone automatically indexes them.
- 📁 The folder
DCIMcontains all pictures from the camera and screenshots. - 🎵 Directory
Musicis intended for audio files and ringtones. - 💬 The folder
WhatsApporTelegramstores media files from instant messengers.
When copying large amounts of data, the system may issue a warning about a long process - this is normal. Do not interrupt the operation or disconnect the cable until recording is complete. The transfer speed depends on the class of the memory card (if used) and the speed of the USB port, but on average ranges from 20 to 40 MB/s.
☑️ Control of file transfer
Using ADB utilities for advanced transfer
For users who want to automate the process or copy data from protected system partitions, the ideal solution is to use the utility Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This tool works through the command line and allows you to run backup commands with root or standard shell rights. The command adb backup creates a complete image of the application data or the entire system in one file.
To backup all user data without root access, connect the phone and run the command adb backup -apk -shared -all -system. A request to create a backup will appear on the device screen - enter an encryption password or leave the field blank. The process may take considerable time, since the data is packed into an archive .ab.
| ADB command | Description of action | Requires Root |
|---|---|---|
adb pull /sdcard/ backup/ |
Copies all internal memory to the PC | No |
adb backup -all |
Creates a backup copy of applications and data | No |
adb shell pm list packages |
Displays a list of installed packages | No |
adb restore backup.ab |
Restores data from the archive to the phone | No |
To restore data on a new device, use the command adb restore indicating the path to the previously created archive file. This method is especially useful for transferring application settings that are not saved in the cloud, such as progress in offline games or specific software configurations.
⚠️ Attention: ADB commands are very powerful. Incorrect entry of commands, especially those related to partitions
systemorboot, can lead to a software malfunction of the device (bootloop). Use only commands for working with user data (/sdcard).
ADB allows you to create encrypted backups that cannot be read without a password, which provides a high level of confidentiality when storing data on someone else's computer.
Transfer contacts, SMS and call logs
Media files are only part of the information; contacts, messages and call history often have even more value. Simply copying folders will not help here, since this data is stored in protected databases within the system. The most reliable way is to export contacts in format .vcf via the Contacts application on the old phone and then import the file on the new device.
To transfer SMS and call logs, it is best to use specialized applications that create backup copies in XML format, convenient for processing on a PC. For example, the application SMS Backup & Restore allows you to save correspondence to a memory card or send a file to your computer, and then restore it on a new smartphone. This ensures that no important messages are lost when changing devices.
An alternative option is synchronization with your account Google. Go to your account settings on your old phone, make sure that the checkboxes next to “Contacts”, “SMS” and “Call Log” are active, and force synchronization. On a new device, just log in to the same account, and the data will be pulled up automatically in the background.
If you are using a computer as an intermediary, you can download the contact database through a file manager by finding a file contacts.vdb or similar in the application data directory, however, this method requires superuser rights and is not recommended for beginners due to the risk of damaging the database.
Solving problems with device recognition
A common problem when trying to copy data is when the computer does not see the phone or sees it incorrectly. First of all, check the cable and try another USB port, preferably directly into the motherboard, bypassing extension cables. It is also worth rebooting both devices - this resets temporary errors in drivers and USB services.
If the device shows up as "Unknown Device" in Device Manager, try manually updating the driver by selecting "MTP USB Device" from the list of standard drivers Windows. Sometimes it helps to disable the “USB Debugging” function, connect the phone, and then re-enable the function while already connected.
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the manufacturer’s shell (MIUI, OneUI, OxygenOS). If you do not find the item you need, use the search in your phone settings.
In rare cases, the problem lies in a software conflict: the antivirus or firewall on the computer may block the connection of a new device. Try temporarily disabling protection or adding the device to exceptions. Also make sure that the screen is unlocked when connecting, as many phones do not allow access to files when locked.
What to do if the copy speed drops to zero?
This often happens when the phone's memory controller overheats or a low-quality cable is used. Let the device cool down, replace the cable and try copying files in smaller portions, rather than in one huge array.
Is it possible to transfer data if the screen of an old phone is broken?
Yes, this is possible if USB debugging is enabled. You can connect your phone to a PC and use a mouse via a USB-OTG adapter for control, or use utilities like Scrcpy to display an image on a computer monitor and control from the keyboard and mouse.
Is it safe to store backups on a work computer?
Storing backups on a work PC is only permissible if you have reliable antivirus and disk encryption. It is best to use an external hard drive that is turned off immediately after copying to eliminate the risk of infection by ransomware viruses.
How long does it take to transfer 100 GB of data?
When using a USB 3.0 port and high-quality flash memory, the process takes approximately 15-25 minutes. Through the USB 2.0 port, the time can increase to 1.5–2 hours due to the low bandwidth of the interface.
Do you need to format a new phone before transferring?
If the phone is new, formatting is not required. If you are using a used device, it is recommended to perform a factory reset (Wipe Data/Factory Reset) to avoid file conflicts and duplicate system folders.
What to do if copied photos do not appear in the gallery?
Launch the "Gallery" or "Files" application on the new phone and find the option “Update media” or “Scan media”. You can also reboot the device so that the system re-indexes all files in the folder DCIM.