Buying a new gadget is always an exciting event, which is inevitably accompanied by the fear of losing important information. Contacts, photos, instant messenger conversations, and application settings make up a user’s digital identity, and losing them can be a real disaster. Fortunately, the modern ecosystem Android offers many built-in tools and third-party solutions to make the migration process as painless and fast as possible.
In this article we will analyze in detail all available methods of data transfer: from cloud services Google to direct connections via cable or Wi-Fi Direct. You will learn how to properly prepare devices, what nuances exist when changing a manufacturer's brand, and how to make sure that not a single megabyte of valuable information is lost during the transfer process.
Preparatory stage and software update
Before starting any data manipulation, it is critical to make sure that both devices are working correctly and have up-to-date software. Outdated firmware versions may contain bugs in data transfer modules or may not support new encryption protocols, which will lead to failures in the middle of the process. Go to Settings → System → System update on both devices and install all available packages.
You also need to check the battery charge level. The copying process, especially when transferring large amounts of media over a wireless connection, consumes a significant amount of energy. It is recommended to charge both smartphones to at least 80% or keep them connected to power sources during the entire procedure.
⚠️ Attention: If you are using an old smartphone with a very worn-out battery, it is better to transfer data while constantly connected to the charger to avoid a sudden shutdown at the critical moment of recording files.
Remember to free up space on the receiving device device. Although modern phones have an impressive amount of memory, it is better to delete unnecessary files or move them to a computer in advance to ensure a successful completion of the operation. Check the available space in the section Settings → Memory.
☑️ Preparing to transfer data
Using a Google account for backup
The most universal and reliable way to save your data structure is to use the built-in backup mechanism copying Google One. This method is ideal because it is not tied to a specific phone manufacturer, but to your account, which makes it easy to restore data even if you change brand, for example, from Samsung to Xiaomi.
To activate the function, you need to go into the settings of the old device and find the backup section. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell, but usually it looks like Settings → Google → Backup. Here you will see a list of data that will be saved in the cloud: contacts, call history, SMS messages, device settings and application data.
After turning on the “Google Drive Backup” switch, click the “Start Backup” button. The process time depends on the speed of your Internet connection and the amount of information. Do not close the screen or minimize the application until the operation is completed.
Use a stable Wi-Fi connection for backup, as mobile traffic may be limited or too slow to transfer gigabytes of data.
When you turn on a new smartphone and log into the same account Google, the system will automatically offer to restore data from last saved copy. You will be presented with a list of available backups indicating the date and size. Select the latest option, and the phone will begin loading settings and applications.
Branded utilities of smartphone manufacturers
Large vendors understand that it is important for users to remain loyal to the brand, so they are developing their own powerful tools for migration. Such solutions often work faster than cloud services, since they use a direct connection between devices (Wi-Fi Direct or cable), bypassing the provider’s Internet channel.
Device owners Samsung can use the application Smart Switch. It allows you to transfer almost everything, including the home screen layout, alarm clocks, and even some system function settings. For Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco there is an application Mi Moverthat also effectively copies data. U Huawei i Honor This role is played by Phone Clone.
| Brand | Application name | Connection type | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | Smart Switch | Cable / Wi-Fi | Transfer screen layout, alarms |
| Xiaomi / Redmi | Mi Mover | Wi-Fi Direct | High speed, cloning MIUI settings |
| Huawei / Honor | Phone Clone | Wi-Fi Direct | Support for older Android versions |
| Sony | Xperia Transfer 2 | Cable / Wi-Fi | Specific for the Sony ecosystem |
The principle of operation of the utilities is similar: you install the application on both phones (on the new one it is often pre-installed), scan the QR code to pair and select the types of data to transfer. After confirmation, the copying process begins on both devices.
What to do if the application is not in the Play Market?
Some branded utilities may not be available in the global Google Play store for certain regions. In this case, download the APK file only from the official website of the device manufacturer to avoid malware.
Direct copying when setting up the device for the first time
Starting with version Android 10 and later, the system offers a built-in data transfer wizard immediately upon first turning on the new device. This is the easiest method for those who have not yet set up a new phone. You do not need to install additional apps or register in the clouds.
During the initial setup, after selecting a language and connecting to Wi-Fi, the system will ask: “Copy applications and data?” Select the "Next" option. A notification will appear on your old phone asking you to set up a new device. Confirm the action and follow the instructions on the screen.
The system will offer two connection options: wireless or via cable. Using a cable USB-C (or a USB-C to micro-USB/Lightning adapter) is the most preferable option. It ensures high transfer speeds and connection stability, eliminating the risk of disconnection due to interference on the air.
⚠️ Attention: When using a cable, make sure that it supports data transfer, and not just charging. Cheap "charge only" cables will not allow the phones to see each other.
Once the connection is established, you will see a list of data available for transfer. You can select all categories or select only specific items, such as photos, contacts, and installed applications. The process can take from 15 minutes to several hours depending on the volume.
Transferring multimedia and files via a computer
Sometimes automatic methods may not work correctly or the user needs to selectively transfer heavy files such as videos to 4K or document archives. In such cases, the good old method of connecting to a PC remains the most reliable and controlled solution.
Connect your old smartphone to the computer via a USB cable and select the operating mode in the notification File Transfer (MTP). Open Explorer on your PC, find the device and copy the necessary folders (usually for photos, downloads, audio) to your hard drive. File transfer (MTP) data-i="103">Then disconnect the old phone, connect the new one and perform the reverse operation: drag the saved folders from the computer to the internal memory of the new device. This method also allows you to immediately audit files and remove garbage before transferring to a new gadget. DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, Music for audio) to the hard drive.
Then disconnect the old phone, connect the new one, and do the reverse: drag the saved folders from the computer to the internal memory of the new device. This method also allows you to immediately audit files and remove garbage before transferring to a new gadget.
For advanced users, there is the option of using the command line ADB (Android Debug Bridge). This allows you to create full images of partitions or synchronize files at high speed. The copy command is as follows:
adb pull /sdcard/DCIM/Camera/ C:\Backup\Photos\However, the standard Windows or macOS file manager will be much more convenient and clearer for most users. The main thing is not to remove the cable before the write operation is completed, so as not to damage the file system.
Using a computer as an intermediate buffer is the best way to structure data and clear it of duplicates before downloading it to a new phone.
Features of transferring messenger data
Messengers deserve special attention, such as as WhatsApp, Viber i Telegram. Their databases are often stored in protected directories that are inaccessible for regular file copying, and therefore require the use of built-in export functions.
In WhatsApp you need to go to Settings → Chats → Chat backup and create a fresh backup on Google Drive. When you install the application on a new phone and enter the same number, the system will offer to restore your correspondence history from the cloud. Without this step, only contacts will be transferred, but not messages.
Telegram It works differently: the entire correspondence history is stored on the company’s servers. You just need to install the application and log in. All chats, media and files will be downloaded automatically, with the exception of secret chats, which cannot be transferred for security reasons.
⚠️ Attention: Two-factor authentication in instant messengers may block login on a new device if you do not remember the cloud password. Make sure you know it before resetting your old phone.
For Viber the procedure is similar to WhatsApp: you need to create a local or cloud backup in the application settings before switching to a new device. When you launch it for the first time on a new device, be sure to agree to restore from the found copy.
What to do with secret Telegram chats?
Secret chats are tied to a specific device and encryption keys stored in its memory. They cannot be transferred to another phone - they will disappear when you change the device, and this is a feature of the security architecture of the messenger.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the data be deleted from the old phone after copying?
No, the copying process creates duplicate files on the new device. The original data on the old smartphone remains intact. You can safely delete them manually only after you are sure that the new phone is working correctly and all the files are in place.
Is it possible to transfer data from iPhone to Android?
Yes, it is possible. When setting up a new Android smartphone for the first time, many manufacturers (for example, Samsung through Smart Switch or Xiaomi through Mi Mover) offer the option of transferring data from iOS. You will need a special cable (Lightning to USB-C) or installing an intermediary application on the iPhone.
What to do if the transfer process is frozen at 90%?
Do not panic and do not turn off the devices immediately. Please wait 10-15 minutes as processing a large number of small files may take time. If the progress does not change for more than half an hour, try rebooting both phones and starting the process again, selecting only those categories of data that were not copied.
Are passwords from Wi-Fi networks transferred?
When using a full backup through a Google account or proprietary utilities (Smart Switch, Mi Mover), Wi-Fi settings, including saved passwords, are usually transferred automatically. When manually copying files via a PC, this information will not be saved.
Do you need to insert a SIM card into a new phone before transferring data?
It is advisable to insert a SIM card into a new phone before setting up, especially if you use the recovery method through a Google account or instant messengers that require number verification via SMS. However, the process of copying files via cable or Wi-Fi does not depend on the presence of a SIM card.