Buying a new gadget is always a celebration mixed with slight panic. The question is swirling in my head: how to get all your photos, contacts and correspondence from your old device without losing a single byte of important information? Fortunately, the ecosystem Android has made this process as automated and simple as possible in recent years.
There are several proven migration methods, from cloud services to direct cable connections. The choice of a specific method depends on the manufacturer of your device, the version of the operating system and personal preferences in matters of speed and privacy.
In this article we will analyze in detail each of the available options so that you can choose the most suitable one for your situation and enjoy your new phone from the very first minute of use.
Preparing the old and new device
Before you begin the transfer process, you need to carry out a series of preparatory steps that are often ignored by users in a hurry. The success of the operation depends 90% on how well you prepared both devices.
First of all, make sure that both smartphones have the current battery level. It is advisable that the indicator shows at least 60-70%, and even better - connect both devices to chargers for the duration of the entire procedure.
⚠️ Attention: The data cloning process can take from 20 minutes to several hours depending on the amount of memory. Interruption of transmission due to low battery may damage files or cause the new phone to malfunction.
Next, check whether there is free space on the new device. It must be greater than the amount of used data on the old device. It is also recommended to update the system software on both gadgets to the latest available version through the menu Settings → System update.
Don't forget to check the version Android. If the old phone has a very old version (for example, 6.0 or lower), and the new one has the latest Android 13 or 14, some specific settings or applications may not be transferred correctly through standard means.
☑️ Checklist before starting migration
Method 1: Using Google Account and the cloud
The most universal and “native” method for any Android model is backup through Google services. This method is ideal if you are switching to a phone of another brand or if the old device is no longer physically accessible, but a copy was previously made from it.
On the old smartphone, go to the settings and find the section Google → Backup. Make sure the "Copy to Google Drive" switch is turned on. Here you can manually start creating a backup by clicking the button Start copying.
What exactly is saved in the cloud? The standard package includes contacts, call history, SMS messages, device settings (including Wi-Fi passwords) and data for most applications. However, photos and videos are usually stored separately in the Google Photos.
| Data Type | Storage location | Automatic transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Contacts and calendar | Google Contacts | Yes, instantly |
| Photos and Videos | Google Photos | Only when synchronization is enabled |
| Applications | Google Play Market | List of applications, data not always |
| SMS and call logs | Google Drive (hidden) | Yes, during recovery |
| Files in memory | Local / Cloud | No, require manual transfer |
On a new phone at the first When turned on, the system will offer to restore data from a cloud copy. You will just need to enter the same login and password from your Google account. The system itself will pull up contacts, install previously used applications and return settings.
Nuances of restoring applications
It is important to understand that Google restores only the list of installed applications. Inside many apps (especially banking or instant messengers), data is not saved in a shared cloud copy of Android. You will have to re-login to WhatsApp, Telegram or banking applications using phone numbers or logins.
Method 2: Direct connection with a cable (Quick Switch)
If you want to transfer not only settings, but also heavy files, photos in original quality and data from specific applications, it is better to use a direct connection. Modern smartphones support the technology of fast data transfer via cable.
For this you will need a cable USB-C to USB-C (or an adapter if the connectors are different). Connect the old phone to the new one. A setup wizard will launch on the screen of the new device, prompting you to copy applications and data from another device.
Follow the onscreen instructions: You may need to confirm permission to access data on your old phone. This method works much faster than the cloud method, since the speed is limited only by the bandwidth of the cable and ports, and not by the speed of your Internet.
⚠️ Attention: Not all cables are suitable for data transfer. Many cheap cables that come with headphones or power banks are designed only for charging. Use an original cable or a certified analogue that supports data transfer.
The advantage of this method is that it creates a complete copy of the folder structure. You will receive an exact clone of your old phone, including the location of desktop icons and wallpaper.
Method 3: Manufacturer's proprietary utilities
Large vendors understand that it is convenient for users to remain within their ecosystem, so they develop their own powerful tools for migration. These utilities are often able to transfer what the standard Google tool cannot.
For example, owners Samsung use the application Smart Switch. It allows you to transfer data not only from other Android smartphones, but also from iPhone. The utility creates a complete copy of the system, including alarm settings, widget locations, and even pairs of Bluetooth devices.
Users Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO can use the application Mi Mover. It works on the principle of creating a Wi-Fi access point: one phone becomes a server, the other a client. The transfer speed is very high.
- 📱 Huawei / Honor: they use the Phone Clone utility, which is famous for its ability to transfer even system settings data between different versions of EMUI.
- 📱 OnePlus / Oppo / Realme: they use the Clone Phone application, which supports contactless data transfer over long distances within the room.
- 📱 Motorola: they offer the Motorola Migrate solution, although newer models increasingly prefer a standard cable.
To use these tools, you usually need to install the application on both phones (on the new one it is often pre-installed). Launch the app, select the device role (sender or recipient) and scan the QR code to pair.
If you are moving from an old Samsung to a new Samsung, use Smart Switch via a USB-C cable - this is the fastest and most reliable method, transferring even home folder settings and Do Not Disturb modes.
Transferring instant messengers and specific data
Messengers deserve special attention, as they store correspondence in their own encrypted databases. Standard contact transfer will not work here for message history.
For WhatsApp there is a built-in backup function. Go to Settings → Chats → Chat backup on your old phone and create a fresh copy in Google Drive. On a new device, during the first installation, WhatsApp will offer to restore this copy.
With Telegram everything is simpler: the correspondence history is stored on the messenger’s cloud servers. You just need to enter your phone number and verification code on your new device - all chats, channels and media files will be loaded automatically.
Banking applications and Google Pay (Google Wallet) require re-configuration for security purposes. Cards are not transferred automatically. You will have to re-link the cards by going through the verification procedure via SMS or a call from the bank.
⚠️ Attention: When transferring messenger data, make sure that you remember the password for two-factor authentication (if it is set). Without it, it will be impossible to restore access to your account on a new device within 7 days.
Manual transfer via computer and file managers
Sometimes automatic systems fail or the user wants to select only certain files without copying all the “garbage”. In such cases, the good old method using a PC comes to the rescue.
Connect your old smartphone to the computer via a USB cable. In the phone's notification shade, select the USB operating mode: File transfer or MTP. An explorer window with the phone's memory will open on the computer.
Copy important folders (DCIM for photos, Download for downloads, Documents for documents) to the computer's hard drive. Then connect the new smartphone and drag these folders to the appropriate sections of its memory.
Folder structure for copying:/DCIM/Camera - Photos and videos from the camera
/WhatsApp/Media - Media files from WhatsApp
/Download - Downloaded files
/Music - Music and ringtones
This method also allows you to clear your old phone of excess junk before selling it, since you manually select only what you need. However, it will not transfer installed applications and their settings.
Manual transfer via PC is the only way to guarantee saving files in their original quality without compression, which cloud services sometimes use with a free plan.
Completing the migration and checking integrity
Once the transfer process is completed, do not rush to reset your old phone before factory settings. Carry out a thorough check of the new device within a few days.
Check the operation of all applications, especially those that require logging into an account. Make sure photos open, contacts are synced, and alarms are set to the correct time.
Only when you are sure that the new smartphone has completely replaced the old one and is working correctly, you can start cleaning the previous device. To do this, perform a complete data reset (Settings → System → Reset settings).
What to do if some applications are not installed?
Sometimes some applications are not transferred due to incompatibility with the new version of Android or regional restrictions. Go to Google Play Store on your new device, find the missing app manually and install it. If the application is paid, but you have already purchased it before, installation will be free when using the same account.
Is it possible to interrupt the transfer process?
It is highly not recommended to interrupt the process, especially when using a cable or proprietary utilities. This may leave your new phone with broken files or incomplete databases. If the transfer is frozen, it is better to reboot both devices and start the procedure again.
Are passwords from Wi-Fi networks transferred?
Yes, when using a Google Account or proprietary utilities (Smart Switch, Mi Mover), saved Wi-Fi networks and their passwords are transferred automatically. When manually copying files, this information is not transferred, and you will have to enter passwords again.
Do you need to insert a SIM card before starting the transfer?
It is advisable to insert a SIM card into the new phone before setting up, especially if you use a number link for instant messengers or banking applications. However, for the process of copying files and contacts, the presence of a SIM card is not strictly necessary if you have Wi-Fi.