How to Transfer Data From Android to Android

The best way to transfer data from one Android phone to another is the built-in “Copy apps & data” wizard that runs during setup — connect the two phones with a USB-C cable (or go wireless), sign in to your Google account, and choose what to move. This is the method Google itself recommends, and it carries across the most: apps, photos, messages, call history, wallpapers and settings. Here is the full process, plus brand tools and the few things you must handle by hand.

The built-in way: Copy apps & data (recommended)

When you first switch on the new phone (or after a factory reset), the setup wizard offers to copy data from your old device. Choose Copy apps & data and follow the prompts. You will connect the two phones, sign in to your Google account, and then pick exactly what to transfer. Keep both phones charged and unlocked until it finishes — a big transfer can take 15–45 minutes depending on how much you have. Before you start, make sure both phones are updated and the old one is fully charged, and keep them side by side so the connection is not interrupted. This one wizard covers the vast majority of what most people need, which is why it is the recommended route rather than juggling several separate tools.

Cable vs wireless transfer

The wizard offers two ways to connect:

• Cable (recommended): a USB-C to USB-C cable links both phones directly. It is faster and far more reliable, especially for large photo and video libraries. If your cable does not fit the old phone, a small adapter works.
• Wireless: if you have no cable, pick the wireless option. It works well but is slower and needs both phones to stay close and awake.

Either way, signing in to the same Google account is what makes the transfer complete — it re-downloads your apps and restores settings tied to your account.

Samsung to Samsung: Smart Switch

If both phones are Samsung, Smart Switch is worth using in addition to (or instead of) the Google wizard. It can move items Google backup sometimes skips — such as certain messages, call logs, home-screen layout, alarms and settings. Open Settings > Accounts and backup > Smart Switch on both phones, choose Send on the old one and Receive on the new, then transfer by cable or Wi-Fi. Smart Switch also runs after initial setup, which is handy if you already started using the new phone.

Xiaomi and other brands

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO phones include their own transfer tools and the ShareMe app for large files; OnePlus has Clone Phone, Oppo/Realme have Clone Phone too, and other brands have similar utilities. These are useful for brand-specific settings and for very fast local transfers, but for a clean, complete move the Google Copy apps & data wizard is still the most dependable starting point on any Android phone. Use the brand tool afterwards only if something specific did not carry over.

Back up first with Google — your safety net

Before you switch, it is worth making sure your old phone has a recent Google backup: go to Settings > Google > Backup and tap Back up now. This stores your apps list, call history, device settings, SMS and (via Google Photos) your pictures in your Google account. Even if the direct transfer hiccups, you can restore everything by signing in on the new phone. It is also your safety net if the old phone is lost or damaged before you finish moving — a good habit regardless of which transfer method you use.

What if you already set up the new phone?

You do not have to reset it. Instead:

1. Sign in to the same Google account so your purchased apps re-download from the Play Store.
2. Restore photos and videos via Google Photos backup.
3. Use Smart Switch (Samsung) or your brand’s clone tool, which work post-setup.

You can find your device details, including its IMEI number, if a carrier or warranty step asks for it during the switch.

Don’t forget WhatsApp, 2FA and your eSIM

A few things rarely transfer automatically, so handle them yourself:

• WhatsApp: back up chats first, then restore during setup on the new phone — see how to back up and restore WhatsApp chats.
• Authenticator apps (2FA): use the app’s export/transfer feature before wiping the old phone, or you may get locked out of accounts.
• eSIM / mobile number: your SIM does not move by itself. Re-activate an eSIM via your carrier’s app or QR code, or swap a physical SIM.

Also sign in again to any apps that use their own login (banking, streaming, work email), and re-add home-screen widgets, which rarely rebuild automatically. Once everything is confirmed working on the new phone, keep the old one untouched for a few days as a backup before you factory-reset it. When you are sure, it is a good time to free up storage on your old phone and wipe it before you sell or hand it on.