← Back to Tutorial Library

How to Transfer Your Data to a New Android Phone

When you set up a new Android phone, you can usually copy many of your apps, photos, contacts, messages, settings, and other information from your old phone. Use this guide if you searched for move data, transfer phone, copy old Android to new Android, Samsung Smart Switch, or move from iPhone to Android.

Important: Do not erase, trade in, or factory-reset your old phone until you have checked that your important photos, contacts, messages, and accounts are on the new Android phone.

Before you start

• Charge both phones.
• Connect both phones to Wi-Fi if possible.
• Make sure you can unlock the old phone.
• Have your Google Account email and password ready.
• Keep both phones close together during the transfer.

If your old phone is Android

1. Turn on the new Android phone and tap Start.
2. Connect the new phone to Wi-Fi or your mobile network.
3. When asked to copy apps and data, choose the option to copy from your old device.
4. Follow the instructions to connect the two phones. A cable is often recommended, but many phones also allow wireless transfer.
5. Unlock the old phone and approve the transfer.
6. Sign in to your Google Account if asked.
7. Choose what you want to copy.
8. Tap Copy and keep both phones connected until the process is complete.

Samsung phones may also offer Smart Switch. Google Pixel and other Android phones may show slightly different wording, so follow the instructions shown on the new phone.

If your old phone is an iPhone

1. Turn on the new Android phone and begin setup.
2. When asked to copy data, choose iPhone or iPad.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the phones. Depending on the phone, you may use a cable or scan a QR code for wireless transfer.
4. Select the information you want to copy.
5. Keep both phones connected until the transfer is finished.
6. Finish setting up your Google Account and the new phone.

If you are moving from iPhone to Android, make sure iMessage is turned off so new text messages are delivered to your Android phone correctly.

What commonly transfers?

• Contacts
• Photos and videos
• Text messages and some message attachments
• Many apps and some app data
• Call history
• Some phone settings
• Music and other supported files

What should you check afterward?

• Open Google Photos or Gallery and check older pictures.
• Open Contacts and confirm important contacts are there.
• Check recent text messages.
• Open Gmail or your normal email app.
• Open important banking, authentication, health, and work apps and make sure you can sign in.
• Make a test call and send a test text.

If the transfer stops or fails

• Check that both phones have enough battery.
• Make sure the new phone has enough storage.
• Reconnect the cable or Wi-Fi connection.
• Restart both phones and try again if setup allows it.
• Do not erase the old phone until you know the transfer is complete.