The fastest way to transfer data from Android to Android is the built-in "Copy apps & data" step during setup: connect both phones with a USB-C cable, and your apps, photos, contacts, messages and most settings move over in one go. No cable? It also works over Wi-Fi. Below you'll find 7 methods, what each one moves, and what to do with your old phone afterwards.
Before you start
Charge both phones (ideally over 50%).
Connect to Wi-Fi and keep your SIM card or eSIM details ready.
Check that the new phone has at least as much free storage as the data on the old one.
Turn on WhatsApp chat backup on the old phone (see method 6).
Which method is right for you?
Most people only need method 1: it moves everything in one go. The other methods help in specific situations:
Moving everything to a new phone? Use Copy apps & data, with a cable (method 1) or over Wi-Fi (method 2).
Switching to a Samsung Galaxy? Samsung Smart Switch (method 3) also moves many Samsung settings.
Old phone lost or broken? Restore from your Google One backup (method 4), as long as backup was turned on.
Only a few photos or files? Quick Share (method 5) sends them in seconds.
Want to keep your chats? Move them with the chat transfer in WhatsApp (method 6).
Big music or video folders? Copy them with a computer or cloud storage (method 7).
1. Copy apps & data with a cable (recommended)
This is the built-in Android transfer during setup (Google instructions).
Turn on the new phone and tap Start .
Connect to Wi-Fi or insert your SIM.
When asked, tap Copy (Copy apps & data).
Connect both phones with a USB-C cable. Use an adapter if your old phone has a different port.
On the old phone, tap Copy , choose what you want to move and confirm.
Sign in to your Google account and wait until the transfer finishes.
What moves: apps from Google Play and some app data, photos, videos, music, contacts, SMS/MMS, call history, wallpaper and most settings.
2. Copy apps & data without a cable
Same steps, but on the new phone tap No cable? On the old phone, open the Google app, search "set up my device" and follow the prompts. Check that the shapes or numbers on both screens match, then choose your data. It's slower than a cable, especially with many photos.
3. Samsung Smart Switch
Moving to a Samsung Galaxy? Smart Switch is preinstalled on Galaxy phones and can also be used on the old phone (any Android brand). It transfers apps, messages, photos, contacts and many Samsung settings, via cable or Wi-Fi.
4. Restore from your Google One backup
If your old phone is broken, lost or already gone, restore from your Google backup. This only works if backup was turned on on the old phone. During setup on the new phone, choose the option without the old device, select the latest backup and tap Restore .
5. Quick Share for single files
Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share) sends photos, videos and files directly between two nearby Android phones. Open the file, tap Share → Quick Share and pick the other phone. Perfect for a few files, not for a full move.
6. Transfer WhatsApp chats
WhatsApp chats are not always part of the system transfer. Two ways:
Chat transfer: on the old phone go to Settings → Chats → Transfer chats and scan the QR code shown on the new phone. Both phones need to be on the same Wi-Fi.
Google Drive backup: Settings → Chats → Chat backup → Back up . Install WhatsApp on the new phone, sign in with the same number and restore.
7. Computer or cloud storage
For large music or video folders, or downloaded files like PDFs, connect the old phone to a computer by USB, copy the folders, then copy them to the new phone. Alternatively, upload files to Google Drive or turn on Google Photos backup, then sign in on the new phone.
What doesn't transfer automatically?
Downloaded files (e.g. PDFs) and media in hidden folders
Apps not from Google Play
Data from apps that don't use Android backup (some games, banking apps)
Non-Google accounts, and contacts or calendars synced to them
Ringtones and some device-specific settings
Tip: banking and two-factor apps often need you to set them up again. Move your 2FA codes before you reset the old phone.
After the transfer: what to do with your old phone
Check that photos, contacts, chats and 2FA apps work on the new phone.
Remove your Google account from the old phone (Settings → Accounts ).
Reset the old phone to factory settings.
Take out the SIM and any memory card.
Renting your phone? Back it up and reset it before you send it back to Grover. Upgrading to a new smartphone is simple: rent the new one, transfer your data with the steps above, and return the old one. Rented phones are refurbished and used again, which keeps them out of the drawer and out of e-waste.
Looking for a new phone? See Samsung Galaxy and all smartphones. Switching from iPhone? Read how to transfer data from iPhone.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to transfer data from Android to Android? Use "Copy apps & data" during setup of the new phone, ideally with a USB-C cable. It moves apps, photos, contacts, messages and most settings in one go.
Can I transfer data after the new phone is already set up? The full transfer only runs during setup. To use it later, reset the new phone and start setup again, or move single files with Quick Share, Google Photos or a computer.
How long does an Android to Android transfer take? From a few minutes to over an hour, depending on how much data you have and whether you use a cable or Wi-Fi.
Do WhatsApp chats transfer automatically? Not always. Use WhatsApp's chat transfer with a QR code, or restore from a Google Drive backup.
Can I transfer data without Wi-Fi? Yes, with a cable. The new phone still needs an internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) for setup.
