The fastest way to transfer everything is Google's built-in setup wizard

When you turn on a new Android phone for the first time, the setup screen will ask if you want to restore from a backup. If you sign in with the same Google account you used on your old phone, Android will automatically restore your apps, contacts, calendar events, photos, messages, and most of your settings. This takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

This method works best if both phones are on or near the same Wi-Fi network during setup. You do not need a computer, a cable, or any third-party app. The new phone handles everything through your Google account.

If you did not use this option during initial setup, you can still restore a backup later by going to Settings > System > Backup on your new phone and selecting "Restore from backup" — though you may need to factory reset the new phone first for a complete transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • Google's automatic backup during setup is the simplest method and transfers apps, contacts, photos, messages, and settings without needing a cable or computer.
  • You must sign in with the same Google account on both phones for automatic backup to work.
  • Samsung phones offer Samsung Smart Switch as an alternative that can transfer data directly between phones using Wi-Fi or USB cable.
  • Some data like banking apps, game progress, and text messages may not transfer automatically and require manual setup on the new phone.
  • Photos and videos stored only on your old phone's internal storage will not transfer unless you back them up to Google Photos or another cloud service first.

What gets transferred automatically and what does not

Google backs up most of your phone's core data: installed apps from the Play Store, contacts stored in your Google account, Gmail and calendar events, device settings like display brightness and notification preferences, and your home screen layout. Photos and videos go to Google Photos if you have backup enabled in that app.

Some things do not transfer automatically. Text messages, call history, and WhatsApp conversations stay on your old phone unless you back them up separately. Banking apps, payment apps like Google Pay, and some games do not restore their login state — you will need to sign in again. Photos or videos stored only in your phone's internal storage (not backed up to Google Photos) will not move unless you manually copy them.

Passwords for Wi-Fi networks, email accounts, and apps are not transferred for security reasons. You will need to re-enter these on your new phone.

Using Samsung Smart Switch if you have a Samsung phone

If your new phone is a Samsung Galaxy, you can use Samsung Smart Switch instead of or alongside Google's backup. Smart Switch can transfer data directly from your old phone to your new one over Wi-Fi, or you can use a USB cable if both phones support it. This method often captures more data than Google's backup alone, including some Samsung-specific settings and apps.

To use Smart Switch, download the app on both phones from the Play Store. Open it on your new phone, select "Receive data," and choose whether to connect via Wi-Fi or USB cable. Follow the prompts to select what you want to transfer. The process typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on data size.

Smart Switch works even if your old phone is not a Samsung — it can transfer from any Android phone, iPhone, or older Samsung device. However, if you are switching from an iPhone, some data like iMessage conversations will not transfer.

Transferring text messages and call history

Text messages do not sync through Google's standard backup. To move them, you have two main options: use a third-party app like SMS Backup+ or Titanium Backup, or manually export them through your phone's messaging app if that feature exists.

SMS Backup+ backs up your text messages to your Gmail account, then restores them on your new phone when you sign in. Download it on your old phone, grant it permission to access your messages, and let it run. On your new phone, install the same app, sign in with the same Google account, and restore from backup. This process takes a few minutes to an hour depending on how many messages you have.

Call history follows the same pattern as text messages — it does not transfer automatically. Some phones allow you to export call logs through the Phone app's settings, but this varies by manufacturer. If your phone does not have this option, third-party backup apps are your only route.

Moving photos and videos to your new phone

If you have Google Photos backup turned on in your old phone, your photos and videos are already in the cloud. On your new phone, sign in to the same Google account and open Google Photos — your entire library will appear automatically. This is the most reliable method because it does not depend on storage space or cable connections.

If you have not used Google Photos, you can manually copy photos from your old phone to your new one using a USB cable and a computer. Connect your old phone to a computer, copy the DCIM folder (where photos are stored) to your computer, then connect your new phone and copy the folder back. This works but is slower than cloud backup.

For photos stored in other apps like Instagram, Snapchat, or cloud services like OneDrive or Dropbox, you will need to download them again on your new phone by signing into those apps. They do not transfer through Android's standard backup.

Using a USB cable to transfer files directly

If you want to move specific files without using cloud backup, connect your old phone to a computer with a USB cable. Your phone will appear as a storage device in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Navigate to the folders you want — typically DCIM for photos, Documents for files, and Music for audio — and copy them to your computer.

Then connect your new phone and copy those same folders back. This method gives you complete control over what transfers and works offline, but it is slower than cloud backup and requires a computer with a USB port.

Some phones require you to enable "File Transfer" mode in the USB connection settings before they will appear as storage on a computer. Check your old phone's notification panel when you plug it in to see if you need to change the USB mode.

What to do if your old phone is broken or lost

If your old phone no longer works, you can still recover most of your data as long as you remember your Google account password. On your new phone, sign in with that account during setup, and Google will restore everything it backed up — apps, contacts, calendar, photos (if Google Photos backup was on), and settings.

Text messages and call history will not restore because they were not backed up to Google. If you had set up SMS Backup+ or another third-party backup app before your phone broke, you can restore those through that app on your new phone.

If you do not remember your Google account password, you can reset it at accounts.google.com before setting up your new phone. You will need access to a recovery email address or phone number associated with the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my apps transfer if they are no longer in the Play Store?

Apps that have been removed from the Play Store will not restore automatically. Google can only restore apps that are currently available for download. If you need an older version of an app, you may need to find it from a third-party source or contact the developer.

Do I need to keep my old phone turned on during the transfer?

For Google's automatic backup method, no — your old phone can be off. For Samsung Smart Switch or direct Wi-Fi transfer, both phones need to be on and connected to the same network. For USB cable transfers, your old phone needs to be on but does not need to be unlocked after you connect it.

Can I transfer data from an iPhone to an Android phone?

Some data can move — contacts, calendar events, and photos if you use iCloud. However, iMessage conversations, app data, and text messages do not transfer. You will need to set up most apps fresh on your Android phone and sign in manually.

What if the transfer gets interrupted halfway through?

If your internet connection drops during a cloud backup restore, you can restart the process from Settings > System > Backup on your new phone. It will pick up where it left off. For direct transfers like Smart Switch, you may need to start over, but the app will tell you if a partial restore is safe to resume.

How much storage space do I need on my new phone?

Your new phone needs enough free space for the apps and data you are transferring. As a rule, have at least 2 to 3 GB free before starting. If your new phone is running low on storage, delete unused apps or files first, or move photos to cloud storage before transferring.