The fastest way to transfer everything is to sign in with your Google Account during setup

When you turn on a new Android phone for the first time, the setup screen will ask you to sign in with a Google Account. If you use the same Google Account you had on your old phone, Android will automatically restore your contacts, calendar events, Gmail, photos stored in Google Photos, and most of your installed apps. This happens in the background over the next few hours — you do not have to do anything else.

This method works best if your old phone still has power and you can access it during setup. You will need to remember your Google Account password. If you have two-factor authentication turned on (a security code sent to your phone or email), have that method ready before you start.

Data that does not sync automatically through Google — text messages, call history, some app data, and files stored only on your phone's internal storage — will not transfer this way. Those require a separate step covered below.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing in with your Google Account during new phone setup restores contacts, apps, Gmail, calendar, and Google Photos automatically.
  • Text messages, call history, and files saved only to your phone's storage do not transfer through Google Account sync and need a separate method.
  • Android's built-in transfer tool (available on some phones during setup) can move text messages and call history directly from your old phone.
  • Third-party apps like Samsung Smart Switch or Google Backup and Restore can transfer data if your phones are not compatible with the built-in tool.
  • After transfer, check your apps to make sure they have the data they need — some apps store information locally that does not sync to the cloud.

Using Android's built-in transfer tool for text messages and call history

Some Android phones (particularly newer Samsung, Google Pixel, and OnePlus models) include a transfer tool that appears during the initial setup. This tool can move text messages, call history, and some app data directly from your old phone to your new one without going through Google's servers.

During setup, when you see the option to restore from an old device, select it and follow the on-screen prompts. You will need both phones present and charged. The transfer happens over a local connection (usually Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct) and typically takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have.

If you do not see this option during setup, you can still access it later through Settings > Accounts > Google > Restore from backup, though the exact path varies by manufacturer. Check your phone's user manual or support site for the precise location on your model.

Transferring text messages and call history if your phones are not compatible

If your old and new phones do not have a built-in transfer tool that works between them, you can use a third-party app. Samsung Smart Switch works on most Android phones (not just Samsung) and can transfer text messages, call history, contacts, and some app data. Google Backup and Restore is another option, though it is less commonly available on non-Google phones.

Download the app on both your old and new phone. Open it on your old phone and select "Send data." On your new phone, select "Receive data." The phones will connect over Wi-Fi and begin transferring. This process usually takes 20 to 60 minutes.

If neither of these apps is available in your region or on your phone model, you can back up text messages to your Google Account through your phone's native messaging app (if it supports it), or use a dedicated SMS backup app from the Google Play Store. These apps create a backup file you can restore on your new phone.

Moving files and photos stored only on your phone

Photos and videos taken with your camera are usually saved to Google Photos automatically if you have that setting turned on. You can check by opening Google Photos on your old phone, tapping your profile picture, and looking for "Backup and sync" — if it says "On," your photos are already in the cloud and will appear on your new phone once you sign in.

Files saved to your phone's internal storage (documents, downloads, screenshots, or files from apps) do not sync to Google automatically. To move these, connect your old phone to a computer with a USB cable, copy the files to your computer, then connect your new phone and copy them back. Alternatively, you can upload files to Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox on your old phone, then download them on your new phone.

Some apps store their data in a way that does not transfer even with Google Account sync. Check the apps you use most — banking apps, note-taking apps, and games often have their own backup or export features. Open each app and look for a backup or export option in its settings before you stop using your old phone.

What to do if your old phone is broken or unavailable

If your old phone will not turn on or you no longer have access to it, you can still recover some of your data. Sign in with your Google Account on your new phone during setup. This will restore contacts, Gmail, calendar, and apps that were backed up to Google.

Text messages and call history cannot be recovered if your old phone is not available, because those are stored locally and not automatically backed up to Google. If you had previously set up SMS backup through your messaging app or a third-party backup app, you may be able to restore from that backup file if you saved it to your computer or cloud storage.

For files and photos, check Google Drive, Google Photos, OneDrive, Dropbox, or any other cloud service you used on your old phone. Any files you uploaded to those services will still be there and accessible from your new phone.

Checking that everything transferred correctly

After your new phone finishes setting up and syncing, spend 10 to 15 minutes checking the most important things: open your messaging app and confirm your recent conversations are there, check that your contacts appear in your contacts app, and open a few of your most-used apps to make sure they have the data you expect.

Some apps may need to re-download their data or re-authenticate you (ask for your password again). This is normal and usually happens the first time you open the app. If an app is missing data that you know you had, check the app's settings for a restore or sync option, or uninstall and reinstall it from the Google Play Store.

Once you have confirmed that everything important is on your new phone, you can factory reset your old phone to erase your personal data before selling it, recycling it, or storing it away. Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (the exact path varies by manufacturer).

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my apps transfer with all their data and settings?

Most apps will reinstall automatically when you sign in with your Google Account, but not all of their data transfers. Apps that store information in your Google Account (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar) sync completely. Apps that store data locally (games, banking apps, note-taking apps) may not transfer their saved data. Check each app's settings for a backup or restore option before you switch phones.

What if I do not remember my Google Account password?

Go to accounts.google.com on a computer or another device and click "Forgot password?" You will need to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number you set up with your account. Once you reset your password, you can use it to sign in on your new phone.

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

Not directly through Android's built-in tools. You will need to use a third-party app like Samsung Smart Switch (which has an iPhone mode) or manually transfer your data through cloud services like Google Drive or iCloud. Contact, calendar, and photo transfer is usually straightforward; text messages and app data are more difficult.

How long does the transfer usually take?

Google Account sync happens in the background and can take several hours, especially if you have a large photo library or many apps. Built-in phone-to-phone transfer tools typically take 15 to 60 minutes depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed. Plan for at least 2 to 3 hours total to let everything sync and settle.

Will my old phone still work after I transfer everything?

Yes. Transferring data copies it to your new phone; it does not remove it from your old phone. Your old phone will continue to work normally until you factory reset it. You can keep using your old phone as a backup or secondary device if you want.