The fastest way to move everything is through your Google account

When you set up a new Android phone, you can restore almost all your data — contacts, calendar events, photos, apps, text messages, and settings — by signing into the same Google account you used on your old phone. This happens automatically during setup if you choose it, and it takes anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

You do not need a computer or cable. You just need your Google account password, a Wi-Fi connection on the new phone, and patience while the transfer runs. This method works whether your old phone is Android, iPhone, or something else — as long as you backed up to Google before switching.

If you want to move data from an iPhone to Android, or if you want to transfer specific things like text messages or call logs that Google does not back up by default, you will need to use other methods alongside this one.

Key Takeaways

  • Signing into your Google account on a new Android phone automatically restores contacts, apps, photos, calendar events, and most settings without any action from you.
  • Text messages and call logs do not transfer through Google backup, so you need a separate app or method if those matter to you.
  • If you are switching from an iPhone, use Google's Move to Android app on the iPhone before you set up the new Android phone.
  • A wired USB transfer using a computer works for files and photos but requires a cable and takes longer than cloud backup.
  • Make sure your old phone is fully charged and connected to Wi-Fi before you start, because the transfer can take an hour or more.

What Google backup includes and what it does not

Google backs up and restores these things automatically: your contacts, Gmail and other email accounts, calendar events, photos and videos (if you use Google Photos), installed apps and their settings, your home screen layout, system settings like display brightness and language, and your Google account passwords. When you sign into your Google account on the new phone during setup, all of this comes back.

Google does not back up text messages, call logs, or voicemail. It also does not transfer apps from outside the Google Play Store — if you installed something from Samsung's app store or sideloaded an APK file, you will need to reinstall it manually. Some apps store their data in Google Drive or the cloud, so those settings come back; others store data only on the phone itself, and you lose it.

Before you switch phones, open your old Android phone and go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Backup. Make sure the toggle is on. Let it run to completion — this usually takes a few minutes to an hour depending on your data size. Do this while plugged in and on Wi-Fi.

Setting up your new Android phone to restore everything

When you power on your new Android phone for the first time, the setup wizard will ask you to sign in with a Google account. Use the same account you used on your old phone. The phone will then ask whether you want to restore from backup — choose yes.

The phone will download and install your apps, restore your contacts and calendar, and set your preferences. This can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how many apps you have and your internet speed. Leave the phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi during this time. Do not unplug it or turn it off.

If you skip this step during setup, you can restore later by going to Settings > System > Backup > Restore from backup (the exact path varies by phone maker, but it is always in Settings under Backup or Accounts). Choose your Google account and let it run.

Transferring from an iPhone to Android

If you are coming from an iPhone, Google makes an app called Move to Android that you install on the iPhone before you set up the new Android phone. This app transfers your contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, text messages, and some app data from the iPhone to the Android phone over Wi-Fi.

On your iPhone, go to the App Store, search for "Move to Android," and install it. Open the app and follow the prompts. You will need to start the setup process on your new Android phone at the same time — the two phones will connect to each other wirelessly and transfer your data. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much you have.

After the transfer completes, sign into your Google account on the Android phone to restore anything the Move to Android app did not catch, like apps and their settings. Some iPhone apps do not have Android versions, so you will need to find Android replacements for those.

Moving text messages and call logs

Text messages and call logs are not included in Google backup, so you need a separate method. The easiest option is an app called SMS Backup+ (free on Google Play), which backs up your text messages and call logs to your Gmail account. Install it on your old Android phone, let it run, then install it on your new phone and restore from the same Gmail account.

Another option is Google Messages, which is Google's default text messaging app. If you switch to Google Messages on your old phone before you switch devices, your text history will sync to your Google account and appear on the new phone. This works only if you use Google Messages as your default SMS app.

If you have only a few important text conversations, you can screenshot them or forward them to yourself through email. This is slow but works for small amounts of data.

Using a USB cable and computer to transfer files

If you want to move photos, videos, or documents from your old phone to your new one using a computer, connect your old phone to the computer with a USB cable. Your computer will show the phone as a removable drive. Open it, find the folders you want (usually DCIM for photos or Downloads for files), and copy them to your computer.

Then connect your new phone to the computer and copy those same folders back onto it. This method is slower than cloud backup and requires a cable, but it gives you full control over which files move and where they go. It also works if you do not have a Google account or do not want to use cloud backup.

On a Mac, you may need to install Android File Transfer first — search for it on Google and download it from Google's official site. On Windows 10 and later, the phone usually shows up as a folder without any extra software.

What to do if something did not transfer

If an app did not come back, open the Google Play Store on your new phone and search for it by name. Download it again — your app data may restore automatically if the app developer set it up that way, or you may need to sign back into the app with your account.

If your photos did not transfer, check whether you turned on Google Photos backup on your old phone. Open Google Photos on your new phone, sign into the same Google account, and your photos should appear. If they do not, they may not have been backed up yet. Go back to your old phone if you still have it, open Google Photos, and make sure backup is on and has finished running.

If your contacts did not transfer, go to Settings > Accounts > Google on your new phone, tap your Google account, and look for a Sync or Restore option. Tap it and choose Contacts. This forces the phone to download your contacts again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my data if I do not back up before switching phones?

Yes. If you do not back up to Google or another cloud service before you switch, you will lose anything that was only stored on the old phone — text messages, call logs, photos not backed up to Google Photos, and app data stored locally. Contacts and email are usually safe because they sync to your email account. Always back up before you switch.

Can I transfer data from Android to Android without a Google account?

You can use a USB cable and computer to move files, or use a third-party app like Samsung Smart Switch if both phones are Samsung. But Google backup is the fastest and most complete method, and it requires a Google account. If you do not have one, create one before you switch phones.

How long does the transfer take?

Signing into your Google account and restoring everything usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how many apps and photos you have and your internet speed. The Move to Android app takes 10 to 30 minutes. USB cable transfers depend on file size but are usually slower. Leave your phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi the whole time.

Will my old phone still work after I transfer everything?

Yes. Transferring data copies it; it does not remove anything from your old phone. Your old phone will still have all its data. If you want to erase it before selling or recycling it, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data on your old phone.

What if I do not remember my Google account password?

Go to Google's account recovery page on a computer or the old phone's browser, enter your email address, and follow the steps to reset your password. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number you set up with the account. Do this before you switch phones if possible.