Have you bought a new Android phone and want to move your data from your old phone without losing photos, contacts, apps or chats? The transfer can be done relatively simply, but it is important to check which data is copied automatically and what information needs to be transferred separately.
In this iTechServiceTM guide we explain how to transfer data from one Android phone to another, what needs to be prepared before the transfer and what needs to be checked before giving up your old phone.
What you need to prepare before the transfer
Before you begin, make sure both phones are sufficiently charged and that you have access to the Google account used on the old phone.
It is recommended to check:
- the Google account used on the old phone;
- the internet connection;
- the available space on the new phone;
- important photos and videos;
- contacts;
- important chats and files;
- the apps you need;
- authentication codes and recovery methods for important accounts.
Important: do not wipe your old phone before checking if the important information has arrived on the new phone.
1. Use the transfer offered during the setup of the new phone
Many Android phones offer the option to copy data from the old device during initial setup.
Turn on the new phone and follow the steps shown on the screen. When the option to copy or transfer data from another device appears, follow the displayed instructions.
Depending on the manufacturer and model, the interface may be different and the available options may vary.
2. Connect the old phone and the new phone
Depending on the devices, the transfer may use a wireless connection or a compatible cable.
If your phone offers the option to use a cable, this option can be especially useful when you have many photos, videos or files.
Follow the instructions shown on both devices and grant the requested permissions to copy the data.
3. Check if photos are saved in Google Photos
Photos and videos can take up a lot of space, and checking them before changing your phone is important.
If you use Google Photos, check if important photos have been uploaded to your account.
After signing in with the same account on the new phone, the photos available in the account can be accessed via Google Photos.
Please note: syncing photos with a cloud service should not be automatically confused with having an independent backup. For very important data, having an additional backup is recommended.
4. Check contacts transfer
Contacts can be associated with your Google account or stored locally on the phone or on the SIM card, depending on the configuration.
On your old phone, check in the Contacts app where important contacts are saved.
If they are synced with your Google account, after signing in with the same account on the new phone, the synced contacts should also become available there.
Do not assume, however, that all contacts are synced. Actually check the contact list after setting up your new phone.
5. Check transferred apps
During the setup of the new phone, Android may reinstall apps associated with your account and transfer certain data, depending on the app and the transfer method used.
After completing the setup, manually check:
- messaging apps;
- banking apps;
- authentication apps;
- work apps;
- photo and document apps;
- apps you use daily.
Some apps require you to log in again and do not automatically transfer all internal data.
6. Move WhatsApp chats using the official available method
WhatsApp has its own methods for transferring or restoring chats, and the steps may vary depending on the app version and the phones used.
Before changing your phone, check in WhatsApp if there is an up-to-date backup and if you are using the correct account.
After installing WhatsApp on the new phone, follow the transfer or restoration procedure provided by the app.
Important: do not delete WhatsApp or the old phone's data until you verify that important messages and files are available on the new phone.
7. Do not forget about authentication apps
Two-factor authentication apps may require special attention when you change your phone.
If you use an app for authentication codes, check before changing your device if there is an official transfer or recovery method.
This step is important for email accounts, social media, financial services and other accounts protected by two-step verification.
8. Check the files in the phone memory
Photos are not the only important data. Also check the folders where there may be:
- PDF documents;
- Word or Excel files;
- downloads;
- audio recordings;
- videos;
- documents received through messaging apps.
If certain files are important, copy them separately to the new phone, a computer or a cloud service.
9. Check banking apps and important accounts
Banking apps and other high-security apps may require authentication or verification of the new device.
Do not consider the phone transfer complete until you verify access to the services you use frequently.
If an app requires an additional activation procedure, follow the provider's official instructions.
10. Check important messages and history
Not all messages or app data are transferred identically between phones.
After setting up the new device, check the communication apps you use and confirm that important information is available.
For data that is not transferred automatically, use the export, backup or transfer method provided by the respective app.
11. Check the storage space of the new phone
If the old phone had a lot of photos, videos or files, check the available space on the new phone before the transfer.
A new phone with less storage space than the old device will not be able to keep all data locally without an additional storage strategy.
In this case, you can use a combination of phone memory and cloud storage, depending on your needs.
12. What data should not be assumed to be transferred automatically?
A phone transfer does not necessarily mean a perfect cloning of the old device.
There may be differences depending on the manufacturer, Android version and installed apps.
In particular, manually check:
- app data;
- bank accounts.
- authentication apps;
- locally stored files;
- application data that does not use cloud backup;
- specific settings for certain apps.
13. How to check that the transfer has been successfully completed
Before resetting your old phone, carry out a systematic check.
- Open the gallery and check important photos.
- Check your contact list.
- Open important apps.
- Check WhatsApp and other messaging apps.
- Check documents and files.
- Test your email.
- Check banking apps.
- Check authentication apps.
- Check access to important accounts.
14. Do not reset your old phone immediately
One of the most common mistakes is resetting the old phone immediately after the transfer finishes.
Keep your old phone for a short period and use it as a verification point. If you notice that a file or conversation is missing, you can go back to the old device and try to recover the information.
Only after you have checked all important data can you consider resetting the phone.
15. What to do if your new phone does not receive all the data?
If certain data is missing, first identify the information category: photos, contacts, apps, conversations or files.
Then check the method by which that data was stored on your old phone.
Sometimes the issue is a lack of synchronisation, other times it is an app that uses its own backup system.
Do not reset your old phone until you establish where the missing data is and whether it can be transferred.
Android offers more and more features for productivity and security
Recent versions of Android have added features for productivity, privacy and security. For example, Android includes Private Space for isolating certain apps and data, and anti-theft protection features can lock the device in certain situations. Availability depends on the Android version and the device.
Android 16 has also introduced additional features for compatible devices, including multitasking tools and security improvements.
Frequently asked questions about Android data transfer
Can I transfer all data from one Android phone to another?
It must not be assumed that all data will be transferred identically. The availability and type of data transferred depend on the Android version, manufacturer, transfer method, and applications used.
Are photos transferred automatically?
Photos can be transferred or synchronised depending on the method used. If they are saved in Google Photos, check first that their upload is complete and that they are available in the account.
Is WhatsApp transferred to the new phone?
WhatsApp has its own backup and transfer methods. Check before changing your phone that you have an up-to-date backup and follow the official procedure available in the app.
Do I need to keep the old phone?
It is recommended not to reset it immediately. Keep it until you check the contacts, photos, documents, chats, apps and important accounts on the new phone.
What do I do if I cannot transfer the data?
First of all, identify exactly which category of data is missing. If the issue is related to synchronisation, backup, account configuration or transfer between devices, it is important to avoid resetting the old phone until the data is verified.
Do you need help?
If you have bought a new Android phone and need help with setup, data transfer, apps, accounts or synchronisation between devices, iTechServiceTM can help you prepare your phone for use.
See the app configuration.