How do I transfer data from my old phone to my new phone?

Getting a new phone is exciting, but once you have it in your hands, you sadly have to wait a little bit longer to transfer all your data before you can start using it. Keep reading to discover how to safely transfer data from one phone to another without losing your personal files. 

What to Do Before You Transfer Data 

Before you start the Android to Android transfer:

1. Charge both phones.
2. Make sure both phones can connect to a Wi-Fi network.

On your old device: 

1. Sign out of the Rich Communication Services (RCS) on Google Messages – see below.
2. If you don’t use google contacts, go to Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Google Contacts sync > Also sync device contacts.
3. Select Automatically back up & sync device contacts.
4. Perform a Google Drive backup (unless you have enabled the Google One automatic backup) to ensure you have all of your data in case the data transfer fails.

Why you need a vpn on your new phone: 

We take our phones with us everywhere, filling them with photos, contacts, and tons of other sensitive personal data. To make sure you’re safe online, no matter where you are, it’s always a good idea to use a VPN. CyberGhost VPN encrypts your internet connection so no one can read your data, keeping you safe on any network. 

Try CyberGhost VPN Risk-Free

How to Sign Out of RCS

Rich Communication Services (RCS) lets you send text, videos, photos, and GIFs as encrypted messages. If you use Google Messages for text messages, you need to turn off RCS on your old phone so you don’t miss any messages. Otherwise, skip this step.

On your old phone, go to the Google Messages app and follow these steps:

1. Select more options
2. Select Settings
3. Select Chat features
4. Toggle off Enable chat features

How to transfer data from Android to Android

Depending on your device and preferences, you have a few options to transfer data from one Android phone to another. 

Built-in transfer tool using Android 

Android has a built-in data transfer app that appears on the screen when you first start the device. This is the default transfer app if you’re using a Pixel phone and is now supported on all new Android 12 devices. This method lets you transfer data from your old phone with a cable or from a  Google Drive backup. 

Follow these steps: 

Using a cable:

1. Turn on the new phone.
2. Select start.
3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
4. Choose which apps and data to copy.
5. Plug in the cable between the two phones. 
6. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Without a cable:

1. Turn on the new phone.
2. Select start.
3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
4. Choose which apps and data to copy onto the new phone.
5. Select Ok when asked, select No cable? 
6. Select a backup from an Android phone.
7. Follow the on-screen prompts.

Smart Switch (for Samsung) 

Samsung has a specific app called Smart Switch to transfer your data from any device to a Galaxy Phone. You can transfer between phones wirelessly, with a USB cable, or with external storage like a microSD card or a flash drive.  

Follow these steps:

Using a cable:

1. Connect the two phones with a USB cable.
2. Turn on both phones. If sending data wirelessly, place the phones no more than 4 inches (or 10cm) apart.
3. Plug in both phones with a cable if using one, or to charge if sending data wirelessly.
4. Open the Smart Switch app on both phones, the app can be downloaded from the Google Play store if it isn’t pre-installed.
5. Go to Settings > Smart Switch on the new phone.
6. Select Transfer data and click on Continue.

1. Accept the app permissions.

1. Select send data on the old device and then cable or wireless on the old phone.

1. Select receive data on the new phone. 
2. Select Galaxy/Android and then cable or wireless depending on your situation.
3. Wait for the scan to complete.
4. Select the transfer option you prefer and click on Next.

1. Select done (new phone) and close (old phone) after the transfer.

Google Drive Backup

Google Drive is another convenient alternative if you use Google services and have a fast connection. It will back up things like App Data, Call History, Contacts (Google Contacts app only), Settings, Photos, Text Messages, and Videos. 

To perform a Google Drive backup, go to Settings > Google > Backup > back up now. You can also search for backup in settings.

To restore the backup on your new device:

1. Go to the Google Drive App settings and select Backups. 
2. Select restore the backup. 

Make sure you get all of your data before it’s deleted 57-days after you stop using your old Android device. 

Google One Backup

Alternatively, if you use Google One, you can turn on automatic backup of: 

• • 📱 App data
  • 📱 Call history
  • 📱 Contacts
  • 📱 Device Settings
  • 📱 Messages
  • 📱 Photos and Videos

Simply follow these steps:

1. Open the Google One App on your old phone.
2. Select the storage tab at the bottom of the page.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
4. Select show details.
5. Select set up data backup.
6. Select manage backup.
7. Select allow permissions (if asked.)
8. Configure the Backup Settings.
9. Select Back up now.
10. Open the Google One App on your new phone.
11. Go to settings.
12. Select restore from your backup.
13. Select the files you would like to restore.

Secure Your Mobile Connection

Manually Transfer Data

You also have the option to manually transfer data from one device to another. You will need a USB cable to connect to your computer.

Follow these steps on a PC: 

1. Connect the old phone to your computer with a USB cable.
2. Go to settings > Connected Devices > USB > in the phone.
3. Go to Use USB for and select File transfer.
4. Create a new folder on your PC desktop. 
5. Go to the file explorer on your PC.
6. Select the phone.
7. Copy the desired folders into the desktop folder you created.
8. Unplug the old phone once the transfer is complete.
9. Plug in the new phone and repeat steps 2 and 3.
10. Select the phone in the file explorer.
11. Drag the files from your desktop into the corresponding folders in the new phone (e.g. photos to the photos folder.)
12. Unplug the new phone once the transfer is complete.

Follow these steps on a Mac:

1. Open the Android File Transfer app (Download and install if not already done.)
2. Connect the old phone to your computer with a USB cable.
3. Go to settings > Connected Devices > USB > in the phone.
4. Go to Use USB for and select File transfer.
5. Create a new folder on your Mac desktop.
6. Go to the Android File Transfer window and drag the files you want to the new folder.
7. Unplug the old phone once the transfer is complete.
8. Plug in the new phone and repeat steps 3 and 4.
9. Go to the Android File Transfer window and drag files from the new folder to the corresponding folders in the new phone (e.g. photos to the photos folder.)
10. Unplug the new phone once the transfer is complete.

Other apps

If you don’t want to manually transfer data, use the default transfer app, or Google Drive, you can use a paid app to transfer data from one phone to another. Still, we don’t recommend this option because you might put your data at risk unnecessarily with an unknown third-party developer. Depending on the app, you may find similar functionalities to the built-in transfer option. 

What should you do with your Android phone after you transfer the data 

It’s easy to forget your old phone once you replace it with something shiny and new, but your old device still remembers you — until you wipe your data from it. Once the data transfer is complete, you should always wipe your device and perform a factory reset to avoid anyone else getting their hands on your data. Especially if you’re planning to resell it.

After all, our smartphones know everything about us, from our browsing history to our location data and even our spending habits. Many people also store their passwords, banking information, and sensitive photos or videos on their phones. That’s why it’s also a good idea to install a VPN on your new phone and always have a private connection. 

Should I Install a VPN on My New Phone?

Yes! Wiping your old phone prevents your data from leaking from your old device, but your new phone is still vulnerable. Consider installing the CyberGhost Android app to stay anonymous online and protect your data. 

Marketing companies and cybercriminals are all too eager to get their hands on your personal information. When you use a VPN, your connection is encrypted, which creates a secure passageway to send your data from your phone to our server. This passageway is encrypted using an algorithm made of ciphertext that is so complex no one could ever guess what your scrambled data really looks like. 

CyberGhost VPN also gives you a VPN experience like no other, with thousands of uncrowded servers in locations around the world, including streaming-optimized servers for the best streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu. That means you’ll always have the fastest most secure connection on any device. 

CyberGhost has apps for every device including Android, Windows, Android TV, and more. Each subscription supports up to 7 devices, and you can even configure CyberGhost on your router to protect your entire household!

Keep Your Data Safe in Transit!

Now that you know the different options for transferring your data, you won’t be wondering “how do I transfer everything from my old phone to my new phone?” anymore! Enjoy your new device and stay safe online with CyberGhost VPN. 

FAQ

What is the best way to transfer data from Android to Android?

The default transfer app is the best way to transfer data from Android to Android. It’s the easiest, and it transfers most of your data. If you’re moving to a Samsung device, the Smart switch app is the best way to go. The best way to protect your data on your new phone is with a VPN like CyberGhost. It’s backed with a 45-day money-back guarantee, so why wait?!

How do I transfer from Android to Android?

You have a few different options to transfer your data between Android devices. Aside from the built-in Google transfer app, you can use Samsung Smart Switch to move to a new Galaxy device or do a Google Drive backup, or even transfer data manually via a PC. You could also use a paid app.
The best choice for you depends on your device and your preferences. Secure your connection with CyberGhost VPN to make sure your data stays safe while you do a backup or transfer to a new phone. Our impenetrable encryption keeps your data safe during the transfer.

Can I transfer apps from my old Android to my new one?

Yes, the default transfer app lets you choose which apps to transfer or not, although Samsung only offers the Smart Switch app match and recommendation tool in the United States. 
You could also sign in to your Google account on the new phone and manually download each app from the Play store. Getting a new phone is a perfect time to download the CyberGhost Android App from the Play Store and protect your new phone from malware and cyberattacks.

Should I completely wipe my old Android after transfering my data?

Yes! After transferring everything, it’s a good idea to wipe your old Android device to make sure your data doesn’t get in the wrong hands when you sell or recycle your old phone. 
Once your new phone is set up, consider installing CyberGhost VPN to stay safe online. Our dedicated Android app will encrypt all your online traffic and let you hide your IP address. That way, you can safely stream wherever you want, do online banking and shopping without a worry, and surf the web anonymously.

Author Charles Street

Charles Street is an American freelance writer based in France. He loves to travel and has lived in five different countries. Charles is passionate about data privacy and overcoming censorship.

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