A new phone is exciting until you realise your contacts, photos and chats are all on the old one. The good news: Android can copy most things across during setup. Prepare properly and it takes under an hour.

Before you start: back up the old phone

  • Google backup: on the old phone, go to Settings → Google → Backup (or Settings → System → Backup) and tap Back up now. This saves apps, contacts, call history, settings and SMS to your Google account.
  • Photos: make sure Google Photos (or your gallery’s cloud) has finished backing up, or copy photos to a computer.
  • WhatsApp: back up chats in WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat backup.
  • Know your passwords: your Google account password, and any app passwords not saved in Google Password Manager.
  • Charge both phones and connect to stable Wi-Fi.
  1. Turn on the new phone and follow the setup steps.
  2. When it asks about copying apps and data, choose to copy from your old phone.
  3. Connect the two phones with a cable if offered (USB-C to USB-C, or with an adapter), or follow the on-screen Wi-Fi steps.
  4. Choose what to copy: apps, contacts, photos, messages, call history and settings.
  5. Keep both phones close and charging until it finishes.

If the transfer stalls, Google’s advice for Pixel phones is to keep both phones unlocked and nearby, check the cable, and try again. You can also skip and restore from your Google backup by signing in.

Method 2: restore from your Google account

During setup, sign in with the same Google account and choose to restore from the backup of your old phone. Apps reinstall from Google Play, and your contacts and settings come back.

Brand tools

Many brands have their own transfer apps, such as Samsung Smart Switch. Tecno, Infinix and itel phones often include a phone clone or transfer app in setup or in their app stores. Use them if the built-in option is not offered.

Things that need extra care

  • WhatsApp: use WhatsApp’s own transfer or backup. See how to move WhatsApp to a new phone.
  • MoMo and banking apps: reinstall from the official store and log in again. Some will ask you to verify the new device with an OTP. Never share that code.
  • Two-factor authenticator apps: move them carefully (many have an export option) before wiping the old phone.
  • Moving to iPhone instead? See how to transfer WhatsApp from Android to iPhone.

Finally: wipe the old phone

Once you have checked that everything is on the new phone, remove your Google account from the old one, then factory reset it (Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data) before selling or passing it on.

This guide was checked in October 2026. Menus and services change, so if something looks different on your phone, check with your provider.

Common questions

Do I need a cable to transfer data?

Not always. Most phones can copy over Wi-Fi during setup, but a cable is usually faster and more reliable for large amounts of data.

Will my WhatsApp chats transfer automatically?

Use WhatsApp’s own backup or transfer feature to be sure. See our guide to moving WhatsApp to a new phone.

Can I transfer data after setup?

Some brands’ apps (like Samsung Smart Switch) work after setup, and you can always restore from your Google backup by signing in. The smoothest route is during setup.

What should I do with the old phone?

Once everything is confirmed on the new phone, sign out of your accounts and factory reset the old one before selling or giving it away.

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