Switching to a new Android phone is straightforward once you know what needs manual handling and what transfers automatically. The built-in Google data migration tool covers contacts, photos, apps, and most settings in one step. Manufacturer tools like Samsung's Smart Switch and Sony's Xperia Transfer 2 go a step further for brand-specific data. The exceptions — LINE, mobile payment apps, and two-factor authentication apps — require individual attention before you wipe the old phone. This guide walks through all the options and the common mistakes to avoid.
Table of Contents
- What to Do Before You Start
- Google's Official Transfer Tool
- Manufacturer-Specific Tools
- SD Card and Cloud Methods
- Apps That Need Individual Attention
- Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
What to Do Before You Start
Complete these steps on your old phone before beginning any transfer.
- Force a Google backup: Go to Settings → Google → Backup and tap Back up now — this ensures the latest data is in the cloud
- Sync Google Photos: Connect to Wi-Fi and let all photos and videos finish uploading before you start
- Handle mobile payment apps (Google Pay, Suica, IC cards): These require a "device change" procedure on the old phone before migrating. Check each app — some lock the balance to the current device and won't let you recover it without the old phone
- Set up LINE account transfer: In LINE, go to Settings → Account → Transfer account and turn on transfer mode. Also back up your chat history separately
- Export two-factor authentication codes: Google Authenticator has an export function. Microsoft Authenticator backs up to the cloud if you've enabled it. Do this before wiping or selling the old phone
- Check your remaining storage: Know how much data you have so you can estimate transfer time
LINE and mobile payment apps are the items people most often forget, and they're the hardest to recover if you miss them. Handle them first.
Google's Official Transfer Tool
Android's setup screen includes a built-in migration tool that handles contacts, photos, apps, Wi-Fi passwords, call history, and most settings. It offers two connection methods.
Cable Transfer
Connecting the two phones directly is faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.
- Power on your new phone and reach the setup screen
- Select Copy apps & data from your old device
- Choose Use a cable and connect the two phones with a USB-C cable (or a USB-C to USB-A adapter for older phones)
- Unlock your old phone and approve the transfer
- Choose what to copy: apps, photos, contacts, SMS, settings
- Wait for the transfer to complete — typically 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much data you have
A direct cable connection avoids Wi-Fi interference and is the recommended method when speed matters.
Wireless Transfer
If you don't have a compatible cable:
- On the new phone, choose Copy apps & data → No cable
- Open the Google Data Transfer app on the old phone (preinstalled on most Android phones)
- Follow the on-screen instructions to scan a QR code and pair the two phones
- Select data to transfer and start
Wireless takes longer than cable, especially with large photo libraries. Keep both phones on the same Wi-Fi network and near the router throughout.
Manufacturer-Specific Tools
If you want to carry over manufacturer-specific settings, launcher layouts, or proprietary app data, the brand's own tool typically does a better job than the generic Google tool.
Samsung Smart Switch
Samsung's Smart Switch handles transfers between any two Android phones, and also from iPhone to Galaxy. It supports cable, Wi-Fi, and PC backup/restore. It migrates Samsung-specific data like Bixby routines, Samsung Pay, themes, and home screen layouts — things the Google tool leaves behind.
Xperia Transfer 2
Sony's Xperia Transfer 2 comes preinstalled on new Xperia phones. It transfers contacts, messages, photos, call history, and more between Xperia devices via Wi-Fi.
Pixel and Other Phones
Google Pixel phones don't have a proprietary tool — they rely on the standard Google transfer process, which is well-implemented on Pixel. Phones from other manufacturers like Motorola or Sharp generally work best with the Google tool as the primary method, supplemented by any brand-specific backup features as secondary.
SD Card and Cloud Methods
Useful when the old phone isn't available or isn't turning on.
- SD card: Move photos, music, and documents from the old phone's storage to the SD card, then insert the card into the new phone. App data and settings can't be transferred this way
- Google Photos: Photos and videos sync to Google's cloud. Log in on the new phone and everything appears immediately (subject to your storage quota)
- Google Drive: Documents, PDFs, and files you've saved there are available instantly on the new phone
- Google Backup: Apps, Wi-Fi passwords, call history, and SMS back up to your Google account automatically and restore during the new phone's setup
Cloud methods won't cover LINE chat history, mobile payment balances, or app-specific local data, so use them in combination with a direct transfer if possible.
Apps That Need Individual Attention
These don't migrate through the standard tools and require manual steps.
- LINE: On the old phone, go to Settings → Account → Transfer account and enable the transfer. Back up chat history separately. On the new phone, log in with the same account and restore the backup
- Mobile payment apps (Google Pay, IC card apps, Suica): Each service has its own "device change" flow — look for it in the app's settings before you start. Some services temporarily lock the balance on the old device while it's transferred
- Two-factor authentication (Google Authenticator): Use the Export accounts function in the app to generate a QR code. Scan it on the new phone before logging out on the old one
- Two-factor authentication (Microsoft Authenticator): Enable cloud backup in the app settings, then sign in on the new phone
- Banking and securities apps: Most require SMS verification or identity confirmation when logging in from a new device — have your registered phone number accessible
- Carrier account apps: Re-login on the new device; most don't require special migration steps
Make a checklist and go through each item one by one rather than assuming the main transfer covered everything.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Wiping the old phone before handling LINE
LINE account transfer requires access to the old phone. If you wipe it first, your chat history is gone and can't be recovered from any backup.
Forgetting mobile payment apps
The balance is tied to the registered device. If you wipe or sell the old phone before completing the device-change procedure, the balance is typically lost.
Two-factor authentication app left behind
This is easy to overlook, especially if you haven't needed it recently. Forgetting to transfer it can lock you out of important accounts — handle it before giving away or recycling the old phone.
Transfer interrupted by a dead battery
Keep both phones plugged in throughout the transfer. A power failure mid-transfer can leave the new phone in a partially migrated state.
Wireless transfer drops because of Wi-Fi
For large transfers via Wi-Fi, stay close to the router. A dropped connection means restarting the transfer from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What cable do I need for the direct transfer?
USB-C to USB-C for most modern phones. If the old phone has a micro-USB port, you'll need a micro-USB to USB-A cable plus a USB-A to USB-C OTG adapter. Check if one is included in the new phone's box.
Q. Can I transfer from iPhone to Android?
Yes. Google offers a Switch to Android app for iOS, and Samsung's Smart Switch also handles iPhone-to-Galaxy transfers. Contacts, photos, and calendar events move well. Paid iOS apps don't transfer — you'll need to repurchase the Android equivalents.
Q. What should I do with the old phone after transferring?
Confirm that LINE, mobile payment apps, and banking apps all work on the new phone before doing anything with the old one. Then go to Settings → System → Reset → Factory data reset on the old phone. This wipes all personal data before selling or recycling it.
Q. Can a carrier store do the transfer for me?
Yes, major carriers typically offer data migration as a paid service. Expect to pay anywhere from a few dollars to $30–50 depending on the carrier and the amount of data. It's a reasonable option if you'd rather not deal with the process yourself.
Summary
The Google official transfer tool handles the bulk of data migration — apps, contacts, photos, call history, and Wi-Fi passwords — via cable or Wi-Fi in one session. For Samsung users, Smart Switch adds brand-specific data on top of that. Whatever tool you use, LINE, mobile payment apps, and two-factor authentication apps need separate manual handling before you wipe the old phone. Take fifteen minutes to go through those three items before starting, and the rest of the process is largely automatic.
