How to transfer data from an old phone to a new one

Getting a new phone should be the easy part. It's increasingly close - most of the transfer process is built right into setup, and it actually works. The part that trips people up: a couple of these tools have to run during initial setup, and a few things like WhatsApp chat history need their own separate process, especially when you switch between iPhone and Android.

Prep checklist, then walkthroughs for each combo, then a rundown of what won't move automatically.

Before you start

Do this before touching the new phone. Skipping the backup step is the one thing that's hard to undo.

• Back up the old phone. iPhone: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. Android: Settings > System > Backup - make sure a recent backup ran.
• Charge both to 80% or plug them in. Transfers run 30 to 60 minutes; big photo libraries can take longer.
• Put both phones on the same Wi-Fi network. Even direct cable transfers need Wi-Fi for account authentication.
• Keep the old phone handy until you've verified everything landed on the new one. Don't reset it yet.
• eSIM and number transfer is your carrier's job, not the setup wizard's. Handle it after the data is confirmed.

iPhone to iPhone

Quick Start is the move. It handles photos, contacts, apps, settings, and most app data in one session.

1. Place the new iPhone next to your old one at setup. The old phone shows a prompt to help.
2. Hold the old phone's camera over the animation on the new screen to pair them.
3. Choose "Transfer Directly from iPhone" (device-to-device, faster) or "Download from iCloud" (restores from your last backup).
4. Direct transfer: keep both phones close and plugged in. Expect 20 to 60 minutes.
5. When the home screen appears on the new iPhone, check that your photos and apps are there before doing anything else with the old phone.

Missed Quick Start because you already set up the new iPhone? Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, then set up fresh and pick "Restore from iCloud Backup."

Android to Android

The setup wizard handles most of this on first boot.

1. When the wizard asks how to set up the phone, pick "Copy apps and data" or "Restore from backup."
2. Choose cable or wireless. Cable is faster when you have a lot of photos.
3. Unlock the old phone and accept the prompt. Pick what to copy: apps, photos, contacts, messages, settings.
4. Wait. Bigger libraries take 30 to 45 minutes.
5. Sign into Google. Contacts, calendar, and most app data restore from there automatically.

Switching between two Samsungs? Get Samsung Smart Switch (Galaxy Store or samsungsmartswitch.com) on both phones. It picks up call logs and some app data the standard flow skips.

Android to iPhone

Move to iOS works well here, with one catch: it has to run during iPhone setup, before you sign in. Already set up the iPhone? You'd need to erase it and start over.

1. During iPhone setup, tap "Move Data from Android" when the option appears.
2. On Android, install Move to iOS from the Play Store.
3. Tap "Continue" on the iPhone. Write down the 10-digit code on screen.
4. Enter the code on Android. The iPhone creates a temporary Wi-Fi network; your Android connects to it.
5. Pick what to transfer: contacts, messages, photos, videos, bookmarks, mail, calendar.
6. Wait for both sides to finish. Tap "Done" on Android, "Continue" on iPhone.

App Store equivalents of your Android apps get queued automatically. Paid apps don't cross platforms - you'll need to repurchase them on iOS.

iPhone to Android

Google's Switch to Android app is the cleanest option for this direction.

1. During Android setup, pick "Copy apps and data" then the iPhone/iOS option.
2. On the iPhone, install "Switch to Android" from the App Store.
3. Follow the prompts. It transfers contacts, calendar, photos, and videos over a temporary connection or via Google account.
4. Sign into Google on the new phone to pull in contacts and app data.
5. Check your key apps. WhatsApp history, iMessage threads, and locally stored app data won't come over this way.

Alternatively: back up iPhone contacts and calendar to Google Drive via the Google Drive app, then restore during Android setup. Slower, but works without the new phone in hand.

What does not transfer automatically

A few things need their own handling, mostly when you cross between iPhone and Android.

• WhatsApp chats and media (mainly when switching platforms). Crossing between iPhone and Android needs WhatsApp's own transfer: iPhone to Android is WhatsApp Settings > Chats > Transfer chats to Android, run during setup of the new phone, and the same path reversed for Android to iPhone. Going Android to Android is easier, since WhatsApp restores from your Google Drive backup when you reinstall and verify your number, no separate transfer step required.
• Local app data. Banking apps, offline games, and some password managers reinstall but lose any locally stored data. You log back in; locally saved progress may be gone.
• DRM content. Purchased movies and DRM-locked music can't move as files. Download them from your account on the new device.
• eSIM and phone number. Stays on the old phone until you move it yourself. Contact your carrier or use their app after the data transfer is done.
• Payment cards. Apple Pay and Google Wallet need to be re-added manually. Banks verify you again even if the app is already installed.

After the transfer

Don't wipe the old phone until you've run through this checklist.

1. Open Photos. Are your recent photos there?
2. Open Contacts. Spot-check a few entries.
3. Check your authenticator app. Authy, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator all have their own migration paths and don't always move automatically. See the FAQ below for specifics.
4. Open your daily apps - banking, email, notes - and make sure they load your data.
5. Once you're sure everything transferred, factory reset the old phone. iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Android: Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data.

Trading it in? Erase first, then pull the physical SIM card before boxing it up. Most carriers and manufacturers accept trade-ins online or in store - some will even mail you a shipping box.