How to transfer data to a new phone in 2026: the simplest methods and pitfalls

How to transfer data to a new phone? It’s nothing difficult. Below you will find a step-by-step guide for Android and iPhone: transferring contacts, photos, applications and chats (WhatsApp), various scenarios (Android and iOS) and the most common problems.

How to transfer data to a new phone?

Moving data is the easiest thing to do when setting up your new phone for the first time. Then the systems offer full transfer (applications, settings, messages, photos – depending on the platform). If the new phone is already configured, it is usually possible to transfer some data later, but the scope may be smaller.

Transferring data to a new phone: Android and iPhone

Below you will find step-by-step scenarios for 4 different options:

• Android → Android;
• Android → iPhone;
• iPhone → iPhone;
• iPhone → Android.

Before you start: this is something we often forget!

1. Update both phones (system and applications) i charge your batteries.
2. Connect to a stable one WiFi (or prepare cable for transfer if you plan to use it).
3. Make backups in the cloud:
   • Android: Make sure your backup (Google account) is working.
   • iPhone: Make sure you have a copy in iCloud (or on your computer).
4. Check what you transfer “automatically” and what requires separate steps:
   • WhatsApp/Signal – have their own chat transfer mechanisms.
   • Banking/Payment Apps – usually require reactivation on a new device.
   • 2FA/Authenticator – sometimes migration or re-adding of accounts is needed.
5. If you have eSIM: Prepare for eSIM transfer (operator and model dependent).

Android → Android

Option A: Transfer during setup (simplest option)

1. Turn on your new phone and start setup.
2. When asked to transfer data, select transfer from your previous phone.
3. You usually have two paths:
   • wirelessly (Wi-Fi / Bluetooth) – comfortable, but slower,
   • cable (USB-C / adapter) – faster and more stable.
4. Log in for the same Google accountselect the data to be transferred (applications, contacts, SMS, settings, photos – depending on the manufacturer).

Option B: Restore from a copy of your Google account

If you do not want/cannot perform phone-to-phone transfer, select during configuration restoring data from a backup assigned to your Google account. This usually does a good job of restoring: contacts, some settings, app list and some app data (depending on the app).

If you have a Samsung, try Smart Switch

It is standard on Samsung phones Smart Switchwhich transfers data wired or wirelessly and often includes more “producer” elements (e.g. screen layout). The names of the steps in the menu may vary depending on the version of One UI, but the direction is the same: you launch Smart Switch on both devices and select the transfer type.

iPhone → iPhone

Option A: Quick start (phone by phone)

1. Turn on your new iPhone and place it next to your old one.
2. A screen will appear Quick start – confirm Apple ID and choose data transfer.
3. Typically you can choose:
   • direct transfer iPhone → iPhone (device to device),
   • or restore from iCloud (if you have a copy).
4. Complete the setup, log in, wait for the app and data to download.

Option B: iCloud backup/PC copy

If you prefer classic:

• make a copy in iCloud and play it on your new iPhone, or
• make a copy on your computer (Finder) and restore it on your new device.

The most typical path is the Apple app “Move to iOS” (installed on Android), launched during iPhone configuration.

1. Turn on your new iPhone and start setup.
2. Select the option to transfer data from Android.
3. On Android, run Transfer to iOSconnect devices and choose what to transfer (contacts, messages, photos/videos, email accounts, etc. – the scope depends on the system versions).

Important:

• Some applications and their data will not be transferred “1:1” because iOS and Android are different ecosystems.
• It is also worth having multimedia in the cloud (Google Photos / iCloud) so as not to lose anything.

Two elements are key here: Google account (contacts/calendar) and photos (e.g. Google Photos) and possibly manufacturer’s tools (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.). In practice, it is most often done like this:

1. Contacts/Calendar: Make sure they’ve been synced (iCloud or account), then enable Google-side sync/transfer contacts to Google account.
2. Photos and videos: most conveniently via Google Photos (iPhone backup → Android login).
3. Files: Transfer via computer, cloud or cable.

What works and what tends to be frustrating?

This usually transfers without any problem

• contacts (if they were synchronized with your Google / iCloud account),
• photos and videos (if you use cloud or copy),
• messages and call history (usually Android→Android; it varies when changing platforms),
• notes (if you use cloud solutions, e.g. Google Keep / Notes in iCloud – depending on the ecosystem).

They often require additional steps

• WhatsApp: Moving chats depends on the direction and method (WhatsApp has its own “Move Chats” process).
• Banking applications and contactless payments: usually have to be activated again; sometimes the bank requires additional verification.
• 2FA Apps (Authenticator): it may be necessary to migrate or add accounts again – do not postpone this until after the transfer, but do it consciously.
• eSIM: eSIM transfer depends on operator and phone; sometimes you do it in the settings, sometimes through the application/operator.

Finally: check if everything works

1. Log in to your accounts (Google/Apple) and check your contacts/calendar sync.
2. Open your photos and make sure the library has downloaded/synced.
3. Verify messengers (SMS, WhatsApp, Messenger) – whether the story is correct.
4. Activate bank, payments, 2FA, eSIM.
5. Only then clean the old phone (if you plan to sell/give it away).