Can't transfer data to a new Android device

If something goes wrong while you copy data from your old device to your new Android device during setup, try these troubleshooting steps.

Setup stops or doesn't start

You lose power or get disconnected
  • If the cable is disconnected or the battery runs out, most of the time the process can be re-started. Recharge your devices and try again.
  • If you recharge your devices and it still doesn't work, you may need to cancel setup, factory reset your device from Settings, and try again.

Tips: 

  • If you use a cable to transfer, make sure your devices are fully charged before you start.
  • If one is available, use a wireless charger to keep your devices plugged into each other and charged during the transfer process.
Nothing happens or you get "Try another cable" message

Check the cable

Unplug the cable, wait a few seconds, and then replug the cable on both ends. If that doesn't work, try another cable.

Check the adapter

The adapter may be plugged into the wrong device. Try to plug the adapter into the other device instead.

Check the charging port on your old device

There may be a build-up of debris that doesn't let the cable make a connection.

 

If none of these work, try the Wi-Fi transfer method.

You get "device may not be supported" message
  1. Install any available updates for your current device.
  2. Restart your current device. On most devices, press and hold the power button until the device fully restarts.
  3. Try a cable transfer again. If that still doesn't work with your current device, learn how to transfer without a cable from Android or iPhone.
Setup transfer is stuck
  1. If setup gets stuck for more than 15 minutes, tap Stop copying.
  2. When you get "Copying's done," find out which data copied.
Can't transfer over Wi-Fi

Only certain devices can transfer over Wi-Fi. If the old device is an iPhone with iOS 13 or earlier or runs Android 4 or earlier, the transfer won't work.

Setup finished but data didn't copy

You skipped data transfer when first turned on

If you skipped the option to transfer your data during the initial device setup, you may need to return to the setup depending on how long you’ve had your new Android device.

To return to setup after a few days:

  1. On your new Android device, open the Settings app.
  2. At the top, tap Finish setting up.
  3. If that doesn't work, swipe from the top of your Android device to show your notifications and tap Finish setting up your device.

Tip: These options may only be available for some device manufacturers.

To return to setup after you've had your device for a while, reset your device. When you reset your device, it erases all your data.

Tip: Some device manufacturers may have more tools or options to help transfer your data after you set up your device. Visit to the manufacturer’s support site to learn more.

Why some data may not have transferred from an iPhone

Learn which data types can be transferred from iPhone to Android.

iPhone supervised by an organization

If a business, school, or organization supervises your iPhone, some of your data can't be copied.

Photos, videos & music

  • The file format isn't supported.
  • The transfer process was interrupted.
  • Some photos and videos are in iCloud. Learn how to request your photos and videos from iCloud.
    • You can also try to download Google Photos onto your iPhone, turn on backups, and wait for all the data to back up. This could take several days, and it's best to keep the device turned on with Google Photos open while it happens.

Apps

  • Some apps may have been purchased in the App Store, or are currently on sale in the Google Play Store.
    • To learn more about how to transfer the app to a new device, visit the developer's website.
  • Some apps may not be available in your region.
  • Some apps may not be available in the Play Store.

Messages or WhatsApp chats & data

  • Some messages were sent with a feature that isn't supported on Android devices.

Contacts or calendar events

Only contacts and calendar events that aren't synced to an account are transferred. If it's synced to an account, it won't transfer during setup. To re-sync the information to your Android device, sign in to your associated account in Settings.

More common errors

Can't scan STA QR code with your old iPhone
  • On your iPhone, check that you give the Switch to Android app permission to use the camera.
  • Tap Can't scan the QR code? for a few tips on how to transfer your data wirelessly.
  • Make sure the iPhone has internet access. If you already swapped the SIM, you may have lost internet connection. Make sure you connect to Wi-Fi.
  • Make sure your iPhone has iOS 14 or above. Older versions aren't supported. If you have an iPhone with iOS 13 or earlier, you can't transfer over Wi-Fi, but you can still use a cable to transfer data.
Not enough storage on your new Android device

Try to sync data to Google One or select fewer data types.

Tips:

  • Make sure you back up photos to Google One and then don't transfer photos during restore, since they sync again on the new device.
  • Choose not to transfer apps and app data.
You can’t find the Switch to Android app after you scan the QR code
  • If you have one, make sure your device's VPN is turned off.
  • Make sure you have an active internet connection.
  • Make sure your device's OS is up-to-date.
  • Check the date and time.
  • To go to the App Store, type g.co/android/sta into your web browser on your iPhone.
Device won't connect to other device during Wi-Fi method
  • Make sure auto-join is off on your old device so your device doesn't automatically reconnect to a different Wi-Fi network.
  • If you have one, make sure your VPN is turned off on your old device.
It's been stuck copying for hours

If you think the process is taking longer than needed, try to restart your device and go through the setup process again on your new Android device. It may also help to factory reset your device and choose fewer data types to transfer.

You accidentally pressed "don't trust" instead of "trust" on your old iPhone during a cable transfer

Unplug the cable from your iPhone, replug it, and tap Trust.

If that doesn’t work, turn off your iPhone, turn it back on, unlock your device, and then replug it into the cable.

You can't receive text messages on your new Android device
  • Make sure iMessage is turned off on all iOS devices.
    • If your old device was an iPhone, you may need to recreate group chats.
    • You may also need to restart some group chats, especially ones with 10 or more people.
    • If people message you through your Apple ID in iMessage, ask them to use your phone number instead.
  • Set up your e-SIM or insert your SIM card.
The device ran out of battery during transfer
  • Charge the device and you should be able to pick up where you left off. If not, factory reset your device and try again.
  • If your device supports wireless charging, place your device on a wireless charging pad during a cable transfer.
  • If you transfer data wirelessly, you can plug your devices into a charging cable while the data transfers.

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