Switch to a new Android device

You can move your data to a new Android device from another kind of device, or start fresh with your new Android device.

Important:

• Some of these steps work only on Android 10 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
• Some of these steps require you to touch the screen.

Before you begin

• Charge both devices.
• Make sure you can unlock the old device with a PIN, pattern, or password.
• On your old device:
  • Sign in with your Google Account. 
    • To check whether you have a Google Account, enter your email address. 
    • If you don't have a Google Account, create a Google Account.
  • Back up your data. Learn how to back up your data.
  • Check that you have a Wi-Fi connection.

Google and Android support the sustainable reuse and recycling of devices. Learn more about Google's commitment to the environment.

Tip: Before you recycle, donate, or trade-in your old device, clear your data and reset your device to the factory settings to protect your personal information. For data removal, trade-in, and recycling instructions, get help from your device manufacturer and mobile carrier.

 

Switch from an Android device

1. Turn on your new device.
2. Tap Start. If “Start” doesn’t display, you can copy your data manually.
3. When asked, make sure you connect to a Wi-Fi network.
4. Choose to copy apps and data from your old device.
   • If you have a cable to connect your devices, follow the on-screen instructions to copy your data.
   • If you don’t have a cable:
     1. Tap No cable? Ok.
     2. Tap A backup from an Android phone.
     3. To copy your data, follow the on-screen instructions.

Switch from an iPhone

1. Turn on your new device.
2. Tap Start.
3. When asked, make sure you connect to a Wi-Fi network.
4. Choose to copy apps and data from your old device.
   • Recommended: If you have a cable to connect your devices, follow the on-screen instructions to copy your data.
   • If you don’t have a cable:
     1. Tap No cable? Ok.
     2. Tap Using an iPhone device?
     3. To copy your data, follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Check your texts, photos, and videos.
   • To check your texts on your new device, learn how to switch from iMessage to Android Messages.
   • To get photos and videos stored in Apple iCloud on your new device, learn how to transfer iCloud photos and videos to Google Photos.

Restore data from the cloud

Important: If you don’t have your old device, you need to know your Google Account and password to restore data.

1. Turn on your new device.
2. Tap Start.
3. To set up your device without an old device, follow the prompts.
4. When prompted, sign in with your Google Account. 
   • If you can’t sign in, learn how to recover your account.

Copy data manually

Important: The options above can help you restore the most data. If none of the other steps work for you, try copying your data yourself.

Sync your contacts

• If you already use contacts in your Google Account, like in Gmail, they automatically show on your new Android device after you sign in.
• If your contacts are on a SIM card, learn how to import contacts from a SIM card.

Copy your music

For music services like YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Spotify, download the app to your new device and your music syncs automatically.

Copy photos, videos, files & folders

• If you’re connected to the internet, learn how to upload to Google Drive and back up to Google Photos.
• If you can't connect to the internet, learn how to transfer files between your computer and Android device.
• If you use Google Photos, learn how to back up your photos. If you use a different app for your photos, contact your device manufacturer.

Copy calendar events

• If you already use Google Calendar, your calendar events display when you open the Calendar app.
• To copy events from another calendar app, learn how to import events to Google Calendar.

Tip: If your new device is a Pixel, go to our Pixel setup guide.

How your data is handled when transferring your account

When you transfer your account to a new device, certain information is collected to perform services on your device. Some of this functionality uses Google Play services. For example, the following information is collected:

• Email addresses for app functionality purposes. For example, we show account names during phone setup to allow you to select which accounts you need to transfer. 
• Usage information, and device or other identifiers for analytics purposes.

The data collected is encrypted in transit.

Related resources

• Set up email
• Set up messaging
• Download & use apps