Transfer data from an Android phone to a Pixel

You can copy data, like texts, photos, music, contacts, calendars, and apps. Learn how to switch from an Android to a Pixel phone with our step-by-step tutorial.

Important: If your data storage is full based on your device's capacity, data transfer could pause. Be sure to check your storage capacity before you start data transfer.

Items you can copy to your Pixel

What copies during setup

Your important data will transfer over to Pixel.

Switching to Pixel doesn’t mean starting over. You can easily transfer what you need from your current phone during setup, including the following:

• Apps and app data (for apps available in Google Play)
• Music, photos, and videos
• Google Accounts
• Contacts stored on your phone or a SIM card
• Text messages (SMS and MMS)
• Multimedia in text messages
• Wi-Fi credentials
• Most phone settings (varies by phone and Android version)
• Wallpaper
• Call history
• Alarms
• Passwords from Google Password Manager (if you use the same Google Account)
• Your subscription services such as Spotify or Fitbit (just sign into the service on your Pixel)

You'll see these when you sign in to your Google Account on your Pixel phone:

• Email
• Contacts
• Calendar events
• Any other information associated with your Google Account

After initial setup, here’s what else you can transfer over:

• Non-Google accounts and their data, including contacts and calendar events.
• LINE contacts and full history of chat conversations (if backed up). Learn how to back up your chat history.
• WhatsApp chat history.

Important: Some third-party apps and data may not be transferred automatically. For more information, visit g.co/pixel/copydatahelp.

What won't copy during setup

• Downloads, like PDF files
• Photos, videos, and music stored in hidden or locked folders
• Apps that aren’t from the Google Play Store
• Data from apps that don't use Android backup
• Accounts other than Google Accounts and their data
• Contacts and calendars synced to services other than Google
• Ringtones
• Certain phone settings (varies by phone and Android version)

Learn how to transfer some of this data after setup.

Transfer data

Transfer data on Pixel 8 & Pixel 8 Pro

You can pair your Android phone with your new Pixel phone to transfer data wirelessly.

Tip: If you want to transfer data with a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi, tap 5 times on the image on the “Copy apps & data” screen. You can do this even if you have not yet paired your phones.

Step 1: Get both phones ready to set up

Important: A Google Account is recommended. Otherwise, you won't be able to download apps, and some content won’t copy to your new Pixel phone.

To start, make sure you have:

• Your fully charged existing Android phone on the latest software. Learn how to update Android.
• Your new, fully charged Pixel phone.
• A strong Wi-Fi connection.
• Your SIM card and SIM card insertion tool if you intend to use a physical SIM card with your new Pixel. Learn what comes with your Pixel phone.

Step 2: Pair your phones

1. Turn on both your existing Android phone and new Pixel phone.
2. On your new Pixel phone, tap Pixel or Android device.
3. On your existing Android phone, on the notification, tap Set up. A QR code scanner will appear.
   • You may also open your Camera app manually to scan the QR code.
4. Use your existing Android phone to scan the QR code on your new Pixel phone.

Tip: Your active Wi-Fi connection from your existing Android phone transfers to your new Pixel phone. If your Android phone isn’t connected to Wi-Fi, connect your Pixel phone to a Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Prepare your Pixel phone

1. Set up your SIM. If available, you may also:
   • Download an eSIM from your carrier. To download, follow the prompts on the screen.
   • Transfer your SIM card or eSIM to your Pixel phone. To transfer, follow the prompts on the screen.
2. On your Pixel phone, enter your existing Android phone’s screen lock.
   • Your Google Accounts begin to transfer to your Pixel phone.
3. Set up Face Unlock and Fingerprint Unlock.

Step 4: Copy data from your Android device

If you paired your phone in step 2

To choose the data that you want to copy from your existing Android device, follow the on-screen instructions. Some of the data that you can transfer are apps, Google Accounts, and text messages. Learn more about what data you can copy.

Tip: If you want to transfer data with a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi, tap 5 times on the image on the “Copy data from your Android device” screen. You can do this even if you haven't yet paired your phones.

If you didn't pair your phone in step 2

1. On “Copy data from your Android device,” tap 5 times on the screen Next.
2. Turn on and unlock your Android device.
3. Plug one end of your Android charging cable into your Android device.
4. Plug the other end into your Pixel phone.
   • If you have a Quick Switch Adapter, plug the adapter into your Pixel phone.
   • If you don't have a charging cable, you can transfer some of your data wirelessly.
5. On your Android device, follow the on-screen instructions.
6. On your Pixel phone, a list of your data appears.
   • To copy all your data, tap Copy.
   • To copy only some data:
     1. Turn off what you don't want to copy.
     2. Tap Copy.
7. When your transfer is finished, you can use your phone.

   Tip: Some apps need time to download and install and may take time to show up.

If you don't have your old device or want to restore from a cloud backup

1. On the “Copy data from your Android device” screen, at the bottom right, tap Next.
2. When asked to “Restore data from an old device,” find and tap the device you want to restore your data from.
3. A list of your data appears.
   • To restore all of your data, tap Restore.
   • To restore only some data:
     1. Turn off what you don't want to restore.
     2. Tap Restore.
4. When the restoration is finished, you can use your phone.

Step 5: Get support

We’re here to help, 24/7. To learn more about your Pixel or get in touch with us, go to g.co/pixel/support.

If you need more help on how to set up your Pixel, open the Settings app. Then, scroll and tap Tips & support.

Transfer data on Pixel 7 Pro & earlier, including Fold

Step 1: Get ready to set up your new Pixel

1. Charge both phones.
2. On your current phone, install all available updates. Learn how to update Android.
3. Find what you'll need.See what comes with your Pixel phone.
   • A cable that works with your current phone, like the cable you use to charge it.
   • Your Quick Switch Adapter, if your current phone or cable has a connection other than USB-C.
   • Your SIM card and SIM card insertion tool, unless Google Fi is your mobile carrier and you're using eSIM.
4. On your Pixel phone:
   1. Turn on your Pixel phone.

Step 2: On your Pixel

Turn on your Pixel, and tap Get Started. You can change your phone’s language or vision settings.

Step 3: Insert your SIM card

1. Insert your SIM card. Learn how to get a SIM card and insert it.
2. You'll see a Start button. If you don't see "Start," learn how to return to setup.

Step 4: Connect the phones

You can connect your phones to copy data to your new Pixel phone with:

• A cloud backup
• Your old phone with a cable (recommended)
• A Wi-Fi connection (Android 12 or later)

Step 5: Copy your data

Copy data from a cloud backup

1. On your Pixel phone:
   • Begin setup and tap Start.
   • Connect to a Wi-Fi network or your mobile carrier.
2. When asked to “Copy Apps & Data,” tap Next.
3. When asked to “Use your old device,” tap Can’t use old phone.
4. Follow the on-screen steps to log in to your Google Account and access your backup.

Copy data from your old phone with a cable

1. On your Pixel phone:
   • Tap Start.
   • Connect to a Wi-Fi network or mobile carrier.
2. When asked to “Copy Apps & Data,” tap Next Copy your data.
3. When asked to “Use your old device,” tap Next.
4. Turn on and unlock your Android device.
5. Plug one end of your Android charging cable into your Android device.
6. Plug the cable's other end into your Pixel phone or into the Quick Switch Adapter and plug the adapter into your Pixel phone.

   Tip: Don't have a cable? You can transfer some of your data wirelessly.

7. On your Android device, tap Trust.
8. On your Pixel phone, a list of your data appears.
   • To copy all your data, tap Copy.
   • To copy only some data:
     • Turn off what you don't want.
     • Tap Copy.
9. When your transfer is finished, you can use your phone.

   Tip: Some apps need time to download and install and may take time to show up.

Copy data with Wi-Fi (Android 12 or later)

Important:  You can only transfer data with Wi-Fi if your current device is an Android device running Android 5 or later and your new device is running Android 12 or later.

1. On your Pixel phone:
   • Tap Start.
   • Connect to a Wi-Fi network or mobile carrier.
2. When asked to “Copy Apps & Data,” tap Next Copy your data.
3. When asked to “Use your old device,” tap Next.
4. When asked to “Find your old phone’s cable,” tap No cable?.
5. In the notification, tap Ok.
6. Turn on and unlock your current phone.
7. On your current phone, open the notification to set up your new phone.
8. On your Pixel phone, you'll get a list of your data.
   • To copy all your data, tap Copy.
   • To copy only some data:
     • Turn off what you don't want.
     • Tap Copy.
9. When your transfer is done, you can use your phone.

Get more tips & support

• If you didn't transfer your data when you first turned on your phone, learn how to return to setup.
• If something goes wrong with copying during setup, learn what to check.
• If you can't use your old phone, or don't have a cable that fits, learn other ways to move your data.

Related resources

• Can't transfer data to new Pixel phone
• Customize your phone
• Explore your phone