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.

Items you can copy to your Pixel

What copies during setup

You can copy these during setup:

• Apps and app data
• Music, photos, and videos
• Google Accounts
• Contacts stored on your phone or a SIM card
• Text messages
• Most phone settings (varies by phone and Android version)
• Multimedia in text messages
• Wallpaper
• Call history

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

Important: Contacts, calendars, and Google Keep notes that you copy to your Pixel phone sync and upload to your Google Account online. Your Google Account info syncs when you sign in to your account on your Pixel phone.

What won't copy during setup

• Downloads, like PDF files
• Photos, videos, and music stored in hidden 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.

Prepare your phones

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 (recommended)

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