When you set up a new Pixel phone, the easiest way to transfer data is from your previous Android device or iPhone. The process and options for data transfer may vary depending on the device and Android version.
Tip: For the smoothest process:
- Back up everything: Sync photos, videos, messages and contacts to the cloud in advance.
- Stay powered: Fully charge both phones. While a typical transfer takes 20 minutes, large transfers can take longer.
- Cable failsafe: If you use a USB-C cable, the transfer can be faster and it acts as a failsafe if Wi-Fi drops.
If you don't have access to your previous phone and it's already backed up to your Google Account, learn how to restore data on your Pixel device.
To find visual, step-by-step instructions on how to transfer your data, take a look at Pixel Guidebooks.
Get your devices ready for data transfer
Important: To get the most out of your new Pixel phone, you need a Google Account. Learn how to create a new Google Account.
Before you transfer your files and information to your new Pixel phone, follow these steps to make sure that all of your data transfers. To get your new Pixel phone ready for setup, learn more about tasks that you can do.
To help you get ready for data transfer:
- Sync your apps with your Google Account.
- Use passwords and passkeys across your devices.
- Back up and restore your data.
Prepare your devices:
- Fully charge both phones.
- Make sure that both phones have a strong Wi-Fi connection.
- Keep them near each other.
- To avoid interruptions during transfer, turn off screen locks on both devices.
- Have a USB-C cable.
Tip: If your Pixel phone storage becomes full, data transfer could pause. Learn how to free up space on a Pixel phone.
Choose the device that you'll transfer data from:
Transfer data from an Android device to a Pixel
You can transfer data such as texts, photos, music, contacts, calendars and apps from a current Android device or a current Pixel device.
Transfer data to Pixel 8 and laterYou can pair your previous Android or Pixel device with your new Pixel to transfer data wirelessly or with a cable. Based on your connection, your Pixel device automatically detects the best option for data transfer.
Go to this video with audio descriptions: Copy data from your Android to your Pixel phone
Step 1: Pair your devices
- Turn both your existing Android and new Pixel devices on.
- On your Pixel device, tap Pixel or Android device.
- On the notification on your Android device, tap Set up.
- A QR code scanner appears.
- To scan the QR code manually, you may also open your Camera app.
- To scan the QR code on your new Pixel device, use your previous Android or Pixel device.
Step 2: Prepare your new Pixel
- Set up your SIM.
- If available, download an eSIM from your operator. To download, follow the prompts on the screen of your Pixel device. Learn how to set up an eSIM.
- On your Pixel, enter the screen lock code of your previous Android device.
- Your Google Accounts transfer.
Step 3: Transfer data from your Android device
Important: For Pixel 9 and later, you can transfer data from your current device in the initial setup and add additional data post setup. Learn how to add data after initial setup.
Use a QR code
To choose the data that you want to transfer from your current Android device, follow the on-screen instructions. Learn more about items that you can transfer to your Pixel.
Use a cable
- On your new Pixel device, when prompted to 'Copy data from your Android device', tap five times on the screen.
- Tap Next.
- Turn on and unlock your previous Android device.
- Connect your devices with a USB-C cable:
- If you need to use a Quick Switch adaptor, plug the adaptor into your Pixel phone. Learn more about Quick Switch adaptors.
- On your Android device, follow the on-screen instructions.
- On your Pixel phone, you can find a list of your data.
- To transfer all your data, tap Copy.
- To only transfer selected data:
- Turn off what you don't want.
- Tap Copy.
Tips:
- If your device recommends it, use a cable for your data transfer.
- You can transfer data with a USB-C cable even if you haven't paired your devices yet.
- Some apps need time to download and install and may take time to show up.
Tip: If you want to transfer data with a USB-C cable, on the 'Copy apps and data' screen, tap on the image five times. You can do this even if you haven't paired your phones yet.
Step 1: Insert your SIM card (if applicable) and turn on your Pixel device
- Insert your SIM card. Learn how to get and insert a SIM card.
- If you use an eSIM, download your eSIM. Learn how to set up an eSIM.
- Turn on your Pixel device.
- Tap Get started.
Tip: If you've inserted a physical SIM card, your device automatically applies your language and accessibility settings.
Step 2: Connect your previous Android device to your Pixel device
You can transfer data through:
- Your previous Android device with a cable, which is recommended
- A Wi-Fi connection
Step 3: Transfer data
Use a cable (recommended)
- On your Pixel device, when asked to 'Copy apps and data', tap Next
Copy your data.
- When asked to 'Use your old device', tap Next.
- Plug one end of your Android charging cable into your previous Android device.
- Plug the cable's other end into your new Pixel device.
- If you use a Quick Switch adaptor, plug the adaptor into your Pixel device.
- On your previous Android device, tap Trust.
- On your new Pixel device, choose how to transfer your data.
- To transfer your Google Account and backed up data, tap Express.
- To only transfer selected data, tap Customise.
- Turn off what you don't want.
- Tap Copy.
Copy your data.Use Wi-Fi
Important: To transfer data with Wi-Fi, your previous Android device should run on Android 5 or later, and your Pixel device should run on Android 12 or later.
- On your Pixel device, when asked to 'Copy apps and data', tap Next
- When asked to 'Use your old device', tap Next.
- When asked to 'Find your old phone's cable', tap No cable?
- On your previous Android device, open the notification to set up your new device.
- On your new Pixel device, choose how to transfer your data.
- To transfer your Google Account and backed up data, tap Express.
- To only transfer selected data, tap Customise.
- Turn off what you don't want.
- Tap Copy.
Important: For Pixel 9 and later, you can transfer data from your current device in the initial setup and add additional data post setup. Learn how to add data after initial setup.
| Data type | During setup transfer | Post setup data transfer |
| Google Accounts | Yes | Yes |
|
Device-stored data
|
Yes | Yes |
|
Apps
|
Yes | Yes |
| Wallpaper and widgets | Yes | Yes |
|
Preferences and settings
|
Yes | Depends on setting |
|
Cloud-synced data (make sure that you're signed in to the same Google Account)
|
Yes | Yes |
|
What doesn't automatically transfer to your Pixel
|
No | No |
*Some third-party apps and data may not be transferred automatically. Learn about data that you can't transfer in setup.
Frequently asked questions
What if some of my data didn't transfer over?If you're on a new Pixel phone, click here for support:
- Google Messages: It can take up to 24 hours for the Google Messages app to fully index and display your history. Keep the phone plugged in during this 'post-transfer lag'.
- Google Photos: Check if they were stored in the cloud. To find synced content, log in to the same Google Account in the Google Photos app.
- WhatsApp: If history didn't transfer, make sure that you use the same phone number. On your old device, turn on the cloud backup within the WhatsApp app.
If you encounter issues during transfer, try these steps:
- Check for app updates: On both devices, update Google Messages to the latest version. On your old device, set it as your default messaging app.
- Use a cable for iOS: To transfer messages (including text messages and iMessages) and apps, use a cable. Wireless transfers that use the Android Switch app from the Apple App Store won't include messages.
- Wait for indexing: It can take up to 24 hours for a large volume of messages to fully index and appear in the app list. To verify if the data has arrived, you can search for a known message by keyword.
- Check storage: Data transfer may pause if your new Pixel phone's storage is full.
- Retry with Android Switch: To copy any missing data after setup, use the Android Switch tool in settings.
If you can't use your previous device or don't have a cable that fits, learn how to fix issues with data transfer.
- Finish setup notification: If it has been less than 72 hours since setup and you get a 'Pixel setup isn't done' notification, tap it to complete the process.
- Restore at any time: You can transfer data and merge it with your current device content without a factory reset.
- On your new Pixel phone, open the Settings app.
- With Android Switch, tap Back up or copy data
If you skipped the transfer or need to try again because it failed:
- On your new Pixel phone, open the Settings app.
- Tap Back up or copy data
Tip: If you transfer from iOS, to make sure that messages are included, use a cable.
- Sync through Google Photos app: On your previous iPhone, install the Google Photos app and turn on backup. This syncs both local device photos and iCloud photos to your Google Account, which makes them visible on your new Pixel phone.
- Apple data transfer:
- Sign in with your Apple ID at privacy.apple.com.
- To move your media directly to Google Photos, select Request to transfer a copy of your data.
- This process typically takes three to seven days.
Important: RCS is now available for Android and selected iPhone devices, provided by Google or your operator under your operator's Terms of Service.
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a modern industry standard for messaging and enables more dynamic and secure conversations than SMS and MMS. Learn how to turn RCS chats in Google messages on or off.If you use Google Password Manager, it's already installed on your new device. Learn more about passkeys.
If you use iCloud to store your passwords or passkeys, you need to log in to your apps and services manually.
- Deregister iMessage: Before the transfer, you must turn off iMessage and FaceTime in your iPhone settings. If you've already completed the transfer, deregister your phone number at selfsolve.apple.com/deregister-imessage. This makes sure that new messages reach your Pixel phone instead of disappearing into the Apple cloud.
- Cable connection: For iPhone-to-Pixel transfers, WhatsApp history requires a cable connection during initial setup. You must choose to transfer apps and make sure that you select WhatsApp.
- App backup: On your old device, in the WhatsApp settings, turn on cloud backups. Then you can restore your history when you first launch WhatsApp on your new Pixel.
- Google Play Store only: Only apps installed from the Google Play Store will transfer. Sideloaded apps or those from other stores (like the Galaxy Store) must be installed manually.
- iOS app matching: If a direct match isn't found for an iOS app, you can search the Google Play Store for the app or a comparable alternative.
- Paid apps: Paid apps from the Apple App Store won't transfer. You'll need to repurchase them from the Google Play Store.
Tip: For transfers that involve more than 60 GB of data, make sure that both devices are fully charged and connected by a USB cable. This is to prevent connection drops or battery depletion during the process.