If you're switching Android phones or simply need to share your photo memories between devices, knowing how to transfer photos from one Android to another is a fundamental skill. The photos stored on your phone represent precious moments, and losing them can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are different methods and tools that make transferring images simple, fast, and secure, regardless of your level of technological experience or the brand of your device.
In this guide you will discover All updated options for transferring photos from one Android device to another, from traditional wired methods to the most modern and faster solutions using the cloud, migration assistants, third-party applications, or integrated services. You'll also learn the advantages and disadvantages of each method, so you can choose the one that best suits your specific needs and circumstances.
Are you ready to make sure your photos are transferred intact and organized to your new phone? Then we invite you to explore this comprehensive guide in detail.
Key aspects before transferring your photos from Android
Before starting the transfer process, keep the following points in mind to avoid data loss or inconvenience:
- Check available storage on both devices. Make sure your new Android has enough space to store all the images.
- Check your internet connection if you will be using cloud methods, as a poor connection can delay the process.
- Synchronize your Google account and check your gallery backup, so you don't miss out on recent, unbacked-up images.
- Update applications and services related apps (such as Google Photos, Google Drive, manufacturer apps, etc.) to enjoy the latest and most secure features.
- Temporarily disable battery optimization If the process is very long or you use third-party apps, so that the transfer is not interrupted.
Transfer photos from Android to Android using the cloud
One of the most convenient and versatile methods for transferring photos is through cloud services. By uploading your photos to an online storage account, you can access them from any Android device simply by logging into the same account. The main services used are:
- Google Photos: Probably the most popular option. It allows automate backup of your photos and videos, organize them by album, and share them easily. The app usually comes pre-installed, but it's available on Google Play if you don't have it.
- Google Drive: Offers free storage and the ability to create folders to organize your photos manually. You can upload and download files to your new phone after signing in with your Google account. To manage your photos and ensure everything is synced, check out How to sync Google Photos.
- Alternatives such as Dropbox, OneDrive or MEGA: Each has its own advantages, free storage capacities, and Android apps.
To transfer photos, follow these general steps (they may vary slightly depending on the app):
- Upload photos to the cloud service from your old phone. In Google Photos, simply turn on automatic backup.
- Access the cloud from your new AndroidSign in to the same account and download the images you need or enable automatic syncing.
- Share albums or links if you just want to transfer a few photos or share them with other people.
Advantages: It allows you to have a secure backup in the cloud, easily share links, and access your photos from any device. Disadvantages: Free space is limited and you will depend on an Internet connection to upload/download images.
Transfer photos between Android devices using Google Migration Assistant
El Android Setup or Migration Assistant It's a built-in tool that appears when you set up a new Android device. It allows you to copy all your photos, videos, apps, and settings directly from your old phone to your new one:
- Turn on your new Android and follow the initial steps. The wizard will ask if you want to transfer data from your old device.
- You can choose transfer by cable o wirelessly (WiFi or Bluetooth, depending on the model).
- Select the types of data you want to transfer. Check photos and videos to ensure that all your images are copied.
- The transfer will begin, and once complete, you'll have your photos on your new device with the same structure and organization as your old phone.
Tips:
- To take advantage of this system, your old phone must be operational and have sufficient battery life.
- Allows you to transfer data other than photos (contacts, apps, settings, etc.).
- Ideal if you don't want to depend on the Internet or external apps.
Direct transfer methods: Quick Share and Bluetooth
In addition to Google Assistant, modern Android devices offer direct transfer methods for photos and files. The main ones are:
- QuickShare: A feature built into Android and many customization layers (especially Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO). It allows you to select photos from the gallery, tap on "Share" and select Quick Share to send the photos to a nearby phone. No external apps are required, as long as both devices are compatible and nearby.
- Bluetooth: Classic method, useful for a few images or if you don't have access to Wi-Fi/data. Select the photos in your gallery, tap Share, choose Bluetooth, select the destination device, and accept the transfer.
Quick Share is much faster than Bluetooth and does not compress the quality of the images.
Transfer photos from Android to Android via USB cable
The traditional wired method is still one of the most reliable, especially if you're dealing with large amounts of photos or videos and don't want to use the cloud. You can do it in two ways:
- With a computer as an intermediary:
- Connect your old phone to your computer using a USB cable and select the "Transfer files" or "Transfer images" option. Access the DCIM/Camera folder to copy the photos to the PC.
- Disconnect the first phone and connect the new one. Copy the images from the PC to the new device, placing them in the same folder.
- Using a USB-C to USB-C cable between both phones (if both allow it): Some modern mobile phones allow direct data transfer via cable, without the need for a computer.
Advantages: Reliability, no internet dependence and no loss of quality. Disadvantages: It may be slower and requires cables and, in some cases, a PC.
Third-party apps to transfer photos between Android devices
There are numerous apps specialized in transferring photos and files between Android devices, regardless of make or model. The most popular include:
- Wondershare MobileTrans: Allows you to transfer photos, videos, contacts, and other files between Android, iOS, and PCs. Uses Wi-Fi, a USB cable, or QR codes. Very useful for making selective transfers without losing quality.
- Dr.Fone Mobile TransferSimple and powerful for transferring photos, documents, messages, and more. Compatible with most Android brands and models, it offers an intuitive interface ideal for beginners.
- Send Anywhere, ShareIt and similar: They use Wi-Fi Direct to transfer images at high speed. Simply install the app on both devices, select the photos you want to send, and follow the instructions.
Remember to review the permissions you grant to these apps and always download them from official stores (Google Play) to avoid security issues. To make this process easier, you can also check How to clone an Android phone step by step.
Transfer photos with messaging apps and social platforms
While not the optimal choice for large amounts of images, messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal They can be useful for sending photos between your own devices or to other people:
- On WhatsAppYou can send photos to yourself by creating a chat with yourself. To maintain quality, use the "send as file" option.
- On Telegram: Offers virtually unlimited storage. Open a chat with your friends and share photos in file format so they don't get compressed.
- Useful method for single photos or sharing with family/friends, but compression can occur if the correct format is not chosen.
SD card and external storage to transfer photos
If your Android devices have microSD card slot, this method is very simple:
- Insert the SD card into the old phone.
- Move or copy photos from gallery to SD card.
- Remove the card and insert it into your new phone. Import the photos from the card into your new gallery.
You can also use a OTG USB flash drive to copy images if your mobile supports this protocol, connecting it directly to the mobile's USB port.
Manufacturer migration tools for transferring photos
Some Android mobile manufacturers offer official data transfer applications between your own devices and sometimes to other Android devices, to facilitate the process and copy not only photos but also contacts, apps, and settings. Among the most common:
- Samsung Smart Switch: Allows you to transfer data via cable, direct WiFi, or from a backup.
- Huawei Phone Clone: Use a QR code to pair devices and securely move pictures and other files.
- OPPO Clone Phone and OnePlus Clone Phone: Similar solutions for devices of each brand.
- Xiaomi Mi Mover: Specialized in migrating data and settings from Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO phones.
- Sony Xperia Transfer, Asus Data Transfer and LG Mobile Switch: Manufacturer-specific applications available on Google Play.