Getting a new Android phone is always a source of excitement, but the real challenge comes when it comes time to transfer all information and applications from the old device to the new oneMigrating apps, data, photos, videos, and settings may seem complex, but there are several solutions and methods to accomplish it quickly, safely, and efficiently, both through official tools and additional applications.
Key aspects when transferring applications between Android devices
Before starting the process to transfer installed apps to another Android, you must take into account certain peculiarities of the Android ecosystem:
- La configuration of each app downloaded from Google Play It is usually adapted to the model and technical characteristics of your device, so transferring the APK file manually may cause incompatibilities, especially if the phones are different.
- El The process is simpler and safer if both devices have the same or very similar Android versions., but even so, a 100% success rate cannot be guaranteed in the complete migration of apps with all their data.
- Some applications and services restrict the ability to transfer data for security or licensing reasons.
- La Play Store and Apple App Store They work similarly in this regard: cloud integration and user authentication play an essential role in app restoration.
Main methods to transfer apps and data on Android
There are several possibilities to migrate applications and files from Android to Android, each with its own advantages and limitations. Below, we show you the most recommended options:
1. Backup and restore with Google
The simplest, most universal and safest solution is to use the google backup, which allows you to save and restore most of the data from your old phone to your new device.
Android includes a cloud backup feature built into the system settings. This backup stores:
- Applications and some associated data
- Contacts saved on the device or SIM card
- Call and SMS history
- Calendar
- Music (stored on the device)
- Photos and videos (if they are synced, usually with Google Photos)
- Wi-Fi network settings, wallpapers, and other parameters
It's important pointing that This does not include media files stored outside the main folder, downloads, app data that doesn't use Android backup, custom ringtones, or apps that aren't downloaded from the Play Store..
How to activate and use Google Backup?
- On your old phone, go to Settings > Google > Backup. Activate the Google One backup option.
- Confirm that the backup includes apps, data, and call/message history. Use Wi-Fi for a faster backup that doesn't use your mobile data.
- When setting up your new phone, select the option to restore a Google backup. It will ask for your Gmail account and automatically download all associated apps and available data.
This process is effective as long as both devices are compatible at the operating system levelIf your new phone has a lower version of Android, you may need to update it first.
What data is not automatically restored?
- Media files stored outside of standard folders
- Music, photos and videos in hidden folders
- Data from apps not downloaded from the Play Store
- Accounts and calendars not synced with Google
For this reason, to preserve photos and videos, it is recommended to use Google Photos or manually transfer the folder DCIM. To learn more, you can also check out how add NFC to a mobile phone and facilitate wireless transfers.
2. Transfer media files and apps manually
If you don't want to rely exclusively on the cloud or need to transfer data that isn't included in the backup, you can do so manually using several methods:
Copy photos and videos to a computer (Windows or Mac)
- Connect your old phone to your PC using a USB cable. Select “File Transfer” in the phone’s USB notification.
- Access the device's memory from the computer and copy the folder DCIM (where the camera photos and videos are) in a folder on your PC or Mac.
- Connect the new phone and drag the DCIM folder from the computer to the new phone's memory.
On Mac, it is advisable to install Android File Transfer to be able to manage mobile storage.
Transfer apps using the Google Play Store
Google Play Store offers a history of downloaded appsYou can easily reinstall the apps on your new device:
- Open Google Play Store, tap on your profile picture and go to “Manage apps and device”.
- On the “Manage” tab, filter by “Not Installed.”
- Select the apps you want to reinstall on your new phone. The process is automatic and convenient.
This is especially useful if You didn't turn on Google Backup before the switch.. Also, if you want to manage the mobile remote control To make the transfer easier, you can also do this at this stage.
Share apps between two Android devices via Google Play
Google Play Store allows send applications via WiFi or Bluetooth between nearby devices:
- Go to Play Store – profile – “Manage apps and device”.
- In the “Overview” tab, find “Share apps” and select “Send” or “Receive.”
- Select the apps, choose the recipient, and follow the on-screen instructions. Both phones must have the Google Play Store updated.
Send APK files via Bluetooth or Quick Share
You can also transfer installation files (APK) via Bluetooth or Quick Share (on Samsung Galaxy devices) to manually share apps without an internet connection. This is useful for apps not available on the Play Store, although compatibility or security issues may arise.
3. Specialized applications for data migration
Some manufacturers and developers offer Apps designed to transfer apps and data between mobile phonesBelow, we show you the most commonly used options:
ShareMe (Xiaomi)
La app ShareMe Xiaomi's Wi-Fi Direct app allows you to transfer apps, images, videos, and files between Android devices of any brand via Wi-Fi Direct. While app transfer may not be perfect in all cases (due to hardware/software differences), the app will warn you if an app might not work properly on the receiving device.
- Transfer multimedia files, music and documents.
- Does not transfer contacts, messages, call history, or system settings.
- Ideal to complement Google backup.
Samsung Smart Switch
For Samsung users, Smart Switch It's the most comprehensive tool. It lets you transfer contacts, photos, videos, music, settings, messages, apps, and much more, even if you're using an iPhone, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone. Its advantage is its full integration with the Samsung Galaxy experience and compatibility with older versions of Android and iOS.
SHAREit
La app SHAREitDeveloped by Lenovo (owner of Motorola), it is cross-platform and allows you to transfer apps and files offline between Android, iPhone, Windows, and Mac devices. It is useful for transferring apps installed outside the Play Store, multimedia files, documents, and other personal data.
X-Transfer, Copy My Data and other options
There are apps like X Transfer y Copy my data that help transfer photos, contacts, calendar events, and other data between Android phones. They're ideal when you don't have access to Google backup or are looking for a one-time migration.
Third-party applications
- Huawei Phone Clone: quick solution to transfer data between Huawei and other Android devices.
- OnePlus Switch: similar functionality for OnePlus brand users.
- Xiaomi My Mover: Additional alternative to ShareMe.
Recommendations before transferring your applications and data
- Make sure you have both phones charged to avoid interruptions during the transfer.
- Reserve enough time, as migration can take from minutes to several hours depending on the amount of data.
- Check the available storage on the target device to make sure you can transfer everything you need.
- If your phone was managed by an organization (business or school), you may encounter restrictions.
How to transfer WhatsApp and other apps with personal data
Transferring apps is simple, but Messaging apps like WhatsApp require additional steps to preserve chats and attachments.:
- On your old phone, enable WhatsApp backup to Google Drive (Settings > Chats > Backup).
- On your new device, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and restore your backup from Google Drive.
For other apps (Telegram, Signal, Facebook Messenger, etc.), simply logging into the new installation is usually enough to restore your history from the cloud. You can also find out how to do this. emulate old phones to check compatibility if you encounter problems opening applications on the new device.
Combining google backup (to transfer apps, contacts and settings) along with tools like ShareMe, Smart Switch or SHAREit (for unsupported media files and apps) provides the most comprehensive solution. This hybrid approach ensures you won't lose valuable information and helps you tailor the process to your specific needs.
- Google Backup: calls, messages, contacts, calendar and app list.
- File transfer app: images, videos, music, documents, specific APK files.
Frequently asked questions and common problems when transferring applications
- Can I transfer all the apps and their data? This isn't always possible, as some apps only restore data if it's linked to cloud accounts.
- What do I do if the new phone is a different brand or model? Use the universal options (Google, ShareMe, SHAREit) or the manufacturer-specific ones if both phones are compatible.
- How do I recover my photos and videos without Google Photos? Copy the DCIM folder manually or use file transfer apps.
- Why do some apps not work after being transferred? There may be differences between versions, settings, or permissions; reinstall from Google Play if you encounter issues.
