How to transfer apps and passwords to a new phone
Transfer apps during phone setup, but verify saved passwords separately: the supplied instructions don’t guarantee that passwords will move.
Before you start
Keep the old phone available and charged. Don’t erase, trade in, or reset it until you’ve checked the new phone. Google recommends charging both phones; Apple says to keep both devices near each other and plugged in during Quick Start.
Connect to the internet. For Android-to-Android transfer, Google recommends Wi-Fi on both phones. Check that the new phone has enough storage; on Android, you can choose which data to copy if space is limited.
Have your account sign-in details and old-phone screen lock available. Android setup may ask for the old phone’s PIN, pattern, or password. If you no longer have the old Android phone, Google says you’ll need your Google Account and password to restore a backup.
Start the transfer during initial setup when possible. Google says Android device-to-device transfer can be available only once, and recommends doing it during setup. If you’re already past setup, the supplied instructions don’t establish a general way to restart it.
Transfer apps and data between Android phones
Copy directly from the old Android phone
Google’s instructions say the cable and wireless methods support the same data. A cable is recommended; use one that fits both phones, or an adapter. Some steps work only on Android 10 and later. For Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro moving from an older Android phone, follow the Pixel-specific help linked from Google’s Android transfer instructions. Samsung phones have separate options, including Smart Switch, so use the instructions for your model.
Turn on the new phone, tap Start, and connect it to Wi-Fi or a mobile network.
When asked to copy apps and data, choose Copy and follow the on-screen prompts to connect the phones. If using a cable, connect it when prompted.
On the old phone, confirm the copy when prompted. Sign in to your Google Account for a more complete transfer, choose what to copy, and tap Copy.
Leave both phones connected while the transfer runs. The new phone shows “Copying your data…”; when the process finishes, the old phone shows “Copying’s done.” Google says this can take from a few minutes to over an hour.
For wireless transfer, choose No cable on the new phone, then Next when “Transfer wirelessly” appears. On the old phone, enter its PIN, open the Google app, search for set up my device, and follow the prompts. Confirm the matching shapes and numbers before continuing.
Google says the setup transfer can copy apps and certain app data, music, photos, videos, contacts, text messages, call history, wallpaper, and most phone settings. It does not copy everything: examples include downloaded files, apps outside Google Play, data from apps that don’t use Android backup, and accounts other than Google Accounts and their data. What transfers can vary by phone and Android version.
Restore an Android backup if the old phone isn’t available
During setup, choose to copy apps and data and follow the prompts to restore from a Google Account backup. Select the backup and the data types to restore; you may be asked for the old phone’s PIN. Google says backups must have been turned on on the old phone for a backup to be available. See Google’s Android transfer instructions if you need the setup guidance or account recovery help.
Transfer to a new iPhone
Use Quick Start
Quick Start works with another iPhone or iPad running iOS 11, iPadOS 13, or later, according to Apple Support. Update both devices if possible. On the old device, connect to Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, unlock it, and go to the Home Screen. Turn on the new iPhone and place it nearby, then follow the on-screen instructions.
Choose how to transfer the data. With a direct transfer, wait for it to finish on both devices before using them. With an iCloud download, apps and data download in the background, so you can start using the new phone sooner. Keep devices near each other and plugged in until migration is complete. If the setup prompt disappears from the old phone, Apple advises restarting both devices.
Quick Start can’t be used to transfer from the current device when the new device is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business. Apple lists a wired transfer or restoring from an iCloud or computer backup as alternatives, but the supplied material doesn’t provide their detailed steps.
What to know about passwords
The supplied official instructions don’t specify exactly which saved passwords transfer, or guarantee that they will. Android’s transfer can move Google Accounts and certain app data, but Google’s list doesn’t promise that every app login or saved password will be copied. Apple’s Quick Start instructions describe transferring data generally without detailing password coverage.
After setup, check the password manager you use and confirm that the expected entries are available before relying on them. If an app asks you to sign in again, use that service’s official sign-in or account-recovery process. Keep the old phone until you’ve verified access; don’t assume that an app being installed means its password or account data transferred.
Troubleshooting and verification
Android transfer won’t start or stalls: Confirm both phones are charged and have internet access. Check available storage, and use a compatible cable or adapter if you chose wired transfer. For wireless setup, follow the on-screen pairing prompts and confirm the matching shapes and numbers.
Some Android items are missing: Google notes that some categories don’t copy, including downloads, apps outside Google Play, and data from apps that don’t use Android backup. Check the app’s own official instructions for its data. If you couldn’t complete transfer during setup, Google says you can try again after signing in by going to Settings > Accounts & Backup; menu wording may vary by device.
The iPhone Quick Start prompt vanished: Restart both devices and try again, as Apple advises. Keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on for the old device and keep the phones close and connected to power during migration.
Confirm before clearing the old phone: Check that expected apps are installed and open, important data is present, and you can sign in to key accounts. Test the password manager and essential apps while the old phone is still available. Google specifically advises clearing an old device only after confirming the data has copied.
