Quick answer
The fastest way is to sign in to the same Google account on the new phone and restore the backup from the old device during initial setup. Contacts, calendar and photos from the Google account arrive automatically, and apps are downloaded from the store. If no backup was made, transfer data directly between phones or via a computer.
How to recognize the problem
- The new phone is empty, and the old one still works and has all the data
- Contacts and photos are on the old phone but not on the new one
- Apps do not appear automatically after signing in to the Google account
- The phone backup is old or was never made
- You do not know if photos are in Google Photos or only in phone memory
Most common causes
You did not sign in to the same Google account
Contacts, calendar and some settings are tied to the Google account. If you sign in to the new phone with a different account, that data will not arrive.
No phone backup was made
Android only makes a backup if the option is enabled and the phone was connected to Wi-Fi and a charger. Without a backup, there is no automatic restore.
Photos are not synced
Google Photos only stores photos if backup is enabled. Photos that are only in phone memory do not transfer to the new device by themselves.
Apps do not restore automatically
Apps themselves are not transferred as files but are re-downloaded from the Google Play Store. Data inside an app depends on whether the app has its own sync.
The old phone is already reset or broken
If the old device was factory reset before the transfer, data can only be restored from a previously made backup or from the Google account.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check what is tied to the Google account
On the old phone, open
Settings > Google > Backup(the name may also beBack up now, depending on the Android version) and check which account is signed in. Make sure the option is enabled and start the backup. Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and a charger until the backup finishes. - 2
Enable contact sync
Open the account settings on the phone, for example
Settings > Accounts > Google, and find the sync option (the name may vary by manufacturer). Check that Contacts, Calendar and Gmail are enabled. Wait for the sync to finish before moving to the new phone. Contacts on the SIM card are not transferred automatically, so save them to the Google account first. - 3
Check if photos are in Google Photos
In the Google Photos app, open your profile and check if backup is enabled. If not, enable it and wait for photos to upload. For large amounts of photos this can take a while, so leave the switch to the new phone for later.
- 4
Sign in to the same account on the new phone
During the initial setup of the new phone, sign in with the same Google account. When offered to restore a backup, choose the latest backup from the old device. If you skipped the initial setup, add the account in
Settings > Accountsand check sync. Restoring the full backup is usually only possible during initial setup, and apps can be reinstalled from the Google Play Store. - 5
Restore contacts and calendar
After signing in, open
Settings > Accounts > Googleand find the sync option (the name depends on the manufacturer). Enable sync for Contacts and Calendar. Wait a few minutes, then check the Contacts app. If contacts do not appear, in the Contacts app check the display filter and whether the correct account is selected. - 6
Transfer photos directly between phones
If photos are not in Google Photos, use a direct transfer. On the new phone during setup, choose the option to transfer from the old device via cable or Wi-Fi. If setup is complete, use the new phone manufacturer's transfer app (for example Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi Mi Mover) or a file sharing app over Wi-Fi.
- 7
Download apps from the store
Open Google Play, then in your profile select
Manage apps & device > Manage. If needed, select the filter for not installed apps to see apps previously linked to the account, then check the ones you want to reinstall. Purchased apps and active subscriptions are tied to the same Google account, so you do not pay again. - 8
Sign in to apps that store data on the server
For apps such as Viber, WhatsApp, banking apps and similar, sign in with the same number or account and follow their restore dialog. Messages are restored only if backup was enabled in the app. If there is no backup, message history cannot be transferred. Some banking apps require confirmation on the old phone, so activate them before resetting.
- 9
Check the transfer before erasing the old phone
Open contacts, gallery, calendar and the most important apps on the new phone and check that the data is there. Only when you are sure, do a factory reset on the old phone. Before that, make a backup and check that it finished, because resetting erases all data and cannot be undone.
If nothing helps: transfer via computer
When direct transfer does not work, you can transfer photos and documents via a computer. Connect the old phone with a cable, select file transfer mode on the phone and copy the photo and document folders to the computer. Then connect the new phone and copy them to the appropriate folders. You can export contacts on the old phone from the Contacts app as a file and import them on the new one. For business accounts, check with your administrator whether transfer is allowed, as some organizations restrict copying data to personal devices.
How to prevent it
- Enable phone backup and Google account sync on every phone
- Keep photos in Google Photos with backup enabled
- Store contacts in the Google account, not only on the SIM card
- Before buying a new phone, check that a backup was made and the account is active
When to call a professional
Contact IT support if you are transferring a business phone with company data, if device management by your organization is enabled, or if the backup cannot be restored, because a wrong step can erase data.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Do apps transfer by themselves to the new phone?
No, apps themselves are not transferred as files. They are re-downloaded from the Google Play Store, and data inside them depends on whether the app has its own sync or backup.
Why did my contacts not arrive on the new phone?
Most often because the same Google account is not signed in on the new phone or contact sync is not enabled. Check the account in `Settings > Accounts` and enable contact sync.
Can I transfer data if the old phone is broken?
Only if there is a backup in the Google account or in apps that store data on the server. Without a backup, data from the broken phone's memory cannot be recovered.