How to Transfer Data from Android to Android

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to send a file from an Android phone or tablet to another. You can use the SHAREit app to transfer your files wirelessly, use an SD card to copy all your files, or use a backup from an old phone to transfer data including app data to your new phone.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Transferring Apps and Data to a New Android

1
Turn on your new phone and begin the startup process. This includes selecting your language and connecting to a Wi-Fi network.
- This will only work if you have an old phone with a backup in Google on the old phone and are setting up a completely new phone.
2
Tap Next on the "Copy apps & data" screen. This will prompt your phone to include "Apps & data" with your startup.

Advertisement
3
Tap A backup from an Android phone. If you don't have access to the old Android, or it doesn't work, tap Backup from the Cloud instead and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
4
Open the Google app on your old Android. The app icon looks like a multi-colored "G." On your new Android, tap Next to continue.
5
Say "Ok Google, set up my device" to your old Android. It will have the Google app open, so the phrase "Ok Google" will trigger the Assistant. You can also type it into the search field.
- Tap Next on your new phone to continue.
- You'll see the model number of your phone displayed on your new phone. Get your old phone and follow along.
6
Open Settings on your old phone. Swipe down to access the Quick Menu and tap the gear icon or tap the app that features a gear icon.
7
Tap Google. You might have to scroll down the menu to find this option.
8
Tap Set up & restore. It's near the bottom of the menu.
9
Tap Set up nearby device and Next. Since your new phone is connected to Wi-Fi, your old phone will be able to find it and turn on its Bluetooth feature.
10
Verify the shapes/pattern and tap Next. You'll see a pattern or shapes displayed on your new phone that you need to match on the old phone to verify the connection and continue.
11
Tap Copy on your old phone. The screen will display "Copy to your new device?" Once you tap Copy on the old phone, you'll see a progress bar.
12
Sign into your Google account on your new phone. You'll also need to confirm the screen lock from your old phone to continue.
13
Choose what to restore. Tap to include Apps along with Call History, Device settings, and SMS if you want to restore everything.
14
Tap Restore. It's at the bottom of the page and will begin the restore process. You can use your phone during the process and will see the Play store active in the background as your restore finishes.^{[1]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using SHAREit

1
Download and install SHAREit on both Androids. You can find and download it from the Google Play Store.
2
Open the SHAREit app on both Androids. You can find and tap the app icon on your home screen, or on the Apps menu.
3
Tap Send on the sending Android. This option looks like a paper plane icon at the top of your screen.
4
Tap Receive on the receiving Android. You can find it next to Send at the top.
5
Select the Files tab on the sending Android. This will pull up a list of all your folders and file locations.
6
Select your file's location. Tapping a folder or location will open its contents.
7
Select the files you want to send. A blue checkmark will appear next to all the selected files.
8
Tap the blue Send button on the bottom-right. This will scan your surroundings for a receiving device.
9
Tap the avatar on the radar. When your other Android pops up on the radar, tap the avatar to transfer the selected files.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using an SD Card

1
Insert the SD card into your Android's card slot. You can copy files from your Android to the SD card, and then copy the files on the SD card to another Android device.
2
Open your file manager app. Most Androids come with a stock file manager app like My Files or File manager. Find and tap it on your Apps menu.
- Alternatively, you can download a third-party file manager app from the Play Store.
3
Find and select the files you want to transfer. You can usually select multiple files by long-pressing a file, and then tapping on all the files you want to transfer.
4
Tap the ⋮ icon. This will open your file options.
5
Select Copy. This will prompt you to select a location to copy your files.
6
Paste your files to the SD card. Select a folder from your SD card storage, and paste your files here.
- Depending on the file manager app, you may have to tap Done, OK, or Paste.
7
Remove the SD card and insert it into your second Android. This way, you can copy the files from the SD card to your second Android's local storage.
8
Open the file manager app on your second Android. You can use any manager app like My Files or File manager.
9
Find and select your copied files in the SD card. Your toolbar buttons will show up at the top.
10
Tap the ⋮ icon. It will open your file options.
11
Select Move or Copy. You can just move the files from the SD card to local storage, or copy them and leave the originals on the card.
12
Paste the files to your Android's local storage. Select a folder from your Android's storage, and paste or move your files here.