How to Transfer Your Data from an Old Phone to a New One (iPhone & Android)

That moment when you unbox a new smartphone is pure joy. The pristine screen, the snappy performance—it’s a fresh start. But that excitement can quickly turn to anxiety when you think about the daunting task of moving your entire digital life—your photos, contacts, messages, and apps—from your old device to the new one.

Thankfully, the days of manually transferring files for hours on end are long gone. In 2025, the tools provided by Apple and Google have made this process incredibly seamless. Whether you’re staying within the same ecosystem or making the big switch from Android to iPhone (or vice versa), here is your step-by-step guide to a smooth and successful data transfer.

Before You Begin: The 3-Step Prep

Don’t skip these steps! A little preparation will prevent major headaches.

1. Back It Up: Even though modern transfer methods are direct, it’s always wise to have a cloud backup. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap “Back Up Now.” On Android, go to Settings > Google > Backup and ensure it’s turned on.
2. Charge Both Phones: The data transfer process can take some time and consume a lot of power. Make sure both your old and new phones are charged to at least 50%, or better yet, keep them plugged in during the transfer.
3. Get on Wi-Fi: You will need a stable Wi-Fi connection for the two phones to talk to each other and for downloading apps from the cloud.

Case 1: iPhone to New iPhone

This is the easiest and most magical transfer process of all, thanks to Apple’s Quick Start feature.

1. Turn on your new iPhone and place it next to your old iPhone.
2. The Quick Start screen will automatically appear on your old phone, asking if you want to set up the new one. Tap “Continue.”
3. An animation will appear on your new iPhone. Hold your old iPhone over the new one to scan this animation.
4. You’ll be prompted to enter your old iPhone’s passcode on the new device.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions. You will be given the option to “Transfer from iPhone” (a direct, peer-to-peer transfer) or “Download from iCloud.” The direct transfer is often faster if you have a good Wi-Fi connection.
6. That’s it. Go make a coffee. Your new iPhone will become an exact clone of your old one, with all your data, apps, and even your home screen layout perfectly preserved.

Case 2: Android to New Android

The process for Android is similarly simple, leveraging your Google Account.

1. Turn on your new Android phone. During the initial setup, you’ll be asked if you want to copy apps and data from your old phone. Choose “Next.”
2. You’ll be instructed to connect the two phones. The most reliable method is with a USB-C to USB-C cable. If you don’t have one, you can choose to transfer wirelessly, though it may be slower.
3. On your old phone, you’ll need to confirm that you want to copy the data.
4. On your new phone, sign in to your Google Account. You’ll be presented with a list of all the data you can transfer (apps, photos, contacts, messages, etc.). Select everything you want to move and tap “Copy.”
5. Your core data will be transferred, and your new phone will begin downloading all your apps from the Google Play Store automatically.

(Note: Samsung users can also use the excellent Samsung Smart Switch app, which offers a very similar and robust transfer process).

Case 3: Android to iPhone

Making the big switch? Apple has a dedicated app for that called “Move to iOS.”

1. While setting up your new iPhone, proceed until you reach the “Transfer Your Apps & Data” screen. Choose the option “From Android.”
2. On your Android phone, go to the Google Play Store and download the “Move to iOS” app. Open it and grant the necessary permissions.
3. On your iPhone, a ten-digit or six-digit code will appear. Enter this code on your Android phone.
4. Your Android phone will now connect to the iPhone over a private Wi-Fi network. You can then select what you want to transfer (contacts, message history, photos, calendars, etc.).
5. Once the transfer is complete, your iPhone will finish its setup and will automatically prompt you to download the iOS versions of the free apps that were on your Android device.

Case 4: iPhone to Android

This used to be the trickiest transfer, but Google has made it much easier.

1. During the setup of your new Android phone, when prompted to copy data, choose to copy from your “iPhone or iPad.”
2. The best method is to use a Lightning to USB-C cable to connect the two phones directly.
3. On your iPhone, you’ll need to tap “Trust” to allow the Android phone to access your data.
4. On your Android phone, you can then select which data categories you want to import. It can pull over your contacts, photos (even from iCloud), calendars, and can even disable iMessage for you to ensure you receive text messages properly on your new device.

With these modern tools, moving your digital life is no longer a chore to be dreaded. It’s just the final, simple step to enjoying your new phone.