The safest way to move contacts, photos, and apps to a new Android phone is to use the new phone’s setup flow and copy from the old phone by cable or Wi-Fi. If the old phone is unavailable, restore a Google Account backup instead. Check contacts, photos, and important app data before erasing the old device: not everything transfers automatically.
Before you start
- Charge both phones and make sure you can unlock the old one.
- Connect the old phone to Wi-Fi and check that you can sign in to the Google Account you want to use on the new phone.
- Review the old phone’s backup status and details. A backup does not necessarily include every file or all data from every app.
- Check that the new phone has enough available storage for the data you plan to move.
- If you have a cable that fits both phones, keep it handy. Some combinations require a compatible adapter.
Transfer from an old Android phone during setup
Start the copy while setting up the new phone. Google warns that the transfer option may not be available later, and the exact screens depend on the phone model and Android version. Follow the prompts shown on the new device.
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- Turn on the new phone and begin setup. When prompted, choose the option to copy apps and data from an old device.
- Choose a cable or wireless transfer. For a cable transfer, connect the phones with a cable that fits both; use an adapter if needed. For wireless transfer, follow the pairing instructions on both phones and keep them connected to the internet.
- Unlock the old phone if prompted, then follow the on-screen steps to connect the devices.
- Sign in to the relevant Google Account and select what to copy.
- Keep the phones connected until the transfer finishes. Google says the copy can take from minutes to hours, depending on how much data is being moved.
Google says cable and wireless transfer support the same data in this Android-to-Android setup flow. The best choice depends on whether you have a suitable cable and whether the old phone is available and working.
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What transfers—and what may not
Google’s setup transfer can copy apps and certain app data, music, photos, videos, contacts stored on the phone or SIM, text messages and their multimedia, most phone settings, wallpaper, and call history. The precise result can vary by device and Android version.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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| Data | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Apps | Apps available at no charge on Google Play may transfer. This does not guarantee that their local data or settings will transfer. |
| Contacts | Contacts saved to your Google Account appear after you sign in. Phone- or SIM-stored contacts may be included in the copy; SIM contacts can also be imported separately. |
| Photos and videos | Photos and videos can be included, but media in hidden folders may be excluded. |
| Messages and call history | Text messages, multimedia in text messages, and call history are among the listed copy categories. |
| Other files and settings | Downloads such as PDFs, ringtones, some settings, and media in hidden folders may not copy. Non-Google accounts and their data may also be excluded. |
| Third-party or non-Play apps | Apps not from Google Play and data from apps that do not use Android backup may not transfer. |
Google’s backup feature has a separate coverage list: Android backup includes apps and app data, call history, contacts, device settings, and SMS/MMS. RCS messages, phone-app settings, and photos and videos are backed up through specific Google apps. Not all apps restore all settings or data. Check the backup details and the app’s own instructions for anything you cannot afford to lose.
Make sure contacts and photos are covered
Contacts
If your contacts are saved to your Google Account, sign in to that account on the new phone and allow sync to finish. To bring over contacts saved only on a SIM, use the phone’s contacts app to import them from the SIM. Contacts synced through another service are not included in the Google Android-to-Android setup transfer described here; use that service’s sync or export-and-import process.
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Photos and videos
Photos and videos may copy during setup, but do not assume that every folder is included. Check the photo library on the new phone, especially for media stored in hidden folders. Google Photos or Google Drive can provide a separate backup or copy route; confirm the files are available there before relying on that route.
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Moving an app and restoring its contents are different things. Google says apps available at no charge on Google Play may transfer, while app-data availability depends on developer support or whether the app supports Android backup.
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Before retiring the old phone, open any app whose records matter—such as an authenticator, messaging, banking, or work app—and check its own transfer, export, backup, or sign-in instructions. Those app-specific steps are not guaranteed by Android’s general device-copy process. Contact the app’s developer if you need help with its data.
If the old phone is unavailable: restore a Google backup
If you cannot use the old phone, choose the Google Account backup option during setup of the new device. This works only if backup was enabled on the old phone and the backup is accessible. You may need the old phone’s screen lock to confirm the restore.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
- Start setup on the new phone and choose to restore from a Google Account backup when offered.
- Sign in to the Google Account used for the backup and select the available backup.
- Enter the old device’s screen lock if requested, then choose the data to restore and follow the prompts.
- Leave the new phone connected to the internet while apps and data finish restoring. Google says the process can take up to 24 hours to complete fully.
Android version compatibility matters: Google says a device running an older Android version cannot restore a backup from a device running a higher version. If the new phone is on an older version, the restore may be incomplete.
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Google provides cable and wireless migration flows for moving from an iPhone or iPad, but the available data types vary by method, device, and Android version. Follow the new Android phone’s setup prompts and keep both devices connected during the transfer. Google says to turn off iMessage as part of the switch.
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- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
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- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Google lists iCloud photos and videos, paid apps and in-app purchases, Safari bookmarks, and health data among items that do not transfer through its iPhone-to-Android process. iCloud photos and videos require a separate iCloud-to-Google Photos process. Free apps available on Google Play may transfer in the relevant flow; this does not mean paid purchases or app data will move.
Check the new phone before wiping the old one
- Open Contacts and confirm the expected people appear; import SIM contacts if necessary.
- Check Google Photos or the relevant photo folders for images and videos that matter to you.
- Open important apps and verify that you can sign in and access their records.
- Review messages, downloads, and other files you need, since some categories may not copy in setup.
- Keep the old phone intact until these checks are complete and any app-specific transfers are done.
Android setup and transfer screens vary by manufacturer and version. If you have a Pixel, follow the Pixel-specific transfer prompts for that device; for any Android phone, use the instructions displayed during setup.
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