Halloween DealsAmazon USHalloween week deals: useful picks before month-endAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCHalloween DealsAmazon USOctober picks are moving - compare before checkoutAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
World desk4 min

How to Transfer Data from One Motorola Phone to Another

Use the new Motorola’s setup flow to copy from your old phone or restore a Google backup. Learn how to resume a skipped transfer and check items that may not copy.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To transfer data from one Motorola phone to another, use the copy-data option in the new phone’s Android setup. Choose the old phone or a Google-account backup, then select the content to copy. If you have already finished setup, resume it from the notification or setting available on your model. Some items—such as downloaded PDFs, non-Google accounts, and ringtones—may need separate attention.

Before you start

  • Charge and turn on both phones, and keep the old phone nearby and available to unlock.
  • Connect the new Motorola to Wi-Fi. Motorola’s 2025 moto g guide specifies that both phones should be on the same Wi-Fi network for its post-setup transfer steps.
  • Have the Google account used on the old phone ready if you plan to restore from a backup.
  • If the transfer flow offers a wired route, use a compatible data cable and follow the instructions for your particular models. Motorola documents a cable for its iPhone migration route; it does not establish that every Android-to-Android Motorola transfer needs one.

Motorola’s copy-data instructions describe copying apps, music, contacts, messages, and more during setup.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Transfer data during setup on the new Motorola

  1. Turn on the new Motorola and follow the Android setup prompts until you reach the option to copy apps and data.
  2. Choose to copy from your old phone, or select a Google-account backup if you are restoring from the cloud.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect the phones or sign in to the account associated with the backup.
  4. Review the categories offered and select what you want to copy. Keep both phones available and follow any prompts on either screen until the process finishes.
  5. Check the new phone’s contacts, photos, messages, downloads, and other important items. If contacts appear more than once, merge the duplicates.

The screens and available options can differ by model and software version, so use the prompts shown on your phone rather than assuming every Motorola has identical menus.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Resume the transfer if you skipped it during setup

If the new phone is already set up, Motorola’s support instructions describe a Finish setting up your device option in Settings. Depending on the model and software version, you may instead see an Android Setup notification or an option called Continue Setup Wizard. Open whichever continuation option is present and look for the copy-data steps. Motorola’s razr family guide and 2025 moto g guide describe model-specific setup and transfer guidance.

#1 Best Overall
Motorola Moto G Power - 2026 | Unlocked | Made for US 8/128GB | 50MP Camera | Pantone Evening Blue | AI Camera System, Military Grade, Ram Boost
  • Universal unlocked - Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
  • Sharp, durable 6.8" 120Hz FHD+ display - Enjoy stunning views and a 120Hz refresh rate along with 360 degrees of protection.*
  • TurboPower charging and up to 49-hour battery - Get hours of power in just minutes of charging, and nearly two full days of battery life.***
  • 50MP camera system with OIS - Capture sharper low-light photos, smoother videos, and studio-quality selfies with an AI-powered camera system. ****
  • 5G speeds and fast multitasking - Experience unimaginably fast 5G speeds with a MediaTek processor and up to 24GB of RAM with RAM Boost.*****

What usually transfers—and what to check separately

Motorola says its documented Android copy flow may transfer:

  • Apps and app data
  • Music, photos, and videos
  • Google accounts
  • Contacts saved on the phone or SIM
  • Text messages and multimedia-message attachments
  • Most phone settings, wallpaper, and call history

That list is not a guarantee that every app or account will be copied in full. Motorola specifically identifies these exclusions from the documented flow:

Rank #2
Sale
Motorola Moto G 2025, 128GB + 4GB RAM, Forest Gray - Unlocked (Renewed)
  • Fluid 120Hz Display: Features a large 6.7-inch HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for smooth scrolling and added durability.
  • Downloads such as PDF files
  • Apps that were not installed from Google Play
  • Accounts other than Google accounts
  • Contacts and calendars for services other than Google (Motorola gives WhatsApp as an example)
  • Ringtones

Check these items on the old phone before you trade it in, reset it, or stop using it. For app-specific content, use that app’s own backup or transfer instructions where available.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

If the old Motorola phone is unavailable

If the old phone cannot turn on or is not available, choose the Google-account backup option during setup, sign in with the same Google account, and select the backup offered by the phone. Motorola documents this cloud restore route, but the available content depends on what was backed up; do not assume it contains every file, account, or app’s private data.

Rank #3
Sale
Motorola Moto g - 2026 | Unlocked | Made for US 4/128GB | 50MP Camera | Pantone Slipstream, Cellular_Phone
  • Universal unlocked. Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other prepaid carriers.
  • Super-bright, super-smooth 6.7" display. See your screen clearly even outdoors in sunlight, and enjoy seamless views with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display.*
  • AI-powered camera system. Take stunning photos in any light with the 50MP camera**, look your best with a 32MP selfie cam*****, and capture extreme close-ups.
  • Superfast 5G performance. Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed*** with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost****.
  • Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging. Power through day after day with a 5200mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.****

Moving from an iPhone to a Motorola

If your source is an iPhone, the available categories and steps depend on the destination Motorola model. Motorola’s razr 60 ultra instructions describe moving common items such as contacts, photos, videos, messages, calendars, and some app data. Photos already in Google Photos need not be migrated again; the guide says iCloud photos and videos appear in Google Photos under the iCloud tab.

For the documented wired iPhone route, Motorola specifies a USB-C cable; some older iPhones may need a Lightning-to-USB-C cable. Check the ports on both devices and follow the instructions for your exact model. A cable is not established as a universal requirement for Motorola-to-Motorola transfers.

Rank #4
Sale
Motorola Moto G Stylus - 2025 | Unlocked | Made for US 8/256GB | 50MP Camera | Pantone Gibraltar Sea
  • Unlocked: Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other major carriers.
  • Premium built-in stylus. Effortlessly jot notes, edit photos, sketch artwork, and navigate on the only phone in its class with a built-in stylus***.
  • Striking design with advanced protection. Make a statement with an ultrathin design, modern colors, and a vegan leather finish plus outstanding water and drop protection*.
  • 6.7" pOLED Super HD display + Dolby Atmos. Experience cinema-quality entertainment with over a billion shades of color and multidimensional sound.
  • Networks + Bands - 5G: sub-6, 4G: LTE, 3G: WCDMA, 2G: GSM 2G: GSM band 2/3/5/8 3G: WCDMA band 1/2/4/5/8 4G: LTE band 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/42/48/66/71 5G: NR n1/2/3/5/7/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/66/70/71/77/78

Import contacts from a SIM card

If contacts are stored on a SIM and do not appear after transfer, Motorola’s copy-data guidance includes contacts saved on the SIM. You can also import them through the Contacts app, choosing whether to save them to a Google account or to the device. Menu wording varies by Contacts app version. If you see duplicates after importing, merge them.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Choose the right transfer route

Situation Route to try What to keep in mind
Old Android phone is available Copy from the old phone during new-phone setup Choose the categories offered and check excluded or app-specific items separately.
Old phone is unavailable Restore a Google-account backup during setup Only content included in the available backup can be restored.
Source is an iPhone Use the migration steps for the destination Motorola model Supported content and cable instructions are model-specific; some older iPhones need a Lightning-to-USB-C cable for the documented wired route.

For further model-specific instructions, consult Motorola’s Android copy-data support page or the guide for your phone.

Best Value
Moto G - 2025 | Unlocked | Made for US 4/128GB | 50MP Camera | Forest Gray
  • Unlocked: Compatible with all major U.S. carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and other major carriers.
  • Super-bright 6.7" display + Bass Boost: Take your entertainment to the next level with a fast-refreshing 120Hz display* and stereo sound with more powerful bass****.
  • 50MP** Quad Pixel camera system: Capture sharper photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity—and share beautiful selfies with a 16MP front camera.
  • Superfast 5G performance*****: Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM with RAM Boost.******
  • Long-lasting battery + TurboPower charging***: Work and play all day with a 5000mAh battery, then get hours of power in just minutes.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from the Wire

  1. World desk4 min
    How to Spot an AI Voice Scam Before Sending MoneyDon’t rely on how a caller sounds. Pause, call back through a known number, and verify the emergency with another trusted person before sending money.
  2. Mountain View desk4 min
    Google’s SynthID Detector: How to Check AI-Generated Images, Video and AudioGoogle’s SynthID Detector looks for an embedded watermark in supported images, video and audio. Here is what its results do—and do not—show.
  3. Redmond desk20 min
    How to create a link to File or Folder in Windows 11Windows 11 gives you several ways to point to a file or folder without moving or duplicating it. You can create a desktop shortcut,…
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.