In Brief (TL;DR)
Discover how to easily and quickly transfer all your data – contacts, photos, apps, and settings – from your old to your new smartphone with our complete guide.
We will analyze step-by-step the best procedures for moving contacts, photos, and apps, both between devices with the same operating system and between Android and iOS.
Discover the most effective procedures for every scenario, whether you need to transfer data between identical systems (Android/iOS) or different ones.
The devil is in the details. 👇 Keep reading to discover the critical steps and practical tips to avoid mistakes.
Buying a new smartphone is a moment that combines enthusiasm for innovation with the worry of losing one’s data. In an era where the phone has become the guardian of our digital life — an archive of photos, conversations, contacts, and documents — switching from one device to another can seem like a complex operation. In Italy, where the smartphone is a daily companion for the vast majority of the population, this need is particularly felt. Fortunately, data migration procedures have become much simpler and safer, transforming what was once a technical obstacle into a process accessible to everyone.
This complete guide illustrates the most effective methods for transferring data between smartphones, covering all possible scenarios: from Android to Android, from iPhone to iPhone, and between the two operating systems. Whether you are a digital native or someone less accustomed to technology, you will discover that saving your memories and important information is a task within everyone’s reach. We will see how the tradition of our memories can meet technological innovation, ensuring a serene and lossless transition.
Preparation: Essential Steps Before You Start
Before starting any transfer procedure, careful preparation is essential to ensure everything runs smoothly. The first step, and the most important one, is to perform a complete backup of the old device. The backup acts as a safety net, a spare copy of all your important data that can save you in case of unexpected events. For Android users, the go-to service is Google One (which integrates Google Drive and Google Photos), while for Apple users, it is iCloud. These cloud services automatically save contacts, photos, settings, and much more, making restoration an almost automatic process.
In addition to the backup, there are two other practical aspects to consider. Make sure both smartphones, old and new, have sufficient battery charge (ideally above 50%) or, even better, are connected to power. A power outage during the transfer could corrupt data. Furthermore, a stable Wi-Fi connection is crucial, as most wireless transfer methods rely on it to move large amounts of data quickly and securely. Finally, keep the credentials for your main accounts handy, such as your Google Account and Apple ID, because they will be needed to authorize the process and restore purchases and app data.
From Android to Android: System Continuity
Switching between two Android smartphones is now an extremely fluid operation, thanks to deep integration with the Google account. During the initial setup of a new device, the system will ask if you want to copy apps and data from an old phone. By choosing this option, you can transfer most content wirelessly or via cable. Contacts, calendar events, SMS, device settings, and even the wallpaper are automatically restored once you log in with your Google account. Even apps previously installed from the Play Store will be automatically downloaded to the new device.
Manufacturer Tools
In addition to the standard Google method, many manufacturers offer proprietary tools that make the switch even more complete. Applications like Samsung Smart Switch, Xiaomi Mi Mover, or OPPO Clone Phone are designed to transfer an even wider range of data, including files, home screen layouts, and system app-specific data. These tools work similarly: you install the app on both devices, establish a connection (usually via Wi-Fi Direct), and select the content to migrate. Using these software tools is often recommended when staying within the same brand, as they guarantee maximum compatibility.
From iPhone to iPhone: The Apple Ecosystem
Transferring data between two iPhones is a shining example of the efficiency of the Apple ecosystem, designed to offer a simple and integrated user experience. The most immediate method is the Quick Start feature. By bringing the new iPhone close to the old one during the setup phase, the two devices will automatically recognize each other. By following the on-screen instructions, you can transfer all your settings, data, and apps directly from one device to the other, via a Wi-Fi connection or cable. This process effectively clones the old phone, making the new one immediately familiar.
An equally valid alternative is restoring from an iCloud backup. If you have enabled automatic backup on your old device, you just need to log in with your Apple ID on the new iPhone and choose to restore from the latest available backup. This option is ideal if you don’t have the old device at hand. For those who prefer an offline solution, it is always possible to perform an encrypted backup of the old iPhone on a computer (via Finder on Mac or iTunes on Windows) and then restore it to the new device by connecting it with a cable. This choice, although more traditional, remains one of the safest and most complete.
The Big Leap: From Android to iPhone
Switching from an Android operating system to iOS might seem like a daunting task, but Apple has developed a specific tool to facilitate this transition: the Move to iOS app. Available for free on the Google Play Store, this application must be installed on the old Android smartphone. During the setup of the new iPhone, at the “Apps & Data” screen, select the option “Move Data from Android”. On your Android device, open the Move to iOS app and enter the code that appears on the iPhone. A temporary Wi-Fi network will be created to securely transfer the selected content.
The Move to iOS app is capable of migrating a large amount of information, including contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, and calendars. Free apps that were installed on Android will also be transferred if available on the App Store. However, some data such as music, PDFs, and downloaded files may require manual transfer, for example via a computer or a third-party cloud service. Choosing a new phone can also be an opportunity to evaluate convenient purchase options, such as those discussed in our guide to buying an iPhone in installments.
Back to Basics: From iPhone to Android
The reverse path, from iPhone to Android, has also been significantly simplified. The most common method relies on Google Drive. By installing the Google Drive app on your iPhone, you can back up contacts, calendar, and photos directly to your Google account. Once you start the new Android smartphone and set up the same Google account, this data will be automatically synced. During initial setup, many Android devices also offer a wizard that allows you to connect the two phones with a cable (Lightning to USB-C) for a direct and more complete transfer.
One of the biggest concerns for those making this switch regards the migration of WhatsApp chats. Fortunately, there is now an official feature within WhatsApp that allows you to transfer your entire chat history from iPhone to Android. This operation requires a cable to connect the two devices and must be performed during the initial setup of WhatsApp on the new phone. For those looking for a completely new experience, switching to another operating system is also the right time to find out about the best mobile phone offers available on the market.
Conclusions
In conclusion, transferring data from an old to a new smartphone is no longer the technical and risky operation it used to be. Thanks to the integrated tools offered by Google and Apple, such as account synchronization and dedicated apps like Move to iOS, the process has become safe, fast, and accessible to anyone. Whether you stay within the same ecosystem or decide to switch from Android to iOS or vice versa, there are guided solutions for every need. Preparation, through a preventive backup and ensuring you have stable battery and Wi-Fi, remains a crucial step for a stress-free experience. Facing this step with the right information, such as that provided in this guide or in our guide to choosing your first smartphone, allows you to fully enjoy your new device, with the certainty of having brought your digital world with you, made of memories, contacts, and precious information.
Frequently Asked Questions
The duration of the data transfer depends heavily on the quantity of files (photos, videos, apps) and the method chosen. Using a Wi-Fi connection, the process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. A cable transfer is usually faster. It is advisable to start the operation when you have time available and keep both phones charged.
No, it is possible to transfer your WhatsApp history. For transfers between the same operating systems (Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone), you can use cloud backup (Google Drive or iCloud). For transferring between Android and iOS, WhatsApp offers a specific feature, but it is crucial to follow the official procedure carefully to avoid losing data.
Most transfer tools will reinstall the apps you had by downloading them from the respective store (Google Play or App Store). However, internal data and logins are not always migrated. For many apps, such as banking or social media apps, you will need to log in again. For games, a cloud save is often required to maintain progress.
Yes, it is often possible. If automatic cloud backup (Google Photos, iCloud, Google Drive) was active on the old phone, you can easily restore the data to the new device. Alternatively, if the touch screen still partially works or if USB debugging was enabled, you might be able to connect the phone to a computer or an external monitor via an adapter to manage the transfer.
Transferring via cable is generally faster and more stable. It offers a direct physical connection that reduces interference. However, wireless methods are very convenient and simple to use. If you have a large amount of data to move, the cable is the recommended choice to optimize time.
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