How to Transfer Data from Android to Android

Written by Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 27, 2024 Fact Checked

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

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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.
- If you don't have a back up, you can use an SD card to transfer data instead.
This will prompt your phone to include "Apps & data" with your startup.

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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.^{[1]
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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.
Swipe down to access the Quick Menu and tap the gear icon or tap the app that features a gear icon.
You might have to scroll down the menu to find this option.
It's near the bottom of the menu.
Since your new phone is connected to Wi-Fi, your old phone will be able to find it and turn on its Bluetooth feature.
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.
The screen will display "Copy to your new device?" Once you tap Copy on the old phone, you'll see a progress bar.
You'll also need to confirm the screen lock from your old phone to continue.^{[2]
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Tap to include Apps along with Call History, Device settings, and SMS if you want to restore everything.
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.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using SHAREit

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Download and install SHAREit on both Androids. You can find and download it from the Google Play Store.
You can find and tap the app icon on your home screen, or on the Apps menu.
This option looks like a paper plane icon at the top of your screen.
You can find it next to Send at the top.
This will pull up a list of all your folders and file locations.
Tapping a folder or location will open its contents.
A blue checkmark will appear next to all the selected files.
This will scan your surroundings for a receiving device.
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

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You can copy files from your Android to the SD card, and then copy the files on the SD card to another Android device.^{[4]
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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.
You can usually select multiple files by long-pressing a file, and then tapping on all the files you want to transfer.^{[5]
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This will open your file options.
This will prompt you to select a location to copy your files.^{[6]
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Paste your files to the SD card. Select a folder from your SD card storage, and paste your files here.^{[7]
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- Depending on the file manager app, you may have to tap Done, OK, or Paste.
This way, you can copy the files from the SD card to your second Android's local storage.
You can use any manager app like My Files or File manager.
Your toolbar buttons will show up at the top.
It will open your file options.
You can just move the files from the SD card to local storage, or copy them and leave the originals on the card.^{[8]
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Select a folder from your Android's storage, and paste or move your files here.^{[9]
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How Do You Back Up Your Android Phone?

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Tips

If your files are uploaded to your cloud storage account, you can sign in to the same account on your second Android, and just download the files from your cloud.

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