📋 Verified Walkthrough
Android • Everyday Basics

How to transfer your photos, messages, and contacts to a new Android phone

Direct Answer

Turn on your new Android phone and follow the on-screen setup prompts. When asked to "Copy apps & data," connect both phones using the USB-C cable included in the box (or choose "Transfer Wirelessly"). On Samsung phones, open Samsung Smart Switch. Select Photos, Contacts, Messages, and Apps, tap Transfer, and keep both phones plugged into power until finished.

Why You Might Want to Do This

  • To automatically move all your pictures, text message conversations, address book contacts, and apps from your old Android to your new one.
  • To transfer your WhatsApp chat history, voice notes, and downloaded media files.
  • To ensure your new phone looks and feels familiar right out of the box.

Before You Start

  • Both your old Android phone and new Android phone charged to at least 50%.
  • A USB-C to USB-C cable (usually in the new phone's box) OR both phones connected to the same home Wi-Fi network.
  • Your Google Account (Gmail) password and lock screen PIN.

Do NOT perform a factory reset on your old phone until you have verified that your photos, contacts, and bank apps are working on the new phone.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Turn on your new phone and connect to Wi-Fi

    Press and hold the power button on the side of your new Android phone until the screen lights up. Choose your language, tap Start, and tap your home Wi-Fi network name. Type your Wi-Fi password.

    👀 Welcome screen with "Start" button.

  2. 2

    Tap "Next" when asked to Copy Apps & Data

    The screen will display "Copy apps & data: You can choose to transfer your apps, photos, contacts, Google Account, and more." Tap the blue "Next" button in the bottom right corner.

    👀 Screen: "Copy apps & data."

    3. ✅ Success Checkpoint: You're Doing Great

    If your screen matches the description above, you have followed the steps correctly. Continue to the next step.

  3. 3

    Choose Cable (Fastest) or Wireless Transfer

    Plug one end of the USB-C cable into your old phone and the other end into your new phone. (If you don't have a cable, tap "No cable?" and choose "Transfer wirelessly"). On Samsung Galaxy phones, tap "Smart Switch" when prompted.

    👀 Option to connect cable or transfer wirelessly.

  4. 4

    Tap "Trust" or "Allow" on your OLD phone

    Look at your OLD phone screen. A prompt will appear asking "Allow access to phone data?" or "Trust this computer/device?." Tap "Allow" so the new phone can read your pictures and contacts.

    👀 Popup on old phone: "Allow connection."

  5. 5

    Select what you want to copy (Everything or Custom)

    On the new phone, you will see checkboxes for: Accounts, Calls & Contacts, Messages, Apps, Photos & Videos, and Settings. Leave "Everything" checked, or select the specific items you want, then tap the "Transfer" button.

    👀 List of checkboxes for Photos, Contacts, and Messages.

  6. 6

    Keep both phones still until the screen says "All done"

    The progress bar will show "Transferring your data...." Keep both phones on a table. Once the transfer reaches 100%, tap "Done" on the old phone and "Next" on the new phone to finish setup.

    👀 Screen showing "Data transfer complete."

If You Don't See It / Troubleshooting

Samsung Smart Switch asks to update on the old phone

Open the Google Play Store on your old phone, search for "Smart Switch," and tap "Update." Once updated, reopen Smart Switch and try the connection again.

WhatsApp messages didn't move over

Open WhatsApp on your OLD phone, tap the 3 dots > Settings > Chats > Chat backup, and tap "Back Up." Then open WhatsApp on your new phone, verify your phone number, and tap "Restore."

My old phone is an iPhone and my new phone is Android

Plug a Lightning-to-USB-C cable between both phones. Google and Samsung setups will automatically copy photos, calendar events, and contacts from iPhone to Android.

Good to Know

  • Your photos and contacts will appear in the Google Photos / Gallery and Contacts apps immediately.
  • Google Play Store will continue downloading your favorite apps in the background over Wi-Fi.
  • Never give away or recycle your old phone until you have verified all two-factor codes and bank sign-ins.