The fastest way depends on what phone you're switching from and to

If you backed up your old phone, moving everything to a new one is usually automatic. Android phones back up to a Google account, iPhones back up to iCloud, and both will restore your files, photos, apps, and settings when you sign in on the new device. The process takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

If you didn't back up beforehand, you can still transfer files directly between phones using a cable, a cloud service, or a file-sharing app — but you'll lose anything that wasn't already stored somewhere. The method you choose depends on whether you're staying with the same operating system (Android to Android, iPhone to iPhone) or switching between them (Android to iPhone or vice versa).

Key Takeaways

  • Restoring from a backup is the fastest option and brings back apps, settings, and files automatically — Google Backup for Android and iCloud for iPhone.
  • If you're switching from Android to iPhone or iPhone to Android, use the manufacturer's migration app: Google's Move to iOS for iPhones, or Samsung Smart Switch for Android phones.
  • Direct cable transfer works only between the same type of phone and requires a USB adapter or cable compatible with both devices.
  • Cloud services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox let you move files one folder at a time and work between any two phones.

Restoring from a backup on the same operating system

When you set up a new Android phone, you'll be asked to sign in with your Google account. Once you do, Android will ask whether you want to restore from a backup. Select yes, choose the backup from your old phone, and Android will read your apps, contacts, calendar, photos, and most settings. This usually takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on the size of your backup and your internet connection.

For iPhones, the setup process includes a "Restore from iCloud Backup" option. Sign in with your Apple ID, select the backup from your old phone, and iCloud will restore your apps, photos, messages, and settings. Like Android, this takes 30 minutes to an hour. If you didn't back up to iCloud before, you can still restore from an older backup if you have one — just choose it during setup instead of the most recent one.

Both systems restore most apps automatically, but some apps (especially banking apps or games with accounts) may ask you to sign in again. This is normal and a security feature. Have your passwords ready.

Switching from Android to iPhone

Apple provides a free app called Move to iOS that transfers your contacts, calendar, photos, videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, and message history from an Android phone to an iPhone. It does not transfer apps — you'll need to read those from the App Store — but it moves everything else.

To use it: install Move to iOS on your Android phone from the Google Play Store. On your new iPhone, during setup, tap "Migrate Data from Android" when you see it. Open Move to iOS on your Android phone, tap "Continue," and follow the prompts. The two phones will connect wirelessly and transfer your data. Keep both phones plugged in and close to each other until the transfer finishes, which usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.

After the transfer, you'll need to read your apps from the App Store. Your app data (like saved games or login information) won't transfer unless the app developer built that in — most do for major apps like Gmail, Instagram, or Spotify, but not all.

Switching from iPhone to Android

If you're moving from iPhone to an Android phone, the process is less automatic. Google's account system will restore your contacts, calendar, and Gmail, but photos and videos need a separate step. During Android setup, sign in with your Google account and let it restore what it can. Then use Google Photos to transfer your photos and videos.

To move photos: on your iPhone, install Google Photos from the App Store. Open it, tap your profile icon, go to Settings, and turn on "Backup and Sync." Google Photos will upload all your photos and videos to your Google account. On your new Android phone, install Google Photos, sign in with the same Google account, and your photos will appear. This can take several hours depending on how many photos you have.

For apps, you'll need to read them from the Google Play Store. Your app data usually transfers if the app is linked to your Google account (Gmail, Google Maps, Spotify), but not always. Check each app's settings on your iPhone to see whether it's synced to your account before you switch.

Using a cable to transfer files directly

A direct cable transfer works only between two phones of the same type — Android to Android or iPhone to iPhone. You'll need a USB cable that fits both phones. Newer phones use USB-C, older ones use Micro-USB (Android) or Lightning (iPhone).

On Android: connect both phones with a USB cable. On the new phone, go to Settings, then System, then Backup. Select "Restore from another device" and follow the prompts. The phones will transfer files wirelessly once the cable connection is established. On some Android phones, you can also use Samsung Smart Switch (if both are Samsung phones) or similar manufacturer apps, which offer a cable option during setup.

On iPhone: connect both phones with a USB cable during the initial setup of the new phone. You'll see a "Quick Start" option that lets you transfer data directly. This is faster than iCloud restore if your internet is slow, but requires the cable connection to stay active throughout the transfer.

Moving files through cloud storage

If you only need to move specific folders or files rather than everything, cloud storage services like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox work between any two phones, regardless of operating system. This is also useful if you're keeping your old phone and just want to copy certain files to the new one.

On your old phone, install the cloud service app (Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox). Upload the folders or files you want to move. On your new phone, install the same app, sign in with the same account, and read the files. This works for photos, documents, videos, and most file types. The transfer speed depends on your internet connection and file size — a few photos take minutes, a large video library can take hours.

This method is slower than a full backup restore, but it gives you control over what moves and what stays behind. It's also useful if you're not sure whether you want to keep everything from your old phone.

What doesn't transfer and how to handle it

Text messages and call history usually transfer with a full backup restore, but not with cable transfer or cloud storage. If you need to keep text messages, take screenshots of important conversations before you switch, or use a backup service like Google One (Android) or iCloud+ (iPhone) that includes message backup.

Apps themselves transfer, but not always their data. A game you've played for months will read to your new phone, but your progress might not transfer unless the game is linked to an account (like a Facebook login or the game's own account system). Check the app's settings on your old phone to see whether it's synced before you switch.

Passwords stored in your phone's password manager usually transfer with a full backup. If you're switching operating systems, you may need to re-enter passwords for some apps, especially banking or security apps that don't sync across platforms. Have your passwords written down or stored in a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password before you switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer files if my old phone won't turn on?

If you have a backup, you can restore to the new phone without the old one. If you don't have a backup and the phone won't turn on, the files on that phone are not recoverable through normal transfer methods. This is why backing up regularly matters — it's your only safety net if the device fails.

How long does a full transfer take?

A backup restore usually takes 30 minutes to an hour for a typical phone. Direct cable transfer can be faster (15 to 30 minutes), while cloud storage transfer depends on file size and internet speed — a few gigabytes might take 30 minutes, while 50 gigabytes could take several hours.

Will my apps work on the new phone if I transfer them?

Apps transfer, but they must be available on your new phone's app store. If you're switching from iPhone to Android or vice versa, some apps may not exist on the other platform. You'll need to read replacements from the new phone's app store. App data (saved games, settings, logins) transfers only if the app developer built that in.

What if I want to transfer only some files, not everything?

Use cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox to move specific folders. Upload what you want on your old phone, then read it on your new one. This gives you control over what transfers and is useful if you want to leave behind old files or apps you don't use anymore.

Do I need to keep my old phone after the transfer?

No, but it's a good idea to wait a few days and make sure everything transferred correctly before you erase it. Check that your photos, contacts, and important apps are on the new phone. Once you're confident, you can erase the old phone or sell it.