In This Guide Show
New phone day is the best day. The box, the smell, the shiny screen. And then you spend the next three days discovering what didn’t transfer – your authenticator codes, your UPI apps asking to re-register, the photos from your old SD card.
I’ve moved phones enough times (and helped enough family members) to have a proper checklist now. Here it is, in the order I actually do things, so you don’t lose anything important.
Before You Start: Prep the Old Phone
Don’t skip this. Ten minutes of prep saves hours later.
1. Update and charge both phones
Charge both phones to at least 50–60%. Connect both to the same strong Wi-Fi.
2. Make a Google backup
On your old phone:
- Go to Settings → Google → Backup (on some phones, Settings → System → Backup).
- Make sure Backup by Google One (or similar) is on.
- Tap Back up now.
This backs up app data for many apps, call history, contacts, device settings and SMS (on most phones).
3. Check Google Photos backup
Open Google Photos → tap your profile picture. It should say Backup complete. If you have photos on an SD card or folders that aren’t backed up (like WhatsApp Images or Screenshots), either turn on backup for those folders or copy them manually.
4. Back up WhatsApp separately
WhatsApp has its own backup. Go to WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat backup → Back up. Also note your two-step verification PIN. (I’ve written a full guide on WhatsApp transfers if you want the details.)
5. Write down what’s important
- Your Google account password – you’ll need it on the new phone.
- Screen lock of the old phone – the new phone may ask for it during transfer.
- A list of apps that use 2FA codes (see below).
The Big One: Authenticator Apps (Don’t Lose These)
If you use Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator or similar for 2-step login codes, this is the part most likely to cause trouble. If you factory reset the old phone without moving these, you could get locked out of accounts.
Google Authenticator:
– Recent versions can sync codes to your Google account (look for the cloud icon at the top of the app). If sync is on and you sign in with the same Google account, your codes appear on the new phone.
– Alternatively, use Transfer accounts → Export accounts on the old phone, which shows a QR code. Scan it with Authenticator on the new phone.
Microsoft Authenticator:
– Turn on Cloud backup in its settings before switching, then restore on the new phone. Some work accounts may need to be re-added manually.
Other apps: check their settings for an export or backup option.
Don’t delete the authenticator from your old phone until you’ve confirmed every code works on the new one.
Transferring: The Main Methods
Method 1: Google’s built-in transfer during setup
Most new Android phones offer to copy data when you first switch them on.
- Turn on the new phone and follow setup.
- When asked Copy apps & data, choose to copy from your old phone.
- Connect using a cable (USB-C to USB-C, faster and more reliable) or wirelessly.
- Follow the prompts on both phones. You may need to confirm with the old phone’s screen lock.
- Choose what to copy – apps, contacts, photos, messages, settings.
If you skip this during setup, some phones let you do it later from Settings → Google → Set up & restore, but it’s easier during first setup.
Method 2: Brand transfer apps
Many brands have their own tools, which can move more data, including some app data and files.
- Samsung: Smart Switch – works from almost any Android phone (and iPhone) to Samsung, via cable or wireless.
- Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO: Mi Mover (or Xiaomi’s data transfer tool, depending on version).
- OnePlus, Oppo, Realme: Clone Phone.
- Vivo: EasyShare or vivo’s phone clone tool.
These usually come pre-installed on the new phone, and you install the matching app on the old phone. Names and availability can change, so search “transfer” or “clone” in the new phone’s settings.
Method 3: Manual copy (for files)
For big folders – music, documents, old videos – connect the old phone to a laptop with a USB cable, choose File transfer mode, and copy folders to the laptop. Then copy them to the new phone.
Slow, but you know exactly what moved.
Apps That Need Extra Attention
UPI and banking apps
These won’t just carry over, by design. UPI apps (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM) and banking apps are linked to your SIM and device for security.
On the new phone:
1. Put your SIM in the new phone first (or make sure your eSIM is moved – see below).
2. Install the app from the Play Store.
3. Re-register – the app sends an SMS from your SIM to verify.
4. You may need your debit card details or existing UPI PIN.
If the SMS verification fails, check that the SIM with your bank-linked number is in the correct slot and has SMS balance (some prepaid plans without SMS packs cause issues).
Important: remove the bank and UPI apps from your old phone before giving it away.
Restore from backup or use WhatsApp’s direct Transfer chats feature. Needs the same phone number.
Signal, Telegram and other chat apps
- Telegram syncs from the cloud – just log in.
- Signal has its own transfer process; check its settings before switching.
Games
Many games save progress to your Google Play Games account or the game’s own login. Check in-game settings and link your account before switching.
Apps with their own login
Most apps just need you to log in again. Use your password manager to make this painless.
Moving Your SIM or eSIM
- Physical SIM: just move it. Done.
- eSIM: it doesn’t move automatically like a physical card. Depending on your phone and operator, there may be a transfer option during setup, or you’ll need to request a new eSIM from your operator (Jio, Airtel or Vi) using their official process. Plan this before you start, since your number will be without service until it’s done.
After Transfer: Check Everything
Before resetting the old phone, spend a day or two using the new one and check:
- [ ] Contacts are all there.
- [ ] Photos and videos – especially recent ones.
- [ ] WhatsApp chats and media.
- [ ] Authenticator codes work (try logging into one account).
- [ ] UPI and banking apps work.
- [ ] SMS history (if it matters to you).
- [ ] Important documents and downloads.
- [ ] Call history (if needed).
Preparing the Old Phone to Sell or Give Away
- Remove your Google account: Settings → Passwords & accounts (or Accounts) → your Google account → Remove. This prevents the new owner from hitting Factory Reset Protection.
- Remove Samsung or brand accounts too, if any.
- Unpair smartwatches and earbuds.
- Remove SIM and memory card.
- Factory reset: Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data.
- If selling, check the phone boots to the welcome screen with no account lock.
FAQ
Will my apps’ data transfer automatically?
Many apps restore through Google backup, but not all. Banking, UPI and some secure apps need fresh setup by design.
Do UPI apps transfer to a new phone?
No, you’ll need to re-register them on the new phone using your SIM.
How do I move Google Authenticator to a new phone?
Turn on Google account sync in the app, or use the Export accounts QR code option to transfer codes.
Is it better to transfer with a cable or wirelessly?
Cable is usually faster and more reliable, especially for large amounts of data.
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