How do I transfer data from Android to Android using Google?

ByJael Lawler

Transferring data from one Android device to another can be a daunting task. With Google’s suite of apps and services, you can easily move your information between Android phones. Google offers convenient ways to transfer contacts, photos, apps, calendars, and other data.

There are several methods to move your data using Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Contacts, Google Calendar, Bluetooth, a USB cable, or a cloud storage service. Each option has its benefits depending on your specific needs.

This guide will provide an overview of the main techniques to transfer data between Android devices using Google’s tools. We’ll cover how to prepare both phones, steps for each transfer method, and key considerations to ensure a smooth transition.

Preparing Both Phones

Before transferring data between Android devices, it’s important to prepare both phones to ensure a smooth process. Here are some key steps to take:

First, make sure both devices are fully charged and connected to a WiFi network, as data transfers can drain battery and use a lot of data if not on WiFi (Source). If possible, update both devices to the latest Android OS version, as this allows them to share data more seamlessly.

On the old Android device, enable USB debugging in the Developer options menu. This allows a direct USB connection between the phones for data transfer. Go to Settings > About Phone and tap the Build Number 7 times to unlock Developer options. Then, go to Developer options and toggle on USB debugging (Source).

Finally, sign into the same Google account on both phones. This ensures access to synced Google services like Gmail, Contacts, Drive and Photos for easy data transfer.

Using Google Drive

One of the easiest ways to transfer files between Android devices is by using Google Drive. Google Drive allows you to upload files from your old Android device and then download them onto your new device.

To upload files to Google Drive on your old Android device:

  1. Open the Google Drive app.
  2. Tap the + button in the bottom right corner.
  3. Select the files or folders you want to upload.
  4. Tap Upload.

The files will now be available in your Google Drive account. To download them on your new Android device:

  1. Open the Google Drive app on your new device.
  2. Navigate to the files or folders you uploaded from the old device.
  3. Tap the 3 vertical dots next to the file or folder.
  4. Select Download. This will save the files directly onto your new device.

Google Drive makes it easy to keep your files synced and accessible across devices. Just remember to upload from the old device and download to the new device.

For more details, see Google’s instructions here: https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2424368?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid

Using Google Photos

Google Photos provides an easy way to back up and sync photos between Android devices. The Photos app comes pre-installed on most Android phones. Simply open the app and sign into your Google account to enable backup and sync.

Google Photos allows unlimited storage of photos up to 16MP and videos up to 1080p resolution. Higher resolution photos and videos will count towards your overall Google storage quota. Photos and videos backed up to your Google account will not take up space on your phone’s internal storage.

With backup enabled in the Photos app, any new photos and videos you take on your phone will automatically be uploaded to your Google Photos library. You can also manually select photos to back up at any time. Edits made on one device will sync across to all your other devices where you are logged into the same Google account.

To transfer existing photos between Android devices, open the Photos app on both phones while connected to the internet. Your entire synchronized library should appear in the app on both devices, with options to download or delete items as needed.

For more information, refer to Google’s help article on backing up photos from Android: Back up photos & videos – Android

Using Google Contacts

One convenient way to transfer contacts between Android devices is by using your Google account and the Contacts app. Google Contacts allows you to sync your contacts across multiple devices logged into the same Google account. This makes it easy to transfer contacts from one Android phone to another.

To use Google Contacts to transfer contacts between Android devices:

  1. Make sure you are logged into the same Google account on both your old and new Android devices.
  2. Open the Contacts app on both devices and enable syncing for the Google account.
  3. On your old device, export your contacts to your Google account by going to Settings > Export > Export to Google. This will upload your contacts to the cloud.
  4. On your new device, give it some time to sync with your Google account and download the contacts. All the contacts from your old device will now transfer over.

The benefit of using Google Contacts is that it seamlessly syncs your contacts across Android devices. Any changes, additions or deletions will automatically transfer. You don’t have to manually move contacts each time you get a new phone. As long as you use the same Google account, your contacts stay in sync.

Using Google Calendar

One of the easiest ways to transfer calendar events between Android devices is by using Google Calendar. As long as you are logged into the same Google account, your calendar events will automatically sync across devices.

When you add, edit or delete an event on one device, it will be reflected on any other Android devices logged into that Google account. This allows you to seamlessly transfer calendar information between phones and tablets.

To enable syncing on an Android device, simply open the Google Calendar app and ensure syncing is turned on under Settings. You can also visit Google’s support page for step-by-step instructions.

The key benefit of using Google Calendar is that it does not require any cables, connections or manual transfers. As long as your devices are connected to the internet, any calendar changes will automatically propagate across your accounts.

Transferring Via Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a convenient wireless technology for transferring files between Android devices. Here is how to enable Bluetooth file transfers between Android phones:

First, enable Bluetooth on both sending and receiving devices. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Bluetooth. Toggle Bluetooth to “On” and ensure the phone is set to be Visible to other Bluetooth devices.

On the sending device, open the file manager and locate the file(s) you wish to transfer. Press and hold the file, then select the Share option. Choose Bluetooth from the share menu. The sending device will scan and display a list of available Bluetooth devices – select the receiving device.

The receiving phone will display a Bluetooth pairing request. Accept the request and the file transfer will begin. Accept the incoming file transfer request on the receiving device to complete the process. The file(s) will be saved in the Downloads folder by default.

Bluetooth transfer speed depends on your Android version but is generally slower than WiFi at 1-2Mbps. Newer versions can reach ~24Mbps. Bluetooth works for transferring smaller files like photos, documents, or music between Android devices within 30 feet of each other. Large files may be better suited for WiFi file sharing.

Some key things to keep in mind are having Bluetooth enabled and set to Visible on both devices, accepting the Bluetooth pairing requests, and confirming the file transfer acceptance on the receiving device. With those steps completed, Bluetooth provides a quick wireless transfer between Android phones.

Using A USB Cable

One simple way to transfer files between Android devices is by using a USB cable. Here are the steps:

  1. Connect both Android phones using a USB cable. Use a USB-C to USB-C cable if both devices have USB-C ports, or a USB-A to USB-C cable if one device has USB-C and the other has USB-A.
  2. On the source device, pull down the notification shade and tap the “USB for file transfer” notification.
  3. Open the Files app on the source device and browse to the files you want to transfer.
  4. Long press the files and tap Share. Choose the connected device.
  5. On the target device, confirm the file transfer prompt to begin receiving the files.
  6. The files will now transfer over the direct USB connection.

The advantage of using a USB cable is that it provides fast, reliable file transfers without relying on WiFi or mobile data. Almost all Android devices support USB transfers. Just make sure to use the proper cable between your devices.

Using A Cloud Service

One convenient way to transfer data between Android devices is by using a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive. Here’s how it works:[1]

First, install the cloud storage app on both devices and log into the same account. On the old device, open the app and upload the files or folders you want to transfer. This could include photos, videos, documents, contacts, calendar events, and more. Make sure to upload everything you need to the cloud.

Once the data finishes syncing to the cloud, open the storage app on the new Android device. All of the content you uploaded should now be available for download. You can browse through it and select anything you need to transfer. Download the selected data, and it will be saved onto the new device’s local storage.

The benefit of using cloud storage for an Android transfer is that it allows you to wirelessly move large amounts of data quickly and reliably. Most cloud services even maintain previous versions of files, acting as a backup in case you accidentally delete something important. Just make sure you have enough available storage space in the cloud account.

[1] https://www.androidpolice.com/best-cloud-storage-options/

Conclusion

In summary, there are several effective methods for transferring data between Android devices. The main options include using Google Drive, Google Photos, Google Contacts, and Google Calendar to sync data between devices. Direct transfer via Bluetooth or a USB cable are also viable options. Third party cloud storage services can also facilitate Android to Android data transfer.

No matter which method you choose, it’s important to regularly back up your Android device to ensure your data is protected. Backups give you the flexibility to easily transfer contacts, photos, videos, documents and other important information to a new device.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *