Transfer Apps and Data to a New Android Phone: A Full Checklist

Setting up a new Android phone has become much easier. During setup, Android offers to copy apps and data from your old phone, either with a cable or over Wi-Fi, or from your Google account backup. For most people that covers a large part of the move. The trouble is the part it does not cover, which you usually discover only after the old phone has been reset.

This guide explains what the standard transfer handles, what it misses and the order that avoids surprises.

What the standard transfer usually copies

Depending on your phones and Android versions, the setup transfer and Google backup typically bring across:

• Apps you installed from Google Play, which are downloaded again automatically.
• Data for apps that support Android backup, though not every app does.
• Contacts, calendar and other data synced to your Google account.
• Call history, text messages and many device settings, such as Wi-Fi networks and wallpaper.
• Photos and videos, if you use Google Photos backup or copy them during a cable transfer.

Manufacturers also have their own transfer tools, which can copy more when both phones are from the same brand. Menu names and options differ by brand and Android version, so follow the prompts on your new phone.

What often does not transfer

• Sideloaded apps. Apps you installed from APK files, such as JTWhatsApp, GB WhatsApp or JTelegram, are not reinstalled from the Play Store. Keep the APK files, or download the current versions again, and install them yourself.
• Local chat backups of WhatsApp mods. JTWhatsApp and GB WhatsApp are unofficial and not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta, and they keep backups on the phone. Those files must be copied to the new phone manually before you restore.
• Telegram Secret Chats. Cloud chats return when you sign in to Telegram or JTelegram, but Secret Chats stay on the old device.
• Authenticator codes. Many authenticator apps need their own export or transfer step.
• App-specific registrations. Some banking and payment apps require you to register the new device again.
• Local-only app data, such as offline notes, game progress not linked to an account, and custom settings in modified apps.
• eSIMs. Moving an eSIM usually goes through your mobile operator or a dedicated option in settings.

Before you switch: the old phone

1. Update the apps you rely on and let Google backup run: Settings → Google → Backup → Back up now (paths vary by brand).
2. Check that photo backup is complete.
3. In each WhatsApp mod, open Settings → Chats → Chat backup and create a fresh backup. Then copy the app's backup folder to a computer or cloud storage. Folder names can differ between versions.
4. Copy the APK files for your sideloaded apps, plus your Download and Documents folders.
5. Export or move your authenticator accounts, and write down your recovery codes.
6. Note which Secret Chats contain anything you need, and save that information another way.

During setup: the new phone

1. Charge both phones and keep them close together on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. When the new phone offers to copy data, choose to copy from your old phone and follow the steps.
3. Sign in with the same Google account.
4. Let Play Store apps finish downloading before you start restoring anything else.

After setup: finishing the move

1. Copy the WhatsApp mod backup folder to the same location on the new phone, then install the app. Allow Install unknown apps only while installing, and switch it off afterwards.
2. Open the mod, sign in with the same number, and restore when prompted.
3. Install JTelegram, if you use it, and sign in with your Telegram number; cloud chats will sync.
4. Re-register banking apps and move your eSIM if needed.
5. Open every important app and confirm it works and holds your data.
6. Only when everything checks out, sign out of accounts on the old phone and reset it.

Key takeaways

• The setup transfer covers Play Store apps, supported app data, contacts, messages and settings, not everything.
• Sideloaded APKs and WhatsApp mod local backups must be moved manually.
• Telegram cloud chats return after signing in, but Secret Chats do not.
• Move authenticator accounts and recovery codes before the old phone is reset.
• Keep the old phone intact until you have checked every important app on the new one.