Can't transfer data to a new Android device (2024)

If something goes wrong while you copy data from your old device to your new Android device during setup, try these troubleshooting steps.

Setup stops or doesn't start

You lose power or get disconnected

  • If the cable is disconnected or the battery runs out, most of the time the process can be re-started. Recharge your devices and try again.
  • If you recharge your devices and it still doesn't work, you may need to cancel setup, factory reset your device from Settings, and try again.

Tips:

  • If you use a cable to transfer, make sure your devices are fully charged before you start.
  • If one is available, use a wireless charger to keep your devices plugged into each other and charged during the transfer process.

Nothing happens or you get "Try another cable" message

Check the cable

Unplug the cable, wait a few seconds, and then replug the cable on both ends. If that doesn't work, try another cable.

Check the adapter

The adapter may be plugged into the wrong device. Try to plug the adapter into the other device instead.

Check the charging port on your old device

There may be a build-up of debris that doesn't let the cable make a connection.

If none of these work, try the Wi-Fi transfer method.

You get "device may not be supported" message

  1. Install any available updates for your current device.
    • Android: A cable transfer works with most deviceswith Android 5.0 and up. Learn how to update your Android version.
    • iPhone: A cable transfer works with most devices with iOS 8.0 and up. Learn how to update your iOS version.
    • BlackBerry or Windows device: Your device may not support cable transfer.
  2. Restart your current device. On most devices, press and hold the power button until the device fully restarts.
  3. Try a cable transfer again. If that still doesn't work with your current device, learn how to transfer without a cable from Android or iPhone.

Setup transfer is stuck

  1. If setup gets stuck for more than 15 minutes, tap Stop copying.
  2. When you get "Copying's done," find out which data copied.

Can't transfer over Wi-Fi

Only certain devices can transfer over Wi-Fi. If the old device is an iPhone with iOS 13 or earlier or runs Android 4 or earlier, the transfer won't work.

Setup finished but data didn't copy

You skipped data transfer when first turned on

If you skipped the option to transfer your data during the initial device setup, you may need to return to the setup depending on how long you’ve had your new Android device.

To return to setup after a few days:

  1. On your new Android device, open the Settings app.
  2. At the top, tap Finish setting up.
  3. If that doesn't work, swipe from the top of your Android device to show your notifications and tap Finish setting up your device.

Tip: These options may only be available for some device manufacturers.

To return to setup after you've had your device for a while, reset your device. When you reset your device, it erases all your data.

Tip: Some device manufacturers may have more tools or options to help transfer your data after you set up your device. Visit to the manufacturer’s support site to learn more.

Why some data may not have transferred from an iPhone

Learn which data types can be transferred from iPhone to Android.

iPhone supervised by an organization

If a business, school, or organization supervises your iPhone, some of your data can't be copied.

Photos, videos & music

  • The file format isn't supported.
  • The transfer process was interrupted.
  • Some photos and videos are in iCloud. Learn how to request your photos and videos from iCloud.
    • You can also try to download Google Photos onto your iPhone, turn on backups, and wait for all the data to back up. This could take several days, and it's best to keep the device turned on with Google Photos open while it happens.

Apps

  • Some apps may have been purchased in the App Store, or are currently on sale in the Google Play Store.
    • To learn more about how to transfer the appto a new device, visit the developer's website.
  • Some apps may not be available in your region.
  • Some apps may not be available in the Play Store.

Messages or WhatsApp chats & data

  • Some messages were sent with a feature that isn't supported on Android devices.

Contacts or calendar events

Only contacts and calendar events that aren't synced to an account are transferred. If it's synced to an account, it won't transfer during setup. To re-sync the information to your Android device, sign in to your associated account in Settings.

More common errors

Can't scan STA QR code with your old iPhone

  • On your iPhone, check that you give the Switch to Android app permission to use the camera.
  • Tap Can't scan the QR code?for a few tips on how to transfer your data wirelessly.
  • Make sure the iPhone has internet access. If you already swapped the SIM, you may have lost internet connection. Make sure you connect to Wi-Fi.
  • Make sure your iPhone has iOS 14 or above. Older versions aren't supported. If you have an iPhone with iOS 13 or earlier, you can't transfer over Wi-Fi, but you can still use a cable to transfer data.

Not enough storage on your new Android device

Try to sync data to Google One or select fewer data types.

Tips:

  • Make sure you back up photos to Google One and then don't transfer photos during restore, since they sync again on the new device.
  • Choose not to transfer apps and app data.

You can’t find the Switch to Android app after you scan the QR code

  • If you have one, make sure your device's VPN is turned off.
  • Make sure you have an active internet connection.
  • Make sure your device's OS is up-to-date.
  • Check the date and time.
  • To go to the App Store, type g.co/android/sta into your web browser on your iPhone.

Device won't connect to other device during Wi-Fi method

  • Make sure auto-join is off on your old device so your device doesn't automatically reconnect to a different Wi-Fi network.
  • If you have one, make sure your VPN is turned off on your old device.

It's been stuck copying for hours

If you think the process is taking longer than needed, try to restart your device and go through the setup process again on your new Android device. It may also help to factory reset your device and choose fewer data types to transfer.

You accidentally pressed "don't trust" instead of "trust" on your old iPhone during a cable transfer

Unplug the cable from your iPhone, replug it, and tap Trust.

If that doesn’t work, turn off your iPhone, turn it back on, unlock your device, and then replug it into the cable.

You can't receive text messages on your new Android device

  • Make sure iMessage is turned off on all iOS devices.
    • If your old device was an iPhone, you may need to recreate group chats.
    • You may also need to restart some group chats, especially ones with 10 or more people.
    • If people messageyou through your Apple ID in iMessage, ask them to use your phone number instead.
  • Set up your e-SIM or insert your SIM card.

The device ran out of battery during transfer

  • Charge the device and you should be able to pick up where you left off. If not, factory reset your device and try again.
  • If your device supports wireless charging, place your device on a wireless charging pad during a cable transfer.
  • If you transfer data wirelessly, you can plug your devices into a charging cable while the data transfers.

Related resources

  • Copy apps and data from an Android to a new Android device
  • Copy apps and data from an iPhone to a new Android device

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

Post to the help community Get answers from community members
Can't transfer data to a new Android device (2024)

FAQs

Can't transfer data to a new Android device? ›

Causes of Android File Transfer Problems

Often when you're having trouble with Android File Transfer, the phone is not in the proper mode to transfer files. Other causes include bad cables or USB ports. Sometimes, third-party software can interfere with the proper operation of the Android File Transfer app.

Why does Android File Transfer never work? ›

Causes of Android File Transfer Problems

Often when you're having trouble with Android File Transfer, the phone is not in the proper mode to transfer files. Other causes include bad cables or USB ports. Sometimes, third-party software can interfere with the proper operation of the Android File Transfer app.

Why wont my Android let me transfer files? ›

Troubleshoot your USB connections

Try a different USB cable. Not all USB cables can transfer files. To test the USB port on your device, connect your device to a different computer. To test the USB port on your computer, connect a different device to your computer.

How to transfer everything from an old Android to a new Android? ›

On your old device
  1. On your old device, open the Google app .
  2. Search set up my device .
  3. Tap Next.
  4. When it shows, “Get started,” tap Next.
  5. Check that shapes and numbers match on both phones.
  6. Tap Next. ...
  7. Choose which apps and data you want to copy.

How do I transfer data from a broken Android to a new phone? ›

  1. (New device) Open the Smart Switch app > Select Receive data. (New device) Select Galaxy/Android.
  2. (New device) Select Wireless. (Old device) Select Connect to authorise the phone connection.
  3. (New device) Select data to transfer > Tap Next. (New device) Tap Next to complete the data transfer.
Jan 23, 2024

Is there anything better than Android file transfer? ›

MacDroid. MacDroid is a transfer app that lets you connect Android phone to Mac - and transfer almost any kind of data you can think of. It's a great Android file transfer alternative, so if you want to transfer contacts, calendars, important documents, music, videos, or photos, MacDroid can help.

Why is my USB transfer not working? ›

Try plugging the USB cable into different USB ports on the computer. Certain ports may not work. For Android devices, make sure Developer Options or USB debugging are turned off. Try another computer.

How do I allow Android to transfer files? ›

On your device, tap the 'Charging this device via USB' notification. Under 'Use USB for', select File transfer. An Android File Transfer window will open on your computer. Use it to drag files.

Why is my phone File Transfer not working? ›

Check your USB Cable and USB Port

If the cable is damaged, buy another one, but make sure it is a data cable and not just one for charging. From time to time, you may experience the incorrect work of Android File Transfer when a USB port isn't functioning properly.

How to transfer files from Android to Android after setup? ›

  1. Connect both devices wirelessly. Turn on your new Android phone and follow the on-screen prompts. ...
  2. Select your data. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose what comes with you — contacts, photos, videos and calendar events. ...
  3. Transfer. That's it.

Do I put my SIM card in a new Android phone before transferring data? ›

Regardless of the device you're switching from, don't switch your SIM card until the entire transfer is complete. Before you get started, you'll also want to make sure both your old device and new device have at least 20% battery life.

How to transfer files from one Android to another? ›

7 ways to transfer data from one android smartphone to another
  1. Using Google Account. If both smartphones are linked to the same Google account, you can sync data between them. ...
  2. Using Bluetooth. ...
  3. Using NFC. ...
  4. Using Wi-Fi Direct. ...
  5. Using a USB cable. ...
  6. Using cloud storage. ...
  7. Using an app.

What is the best app to transfer data from old Android to new Android? ›

Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung Smart Switch creates an avenue for you to move data from your old Android phone to another. Though it was established by Samsung, it works for any Android model. Samsung Smart Switch offers a quick way to transfer content like videos, contacts, documents, and more between Android devices.

How to extract data from a broken Samsung phone? ›

Use a Samsung Smart Switch
  1. Install Samsung Smart Switch on your PC.
  2. Connect your Samsung phone to your PC via a USB cable.
  3. Use a mouse to navigate on your phone screen and press "Allow" in the prompt that asks for data access permission.
  4. In Smart Switch, choose the "Backup" tab and select the data you want to backup.
Apr 7, 2024

How to transfer data from old Android phone to new Android phone without cable? ›

Without a cable:
  1. Turn on the new phone.
  2. Select Start.
  3. Connect to a Wi-Fi network.
  4. Choose which apps and data to copy onto the new phone.
  5. Select OK.
  6. Click on No cable.
  7. Select Backup from an Android phone.
  8. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Jan 22, 2024

How to get photos off a broken phone? ›

If your phone is broken, you can still recover data by using a USB cable to connect the phone to your computer. Your computer should recognize the device and allow you to access its internal storage. You can then copy the files you need over to your computer.

Why am I not able to transfer files from phone to laptop? ›

Try a different USB cable: The USB cable you're using may be faulty. Try using a different USB cable to see if that resolves the issue. Check your USB connection settings: On your Android device, go to Settings > System > Developer options > Default USB configuration, and make sure that "File transfer" is selected.

How to fix Android file transfer not working in Windows 11? ›

Mr Steel
  1. Troubleshoot your computer. Check your computer's settings to make sure that Windows automatically detects new hardware. Restart your computer.
  2. Troubleshoot your device. Update your Android version. Learn how to check and update your Android version. ...
  3. Troubleshoot your USB connections. Try a different USB cable.
Oct 8, 2023

Why is my Android phone not connecting to my MacBook? ›

Check your USB cable and restart your devices

The most common issue that can cause Mac not recognizing Android device is a faulty cable. Make sure to try different ones, even if they did not come with your phone. Another thing that is usually disregarded is to make sure you have restarted your device.

Why is file transfer from Android to PC so slow? ›

Make sure both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Nearby Share can use either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to transfer files, but it's best to use Wi-Fi for faster and more reliable transfers. Try disabling your firewall on your Windows PC. Some firewalls can block Nearby Share from working.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Last Updated:

Views: 5598

Rating: 5 / 5 (50 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dean Jakubowski Ret

Birthday: 1996-05-10

Address: Apt. 425 4346 Santiago Islands, Shariside, AK 38830-1874

Phone: +96313309894162

Job: Legacy Sales Designer

Hobby: Baseball, Wood carving, Candle making, Jigsaw puzzles, Lacemaking, Parkour, Drawing

Introduction: My name is Dean Jakubowski Ret, I am a enthusiastic, friendly, homely, handsome, zealous, brainy, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.