Transfer data from an Android phone to a Pixel

You can copy data, like texts, photos, music, contacts, calendars and apps. Learn how to switch from an Android to a Pixel phone with our step-by-step tutorial.

To set up a Pixel device for a child, when prompted to transfer data, tap Skip. Learn how to set up a child device.

Important: If your data storage is full based on your phone's capacity, data transfer could pause. Make sure that you check your storage capacity before you start data transfer.

Items that you can copy to your Pixel

You can transfer your existing data from your current phone during initial setup.

Pixel 9 and later: You can transfer data from an existing device during initial setup and add additional data post setup. To add data post setup, you can go to Settings Back up or Copy data.

	Transfer during initial setup	Post setup data transfer
Google Accounts	Yes	Yes
Device-stored data Music, photos and videos* Recordings (Pixel to Pixel only) Contacts on your phone or a SIM card Call history Messages including RCS, SMS/MMS	Yes	Yes
Applications Play-downloaded apps and app data App preferences and statistics	Yes	Yes
Wallpaper and widgets	Yes	Yes
Preferences and settings Saved Wi-Fi networks Sound and vibration settings including ringtones SIM settings Conversations Device rules Clock settings including alarms Now Playing History Safety and emergency settings Blocked numbers	Yes	Varies by setting

*If you choose Express on the 'Choose how to copy' screen during setup, only data that's not available in your Google Account will be copied.

If you have cloud sync enabled, you'll find these when you sign in to your Google Account on your Pixel phone:

Email
Contacts
Calendar events
Passwords from Google Password Manager (if you use the same Google Account)
Synced photos, videos, music and recordings
Any other information associated with your Google Account

You can also transfer other services data:

Non-Google Accounts and their data, including contacts and calendar events.
LINE contacts and full history of chat conversations (if backed up). Learn how to back up your chat history.
WhatsApp chat history.
Your subscription services, such as Spotify or Fitbit (just sign in to the service on your Pixel).

Important: Some third-party apps and data may not be transferred automatically. For more information, learn about what data you can't copy during setup.

What won't copy during setup

Downloads, like PDF files
Photos, videos and music stored in hidden or locked folders
Apps that aren't from the Google Play Store
Data from apps that don't use Android backup
Accounts other than Google Accounts and their data
Contacts and calendars synced to services other than Google
Ringtones
Certain phone settings (varies by phone and Android version)

Learn how to transfer some of this data after setup.

Transfer data

Transfer data on Pixel 8 and later

You can pair your Android phone with your new Pixel phone to transfer data wirelessly.

Tips:

To transfer data, your Pixel phone will automatically detect the best option for you to use:
- Transfer data over Wi-Fi connection.
- Transfer data with a USB cable.
If you transfer data over Wi-Fi and the connection gets slow, you can plug in a cable to finish the transfer.
If you want to transfer data with a USB cable, on the 'Copy apps and data' screen, tap on the image five times. You can do this even if you haven't paired your phones yet.

Copy data from your Android to your Pixel phone

Step 1: Get both phones ready to set up

Important: A Google Account is recommended. Otherwise, you won't be able to download apps and some content won't be copied to your new Pixel phone.

To get started, make sure that you have:

Your existing, fully charged Android phone on the latest software. Learn how to update Android.
Your new, fully charged Pixel phone.
A strong Wi-Fi connection.
Your SIM card and SIM card insertion tool if you intend to use a physical SIM card with your new Pixel. Learn what comes with your Pixel phone.

Step 2: Pair your phones

Turn on both your existing Android phone and your new Pixel phone.
On your new Pixel phone, tap Pixel or Android device.
On your existing Android phone, on the notification, tap Set up. A QR code scanner will appear.
- You may also open your Camera app manually to scan the QR code.
Use your existing Android phone to scan the QR code on your new Pixel phone.

Tip: Your active Wi-Fi connection from your existing Android phone is transferred to your new Pixel phone. If your Android phone isn't connected to Wi-Fi, connect your Pixel phone to a Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Prepare your Pixel phone

Set up your SIM. If available, you may also:
- Download an eSIM from your operator. To download, follow the prompts on the screen.
- Transfer your SIM card or eSIM to your Pixel phone. To transfer, follow the prompts on the screen.
On your Pixel phone, enter your existing Android phone’s screen lock.
- Your Google Accounts will begin to transfer to your Pixel phone.
Set up Face Unlock and Fingerprint Unlock.

Step 4: Copy data from your Android device

If you paired your phone in step 2

To choose the data that you want to copy from your existing Android device, follow the on-screen instructions. Some of the types of data that you can transfer are apps, Google Accounts and text messages. Learn more about what data you can copy.

Tips:

If you want to transfer data with a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi, tap five times on the image on the 'Copy data from your Android device' screen. You can do this even if you haven't yet paired your phones.
If your Pixel phone detects a slow wireless connection between your Android phone and Pixel phone, you'll get a notification that you can transfer data over a wired connection instead.

If you didn't pair your phone in step 2

On 'Copy data from your Android device', tap 5 times on the screen Next.
Turn on and unlock your Android device.
Plug one end of your Android charging cable into your Android device.
Plug the other end into your Pixel phone.
- If you have a Quick Switch adaptor, plug the adaptor into your Pixel phone.
- If you don't have a charging cable, you can transfer some of your data wirelessly.
On your Android device, follow the on-screen instructions.
On your Pixel phone, a list of your data appears.
- To copy all your data, tap Copy.
- To copy only some data:
  1. Turn off what you don't want to copy.
  2. Tap Copy.
When your transfer is complete, you can use your phone.
Tip: Some apps need time to download and install and may take time to show up.

If you don't have your old device or want to restore from a cloud backup

On the 'Copy data from your Android device' screen, at the bottom right, tap Next.
When asked to 'Restore data from an old device', find and tap the device you want to restore your data from.
A list of your data appears.
- To restore all of your data, tap Restore.
- To restore only some data:
  1. Turn off what you don't want to restore.
  2. Tap Restore.
When the restoration is complete, you can use your phone.

Step 5: Get support

We're here to help, 24/7. To learn more about your Pixel or to get in touch with us, go to g.co/pixel/support.

If you need more help on how to set up your Pixel, open the Settings app. Then, scroll and tap Tips and support.

Transfer data on Pixel 7 Pro and earlier, including Fold

Step 1: Get ready to set up your new Pixel

Charge both phones.
On your current phone, install all available updates. Learn how to update Android.
Find what you'll need.See what comes with your Pixel phone.
- A cable that works with your current phone, like the cable that you use to charge it.
- Your Quick Switch Adaptor, if your current phone or cable has a connection other than USB-C.
- Your SIM card and SIM card insertion tool, unless Google Fi is your mobile operator and you're using an eSIM.
On your Pixel phone:
1. Turn on your Pixel phone.

Step 2: On your Pixel

Turn on your Pixel and tap Get started. You can change your phone's language or vision settings.

Step 3: Insert your SIM card

Insert your SIM card. Learn how to get a SIM card and insert it.
You'll see a Start button. If you don't see "Start," learn how to return to setup.

Step 4: Connect the phones

You can connect your phones to copy data to your new Pixel phone with:

A cloud backup
Your old phone with a cable (recommended)
A Wi-Fi connection (Android 12 or later)

Step 5: Copy your data

Copy data from a cloud backup

On your Pixel phone:
- Tap Get started.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network or your mobile operator.
When asked to 'Copy apps and data', tap Next.
When asked to 'Use your old device', tap Can’t use old phone.
Follow the on-screen steps to log in to your Google Account and access your backup.

Copy data from your old phone with a cable

On your Pixel phone:
- Tap Get started.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network or mobile operator.
When asked to 'Copy apps and data', tap Next Copy your data.
When asked to 'Use your old device', tap Next.
Turn on and unlock your Android device.
Plug one end of your Android charging cable into your Android device.
Plug the cable's other end into your Pixel phone or into the Quick Switch adaptor and plug the adaptor into your Pixel phone.
Tip: Don't have a cable? You can transfer some of your data wirelessly.
On your Android device, tap Trust.
On your Pixel phone, choose how to copy your data.
- To copy your data in five minutes, tap Express.
  - Tip: Only data that's not available in your Google Account will be copied.
- To copy some data, tap Customise.
  - Turn off what you don't want.
  - Tap Copy.
When your transfer is complete, you can use your phone.
Tip: Some apps need time to download and install and may take time to show up.

Copy data with Wi-Fi (Android 12 or later)

Important: You can only transfer data with Wi-Fi if your current device is an Android device running Android 5 or later and your new device is running Android 12 or later.

On your Pixel phone:
- Tap Get started.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network or mobile operator.
When asked to 'Copy apps and data', tap Next Copy your data.
When asked to 'Use your old device', tap Next.
When asked to 'Find your old phone's cable', tap No cable?.
In the notification, tap Copy without cable.
Turn on and unlock your current phone.
On your current phone, open the notification to set up your new phone.
On your Pixel phone, choose how to copy your data.
- To copy your data in five minutes, tap Express.
  - Tip: Only data that's not available in your Google Account will be copied.
- To copy some data, tap Customise.
  - Turn off what you don't want.
  - Tap Copy.
When your transfer is complete, you can use your phone.

Get more tips and support

If you didn't transfer your data when you first turned on your phone, find out how to return to setup.
If something goes wrong with copying during setup, find out what to check.
If you can't use your old phone, or don't have a cable that fits, learn other ways to move your data.