Just got a shiny new Android phone and I'm trying to move everything over from my old device. I want to keep all my apps, settings, and data intact without having to redownload and set everything up manually. I've tried using Google's backup feature, but it seems hit or miss - some apps don't restore properly, and I'm worried about losing saved game progress or chat histories.

Has anyone found a reliable way to do a full data transfer between Android phones? Are there any third-party apps or tools that work better than the built-in options? Would love to hear your experiences or tips so I don't have to spend hours configuring my new phone.

Also, any advice on what to watch out for during the transfer to avoid common pitfalls?

On 01/09/2026 at 10:35 AM, techbloke said:

Just got a shiny new Android phone and I'm trying to move everything over from my old device. I want to keep all my apps, settings, and data intact without having to redownload and set everything up manually. I've tried using Google's backup feature, but it seems hit or miss - some apps don't restore properly, and I'm worried about losing saved game progress or chat histories.

Has anyone found a reliable way to do a full data transfer between Android phones? Are there any third-party apps or tools that work better than the built-in options? Would love to hear your experiences or tips so I don't have to spend hours configuring my new phone.

Also, any advice on what to watch out for during the transfer to avoid common pitfalls?

Totally get the frustration with Google's backup being a bit patchy sometimes. For a smoother transition, I've had good luck using Samsung Smart Switch when moving between Samsung devices - it transfers apps, settings, and even some app data pretty seamlessly. If you’re on a different brand, apps like CloneIt or Phone Clone (from Huawei) can sometimes do a better job than the default backup, especially for app data and game progress.

One thing to watch out for is that some apps, especially games and messaging apps, often encrypt their data or store it in a way that prevents easy backup. For WhatsApp, make sure you do a local backup or use their cloud backup feature before switching. For games, check if they support cloud saves via Google Play Games or their own account system - that’s usually the safest bet.

Also, keep both phones charged and connected to Wi-Fi during the transfer, and