Android Switch: Migrating Data Between Smartphones Is About to Get Much Easier

Android Switch: Migrating Data Between Smartphones Is About to Get Much Easier

Google is making it simpler to transfer data from an old smartphone to a new one with this feature.

The feature is called Android Switch, which is currently available on Pixel 9 devices that will roll out to other brands in 2025. What's even more convenient? This tool works even after you've completed your phone's initial setup.

Switching smartphones often means spending a significant amount of time recovering data from the old device. Photos, videos, SMS, email accounts, and other information need to be restored to avoid starting from scratch. While Android and iOS have improved the process over time, it still requires patience, something many skip in the excitement of using their new device. Typically, if you miss the chance to transfer data during initial setup, the option disappears. Google's new feature changes that.

On the Pixel 9 lineup, Android Switch is integrated into the system by default. Users can access it through Settings > Back Up or Copy Data > Copy Data. Once there, you simply scan a QR code displayed on the new phone using the old device or connect them via a cable to initiate the transfer. Afterward, you can select what to move: photos, videos, SMS, MMS, RCS messages, saved Wi-Fi passwords, call history, and more.

Rather than overwriting existing data, the new information is added to the receiving device. Plus, Pixel Watch users will find an additional benefit: after transferring data, they'll be prompted to sync their smartwatch with the new phone, a handy touch.

Google also notes that using a cable to transfer data from an iPhone to an Android phone with this tool is now 40% faster compared to 2023, though an app must first be installed on the iPhone to facilitate the transfer.

While this feature is new for Google, it's not the first of its kind. Samsung has Smart Switch, Xiaomi offers Mi Mover, OnePlus and Oppo use Clone Phone, and Honor has Phone Clone. Apple also has its Move to iOS app for switching from Android to iPhone. Google's Android Switch may not reinvent the wheel, but it ensures broader compatibility and fills the gap for brands without such tools. It's a welcome addition, especially for users of devices without a built in migration feature.