How to Set Up a New Android Phone From an Old One
You can set up a new Android phone from scratch and start fresh if you want, but the Android setup process also allows you to copy data from your old phone. If your old phone is also an Android, you can restore your apps, settings, and other data directly from that phone or through a cloud backup. If you’re coming from an iPhone, you can install an app to transfer your data from the iPhone to the new Android phone. Most of the steps for setting up a new Android phone are the same regardless of which kind of phone you’re coming from, but the process differs when it comes to transferring data and settings from your old device.
How to Restore From an Android Phone
If you currently have an Android phone and it’s in working condition, you can use it to set up your new phone. Make sure the phone is charged or connected to power, then connect to your local Wi-Fi network. Here’s how to set up a new Android phone from an old one:
How to Set Up a New Android Phone From an iPhone
If you’re switching from iOS to Android, you can also back up certain data from your old iPhone to your new Android phone. You’ll have the opportunity to bring over your contacts, messages, photos, and even some apps available on both platforms. On the welcome screen, select your language and tap Start to continue. You can then follow the on-screen prompts to install your SIM card and set up Wi-Fi. Select a backup from an Android phone to copy data and settings from your old Android to your new one. To start transferring data, open the Google app, and either say, “OK Google, set up my device,” or type set up my device in the search box. Your old phone will locate your new phone. Verify that it has found the right phone, and then select which data and setting you wish to transfer over. You will be presented with a list of Google services that you can enable or disable. Your phone will function whether or not you enable these, but some features won’t work if they are disabled. After that, you will have the opportunity to set a new screen lock method for your phone and choose whether or not to use Google Assistant’s voice match feature. Here’s how to set up a new Android from an iPhone:
How to Set Up a New Android Phone From a Backup
If you already backed up your old phone to the cloud, you can set up your new phone without connecting it to the old one at all. If the phone as Android 12 or newer, you’ll need to have a Lightning to USB-C cable to complete the setup process. If the phone has Android 11 or older, download and install Google One on your iPhone, then log into it with your Google account. Follow the on-screen prompts to insert your SIM card and connect the phone to Wi-Fi. If you have Android 11 or older, the phone will need to be connected to cellular data or Wi-Fi to complete the transfer procedure. When the setup wizard asks if you want to copy apps and data, tap Next to proceed. If your new phone has Android 12 or newer, connect it to your iPhone with a Lighting to USB-C cable when prompted, then tap Next. You then have the opportunity to select the apps and data you want to transfer. First, you’ll be presented with a list of Google services that you can turn on or off. The phone will work whether they’re on or off, but turning off certain settings like location services will prevent some apps from working correctly. You will also have to set up a new screen lock to secure your phone, and then choose whether or not to enable Google Assistant’s voice match. When you reach the screen that asks if there is anything else, the setup procedure is done. Tap No thanks, and the setup wizard will complete the procedure.
Do You Need a Google Account to Set Up a New Android From an Old Phone?
If you want to set up your new Android phone from an old phone, whether the old phone was an Android or an iPhone, you need a Google account. If you’re coming from an old Android phone, you need to be signed into the same Google account on both phones, and your new phone will only be able to locate your cloud backup if it was uploaded from a phone that uses the same Google account. If you’re going from iOS to Android, you also need to sign into Google One on the iPhone using the same Google account that you’re using with the new phone. When the welcome screen appears, select your language and tap Start. You’ll then need to insert your SIM card and connect to a Wi-Fi network before you can start setting your new phone up from your old one. The next screen will have three options. Select a backup from the cloud to proceed. If you have two-factor authentication set up on your Google account, you will also need to enter that at this time. After you’ve logged into your account, you will need to tap I agree to proceed. After selecting your backup, you’ll need to confirm the screen lock method you used with your old phone. That means you’ll need to touch the fingerprint sensor, enter a PIN, draw a pattern, or hold the phone up for face recognition, depending on your method. Make sure there are check marks next to the items you want to restore before you tap Restore. After your phone has finished restoring the backup, you can follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process. You will need to opt in or out of the Google Services you want to use, set up a screen unlock method, and choose whether or not to use Google Assistant’s voice match feature. When the setup wizard asks you if there’s anything else, and provides you with a list of options, you can tap No thanks to complete the setup.
Do You Have to Use Gmail on Android?
While you do need to sign into your Android phone using a Google account, you’re free to use an email account from any other service. You can add an email account to your phone after the setup process is done, and you’ll be able to access it through the included Gmail app. There are also a variety of other great mail apps in the Google Play Store if you don’t want to use the Gmail app.
