How to Transfer Apps from Android to Android Phones

Got a new Android phone but dreading the hassle of reinstalling 50+ apps manually?

Learning how to transfer apps from Android to Android saves hours of tedious work and preserves your carefully curated app collection during device upgrades.

Whether you’re switching from Samsung to Motorola or upgrading within the same brand, multiple transfer methods exist-each with different speed, complexity, and data preservation capabilities.

This guide covers four proven approaches: Google Account restore, manufacturer tools like Smart Switch, third-party transfer apps, and manual APK installation.

You’ll learn exact steps for wireless transfer, backup and restore procedures, and troubleshooting common migration issues.

How to Transfer Apps from Android to Android

App transfer between Android devices is the process of moving installed applications from one Android phone or tablet to another Android device using built-in tools or third-party methods.

Users need this when upgrading to a new phone, replacing a damaged device, or setting up a secondary Android device while preserving their app collection and data.

This guide covers 4 primary methods requiring 5-30 minutes depending on the approach and Android version (Android 8.0 or later recommended).

Prerequisites

Source device: Android 8.0 (Oreo) or later

Target device: Same or newer Android version

Google Account credentials: Active Gmail login

Wi-Fi connection: Stable, minimum 5 Mbps for wireless transfer

Available storage: Check Settings > Storage on target device

USB cable: Required for cable transfer method

Time estimate: 5-30 minutes depending on app count

Battery level: Minimum 50% on both devices

Method 1: Google Account Restore

The primary method for transferring apps uses Google’s built-in backup and restore system. Works across all Android devices running Android 8.0 or later.

Step 1: How Do You Enable Backup on Your Source Device?

Settings > Google > Backup contains the toggle to activate automatic app data migration to your Google Account. Enable “Back up to Google Drive” and confirm “App data” is selected. The system displays “On” status with last backup timestamp.

Action:

1. Navigate to Settings > Google > Backup
2. Toggle “Back up to Google Drive” to ON position
3. Verify green checkmark appears with “Last backup” time

Purpose: Creates cloud-based storage of your installed apps list and settings.

Step 2: What Do You Select During Target Device Setup?

The setup wizard on your new device prompts “Copy apps & data” during initial configuration. Select “A backup from an Android phone” then choose your Google Account. The system loads available backup dates from Google Drive.

Action:

1. Start new device, tap “Start” on welcome screen
2. Select “Copy apps & data” > “A backup from an Android phone”
3. Choose your Google Account, authenticate, select most recent backup

Purpose: Links target device to your existing backup data.

Step 3: How Do You Restore Apps on the New Device?

Settings > Google > Set up & restore > Restore apps displays all previously installed applications. The interface shows app names with individual checkboxes or “Restore all” option. Tap “Restore” button to initiate download from Google Play Store.

Action:

1. Open Settings > Google > Set up & restore > Restore apps
2. Review app list, select “Restore all” or individual apps
3. Tap “Restore” button, monitor progress bar for each app

Purpose: Automatically downloads and installs selected applications to match your previous device configuration.

Method 2: Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung devices include Smart Switch for direct device-to-device transfers. This method works only between Samsung phones and tablets.

Step 1: Where Do You Download Smart Switch?

Galaxy Store or Google Play Store contains “Samsung Smart Switch” by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Search “Smart Switch” in either app store. Download requires 100MB storage space and Android 6.0 minimum.

Action:

1. Open Galaxy Store or Play Store on both devices
2. Search “Samsung Smart Switch”, tap official Samsung app
3. Tap “Install”, accept permissions, wait for “Open” button

Purpose: Installs Samsung’s proprietary transfer tool on both devices.

Step 2: How Do You Connect Both Devices?

Smart Switch offers wireless or cable connection options. Open Smart Switch on both devices, tap “Send data” on old phone, “Receive data” on new phone. Select “Wireless” or “Cable” connection method, then tap device name when it appears.

Action:

1. Launch Smart Switch on both devices simultaneously
2. Old device: tap “Send data” > select connection type
3. New device: tap “Receive data” > tap old device name to pair

Purpose: Establishes secure connection for data migration between Samsung devices.

Step 3: What Apps Do You Select for Transfer?

The app selection screen categorizes content into Apps, Settings, Messages, Contacts, and more. Tap “Apps” category to view complete installed app data list with individual checkboxes. Deselect unwanted apps or keep default “Select all” option.

Action:

1. Review transfer screen categories, tap “Apps” section
2. Uncheck specific apps you don’t want, or leave all selected
3. Check storage space indicator shows sufficient room on target device

Purpose: Customizes which applications move to your new Samsung device.

Step 4: How Do You Initiate the Transfer Process?

The blue “Transfer” button at screen bottom starts the wireless transfer or cable transfer. Progress bars show individual app movement status. The system displays estimated time remaining (typically 10-25 minutes for 50+ apps).

Action:

1. Tap “Transfer” button at bottom of selection screen
2. Keep both devices within 1 meter range, screen on
3. Wait for “Transfer complete” notification with app count

Purpose: Executes actual app and data transfer between devices.

Method 3: Third-Party Transfer Apps

Cross-brand transfers often require third-party apps. These work between any Android manufacturers when built-in methods aren’t available.

Step 1: Which Transfer App Do You Install?

CLONEit, SHAREit, and Xender rank as popular options in Google Play Store. CLONEit handles complete app cloning while SHAREit focuses on file transfer. Download size ranges 15-30MB with Android 5.0 minimum requirement.

Action:

1. Open Google Play Store on both devices
2. Search “CLONEit” or “SHAREit”, tap official app (check developer name)
3. Install on both source and target devices, grant storage access

Purpose: Provides transfer capability across different Android brands.

Step 2: How Do You Grant Required Permissions?

Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions shows required access types. Third-party transfer apps need Storage, Location (for Wi-Fi Direct), and sometimes Phone permissions. Toggle each permission to “Allow” position.

Action:

1. Open transferred app, tap “Allow” on permission requests
2. Navigate to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions if prompts missed
3. Enable Storage, Location, and suggested permissions to “Allow”

Purpose: Grants necessary access for app scanning and transfer functions.

Step 3: How Do You Select Apps to Transfer?

The app interface displays “Sender” and “Receiver” buttons on main screen. Sender device scans installed apps, showing list with app icons, names, and sizes. Tap checkboxes next to desired apps or “Select All” option at top.

Action:

1. Old device: tap “Sender”, wait for app scan completion
2. Review app list, tap individual checkboxes or “Select All”
3. Note total size at bottom, ensure target device has space

Purpose: Chooses specific applications for cross-device transfer.

Step 4: Where Do You Monitor Transfer Progress?

The progress screen appears after tapping “Start” or “Send” button. Individual app names scroll with percentage bars showing transfer speed in MB/s. Completion notification shows “X apps transferred successfully” with total time elapsed.

Action:

1. Tap “Start” or “Send” button after selection
2. Keep devices close (within 10 meters), Wi-Fi enabled on both
3. Wait for completion notification, tap “Done” to finish

Purpose: Tracks real-time transfer status and confirms successful app installation.

Method 4: Manual APK Transfer via Computer

Advanced users can extract and install APK files manually. This method works for apps unavailable in Play Store or when other transfer methods fail.

Step 1: How Do You Extract APK Files from Source Device?

File Manager > Internal Storage > Android > data contains installed app packages. Third-party file managers like Files by Google show “Apps” section with “Share” or “Backup” options for each installed app. Select apps, tap “Share” to save APK files to Downloads folder.

Action:

1. Install Files by Google or ES File Explorer on source device
2. Navigate to Apps section, long-press desired app
3. Tap “Backup” or “Extract APK”, confirm save location

Purpose: Creates installable APK packages from currently installed applications.

Step 2: Where Do You Copy APK Files?

Connect source device to computer via USB cable, enable File Transfer mode when prompted. Navigate to Internal Storage > Downloads or backup folder location where APK files saved. Drag APK files to computer desktop or dedicated folder.

Action:

1. Connect old phone to computer, swipe notification, tap “File Transfer”
2. Open device storage in File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
3. Copy APK files from Downloads folder to computer, then to new device

Purpose: Transfers APK packages through computer as intermediary storage.

Step 3: How Do You Enable Unknown Sources on Target Device?

Settings > Security > Install unknown apps controls app permissions for sideloading. Select file manager app (Files, Chrome, Downloads), toggle “Allow from this source” to ON. Android 8.0+ requires per-app permission rather than global setting.

Action:

1. Navigate to Settings > Security > Install unknown apps
2. Select your file manager app from list
3. Toggle “Allow from this source” switch, confirm security warning

Purpose: Grants permission to install apps outside Google Play Store.

Step 4: How Do You Install APK Files on New Device?

File Manager > Downloads shows transferred APK files with package icons. Tap APK filename, Android displays installation screen with app name, permissions, and size. Tap “Install” button, wait for “App installed” confirmation, then “Open” or “Done”.

Action:

1. Open file manager on new device, locate APK files
2. Tap APK file, review permissions screen, tap “Install”
3. Wait for progress bar completion, verify app appears in app drawer

Purpose: Manually installs applications from APK packages without Play Store.

Verification

How to Confirm Apps Transferred Successfully

Settings > Apps > See all apps displays complete list of installed applications. Compare app count between old and new phone to verify transfer completeness.

Launch each transferred app to test functionality. Some apps require fresh login credentials after transfer.

Check Settings > Google > Backup to confirm automatic backup enabled on new device. Recent backup timestamp should show within last 24 hours.

Test app-specific features like saved passwords, game progress, or downloaded content. App cloning sometimes preserves data while standard transfer doesn’t.

Troubleshooting

Issue: Apps Missing After Transfer

Solution: Open Google Play Store > Menu (☰) > My apps & games > Library. All previously installed apps appear here regardless of current device. Tap individual apps, select “Install” to download manually.

Check Google Account sync: Settings > Accounts > Google > Account sync > toggle “Apps” to ON. Wait 5 minutes, retry restore process.

Issue: App Data Not Transferred

Solution: Only apps supporting Google Backup transfer data automatically. Settings > Google > Backup > App data shows which apps backup enabled. Contact app developer for manual backup options or export features.

Some apps like WhatsApp require separate backup procedures. Check app-specific settings for “Backup” or “Export” options before device transfer.

Issue: Transfer Process Interrupted

Solution: Restart both devices, ensure battery above 50%, reconnect to stable Wi-Fi connection. Resume transfer from last checkpoint in Smart Switch or third-party app.

For Google Account restore, navigate to Settings > Google > Set up & restore > Restore apps. Partially transferred apps show “Pending” status. Tap “Retry” to continue.

Issue: Incompatible Apps Won’t Install

Solution: Check target device Android version meets app requirements. Google Play Store displays “Your device isn’t compatible” for unsupported apps. Contact developer for updated version or find alternative apps with similar functionality.

Some manufacturer-specific apps (Samsung Health, Huawei AppGallery) won’t install on different brands. Search Google Play Store for cross-compatible alternatives.

Alternative Method Comparison

Method 1 (Google Account Restore):

• Time: 10-15 minutes
• Complexity: Beginner
• Data transfer: Yes (with compatible apps)
• Best for: Stock Android devices, complete device setup

Choose Method 1 when setting up new device from scratch or upgrading within same brand.

Method 2 (Samsung Smart Switch):

• Time: 15-25 minutes
• Complexity: Beginner
• Data transfer: Yes (comprehensive including app settings)
• Best for: Samsung to Samsung transfers, maximum data preservation

Choose Method 2 when both old phone and target device are Samsung Galaxy models.

Method 3 (Third-Party Apps):

• Time: 10-20 minutes
• Complexity: Intermediate
• Data transfer: Varies by app (most don’t transfer data)
• Best for: Specific app selection, cross-brand transfers

Choose Method 3 when transferring selective apps between different manufacturers like Motorola to OnePlus.

Method 4 (Manual APK):

• Time: 20-30 minutes
• Complexity: Advanced
• Data transfer: No
• Best for: Apps unavailable in Play Store, technical users

Choose Method 4 when apps removed from Play Store or requiring sideloading capability. Understanding Android development concepts helps with troubleshooting.

Related Processes

After completing app transfer, consider these additional setup tasks:

App organization: Learn how to alphabetize apps or group apps into folders for better accessibility.

Privacy settings: Check how to hide sensitive apps or lock apps with passwords on your new device.

Performance optimization: Review background app management and battery drain analysis for transferred apps.

System cleanup: After verification, clear cached data on old device before factory reset.

Cross-platform transfers: Moving to different ecosystem requires transferring apps to Chromebook or researching iOS alternatives.

FAQ on How To Transfer Apps From Android To Android

Can I transfer apps without a Google Account?

Yes, using Samsung Smart Switch, third-party apps like CLONEit, or manual APK transfer methods work without Google credentials.

These alternatives require wireless transfer via Wi-Fi Direct or USB cable connection between devices. Google Account restore remains the simplest method for most users.

Does app data transfer with apps?

Depends on the transfer method and individual app support.

Google Account backup transfers data for compatible apps listed in Settings > Google > Backup > App data. Samsung Smart Switch preserves more app settings and content than third-party tools or manual APK installation.

How long does app transfer take?

Transfer speed varies by method and app count.

Google Account restore typically needs 10-15 minutes for 30-50 apps. Smart Switch requires 15-25 minutes with cable connection. Third-party wireless transfers can take 10-20 minutes depending on Wi-Fi connection stability.

Can I transfer apps between different Android brands?

Yes, Google Account restore works across all manufacturers running Android 8.0 or later.

Third-party apps handle cross-brand migrations between Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, and Xiaomi devices. Only Samsung Smart Switch restricts transfers to Samsung-to-Samsung device pairing exclusively.

Do I need Wi-Fi to transfer apps?

Most methods require stable Wi-Fi connection for app downloads and data migration.

Google Account restore downloads apps from Play Store via internet. Smart Switch offers USB cable option that works without Wi-Fi. Mobile data works but consumes significant bandwidth for large app collections.

Will my app login information transfer?

Rarely transfers automatically between devices.

Most apps require fresh login credentials after migration for security reasons. Google Account sync restores some passwords through Chrome Autofill. Banking apps and secure applications always require manual authentication after app deployment on new devices.

Can I select which apps to transfer?

Yes, all methods allow selective app transfer rather than complete migration.

Google Account restore shows checkboxes for individual app selection. Smart Switch and third-party tools display app lists with toggle options. Manual APK method gives complete control over specific application choices.

What happens to paid apps after transfer?

Paid apps tied to your Google Account reinstall free on new devices.

Google Play Store recognizes previous purchases through account history. Navigate to Play Store > Menu > My apps & games > Library to access all purchased applications. In-app purchases require restore through individual app settings.

Do all apps transfer successfully?

Not always-compatibility depends on target device Android version and manufacturer restrictions.

System apps, manufacturer-specific applications, and outdated software may fail installation. Some apps require manual download from Google Play Store after initial device setup completes. Check app download history for missing applications.

Can I transfer apps without a computer?

Absolutely-wireless methods eliminate computer requirements entirely.

Google Account restore, Samsung Smart Switch wireless mode, and third-party transfer apps operate phone-to-phone. Only manual APK extraction benefits from computer as intermediary storage space. Most users complete transfers using just both Android devices.

Conclusion

Mastering how to transfer apps from Android to Android eliminates the frustration of manual app reinstallation during device upgrades.

Google Account sync provides the simplest approach for most users, while manufacturer tools deliver comprehensive data preservation.

Third-party solutions bridge compatibility gaps between brands like OnePlus and Huawei. Manual APK methods serve advanced scenarios requiring precise control.

Each phone migration method balances speed, complexity, and data retention differently.

Test your new device thoroughly after transfer. Verify app functionality, check login requirements, and confirm critical data survived the move.

Before performing a factory reset on your old phone, confirm every important application runs correctly on your new Android device.

Smart planning transforms potentially hours-long phone switching into a streamlined 15-minute process.

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Bogdan Sandu

Bogdan Sandu specializes in web design, focusing on creating user-friendly websites, and innovative UI kits.

Many of his resources are available on various design marketplaces and for free on Codepen.

Over the years, he's worked with a range of clients and contributed to design publications like Design Your Way, Designmodo, WebDesignerDepot, WPDean, Speckyboy, and Slider Revolution among others.

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