How to Transfer Data from Old Phone to Pixel — Step‑by‑Step Guide

 Switching to a new Google Pixel phone is exciting, but transferring all your contacts, apps, photos, and settings can be daunting. Fortunately, Google Pixel provides multiple reliable ways to migrate data from both Android and iPhone devices. This guide walks you through every step, including exact menu paths.

1. Prepare Your Old Phone

Before transferring, make sure your old device is ready:

• Fully charge both phones

• Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network

• Update the OS and apps to the latest version

• Back up your data to Google Drive (Android) or iCloud (iPhone)

Google Drive Backup (Android)

1. Settings → Google → Backup → Back up now

2. Ensure Back up to Google Drive is ON

iCloud Backup (iPhone)

1. Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now

💡 Tip: A recent backup ensures a smooth transfer and prevents data loss.

2. Use the Quick Switch Adapter (Wired Transfer)

Google Pixel includes a Quick Switch Adapter in the box for fast wired transfers.

Steps:

1. Turn on your new Pixel and connect to Wi-Fi.

2. When prompted to transfer data, plug the Quick Switch Adapter into the Pixel’s USB-C port.

3. Connect your old phone’s cable to the adapter (Lightning cable for iPhone, USB-C or Micro-USB for Android).

4. Follow the on-screen instructions to select data types:

   • Contacts

   • Photos & videos

   • Apps

   • Messages

   • Call logs

5. Wait for the transfer to complete (duration depends on data size).

Menu path during setup:
Start Pixel Setup → Connect device → Quick Switch Adapter → Select data → Transfer

✅ Benefit: Wired transfer is faster and more reliable than wireless methods.

3. Transfer via Google Backup (Wireless Method)

If you don’t want to use cables, Google Backup allows wireless migration from Android devices:

Steps:

1. On your new Pixel, during setup, choose Copy your data

2. Sign in to the same Google account used on your old device

3. Select Restore from Google Backup

4. Choose the most recent backup

5. Pick which apps, photos, and settings to restore

Menu path:
Start Pixel Setup → Copy your data → Google Backup → Sign in → Select backup → Restore

💡 Tip: Large data may take time, so ensure Wi-Fi is stable and phones are charging.

4. Transfer from iPhone Using iCloud or Cable

Google Pixel supports transferring from iPhone either wirelessly using iCloud or via cable:

Option A: Using Quick Switch Adapter (Cable)

• Connect iPhone with Lightning cable via Quick Switch Adapter

• Follow on-screen steps to select data types

Option B: Using iCloud Backup (Wireless)

1. Start Pixel Setup → Copy your data → iPhone → Use iCloud backup

2. Sign in to iCloud

3. Select content to restore: Contacts, Photos, Calendars, Messages

✅ Benefit: Both options transfer most essential data while keeping apps compatible on Android.

5. Restore Apps and App Data

• Some apps will automatically download from Google Play Store after signing in

• Not all iOS apps transfer directly; find Android equivalents in Play Store

• App data for supported apps may restore from Google Drive backup

Menu path:
Play Store → Profile → Manage apps & device → Installed → Update / Install apps

💡 Tip: Keep your old device until you verify all critical apps and data have successfully transferred.

6. Transfer Photos and Videos

Option A: Google Photos

1. Install or open Google Photos on old device

2. Enable Backup & Sync: Photos → Settings → Backup & sync → Toggle ON

3. On new Pixel, sign in to the same Google account

4. Photos and videos will automatically appear in Google Photos

Option B: Wired transfer (via Quick Switch Adapter)

• During setup, select Photos & videos to transfer

✅ Benefit: Google Photos keeps your media in cloud storage, accessible even after switching devices.

7. Transfer Messages and Call Logs

• Android: Transferred automatically via Quick Switch Adapter or Google Backup

• iPhone: Transferred via Quick Switch Adapter (SMS/MMS only; iMessages converted to SMS)

Menu path:
Pixel Setup → Connect device → Select Messages / Call logs → Transfer

💡 Tip: Ensure old phone stays unlocked during transfer; interruptions may corrupt message migration.

8. Verify Transferred Data

After completing the transfer:

1. Open Contacts to check if all contacts migrated

2. Open Photos / Google Photos for media

3. Open Messaging to confirm messages

4. Test critical apps to ensure restored data functions properly

💡 Tip: If any data is missing, manually sync or repeat the transfer using Google Backup.

9. Optional: Use Third-Party Apps for Complex Transfers

For specialized cases (WhatsApp chat history, games, or app-specific data):

• WhatsApp: Use Google Drive backup → Restore on Pixel

• Game apps: Some may require cloud accounts (Google Play Games)

Menu path (WhatsApp example):
WhatsApp → Settings → Chats → Chat backup → Back up → Restore on new Pixel

✅ Third-party apps can fill gaps not covered by Google’s native transfer tools.

10. Quick Reference Table

Conclusion

Transferring data from an old phone to a Google Pixel is straightforward if you follow the step-by-step guide:

• Prepare old phone with backups and updates

• Use Quick Switch Adapter for fast wired transfer

• Utilize Google Backup for wireless migration

• Restore apps, photos, messages, and call logs

• Verify all data before fully switching devices

✅ Following these steps ensures a smooth transition without data loss, letting you enjoy your new Pixel phone immediately.