[Closed] Swapping Android phones. Any transfer tips?

I'm sure there will be more technical information to follow - but assuming you've backed up to Google, just make sure you give it time on WiFi when you sign in on new phone.. It takes time to download the data.

You might find that there's an app on the Samsung, and maybe a cable/adapter, to transfer stuff from one to the other

I've just swapped an old Moto to a newer one. Through Google it gave the option to do a cable transfer or an online transfer. I think it uses the Google drive. Does contacts, pics etc. If you have a memory card stick as much on as you can

There's definitely a Samsung app that you can then install on your old phone and do the transfer. Did it myself a few weeks ago.

There was a modicum of fiddle to get them to recognise each other, minutes not hours, after that it was straight forward. Took a while to process, but that was because I made the mistake of transferring loads of photos.

install smart switch on your old phone

If you're buying the Samsung from EE or similar go to one of their stores and ask them to do the data transfer.
If you've bought elsewhere, use the online guide for directions - if it's doable.

Does Android not just do things itself when you log in to the new phone?

Just check that the current phone has back up all switched on and using Google for contacts etc.

Does Android not just do things itself when you log in to the new phone?

ONLY if you've been diligent on backups and organising to use Google app suite, not handset manufacturer apps IME. Every work phone we have I now push team to go totally Google App - many were unaware that the likes of Samsung try to get you to use thier Contacts app not Google Contacts app.

Email should be modern and cloud based. Contacts can be synced to Google if not already. WhatsApp can be backed up but but don't backup media as that usually fails when restoring. If desperate to keep text messages use an like SMS backup and restore from one phone to the other.

I would advise not doing a full system transfer as you have no idea what is going over and it gives the opportunity to cull unused apps. Go down the list of apps you need and manually back them up if needed. And/or Dave data, photos etc to a PC or memory card.

You can keep the old phone running for a few days on WiFi while you get acquainted with the new one and figure out what apps are needed. Usually banking apps are the hardest if you use them.

Define "stuff".

Data should be synced with your google account. If it's not, well, it should be, so it should carry across automagically. The canonical source of your contacts &c isn't the old phone, it's the cloud. I think the last time I "needed an app," it was Nokia PC Suite with a 6510.

Apps may be device-specific and you'll likely be offered to install everything or select from your previously installed list - I'd select as it'll likely try to transfer Nokia-specific apps.

I used Samsung Smart Switch when changing phones yesterday. Worked seamlessly, didn't even have to setup my alarm clock 🙂

Google does most of it automatically, just signed in on the new phone, waited a while and put some passwords in. The only extra thing I used was an app called 'SMS Backup & Restore' to copy my texts from one device to the other (transferred the file via google drive).
Was simple and I don't think I lost any data.

Only thing I'd add is that whilst Google should transfer pretty much everything over automatically when you sign into the new phone, if you haven't set your previous phone up properly with respect to accounts then this may not work. There are a lot of people who just cannot seem to set their phone up to sync properly or don't care then complain that their new phone doesn't download everything properly!

Thanks for the advice folks.

Maybe a dumb question, but how do I check if my data on my current phone is synced to Google?

Go into Settings > Google
It should have your Google account details there.

Then go on Backup
It will tell you in there what is being backed up and when it was last done.

Thanks very much @bails

Never been great with tech 🙁