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How to transfer all data from old phone to a new Android phone

AndroidGuys
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Thanks to improvements to Android, Google makes the process of setting up a new Android device a quick and painless process, even if you have to transfer content from an existing device.

The stuff that’s baked directly into Android makes for a fairly pain-free process and can go a long way to ensuring your mobile experience is seamless. So, whether you’re going through a planned upgrade or dealing with an emergency situation, it won’t be a hassle.

With the help of Google and multiple other useful Android apps, we’ll show you how to transfer all your data from your old phone to your new Android phone.

How to transfer all data from old phone to a new Android phone

With the help of Google and its cloud services, you can almost instantly restore most of your important data from your old Android device including apps, contacts, calendar entries, and events, your passwords. Even some of your device’s settings like WiFi passwords, sound profiles and other things can be migrated.

Transfer data using Google

This process will transfer data including app data, WiFi passwords, and contacts.

Step One

Open the settings app on your old Android phone and then go to the Backup and reset or the Backup and restore settings page based on your Android version and phone manufacturer.

Select the Backup my data from this page and then enable it if not already enabled.

Step Two

To ensure that your data has been backed up successfully by Google, open the Google Drive app on your Android phone and then go to the Backups page by selecting the backups option from the left hamburger menu.

You can find a folder in this page with your device’s name and it will contain all the backed up files including app data, call logs, device settings, and even your SMS messages.

Make sure that the date on the backups folder is the most recent to ensure that all your data would be restored to the most recent version.

Step Three

Now when you set up your new Android device, all you have to do is sign in using the same Google account you used for backing up your data and select the ‘Restore from backup’ option to restore all your data.

Google would also automatically download and install the apps installed on your old Android phone to your new one, based on your preference.

Transfer SMS messages and call logs

While Google has an option to backup your SMS messages and call logs it doesn’t work well and in most cases, the cloud option does not backup your messages properly. So, if you want to backup your SMS messages and call logs and then transfer it to your new Android device, just follow the below post.

Best Android backup apps to safely backup your data

The post contains a list of backup apps for Android which allows you to backup and transfer not only your messages and call logs but also your apps to your new Android phone.

Transfer media files

Media files including photos and videos might probably be the most valuable and perhaps the biggest files anyone might have in their Android phones. Fortunately, Google provides a quick and easy way to transfer all your photos and videos to your new Android phone.

Follow the below steps to easily transfer all the photos and videos from your old Android device to the new one.

Step One

Open the Google Photos app on your old Android phone and then select the device folders option from the left hamburger menu.

google photos

Step Two

The device folders page will display all the folders in your device with photos or videos. Open the folders which you want to backup and transfer to your new Android phone and then enable the Backup and sync option at the top.

Step Three

Once the photos and videos you have selected have finished backing up, just open the Google photos app on your new Android device and sign in with the same Google account you used on your old device.

You will now be able to view and download all the photos and videos you have backed up on your old device in your new Android device.

Transfer other files

Besides the photos and videos and the general data that were mentioned above, some people might have different file formats stored on their Android devices including PDF documents, local MP3 files or some personal data.

While you can use the conventional method of physically copying the data from your old Android phone to a computer using USB cable and then transferring the data from the computer to your new device, it is both time consuming and impractical.

You can transfer small document files or audio files by uploading it to cloud storage providers like Google Drive or One Drive from your old device and then downloading them to the new one. However, if you have a large number of files this might not be an ideal solution.

So, to transfer the files from your old Android phone to your new one, both wirelessly and as quick as possible, you can use wireless file sharing services like Shareit. Just follow the below steps to wirelessly transfer your files from your old phone to new one using Shareit.

  • Install the Shareit app on both your old and new Android phones.
  • Open the app on both the devices and then select the send option in the home page of the app in your old phone and the receive option on your new one.
  • In the next page on your old phone, you would be able to select the files or folders as a whole you want to transfer to your new phone.

You can transfer any kind of files using the Shareit app including documents, songs, videos, images, and even Android apps.

Once you have selected what files to send and clicked on the send button, the app will create a WiFi direct network between the sending and the receiving devices and will share the files as quick as possible.

You can access all the transferred files from the file manager on your new Android phone or using the supported apps.

If you have any questions or doubts regarding how to transfer a particular type of file from your old Android phone to a new one, feel free to let us know about your queries in the comments section below.

New leak shows us how the new Moto RAZR will actually work

Andrew Allen
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We’ve seen months of speculation that Moto will soon enter the mix of foldable phones. Better yet, it’s rumored it will revive the RAZR moniker and as the in-house “Moto guy” I’m understandably excited about the latest video leak.

This new video hit popular Chinese social site, Weibo, earlier this morning and seems to show a promo render of the RAZR in all its glory. You can see the full folding phone that has an obvious influence by the classic flip phone. With that design in mind, the new rendition looks like a standard smartphone when fully opened.

The flip phone take is a stark difference from what other like Samsung and Huawei are doing with phones that double in size to a tablet form factor when open. This RAZR should appeal to some who don’t want a tablet, but would like a larger phone with more portability of tossing it their pockets folded up.

As mentioned, the phone hits the nostalgia button hard for those of us that owned the original RAZR back at the turn of the century. Moto has made an effort to really lean on that old design with the raised chin at the bottom of the opened phone and windowed display on the closed chassis. It even looks to have the classic glowing “M” logo.

Now, what about the specs? Again, this is complete speculation until Moto takes the covers off the real deal, but we do have popular assumptions. The primary display of the opened device is said to be a 6.2-inch 876×2142 screen with an additional ambient-display for clock and notifications on the outside. This would be on the “top” of the closed RAZR and will be around 600×800 from estimates based off leaked images.

Internals are said to be powered by the combination of Snapdragon 710, 4GB/6B of RAM, and 64/128GB of storage. The RAZR will also supposedly have a battery bank of 2,730mAh. This looks scarce at first glance, but one would hope that the phone has some kind of battery save feature when closed.

Opinions will vary, but I personally like what I’ve seen in the RAZR leaks. I think it offers a unique take on the “standard” form factor while also introducing foldable technology. Throw in the cool factor of one of the most popular phones of all time and Moto might have a winner.

Timing and price will also play a huge role in the phone’s success. So far, we know nothing about the timeline Moto has for release, or if the phone will actually even hit the market. Stay tuned, and we’ll keep you posted as this story progresses.

(Video) First look: Uno, the magnetic cross-device USB type C cable

Matt Adams
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We’ve had a ton of cool products come into the shop across the years, but for some reason, I remain obsessed with high-quality USB cables. I suppose it’s because I use at least one every day, but there’s nothing quite like a good cable that can stand up to the test of time.

This leads to a bit of a problem because there are three major standards out there today, micro USB, USB type-C, and Lightning. With over a dozen devices in our house that require consistent charging, it can be a challenge to find the right charger. I’ve gotten to the point where we have several charging stations throughout the house that feature this Anker wall charger and cable with each standard. It’s effective, but messy.

Recently, ASAP technologies contacted us about taking a look at the UNO charger. As the name would indicate, it’s one cable for all your charging needs. One end houses a USB type-C cable with the other end housing a port for different connectors. In the package, you get one connector each for micro USB, USB type-C, and Lightning. You also get a USB C to USB A adapter so you can use the UNO cable on literally any wall charger or USB port, no matter what the input is.

So far in my time with it, I really have enjoyed it. The cord is coated in a fabric exterior and there’s an anti-fraying neck that should help the heads of the cable stand up over time. The magnets are pretty damn strong too, rated to hold up to 437 grams (0.96 lb). That’s about the weight of an iPad Air and more than almost every phone on the market today. While the head did tend to bend with enough pressure, it never let go so I felt pretty safe with my phone connected to it.

The UNO cable is currently fully funded on Kickstarter right now with a guaranteed ship date in July. Click the button below to check out some more information.

Check out the UNO on Kickstarter

ASUS launches ZenFone 6 with top-tier hardware and flip-up camera

AndroidGuys
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In an age of lookalike phones and steep competition, hardware makers need to be creative. And, while last year was all about squeezing in extra display around a cutout display, the trend in mid-2019 is to work around that concept.

ASUS today joined the ranks of phone makers offering up an interesting design choice for its latest device, the ZenFone 6. Moreover, the new handset also packs incredibly compelling hardware with a competitive price.

The flagship-worthy phone follows on the heels of the OnePlus 7 in that it’s essentially all-screen on the front. Rather than a front-facing camera that pops up from inside the chassis, the ZenFone 6 flips its around. Indeed, when not used for selfies, the camera faces the rear of the phone.

Like most top-tier devices of 2019, the ASUS ZenFone 6 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. Bolstered by up to 8GB RAM, it can house up to 256GB internal storage. What’s more, it has a microSD expansion card slot for even more media.

 

The ZenFone 6 has a 6.4-inch FHD+ LCD screen with support for HDR10. Because it’s not an AMOLED the fingerprint reader is not hidden under the display.

The phone also houses a capacious 5,000mAh battery which is considerably higher than what most handset makers are doing. Charging is fast at 18W but not quite as quick as what some flagships can do. It’s a trade-off that ASUS thinks customers will appreciate. Oh, and it does reverse charging which means the phone can be used to charge other devices. Just make sure to have the proper USB C cable.

The phone employs a 48-megapixel f/1.79 main camera (with laser focus) and a 13-megapixel 125-degree ultra-wide camera plus a dual-LED flash. As a reminder, this is for both front and back. There’s no optical stabilization because of the tight fit, but both cameras support up to 4K video recording.

For those worried about the camera snapping off in a fall, fear not. Similar to how the pop-up camera on the OnePlus 7 Pro retracts, this one immediately jumps back into place when a drop is detected. ASUS says this mechanism has been test to work on more than 100,000 flips and drops.

Other noteworthy features include an aluminum body, Gorilla Glass 6, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Not present, however, are wireless charging and water resistance.

The ZenFone runs Android 9 Pie with the ZenUI 6 and figures to be a near-stock experience. A system-wide dark theme is present as is a dedicated hardware “Smart Key” which can toggle Google Assistant or a custom action like do not disturb or screen shot.

ASUS is on the Android Q Beta program so the ZenFone 6 could be quick to see the next version of Android as well as “R” when it’s released.

While most phone makers are content with asking $800 or more for a flagship, ASUS keeps the price of its ZenFone much lower. In fact, the starting price is just €499 (about $557 USD) for the 6GB/64GB model.

Sprint’s first 5G devices go on sale

AndroidGuys
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We may not know exactly when the Sprint 5G network gets turned on, but at least we know which devices will support it.

Sprint on Thursday announced it has started taking pre-orders for its first 5G-ready phone, the LG V50 ThinQ 5G. Moreover, it is also selling the HTC 5G Hub hotstpot.

The LG V50 ThinQ 5G will retail for $1,152 outright; however, Sprint will offer it for just $24 per month on an 18-month Sprint Flex lease. This is a special pricing for those who pre-order the phone and amounts to half off the cost.

Customers who want to take advantage of Sprint’s 5G speeds will need to sign up for the company’s Unlimited Premium plan. At $80 per month it’s $20 more than its standard Unlimited Basic option. For the extra money, though, subscribers get Amazon Prime, Tidal HiFi, and 100GB of LTE hotspot data.

The HTC 5G Hub will cost $600 on its own but Sprint will discount it by 50% if purchased on pre-order. Doing so puts it at just $12.50 per month.

Both devices start shipping on May 31 but it’s not clear when the 5G network will be activated. Sprint hasn’t made any overt announcements other than it will be available in Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas City, and Houston this month.

Other markets expected to see Sprint’s 5G network include Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C.

Those who want to utilize the hotspot on 5G will have to pay $60 per month for 100GB of ultra fast data. Worth noting, once that threshold is reached, speeds are throttled. Not to 4G or even 3G… but 2G. Keep that in mind in the event you were planning on changing your entire home around.

Amazon refreshes Fire 7 tablets for 2019

AndroidGuys
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Amazon has refreshed its Fire 7 tablet for 2019, giving both the standard model and the Kids Edition a punch-up. Not to worry, though, it has not touched the price. Yes, you can still get the 7-inch tablet for $50.

Things aren’t drastically changed this time around as it essentially sees the Fire 7 getting twice as much storage as before. The new model has 16GB internal capacity whereas its predecessor had 8GB.

External media doubles, too, as the device now supports microSD expansion cards up to 512GB. Other than that, the situation is largely the same. Amazon still employs a quad-core 1.3GHz processor but the retailer says the new model has more memory bandwidth.

Available in three new colors (Sage, Plum, and Twilight Blue), the new Fire 7 will be released on June 6. Customers can start pre-ordering the devices ahead of launch. Those who do so before the release will receive a $10 credit to use on apps or games.

Fire 7 Kids Edition

The $100 Kids Edition tablet is also getting a slight tweak in the processor. And, while its storage stays put at 16GB, it does support the 512GB microSD cards.

The main change in the Fire 7 Kids Edition comes in the protective case that houses the tablet. This year’s model comes with an adjustable stand to allow for hands-free usage. Color choices are blue, pink, and (new) purple.

The refreshed Fire 7 Kids Edition comes with a two-year warranty against any sort of defect, and includes a one-year subscription to Amazon FreeTime Unlimited. Like its brethren, the kids-centric model launches on June 6 and pre-orders are available starting today.

For a limited time, Amazon has a two-pack of the Fire 7 Kids Edition tablets for $149.99, $50 off.

Moshi Avanti and Mythro: USB C audio at its finest

Matt Adams
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Audio is still complicated in 2019. With the removal of the headphone jack in most phones, you’re left to consider your options. Most people opt for Bluetooth headphones since you can find something as low as $10, up to premium headphones like the Bose QC 35 II which run north of $300. To say you have options would be an understatement.

Read more: Bose QC 35 II vs. JBL Everest 710GA: Getting what you pay for?

But, Bluetooth isn’t the only option for our headphone jack-less friends. USB type-C audio is still a thing and headphones and earbuds that connect through the USB port are rarer, but they’re still kicking around. In fact, they may be a superior option to Bluetooth headphones because they don’t need a battery and are therefore generally lighter and you never have to worry about charging them. Plus, there’s the added benefit of better sound quality.

Despite these advantages, USB type-C headphones and earbuds are pretty rare. Moshi is one of the companies committed to making USB type-C audio products and has sent over its Avanti headphones and Mythro Earphones for us to check out.

If you know anything about Moshi, you’ll not be shocked by the high quality and fashionable looks of these audio products and we were not disappointed one bit as we took them out of the box.

Moshi Avanti Headphones

Before I even placed the Avanti headphones on my head, I was already in love. The build quality and aesthetics here are second to none, and honestly, they’re not even really my style. I prefer over-the-ear headphones and a little more of an industrial-type design, but the Avanti headphones are just so striking.

With leatherette earcups and a metal band, these just scream high-end audio. I love how the band stretches as far as it needs to because my big noggin has led to some painful audio experiences in the past. The earcups are comfortable to wear for long periods of time and since they’re on-ear rather than over-the-ear you don’t get hot wearing them. One thing you do need to be aware of, these are meant to be worn at a big of an angle. They sit a little bit further back on your ears and angle the music into your ear canal, rather than sitting directly on top of your ears. It feels a little bit weird at first but you get used to it.

And once you get used to them, you’re going to love how they sound. While you’re not going to be blown away by the bass or soundstage, they sound really great for everyday listening. I wouldn’t suggest these for the gym because they’ll fly off of you at some point, but I was pretty impressed at how they kept out outside noise out of my ears. You wouldn’t expect that from on-ear headphones but they do a pretty good job.

Overall, I really love using the Avanti headphones due to how great they sound and their out-of-this-world looks. The headphones click as you fold out the earcups which make them feel even cooler and the hard carrying case is a nice touch. You can grab the Moshi Avanit USB type-C headphones for $199.95.

Moshi Avanit from Moshi Moshi Avanit from Amazon

Moshi Mythro Earbuds

With a design that will remind you of an Apple device, the Mythro earbuds are going to be attractive to anyone who values how your earbuds look as much as how they sound.

But, that’s not to say that they don’t stand up on their own in terms of audio quality. the Mythro do sound very nice in day-to-day use and provide a decent soundstage and bass for the price ($50). Mids are just fine here and anyone not looking for audiophile quality sound should be pleased with bumping out rap, rock, or even spoken word tracks.

 

The brushed aluminum and cable look great, if not subtle until a close inspection. The little details like the included remote are all in line here for a nice experience which is important in a segment like USB C audio where there just aren’t that many great choices. I wouldn’t say that you need to run out to the store to buy these because they’re that much better than anything else on the market, but I would put them up there with pretty much anything else, especially when you take price into consideration. A comparable pair of Bluetooth earbuds will probably cost more and come with all the compromises of Bluetooth audio.

I really enjoyed my time with the Mythro earbuds just due to the convenience of them. I also work at a television station and will occasionally have to call into our IFB lines (those little earbuds TV anchors and reporters wear) to communicate with our control room. My daily driver OnePlus 6T doesn’t have a headphone jack and when you’re pressed for time, fumbling around for a dongle can be a huge pain. The Mythro earbuds provided unexpected relief and really demonstrates why the death of the headphone jack sucks and while USB type-C audio is the next best option.

You can grab the Moshi Mythro earbuds for about $50 from Moshi and Amazon.

Moshi Mythro from Moshi Moshi Mythro from Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G now available at Verizon

AndroidGuys
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Verizon on Thursday began offering its 5G-enabled version of the Samsung Galaxy S10 smartphone.

Available in Majestic Black and Crown Silver options, the phone packs a 6.7-inch display and runs Android 9 Pie. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G comes in two storage options: 256GB and 512GB. As a refresher, this version of the device does not have a microSD expansion card slot.

The phone costs a pretty penny, to be sure, with prices starting at $1,300. And, when you consider its 5G tech only works in select markets, it doesn’t make sense to pick this one up yet. Nevertheless, if you live in one of the cities with Verizon 5G support, and must have the newest and best from Samsung, here’s what you can expect to spend.

Verizon has a number of promotions to help bring the cost of the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G down. Indeed, both current and potential customers can save a few hundred dollars, or more. In the right situation one could receive up to $650 toward the phone.

Promos:
  • New and existing customers can trade in an eligible smartphone and save up to $450. Discount offered as monthly bill credits.
  • Switchers can get an additional $200 prepaid Mastercard if they switch to Verizon. purchase a GalaxyS10 5G on device payment plan and sign up for Verizon Unlimited.
A quick note about the 5G network for those who might not be fully up to speed. The Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband service is only available on the Above and Beyond Unlimited Plans. Typically it costs $10 per month for the access, but it’s free for a limited time.

Here’s how to turn T-Mobile’s Scam Blocking on and off

Matt Adams
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Scam calls are a problem. If you own a cell phone, and if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you do, you know it can be pretty awful. Scammers call day and night to try and get your hard earned cash and if you’ve ever gotten behind on your bills, the problem and be twice as bad.

A report by First Orion in 2018 predicted that by the end of this year, half of all calls would be spam calls. That’s up from 3.7% in 2017 and 29% in 2018. Just to give you some perspective, back in 2016, Americans were estimated to have received 2.4 billion unwanted automated PER MONTH calls in 2016 alone. And it’s only gotten worse.

The scams can be pretty serious too. From targeting immigrant communities that are unsure of how things work in a new environment to going after the elderly or low-income households with scare tactics, these people truly have no shame and inflict massive damage on their targets. I have had members of my family fall for one of these scams even after I tried to educate them. While they lost “only” $400, that’s a ton when you’re on a fixed income.

Nine apps to block spam calls and text messages in Android

While the FCC says it’s working to fix the problem, carriers have seemingly tried to step in and help. With scam identification, carriers can outright block calls from ever getting to you and other apps like T-Mobile’s enhanced caller ID let you know if the call could be a potential threat. It almost feels dangerous to pick up the phone if the number isn’t already saved in your contacts list.

But these programs have a downside too. If you’re looking for a new job, you may have experienced this already and not even known it. Some numbers can be misidentified as spam and not even make it to your phone. No voicemail, no nothing. Luckily, T-Mobile lets you turn this feature off if you want. Here’s how you do that:

  • Open the phone app
  • Dial #632#
  • Press dial

A prompt will pop up on your screen that says, “Your request to disable Scam Blocking is being processed. Please wait a few minutes for Scam Blocking to stop.”

Easy enough, right? Just hit okay and you’re done.

If you start getting bombarded by calls and you want to turn Scam Blocking back on, do this:

  • Open the phone app
  • Dial #662#
  • Press dial

This sends a request to T-Mobile to turn Scam Blocking back on. Just like when you turn it off, there will be a small period for it to kick in, but you should be good to go.

Let us know down in the comments if you’re going to turn Scam Blocking off or keep it on.

You can now buy the Pixel 3a and 3a XL directly from Amazon

Matt Adams
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Picking up a Pixel device hasn’t exactly been easy in the past. The original Pixel and Pixel XL weren’t available in carrier store aside from Verizon and most readily available directly from Google through its website.

Since the death of carrier contracts, customers have become used to paying monthly for their devices and this threw up a huge roadblock to getting the device. Yes, Google did pair with a financing partner to offer 24 months of payments, but it required a credit check and that sucks.

Nothing changed with the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. You could now walk into a carrier store and pick one up, but still just one carrier, Verizon. And it was great that Google paired with the largest US carrier (AT&T and Verizon trade the title back and forth) but it locked customers from the other big three carriers out of the conversation. Plus, the Verizon models come with a locked bootloader and that sucks, too.

There was hope before the Pixel 3 and 3 XL dropped that we’d see expanded carrier support, but no, still a Verizon exclusive. It was disappointing, to say the least. But, we’ve recently had a ray of hope.

With the introduction of the Pixel 3a and 3a XL, all of the major US carriers now carry the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. It’s never been easier to get your hands on one of the devices.

Pixel 3 versus Pixel 3a: Which is right for you?

As anyone will tell you, Amazon is the biggest retailer around, save for Walmart by some metrics. Amazon and Google had basically been at war the last couple of years with Amazon refusing to sell Google hardware and Google pulling its apps from Amazon’s fire ecosystem. Luckily for consumers, peace was declared and we saw a return of YouTube to our Fire Sticks and Chromecasts to the Amazon marketplace.

Now, the companies are teaming up again to offer the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL directly from Google, sold by Amazon. There’s no purchasing from murky third-parties or non-warrantied phones just to use your Amazon store credit card or that gift card you picked up for your birthday.

You can now head over to Amazon to pick up the Pixel 3a for just $399 or the Pixel 3a XL for $479 and feel safe in your purchase.

I’ve personally been using the Pixel 3a XL for the last couple of days and I’m completely blown away. This is the best budget phone I’ve ever used and really crushes everything else around the same price.

Performance is worse than the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, but not really noticeably so. Plus, you get that amazing Pixel camera setup that wows us every time see pictures from the device. Google really hit it out of the ballpark with these phones and you can get yours right now by hitting the buttons below.

Get the Pixel 3a Get the Pixel 3a XL

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