- How to transfer data from your old Android phone to your new one
- How to back up data on your old Android phone
- How to transfer photos and videos to your new Android phone
- How to restore data and settings to your new Android phone
- Mid-range camera king
- Google Pixel 4a
- These are the best rugged Android phones
- The Google Pixel 5 is the best phone for taking photos, period
- The Xperia 1 III is our favorite phone for shooting video
- Harish Jonnalagadda
- Android 11
- The OS that gets to what’s important.
- Android 11 Highlights
- Manage your conversations.
- Get all your messages in one place.
- Bubbles
- Chat while multitasking.
- Capture and share content.
- Built-in screen recording. Finally.
- Select and share just got easier.
- Helpful tools that predict what you want.
- Smart reply
- App suggestions
- Smart folders
- Control your phone with your voice.
- Device Controls
- Control your connected devices from one place.
- Media Controls
- Bring your entertainment with you.
- Connect Android to your car. Skip the cable.
- You control what apps can access.
- One‑time permissions
- Permissions auto‑reset
- Security updates, right from Google Play.
- On Android 11, you get even more security.
- Phones ready for Android 11.
- Samsung
- Samsung
- OnePlus
- And there’s so much more.
- Accessibility
- Camera
- Digital Wellbeing
- Enterprise
- Media
- Messaging & Sharing
- Security & Privacy
- Usability Enhancements
How to transfer data from your old Android phone to your new one
Source: Alex Dobie / Android Central
When it’s time to switch from your older Android phone to a new one, you’ll want to make sure all of your data makes it way across safely. Thankfully, Google makes it extremely convenient to migrate your texts, call logs, contacts, music, and photos over to your new phone seamlessly.
How to back up data on your old Android phone
You’ll need to make sure that all the relevant data on your old phone is backed up to the cloud before you make the switch to your new phone. Google automatically backs up contacts, call logs, texts, and settings — including Do Not Disturb details — to Drive, so you’ll be able to restore all that data to your new phone just by logging in with your Google account during initial configuration.
Best of all, the data that’s automatically backed up by Google doesn’t count toward your storage quota, so you don’t have to worry about running out of storage. The feature backs up call history, app data, contacts, device and home screen settings, and text messages. So before you switch to a new phone, it makes sense to see if this data is already on the cloud.
Note: I’m using a OnePlus 7T for reference, but the steps outlined below will be the same for all Android phones running Android 7.0 Nougat and above. You can always search for backup in the settings search bar to find the option.
- Open Settings from the app drawer or home screen.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Go to the System menu.
Source: Android Central
Hit Back up now to sync the latest data on the phone with Google Drive.
Source: Android Central
Pro tip: Go to contacts.google.com to see if all the contacts from your previous phone migrated to your Google account. The contacts that you see on this page will be the ones that will show up on your new phone.
Once the data is backed up, you can get started with setting up your new phone. Before we do that, however, let’s make sure your photos and videos are being backed up to Google Photos.
How to transfer photos and videos to your new Android phone
Google Photos is an outstanding service for backing up photos and videos. It seamlessly backs up data, has granular sharing controls, and uses on-device machine learning to automatically group faces. However, the best feature is the unlimited storage at high quality. You can save your photos and videos at Original quality — the quality at which they were taken — or select High quality, which retains the same level of detail while cutting down on the size.
You don’t have to worry about running out of storage if you select the High-quality option, and this particular feature makes Photos a fantastic service for storing your photos and videos. As the data is backed up to a cloud, you’ll be able to access your photos and videos from your new phone as well as on the web. If you haven’t set up Photos yet, here’s how to get started.
- Open Photos from the app drawer or home screen.
- Select the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) from the top left of the screen.
Tap Settings.
Source: Android Central
Ensure that the Backup mode is set to High quality.
Source: Android Central
That’s all there is to it. Once your photos and videos are safely backed up to Google Photos, you can get started with setting up your new phone.
How to restore data and settings to your new Android phone
You’ve unboxed your new phone and are ready to set it up. There are a few ways to restore data from your older device, and here I’m highlighting the option that has worked best for me over the years (I switch phones once every two weeks, so I know what I’m talking about). You’ll need your old phone for this, so make sure you don’t reset the data just yet. At this point, you should switch the SIM card over to the new phone. Let’s get started.
- Select your device language and hit Start on the welcome page.
- Select your home Wi-Fi network and sign in.
Hit Next at the Copy apps & data screen to begin migrating data from your old phone.
Source: Android Central
Hit Next once again here. I’ll have detailed instructions on how to set things up on your old phone down below.
Source: Android Central
You’ll see your phone’s model number highlighted on the Verify your phone page. Stay at this page and grab your old phone. You’ll now need to authorize data transfer from your old phone so that texts, calls, and relevant data can migrate seamlessly to the new device. Here’s what you need to do on the old phone:
- Open Settings from the app drawer or home screen.
- Navigate to the Google tab.
Select Set up & restore.
Source: Android Central
Your phone will now search for nearby devices. You can then verify the patterns on both devices to make sure the connection is established.
Source: Android Central
You’ll see a Copying your account progress bar at this point. Once you see this, switch back to your new phone.
Source: Android Central
You’ll be able to see a sign-in window for all the Google accounts registered on your older device. Because you set up direct data transfer, you won’t need to enter two-factor authentication when signing in using this method. Don’t fret if you do not see the two-factor dialog box; that is normal behavior. Should both phones lose connectivity at any point during the restore, just start over and you’ll be able to set it up.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Confirm the screen lock of your old phone to authenticate the data transfer.
You’ll now arrive at the Choose what to restore page. If you want everything from your old phone transferred to the new one, leave all the settings as is and select Restore.
Source: Android Central
Hit Restore to start installing data on your new phone. You should see a confirmation message of the same.
Source: Android Central
After selecting the restore options, you’ll be able to choose whether to back up data and use location automatically at the Google services page. After selecting the services, you can set up a PIN to use face unlock and fingerprint authentication.
The rest of the options after configuring biometric authentication will vary by manufacturer, and you can easily follow along with the on-screen instructions. The best part with a cloud restore is that even your home screen is preserved. That includes the background as well as the app layout, so you can get started on your new phone without any additional setup.
That’s all there is to it. Once setup is finished and you get to the home screen, you’ll see the Play Store running in the background and restoring data from your old phone. This may take up to an hour based on the amount of content installed on your old phone and your internet connection, so you can let that run while configuring the rest of the options on your new phone.
Mid-range camera king
Google Pixel 4a
Flagship camera for a lot less
The Pixel 4a takes the outstanding camera from the Pixel 4 and makes it much more accessible. This is the best camera you’ll find on a mid-range phone by some margin, and you also get 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, a minimalist design, and robust internal hardware with all-day battery life.
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These are the best rugged Android phones
Living the rough and tumble life? Get yourself a smartphone that can handle everything you throw at it — or throw your phone at.
The Google Pixel 5 is the best phone for taking photos, period
If you want the best Android camera, you should go with the Google Pixel 5. Many great options get close, though. So we’ve gathered a solid list to get you started.
The Xperia 1 III is our favorite phone for shooting video
If video recording is your thing, look no further than the Sony Xperia 1 III. It offers a large screen, three great cameras, and extremely robust manual video controls.
Harish Jonnalagadda
Harish Jonnalagadda is the Asia Editor at Android Central. A reformed hardware modder, he now spends his time writing about India’s technology revolution. Previously, he used to ponder the meaning of life at IBM. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.
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Android 11
The OS that gets to what’s important.
Go straight to the stuff that matters most. Because Android 11 is optimized for how you use your phone. Giving you powerful device controls. And easier ways to manage conversations, privacy settings and so much more.
Android 11 Highlights
Manage your conversations.
Get all your messages in one place.
See, respond to and control your conversations across multiple messaging apps. All in the same spot. Then select people you always chat with. These priority conversations show up on your lock screen. So you never miss anything important.
Bubbles
Chat while multitasking.
With Android 11, you can pin conversations so they always appear on top of other apps and screens. Bubbles keep the conversation going—while you stay focused on whatever else you’re doing. Access the chat anytime or anywhere. Then carry on doing you.
Capture and share content.
Built-in screen recording. Finally.
Screen recording lets you capture what’s happening on your phone. And it’s built right into Android 11, so you don’t need an extra app. Record with sound from your mic, your device or both.
Select and share just got easier.
Select text from your apps. Grab images too. On Pixel devices 1 , you can easily copy, save and share info between many apps. Like your browser, your delivery app or from the news.
Helpful tools that predict what you want.
A conversation where a user responds to a message that says «hey I’m headed out now» with the words «sounds good!» selected from a toolbar of suggested responses.
Smart reply
Get suggested responses in conversations. Hi there, sounds good or 👋 when you need it. On Pixel devices 1 , replies are intelligently suggested based on what’s been said in the conversation—so the words you need and the perfect emoji are always at your fingertips. 2
App suggestions
Easily get to apps you need most. Pixel devices 1 make app suggestions that change based on your routine. So you can see what you need throughout the day, all on the bottom of your home screen. Making it easy to get to your morning workout app when you wake up. Or to access the TV app you use when it’s time to relax.
Smart folders
Smarter ways to organize your apps. Get intelligent suggestions for folder names on your Pixel device 1 . For a home screen that stays organized. Names are based on theme—like work, photo, fitness and more.
Control your phone with your voice.
With Android 11, Voice Access is faster and easier to use. Intuitive labels on apps help you control and navigate your phone, all by speaking out loud. Even use Voice Access offline, for more support whenever you need it.
Device Controls
Control your connected devices from one place.
Set the temperature to chill, then dim your lights. All from a single spot on your phone. 3 Just long press the power button to see and manage your connected devices. Making life at home that much easier.
Media Controls
Bring your entertainment with you.
Switch from your headphones to your speaker without missing a beat. Tap to hear your tunes or watch video on your TV. With Android 11, you can quickly change the device that your media plays on.
Showing an Android device within a car. When the Android device powers on, an Android app called SpotHero is automatically displayed on the car’s dashboard.
Connect Android to your car. Skip the cable.
Hit the road without plugging in. Android Auto now works wirelessly with devices running Android 11—so you can bring the best of your phone on every drive. 4
You control what apps can access.
Take charge of your data with Android. You choose whether to give or not, permission to access sensitive data, to the apps that you download. So you stay better protected.
One‑time permissions
Give one-time permissions to apps that need your mic, camera or location. The next time the app needs access, it must ask for permission again.
Permissions auto‑reset
If you haven’t used an app in a while, you may not want it to keep accessing your data. So Android will reset permissions for your unused apps. You can always turn permissions back on.
Security updates, right from Google Play.
On Android 11, you get even more security.
With Android 11, you get even more security and privacy fixes sent to your phone from Google Play. The same way all your other apps update. So you get peace of mind. And your device stays armed with the most recent defense.
Phones ready for Android 11.
Experience what Android 11 has to offer on devices made for the latest and greatest.
Samsung
Samsung
OnePlus
And there’s so much more.
From security enhancements to easier ways to get work done, Android 11 has something for everyone.
Accessibility
Voice AccessIntuitive labels on apps help you control and navigate your phone, all by speaking out loud. Even use Voice Access offline, for more support whenever you need it.
Talkback braille keyboardType braille using just your Android device. No additional hardware needed.
LookoutLookout now has two new modes. Scan Document and Food Label help people with low vision or blindness get things done faster and more easily. Opening Lookout also turns on your flashlight, helping users read in low light. And Lookout is now available on all 2GB+ devices running Android 6.0 or later.
Camera
3P performance optimizationsYour camera works even better on photo sharing platforms like Snapchat.
Mute during camera captureDevelopers can use new APIs for apps to mute vibration from ringtones, alarms or notifications.
Bokeh modesDevelopers can now request a bokeh picture via the Android camera2 APIs.
Camera support in EmulatorNow supports a fully functional camera HAL. Making it easier for developers to test apps using the latest Android camera2 APIs.
Digital Wellbeing
Bedtime ModeBedtime Mode quiets your phone when it’s time to go to sleep. Schedule it to run automatically or while your phone charges as you rest. Your screen switches to grayscale and your notifications go silent with Do Not Disturb.
ClockThe new bedtime feature in Clock helps you set a healthy sleep schedule. Track screen time at night and fall asleep to calming sounds. Then wake up to your favorite song. Or use the Sunrise Alarm that slowly brightens your screen to start the day.
Enterprise
Work profile enhancementsGet full privacy from IT on your work profile on company-owned devices. Plus new asset management features for IT to ensure security without visibility into personal usage.
Connected work and personal appsConnect work and personal apps to get a combined view of your information in places like your calendar or your reminders.
Schedule work profileEasily disconnect from work. With Android 11, you can now set a schedule to automatically turn your work profile on and off.
Work tab in more placesUse the work tab in more places to share and take actions across work and personal profiles. See work tabs when sharing, opening apps and in settings.
Location access notificationsGet a new notification if your IT admin has turned on location services on your managed device.
Media
Device controls Easily manage your connected devices all from one spot on your phone. 3
Media controlsWith Android 11, you can quickly change the device that your media plays on.
Android Auto Android Auto now works wirelessly 4 with devices running Android 11.
Context-aware Bluetooth airplane modeIf you have headphones or hearing aids connected to your phone, bluetooth will stay on if you enable Airplane mode.
Messaging & Sharing
ConversationsSee, respond to and control your conversations across multiple messaging apps. All in the same spot. Choose priority conversations that will show up on your lock screen.
BubblesPin conversations so they always appear on top of other apps and screens. So you can access the chat anytime or anywhere.
Smart reply On Pixel devices 1 , replies are intelligently suggested based on what’s been said in the conversation. 2
Keyboard autofillGBoard gives you suggestions to help fill in forms with the info you use most. Like passwords or your home address.
Overview actionsOn Pixel devices 1 , you can easily copy, save and share info between many apps.
Nearby ShareQuickly and securely send files, videos, map locations and more to devices nearby. Works with Android devices, Chromebooks or devices running Chrome browser.
Security & Privacy
One-time permissionsGive one-time permissions to apps that need your mic, camera or location. The next time the app needs access, it must ask for permission again.
Permissions auto-resetIf you haven’t used an app in a while, you may not want it to keep accessing your data. So Android will reset permissions for your unused apps. You can always turn permissions back on.
Google Play system updatesWith Android 11, you get even more security and privacy fixes sent to your phone, right from Google Play. So your device stays armed with the most recent defense.
Scoped storageAndroid limits broad access to shared storage for all apps running Android 11, so your info stays better protected.
Resume on rebootPick up right where you started. Apps run immediately after an update is installed. So you don’t miss any notifications after your phone has rebooted.
Blocked permissionsIf a user denies an app permission multiple times, the app will be blocked from requesting the permission again.
Soft restartGet Google Play system updates when your phone is idle, with no full reboot required.
Background locationGet more control over location sharing with apps that are not in use. So apps don’t get access to more data than they need.
Usability Enhancements
Screen recorderScreen recording is now built in, so you don’t need an extra app. Record with sound from your mic, your device or both.
App suggestions Pixel devices 1 now make app suggestions based on your daily routines. These apps show up on the bottom row of your home screen. So you can get the apps you need when you need them.
Smart folders See intelligent suggestions for folder names on your Pixel device 1 . For a home screen that stays organized.
Call screeningNew APIs to help screening apps better identify spam calls.
Schedule Dark modeSchedule when you want your phone to turn to Dark mode. And when you want it to go back to a standard display.
Picture-in-picturePicture-in-picture windows can be adjusted to fit the size you need.
5G detection APIWith new APIs, apps know if you’re on a 5G connection. So you get better performance.
Hinge angle sensor supportSo apps can better support all kinds of foldable configurations.
Ethernet tetheringShare a tethered internet connection with a USB ethernet dongle.
Gesture sensitivityWhen using gesture nav, you can now fine-tune both Back gestures on the left and right edge independently of one another.
Notification historyYour notification history is now available in settings.
SharesheetPin the apps you use most in the Sharesheet.
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