Switch to your new Fairphone
Important
- These steps only work if your Fairphone has Android 13 or above. Learn how to Check and update your software version.
- Some third-party apps, like WhatsApp, have their own backup method. See About changing phones (WhatsApp Help Center).
Learn how to move contacts, photos and other data from another device to your new Fairphone.
Before you start
- Charge both devices.
- If you don't have one, create a Google account.
- On your old device:
- Make sure you can unlock it with a PIN, pattern, or password.
- Connect to a stable Wi-Fi network.
- Back up your data.
- To transfer the most data, we recommend using a cable.
Switch from an Android device
Copy data with a cable
- Turn on your new Fairphone and tap Start.
- Connect to a mobile network:
- Insert a SIM card or tap Download a new eSIM.
- Or tap Skip.
- Connect to Wi-Fi:
- Tap your network name to connect.
- Or tap Set up offline.
- To Copy apps & data, tap Next until you're asked to find a cable.
Tip: This is usually the cable used for charging. -
Insert the cable into your old device, then tap Next.
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Insert the other end into your new Fairphone.
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Unlock your old device and tap Copy.
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Follow the setup process.
Copy data without a cable
- Turn on your new Fairphone and tap Start.
- Connect to a mobile network:
- Insert a SIM card or tap Download a new eSIM.
- Or tap Skip.
- Connect to Wi-Fi:
- Tap your network name to connect.
- To Copy apps & data, tap Next until you're asked to find a cable.
- Tap No cable → Copy without cable → Next.
Tip: Copying your data without a cable may take longer. - Open the Google app on your old device.
- Tap Search and type "set up my device".
- Follow the setup process.
Restore data without your old device
- Turn on your new Fairphone and tap Start.
- Connect to a mobile network:
- Insert a SIM card or tap Download a new eSIM.
- Or tap Skip.
- Connect to Wi-Fi:
- Tap your network name to connect.
- To Copy apps & data, tap Next.
- Tap Can't use old device → OK.
Tip: You can restore more data if you use your old device. - Sign in with your Google account.
- Follow the setup process.
Switch from an iPhone
Copy data with a cable
- Turn on your new Fairphone and tap Start.
- Connect to a mobile network:
- Insert a SIM card or tap Download a new eSIM.
- Or tap Skip.
- Connect to Wi-Fi:
- Tap your network name to connect.
- Or tap Set up offline.
- To Copy apps & data, tap Next until you're asked to find a cable.
Tip: This is usually the cable used for charging. -
Insert the cable into your old iPhone, then tap Next.
-
Insert the other end into your new Fairphone.
- On your iPhone, confirm it's OK to connect.
- Follow the setup process.
Copy data without a cable
- Turn on your new Fairphone and tap Start.
- Connect to a mobile network:
- Insert a SIM card or tap Download a new eSIM.
- Or tap Skip.
- Connect to Wi-Fi:
- Tap your network name to connect.
- To Copy apps & data, tap Next until you're asked to find a cable.
- Tap No cable → Copy without cable → Switching from iPhone or iPad.
Tip: Copying your data without a cable may take longer. - Follow the setup process.
Copy data manually
The options above will help you restore the most data. If none of the other steps work for you, try copying your data manually.
Copy your contacts
If you already use contacts in your Google account, like in Gmail, they automatically show on your new Fairphone after you sign in with the same Google account.
If your contacts are on a SIM card, you can import them by following these steps:
- Set up a SIM card.
- On your phone, swipe up from the Home screen to see All Apps.
- Look for Contacts and tap to open it.
- Tap Fix and manage → Manage SIM.
- Select contacts you want to import.
- At the top right, tap Import.
Copy your photos, videos and music
If you already backup your photos and videos in your Google account, like in Google Photos, they automatically show on your new Fairphone after you sign in with the same Google account.
To turn on Google Photos backup:
- On your old device, open the Google Photos app.
Don't have the Google Photos app? Get started with Google Photos. - In the top right, tap your profile picture.
- Tap Turn on backup.
For music services like YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Spotify, download the app to your new Fairphone and your music syncs automatically.
Copy your files and folders
- If you’re connected to the internet, Back up your files to Google Drive.
- If you can't connect to the internet, connect to a computer and move files manually.
Copy calendar events
- If you already use Google Calendar, your calendar events display when you open the Calendar app.
- To copy events from another calendar app, Import events to Google Calendar.