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How to manually transfer data to your new Fairphone

How to manually transfer data to your new Fairphone

Sometimes, automatic transfers do not copy all your files. This guide helps you manually transfer your contacts, photos, videos, music, and other folders to your new Fairphone smartphone.

How to transfer contacts manually+

Sync with your Google account (recommended)

If you already sync contacts with your Google account, they appear automatically on your new Fairphone when you sign in with the same Google account.

If your contacts do not appear, follow these steps on your old phone:

  • Android: Tap Settings > Passwords, passkeys & accounts (or Passwords & accounts). Tap your Google account, tap Account sync, and turn on the toggle for Contacts.
  • iPhone: Tap Settings > Contacts > Accounts > Add Account > Google, and turn on the toggle for Contacts.

Import from your SIM card

If you save your contacts to your SIM card, you can import them to your new phone:

  1. Insert your SIM card into your new Fairphone. For more details, see our guide on how to set up a SIM card.
  2. On your Fairphone, open the Contacts app and tap Organize > Manage SIM.
  3. Choose the contacts you want to copy, and tap Import.
How to transfer photos, videos, and music+

Use Google Photos (recommended for photos and videos)

  1. On your old phone, download the Google Photos app and sign in with your Google account.
  2. Turn on Backup in the app settings to upload your photos and videos. For more details, see the Google Photos guide on how to back up photos & videos.
  3. On your new Fairphone, sign in to the Google Photos app with the same Google account.

Connect your phone to a computer

  1. Connect your old phone to your computer with a USB cable.
  2. Find the DCIM folder (for photos and videos) and the Music folder on the internal storage or SD card of your old phone.
  3. Copy these folders to a folder on your computer.
  4. Disconnect your old phone, and connect your new Fairphone to the computer. For more details, see our guide on how to connect to a computer (with a cable).
  5. Copy the folders from your computer to the DCIM and Music folders on the internal storage or SD card of your Fairphone.
How to transfer files and folders+

Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, and other services)

  1. On your old phone, upload your documents, PDFs, and files to a cloud storage service.
  2. On your new Fairphone, download the app for that cloud storage service, sign in, and download your files.

Connect your phone to a computer

  1. Connect your old phone to your computer with a USB cable, and copy your files to your computer.
  2. Disconnect your old phone, and connect your new Fairphone to the computer. For more details, see our guide on how to connect to a computer (with a cable).
  3. Copy the files and folders from your computer to the internal storage or SD card of your Fairphone.
How to transfer calendar events+

Sync with your Google account (recommended)

If you already sync calendar events with your Google account, they appear automatically on your new Fairphone when you sign in with the same Google account.

If your calendar events do not appear, follow these steps on your old phone:

  • Android: Tap Settings > Passwords, passkeys & accounts (or Passwords & accounts). Tap your Google account, tap Account sync, and turn on the toggle for Calendar.
  • iPhone: Tap Settings > Contacts > Accounts > Add Account > Google, and turn on the toggle for Calendar.

To copy events from another calendar service, see the Google Calendar guide on how to import events to Google Calendar.

How to transfer WhatsApp chats+
WhatsApp chats use a separate backup and transfer system. Standard Google and iPhone backups do not include them.

Transfer from Android to a Fairphone

You can transfer your chat history wirelessly using WhatsApp's direct transfer tool. Make sure both phones are connected to power and have Wi-Fi turned on.

  1. On your old Android phone, open the WhatsApp app and tap the three vertical dots > Settings > Chats > Transfer chats > Start.
  2. Grant the required permissions. A QR code scanner will open on your old phone.
  3. On your new Fairphone, install the WhatsApp app, verify your phone number, and select the option to transfer from your old phone when prompted.
  4. Scan the QR code displayed on your Fairphone with your old phone to start the wireless transfer.

Transfer from iPhone to a Fairphone

You can only transfer your chats before you activate WhatsApp on your new Fairphone. If you have already activated the app, please uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp before you start.
  1. On your Fairphone, open the WhatsApp app and verify your phone number. Make sure it is the same phone number you use on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Allow when the app asks for permission to connect your devices. A QR code will appear on your screen.
  3. Open your iPhone's camera app and scan the QR code displayed on your Fairphone.
  4. Tap Join on your iPhone to connect to the local Wi-Fi network and start the transfer.
  5. Keep both phones unlocked and close to each other. When the transfer completes, tap Next on your Fairphone to view your chats.
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