Moving to a new phone? Copy your videos and files without the cloud

By Thavasi · Updated 2 November 2026

A new phone is exciting until you try to move your stuff. Cloud backups are slow and often too small for years of videos. Here's how to move everything, or just the files you care about, directly from the old phone to the new one.

Moving everything: use the built‑in setup tool

When you set up a new phone, it offers to copy your data from the old one. This is the best way to move apps, messages and settings along with your photos:

• Android to Android: the setup screen offers to copy data from your old phone, by cable or wirelessly. Samsung phones use Smart Switch.
• iPhone to iPhone: use Quick Start. Hold the old iPhone near the new one during setup.
• Android to iPhone: Apple's Move to iOS app on the old phone.
• iPhone to Android: Google's Switch to Android app, or the cable option in the Android setup.

These work best during first setup. If you've already set up the new phone, or you only want some files, use the method below.

Moving some files: straight over Wi‑Fi, no cloud

1. Put both phones on the same Wi‑Fi Or turn on the old phone's hotspot and connect the new phone to it.
2. On the old phone, open wifloshare.com Choose the videos, photos or documents you want to keep.
3. On the new phone, open wifloshare.com Tap Receive and enter the code, or scan the QR code with the camera.
4. Download Everything arrives at full quality. Several files come as one ZIP.

It works between any phones: Android to iPhone, iPhone to Android, or old Samsung to new Pixel. Nothing is uploaded and there's no size limit, so long videos are fine. Keep both screens on until it finishes; if it stops, open the same code again and it continues.

Tips for a smooth move

• Charge both phones or keep them plugged in for big transfers.
• Check free space on the new phone first: Settings → Storage.
• Move in batches , for example one month of camera videos at a time, so a hiccup doesn't cost you everything.
• Don't wipe the old phone until you've opened a few files on the new one.
• WhatsApp chats have their own transfer option under Settings → Chats → Transfer chats.