Getting your new ASUS ROG Phone 9 set up with all your old data is a key first step. Whether you're upgrading from another Android phone or making the switch from an iPhone, you have a few solid options to move everything over.
Start the Transfer During Initial Setup
The absolute best time to move your data is when you first power on the ROG Phone 9. After you select your language and connect to Wi-Fi, you'll hit a "Copy apps & data" screen. Tap Next here to begin.
You'll be presented with a few choices. The most direct is "Copy from Android phone." Select that, and your new phone will guide you through the process. It typically involves using a cable or a direct Wi-Fi connection between the two devices.
Use a USB-C Cable for a Fast Transfer
For the quickest and most reliable transfer, connect your old phone to the ROG Phone 9 with a USB cable. You'll likely need a USB-C to whatever-your-old-phone-uses adapter. The setup wizard on your new phone will detect the connection.
It will then let you pick exactly what to bring over: your apps, photos, videos, contacts, text messages, and even some system settings. I'd recommend this method because it doesn't rely on your Wi-Fi speed and tends to be more complete.
Restore from a Google One Backup
If your old phone isn't with you, restoring from a cloud backup is your path. During the ROG Phone 9 setup, sign into your primary Google account. You'll then see an option to restore from a backup linked to that account.
Choose the most recent backup from your previous device. Your apps will begin reinstalling, and your backed-up settings and data will download. First, make sure a backup exists on your old phone by going to Settings > Google > Backup.
Switching from an iPhone to Your ROG Phone
Moving from iOS requires a different approach. When you reach the data transfer screen on the ROG Phone 9, select the option to copy data from an iPhone. You'll be prompted to download the "Switch to Android" app from the App Store on your iPhone.
Open that app and follow the steps to connect the two phones wirelessly. It will transfer your contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, and even your iMessage conversations. Keep in mind, iOS apps won't transfer; you'll need to download their Android versions from the Google Play Store.
Let Your Google Account Handle the Sync
A lot of your essential information syncs automatically. Once you sign into your Google account on the ROG Phone 9, your contacts, calendar, Gmail, and Chrome bookmarks and history will just appear.
You can manage what gets synced by going to Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts, then tapping on your Google account. This is a good place to check that everything you need is toggled on.
Transferring WhatsApp Chats
For WhatsApp, you need to use its built-in transfer tool. On your old Android phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Chat transfer. Then, on your new ROG Phone 9, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and you'll see a prompt to import the chats from the nearby device.
If you're coming from an iPhone, the process is different and requires using WhatsApp's "Move chats to Android" feature, which you can find in the app's settings under Chats.
Optimize Your ROG Phone 9 After the Move
Once your data is transferred, take a moment to set up the phone's gaming features. Head into the Armoury Crate app and explore X Sense mode for game optimization. For long gaming sessions while plugged in, enable Bypass charging in the battery settings to reduce heat.
The AniMe Vision matrix display on the back is cool, but it does use extra power. You can customize it or turn it off completely in the settings if you're looking to maximize battery life. When you're completely sure everything is on your new phone, perform a factory reset on your old device before you pass it on.
