Getting your new Moto G Power (2025) up and running with all your old stuff is pretty straightforward. Android 15 and Google's tools make moving from another Android phone or even an iPhone a smooth process. The key is picking the right method for your situation.
Start the Transfer During Initial Setup
The absolute best time to move your data is when you first turn the phone on. After you select your language and connect to Wi-Fi, you'll hit a "Copy apps & data" screen. Tap Next here, and you'll see your options. You can copy directly from your old Android phone or restore from a Google cloud backup.
If your old phone is an Android, make sure both devices are charged and near each other. On your old phone, open the Google app and say "set up my device," or navigate to Settings > Google > Set up & restore > Set up nearby device. Your new Moto G Power should pop up as an option to connect to.
Connect Phones with a USB Cable
For the fastest and most reliable transfer, use a USB cable. You'll need a USB-C to USB-C cable, or a USB-C to whatever port your old phone has, plus the appropriate adapter. The new phone will detect the connection and walk you through selecting exactly what to copy over.
This method moves apps, photos, contacts, text messages, and even some system settings. It doesn't require Wi-Fi, so it's great if you have a spotty connection or a lot of data. I'd start with this one if you have the cables handy.
Restore from a Google One Backup
If you don't have your old phone with you, restoring from the cloud is your path. During setup, after signing into your Google account, you'll be asked if you want to restore from a backup. Choose the most recent backup from your previous device.
Your apps will begin downloading automatically, and your settings and call history will be restored. Just double-check that your old phone was backing up properly. On it, go to Settings > System > Backup to see the last backup time and date.
Moving from an iPhone to Your Moto G
Switching from iPhone? Google's setup tool has you covered. When you reach the data transfer screen on the Moto G Power, select iPhone as your source device. You'll be prompted to connect the two phones, either wirelessly or with a cable (you'll need a USB-C to Lightning cable for a direct connection).
The transfer can move contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, and, with a cable, text messages and iMessage threads with attachments. Paid apps and in-app purchases do not transfer, and iOS apps must be replaced with Android versions from Google Play when available. Turn off iMessage before you switch so new messages reach Google Messages.
Let Your Google Account Handle the Basics
A ton of your important information syncs automatically just by signing in. Once you add your Google account to the new Moto G Power, your contacts, calendar, Chrome bookmarks, and many app preferences will appear. You can manage what's syncing by going to Settings > Passwords, passkeys & accounts, tapping your Google account, then tapping Account sync.
This automatic sync is why your core data is often already there, even before you run a formal transfer. It's a good safety net.
Transfer WhatsApp Chats and App Data
For WhatsApp, use its built-in transfer tool. On your old Android phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Chats > Transfer chats, then start the transfer. When the new phone shows a QR code, scan that code with the old Android phone. For moving from iPhone, you'll need to use WhatsApp's "Move to Android" feature within the app.
Other apps like Signal or Telegram have their own cloud backup or export options. For game progress, sign into the same Google Play Games account, but check each game individually; only games that support Play Games cloud saves restore progress automatically.
After Everything is Moved Over
Take some time to open your key apps and make sure your data is there. Log into any apps that require separate credentials, like social media or banking apps. Since the base 128GB storage can fill up quickly, this is a good moment to consider using the microSD card slot for expanding your photo and media storage.
Once you're confident everything is on your new Moto G Power, don't forget to securely wipe your old phone. Go into its settings and perform a factory reset before you sell, trade, or recycle it.