Getting your new OnePlus 13 up and running with all your old stuff is the first step to enjoying it. The process is pretty smooth, whether you're upgrading from another Android phone or making the switch from an iPhone. Here's how to get everything moved over.
Start the Transfer During Initial Setup
The absolute best time to move your data is when you first power on the OnePlus 13. After you select your language and connect to Wi-Fi, you'll hit the "Copy apps & data" screen. Tap Next and you'll see your options. You can copy directly from an old device or restore from a cloud backup.
If you have your old Android phone handy, the easiest way is to use the direct wireless transfer. On your old phone, open the Google app and say "set up my device." Alternatively, go to Settings > Google > Set up & restore > Set up nearby device. Your new OnePlus 13 will appear, and you can connect the two to start the process.
Use a USB Cable for Speed and Reliability
For the fastest and most reliable transfer, especially with a lot of photos and videos, use a USB cable. You'll need a USB-C to USB-C cable or an adapter for your old phone's port. Connect the two phones, and your OnePlus 13 will detect the old device.
It will then walk you through selecting exactly what you want to bring over. This includes apps, call logs, contacts, messages, photos, videos, and even some system settings. I'd start with this method if you can, as it doesn't rely on Wi-Fi speed and tends to be more thorough.
Restore from a Google One Backup
Don't have your old phone anymore? No problem, as long as you backed it up to Google. During the setup process on your OnePlus 13, after signing into your Google account, you'll be prompted to restore from a backup. Choose the most recent backup from your previous device.
Your apps, their data, device settings, and SMS messages will download. To make sure your old phone was backing up, you could have checked Settings > System > Backup. If you're setting up now, just pick the latest date you see.
Switching from an iPhone
Moving from iOS to your new OnePlus 13 is straightforward. During the "Copy apps & data" step, select iPhone as your source device. You'll be guided to connect the phones. If you have a Lightning to USB-C cable, use it for a direct, cable-based transfer which is often more stable.
If not, you can connect wirelessly. The tool will move your contacts, calendar events, photos, and videos. Your text messages and iMessage history will transfer as well. For your apps, you'll need to download the Android versions fresh from the Google Play Store, as iOS apps don't work on Android.
Let Your Google Account Handle the Sync
A huge amount of your important data syncs automatically through your Google account. Once you sign in on your OnePlus 13, your contacts, calendar, Chrome bookmarks and history, and many app preferences will just appear. You can manage what's syncing by going to Settings > Passwords & accounts > Google and tapping on your account.
Move Your WhatsApp Chats
To transfer your WhatsApp history from another Android phone, open WhatsApp on your old device. Go to Settings > Chats > Chat transfer and follow the prompts to generate a QR code. Then, install WhatsApp on your OnePlus 13, verify your number, and scan that code to import your full chat history.
For other apps like Signal or Telegram, check their settings for chat backup or transfer options. Most game progress is saved automatically if you were signed into Google Play Games on your old phone.
After Everything is Moved
Take a few minutes to scroll through your app drawer and your gallery to make sure everything came over. Log into any apps that require fresh authentication, like banking or social media apps. Once you're confident all your data is safely on your new OnePlus 13, perform a factory reset on your old phone before you sell, trade, or recycle it to protect your personal information.
