How to transfer photos to a new phone, and sort them out first

Why sorting before you switch saves time

A transfer copies everything you point it at, including duplicates, test shots and old screenshots. Moving them costs time, and storage on the new phone if it has less space. Google lists enough storage on the new device as a prerequisite, and Apple says transfer time depends on the amount of data.

Do a first pass on the old phone. Delete clear junk, decide what to keep and put keepers into albums so they are easy to find later. Do not delete anything important until the new phone has a verified copy.

1. Delete screenshots, blurry shots and accidental photos you will not miss.
2. Remove obvious duplicates and extra shots from the same moment.
3. Add the photos you care about to a few albums.
4. Back up the result before you start the transfer.

iPhone to iPhone

Apple describes three routes: Quick Start, which uses your current iPhone to set up the new one; an iCloud backup; and a computer backup made with Finder, the Apple Devices app or iTunes. You need a backup of the previous device, your Apple Account password and your SIM or eSIM.

With Quick Start you can transfer directly or download from iCloud. Apple says that for a direct transfer you wait for it to finish on both devices, while an iCloud download continues in the background so you can start using the new phone. If you use iCloud Photos, your library syncs through your account rather than through the backup, so make sure you have enough iCloud storage for it.

Apple also says that if you do not have enough iCloud space for a temporary backup, iCloud can provide it for a limited time after you buy a new iPhone. Check the current conditions on Apple’s page.

Android to Android and Samsung Galaxy

Google says you can copy photos, videos and music from an old Android phone during setup of the new one. A cable is recommended, and a wireless option supports the same data. Both phones should be charged and usually on Wi-Fi, and the transfer takes from a few minutes to a few hours depending on the amount of data. Google notes that photos in hidden folders do not copy.

On a Galaxy phone you can use Samsung Smart Switch. Samsung recommends a USB cable because it moves the most data types, with both phones at least 20 percent charged, while wireless is for Android and suited to larger transfers where phones stay on chargers. In Smart Switch you can choose Everything or Custom, which lets you leave out content you do not want.

If you cannot connect the old phone, Google says you can restore from a Google Account backup, provided backup was turned on beforehand.

Between iPhone and Android

When moving from iPhone to Android, Google says photos and videos transfer with its transfer methods, but photos stored in iCloud do not. For those you use Google Photos, following Google’s separate guide for moving iCloud photos. Samsung says Smart Switch can import data from an iPhone or iPad via iCloud as well.

Google also says to keep both devices connected for the whole transfer and to turn off iMessage on the iPhone first. Paid apps and in-app purchases do not move across.

Check before you wipe the old phone

Open the new phone’s gallery and compare photo counts for a few albums, check some videos play, and look for private or hidden items, which often need separate handling. Keep the old phone untouched until you are sure, since a copied library can be incomplete if the transfer was interrupted.

After you switch, a short GallerySort session on the new phone is a good way to catch anything you missed: swipe right to keep, left to delete, and tap an album to file the keepers. It works with your photos but does not transfer them between phones, so use your platform’s own tool for that.