How to restore more data from your old phone after setting up your Pixel 9

Getting started with a new phone is always an exciting process but one that can also be a little nerve-wracking, especially if you’re worried about finding yourself stuck without access to something important on your old phone. Luckily, transferring data to a new Android device is pretty easy. And with Google’s new Pixel 9 series, Android is introducing an updated, more powerful transfer tool that gives you a lot more control over what gets sent and when. Let’s take a look at how it all works and how it can let you restore more files even after completing the initial device setup:

What’s new with data restore on the Pixel 9

Before we get into the step-by-step here, let’s take a moment to clarify what’s changing about Android’s transfer process for new devices. So far, when setting up a new phone, you’ve had the option to transfer your data from an existing handset. That can either be one you’re still using, and have physically present, or it can be a device you’ve backed up to Google’s cloud. And with a phone you still have, you can make the choice between transferring files over a USB cable or the phone’s Wi-Fi connection.

Once you choose to proceed with your transfer, Google asks you to select what content from your old device you’d like to move to the new one. This is where we see the biggest difference between this old approach and the new one we get with the Pixel 9.

With the existing process, you only get one shot at this, and you can’t choose some content to transfer immediately but then go back a few days later and decide you also want to move more. Sure, you can always copy files over manually, but Google’s transfer tool didn’t support you taking multiple dips.

That all changes with our new process, and Google now lets you restore a little from your old phone initially and then later decide to restore a bit more — just as seamlessly as if you’d transferred it all at once. There are some important limitations to keep in mind, though.

Even though you can now do a restoration piecemeal, you’re still limited to bringing content over from a single device — no restoring some apps from one phone and another set from a different one.

It also might be a good idea to consider doing a small transfer when setting up your new phone, even if you’re unsure whether you’ll want to bring the rest of that content over. By just getting the ball rolling, you can always transfer more later, so it’s probably in your best interest to leave that door open.

Getting started with bringing more data over

OK, so you’ve gotten your new Pixel 9 unboxed and initially set up. And during that process, you transferred over some of your stuff from your old phone. But now you’re realizing that you still need regular access to more of those files, and you want to go back and grab some more? No problem. First, navigate to Android Settings, tap Back up or copy data, and hit the Copy data option.

Here, you can see that the tool remembers the phone you used for your initial restore (a Pixel 8 Pro, in our case). As we warned, you can only access important content from a single device, so if you want to work with a different old phone, you’ll need to wipe the Pixel 9 and start fresh.

If you no longer have access to that old phone but still have a backup saved to Google One, you’re going to want to follow that Can’t use other device? link at the bottom of the screen. That will get the process going using your data in the cloud.

Restoring from a cloud backup

Let’s stick with the idea of working off a backup you’ve already saved. In order to access your data, you’ll have to provide your old phone’s unlock code. After that, you can start browsing through all the available data from that backup that you can transfer over to your new device.

Remember, there’s no pressure to make sure you take advantage of everything all at once here, and if you do forget to restore something you care about, you can always come back later and handle it then.

Once you’ve selected the data you want to transfer to your Pixel 9, the system will start pulling it down from your backup and making it available on your new phone.

Restoring from a phone you still have

Didn’t bother with a cloud backup? Just want to go the direct device-to-device route? Easy, peasy. When you hit the Start button at the bottom of the Copy data from your [old phone] screen we looked at above, you’ll get a notification on that prior device asking you to confirm your intent. Your Pixel 9 will then generate a QR code that you’ll have to scan with your old phone to get this process going.

This probably feels very familiar, as the workflow mirrors what you went through during the partial transfer you made when first setting up your Pixel 9. Eventually, Google presents you with the choice between making an Express copy, or letting you Customize what’s sent over.

If your concern is just about not losing anything from your old phone, Express should have you covered, as it moves over all the data that’s not separately available through your Google account. But if you already use Photos to back all your pics up to the cloud, for example, this option won’t bother copying them to your Pixel 9. With Customize, you’re free to choose exactly what to copy, regardless of how else that data might be available to you.

As you make your selections, the software will estimate how long it’s going to take to transfer all this data to your Pixel 9. Here, again, is part of how this new approach to transferring data to a new phone really shines, as you’re not beholden to sit through a lengthy copy process if you only need a few specific things. Then you’re able to come back — over and over if you want — and transfer the rest of your stuff when you have a little more time.

Eventually, you can tap Copy and begin the file transfer process.

You’re free to keep using your new phone as your content is copied over and apps get installed. Tap on the notification you see, and you’ll pull up a screen with more info on how far along things are, including an up-to-date estimate on how much longer you can expect the transfer to take. When it’s finally over, a summary confirms what you’ve moved to your new Pixel 9.

That’s more or less it! If you need to go back and restore more from your old phone later, Android has no qualms about letting you. As we mentioned coming in to this, it’s probably a really good idea to transfer at least something over from your old phone when first setting up the Pixel 9, just so you don’t lock yourself out of having access to this option in the future.

When the desire strikes you to restore even more content from your old phone, just head back to the top of this guide and start following the steps again.

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