Motorola Migrate: Data Migration to the New Motorola Phone

Jason

By Jason

Update on

Motorola Migrate

Getting a new phone is exciting, but moving all your data from your old device can be a real headache. Thankfully, if you’re upgrading to a new Motorola phone, the company has developed a handy tool to make data transfer a breeze.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to use Motorola Migrate to seamlessly move your info and files to your shiny new Motorola device.

What is Motorola Migrate?

Motorola Migrate is a free app created by Motorola to wirelessly transfer data from an old Android or iPhone to a new Motorola phone.

With Motorola Migrate, you can move:

  • Contacts
  • Messages (SMS/MMS)
  • Call history
  • Photos
  • Videos
  • Audio files
  • Calendar events
  • SIM contacts

Unfortunately the app does not transfer over apps or app data. We’ll talk more about how to get your apps onto your new phone later.

The Moto Migrate app uses a WiFi connection to securely migrate your data quickly and easily, without the need for cables or an internet connection.

Key Benefits of Motorola Migrate

  • It’s free. Motorola Migrate is a free download from the Google Play Store or App Store.
  • It’s wireless. There’s no need for cables or docking stations. The app transfers your data over a WiFi connection.
  • It’s easy to use. Migrating your data is straightforward with the app’s simple interface.
  • It’s fast. Depending on how much data you’re moving, transfers can take just minutes.
  • It’s secure. Your data is transferred securely with no risk of data leakage.

Supported Devices and Operating Systems

Motorola Migrate supports transfer between:

  • Android 2.2 and above to a new Motorola phone
  • iOS 5 and above to a new Motorola phone

So as long as your old Android phone is running Froyo or later versions, or your old iPhone is on iOS 5 or newer, you can use Motorola Migrate.

The app does not work between non-Motorola Android devices or iPhones. Both the old phone and the new phone must be Motorolas to use Migrate.

Preparing for Motorola Migrate Data Transfer

Before you start moving your stuff to your sleek new Motorola phone, there are a few things you should do to prep both devices and ensure a smooth data migration.

On the Old Device:

  • Charge the battery. Make sure your old phone is sufficiently charged to complete the data transfer. Migrate can take awhile depending on how much data you are moving.
  • Connect to WiFi. Have the old phone ready on a stable WiFi network that your new Motorola can also access.
  • Close all apps. Shut down all other apps running in the background on your old device so Migrate has enough memory and CPU power.
  • Back up data. Complete a full phone backup in case anything goes wrong during the Migrate process.

On the New Motorola Device:

  • Charge the battery. Ensure your new Motorola phone also has ample battery life to finish the full transfer.
  • Connect to WiFi. Get your new phone on the same WiFi network as your old device.
  • Sign into accounts. Sign into your Google or Motorola account if prompted.
  • Free up storage space. Delete unnecessary apps or files to have room for all the data coming over from your old phone.

Transferring Data from an Android Phone

If you’re moving your info from an old Android device to your new Motorola, here is the full step-by-step process to transfer data with Motorola Migrate:

Step 1: Download Motorola Migrate

On both your old Android phone and your new Motorola:

  • Go to the Google Play Store
  • Search for “Motorola Migrate
  • Download and install the Motorola Migrate app

Step 2: Select “Android” as the Data Source

Now open the Migrate app on your new Motorola phone:

  • Open Motorola Migrate
  • Select “Android” as the data source
  • Tap “Next
Motorola Migrate for Android

You’ll then see a list of all the data types you can move over.

Step 3: Start Migration and Scan QR Code

  • On the data selection screen, tap “Next” again.
  • You’ll see a QR code scan screen.

Now pick up your old Android phone:

  • Open the Migrate app
  • Select “Start” to scan the QR code displayed on your Motorola.
connect device

This will connect the two devices via WiFi and prepare for data transfer.

Step 4: Verify Data Transfer

  • Once connected, check the Migrate app on both devices to confirm the transfer is working.
  • Wait for the migration process to complete. This can take from a few minutes up to an hour or more depending on how much data you’re moving.
  • When finished, the app will display “Data transfer complete” on both devices.
migrate transfer finish

And that’s it! All your data from your old Android phone is now securely transferred to your new Motorola phone.

Transferring Data from an iPhone

To move your data from an old iPhone to a new Motorola phone, the Migrate process is very similar:

Step 1: Download Motorola Migrate

Just like with an Android, download and install the Migrate app on both devices:

  • Old iPhone: Get Migrate from the App Store
  • New Motorola: Get Migrate from the Play Store

Step 2: Select “iPhone” as the Data Source

  • Open Migrate on your new Motorola
  • Choose “iPhone” as the data source
  • Log into your iCloud account when prompted
moto migrate iphone

Step 3: Begin Data Transfer

  • On the Motorola, sign into your Google account if asked
  • Tap “Begin Transfer” to start moving data from the iPhone to your Motorola via iCloud
sign in icloud
migrate google account

Step 4: Monitor Data Transfer

  • Check the progress on both the iPhone and Motorola
  • When finished, you’ll see “Data transfer complete
migration success

And that’s all there is to it! Your contacts, messages, photos, videos, and other data are now on your new Motorola phone.

What Data Does Motorola Migrate Transfer?

As mentioned earlier, Motorola Migrate can transfer:

  • Contacts
  • Messages – SMS/MMS
  • Call history
  • Media – Photos, videos, audio files
  • Calendar events
  • SIM card contacts

Motorola Migrate does not transfer:

  • Apps
  • App data and settings
  • Music
  • Email accounts
  • Downloaded files/documents

Tips for a Successful Data Migration

To ensure your data transfer goes smoothly when using Motorola Migrate, keep these tips in mind:

  • Use a strong WiFi connection – Set up both devices on a stable, high-speed WiFi network. Turn off cellular data to avoid interrupting the transfer.
  • Charge devices fully – Keep the old phone and new Motorola plugged into a charger during the Migrate process to avoid battery drain.
  • Close background apps – Shut down any apps running in the background that are not needed for the data transfer.
  • Restart devices – If you encounter any issues during migration, restarting both the old phone and new Motorola can help.
  • Try again – On occasion, transfers can fail on the first try. Don’t panic, just start the Migrate process over.
  • Transfer in batches – If moving a lot of data, break up the transfer into smaller batches for faster, more reliable migration.
  • Create backups – Always back up your data before starting Migrate in case any issues arise.

Transferring Apps to New Motorola Phone

Now you’ve got all your main data like contacts, messages, photos and videos on your new Motorola with Migrate. But what about all your apps and app data?

Unfortunately Motorola Migrate does not transfer over apps or application data. Here are some options for getting all your apps onto your shiny new Motorola phone:

  • Manually re-download apps from the Play Store. Tedious, but ensures you don’t miss anything.
  • Use a backup service like Motorola ONE Backup to restore apps.
  • Try a third-party app like dr.fone – Phone Transfer to transfer apps between devices.
  • Use a computer to transfer app APK files to your new phone’s storage to reinstall.

Whichever method you choose, be prepared to spend some time re-downloading and installing all your apps onto the new device. For most apps, you’ll also have to set up the accounts and preferences again.

Key Takeaways

  • Motorola Migrate easily transfers data like contacts, messages, and media to a new Motorola phone from an Android or iPhone.
  • The free app works over WiFi so no cables or internet connection required.
  • Make sure both devices are charged and connected to the same WiFi before starting transfer.
  • Motorola Migrate does not move over apps or app data/settings. These will need to be reinstalled.
  • Restarting devices, transferring in batches, and creating backups can help ensure successful data migration.

Migrating your data to a new phone doesn’t have to be a chore. With Motorola Migrate, you can get all your contacts, messages, photos and more to your new Motorola device in just a few taps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my data safe when transferred with Motorola Migrate?

Yes, Motorola Migrate uses encrypted connections to securely transfer your data to your new device. No third-parties are involved.

How long does migration take?

It depends on how much data you are transferring. Small amounts may only take a few minutes. Transferring many gigabytes of photos/video can take over an hour.

What happens if Migrate fails or gets interrupted?

Don’t worry, your data is still safely stored on your old device. Just restart the Migrate process from the beginning.

Can I transfer data from a non-Motorola Android to a Motorola?

Unfortunately no, Migrate only works between Motorola devices. Use a third-party app for Android-to-Android transfers.

Does Migrate work between iPhones?

No, Migrate is designed specifically for transferring data from an iPhone to a Motorola phone, not iPhone-to-iPhone.

Will Migrate transfer my email accounts and settings?

No, Migrate does not transfer email accounts or any app-specific data. You’ll have to set these up manually.

How do I get all my apps onto my new Motorola phone?

Motorola Migrate does not transfer apps. You’ll need to manually reinstall apps on your new phone from the Play Store or app backups.

Can I select only certain data to transfer with Migrate?

Yes! You can pick and choose which data types to transfer in the Migrate app during the migration setup process.

What version of Android/iOS do my devices need to run Migrate?

Migrate works with Android 2.2 and higher and iOS 5 and higher. As long as your devices meet those OS requirements, Migrate will work.

Jason
Jason

Skilled software testing specialist with expertise in comparisons and research, passionate about blogging, reviews, and creating video tutorials.

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