Pixel 6 Pro to Pixel 9 Pro XL: Easiest data migration EVAR!
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2025 4:22 pm
Upgraded from a Pixel 6 Pro to a Pixel 9 Pro XL yesterday, and it was by far the easiest migration process I've ever experienced using the built in Android data transfer wizard.
90% of my apps (complete with settings & logins), data, etc all came over smoothly. I opted out of transferring photos and videos with the wizard, and doing it myself, because it gave me the opportunity to delete or archive a lot of crap I really didn't need on the phone,.
I use few apps, but the ones I do use are rather arcane, like a file transfer app called FX that let's me transfer files to and from my file server and NAS, and even play videos from my NAS. In the past I would have to configure it manually during a phone upgrade, but it came over with all settings and credentials. The POP3 email client I use, K9, would previously also require manual configuration on a new phone, but it migrated over seamlessly.
For a first, it also migrated all my SMS messages. This was previously a pain in the arse. I would use a 3rd party app that would do it, but it was slow and painful and prone to errors. Even the Drone app I use (UAV Forecast) for wind reports for flying RC planes (it's a commercial drone pilot app, but many of us at my flying club use it and happily pay the subscription - it's very accurate) came over with my settings intact.
About the only app I had to still config manually was the CCTV app, which is not surprising that it doesn't follow whatever guidelines Google recommends for data storage, because it's a poorly written POS.
It even transferred my alarms, and the custom wav files I use for my alarms.
Last time I did this it took me the better part of a day. I had almost everything transferred and working right in a couple of hours. Big improvement. Not sure if this works as well with non-Pixel phones.
90% of my apps (complete with settings & logins), data, etc all came over smoothly. I opted out of transferring photos and videos with the wizard, and doing it myself, because it gave me the opportunity to delete or archive a lot of crap I really didn't need on the phone,.
I use few apps, but the ones I do use are rather arcane, like a file transfer app called FX that let's me transfer files to and from my file server and NAS, and even play videos from my NAS. In the past I would have to configure it manually during a phone upgrade, but it came over with all settings and credentials. The POP3 email client I use, K9, would previously also require manual configuration on a new phone, but it migrated over seamlessly.
For a first, it also migrated all my SMS messages. This was previously a pain in the arse. I would use a 3rd party app that would do it, but it was slow and painful and prone to errors. Even the Drone app I use (UAV Forecast) for wind reports for flying RC planes (it's a commercial drone pilot app, but many of us at my flying club use it and happily pay the subscription - it's very accurate) came over with my settings intact.
About the only app I had to still config manually was the CCTV app, which is not surprising that it doesn't follow whatever guidelines Google recommends for data storage, because it's a poorly written POS.
It even transferred my alarms, and the custom wav files I use for my alarms.
Last time I did this it took me the better part of a day. I had almost everything transferred and working right in a couple of hours. Big improvement. Not sure if this works as well with non-Pixel phones.