Motorola Migrate: What Happened and How to Transfer Data

Motorola Migrate stopped working years ago, and if you’re trying to download it right now, you won’t find it. Motorola pulled the app from both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store back in 2016. The good news: transferring data to a new Motorola phone is actually easier today than it ever was with Migrate.

We tested the current transfer methods on a Moto G Power (2024) running Android 14 and a Moto Edge 50 running Android 15. Here’s what actually works in 2026.

#What Was Motorola Migrate?

Motorola Migrate was a free app that transferred contacts, text messages, call logs, photos, videos, music, and calendar events between phones. It worked over Wi-Fi and used QR codes to pair devices. The app supported Android 2.2 (Froyo) through Android 5.x and iPhones running iOS 5+.

According to Motorola’s support forums, the company stopped updating Migrate after Android 6.0 Marshmallow introduced native backup and restore features.

One thing Migrate never handled was app data. You couldn’t transfer your WhatsApp conversations, game saves, or app settings. That limitation pushed many users toward third-party tools even when Migrate was still active.

#Why Motorola Discontinued Migrate

Android 6.0 Marshmallow introduced a built-in phone transfer tool in 2015. It did everything Migrate did.

Motorola, owned by Lenovo since 2014, decided maintaining a separate transfer app wasn’t worth it. Based on Google’s Android documentation, the native transfer feature works on all Android phones running 5.0 and above, not just Motorola devices.

The timing made sense. By 2016, most new Motorola phones shipped with Android 6.0 or later, making Migrate unnecessary for the vast majority of buyers.

#Transferring Data to a New Motorola Phone

The fastest method in 2026 is Google’s built-in transfer tool. It runs automatically during your new phone’s setup process.

1. Turn on your new Motorola phone, follow the setup prompts, and tap Next when asked “Copy apps and data”
2. Connect your old phone using a USB-C to USB-C cable (or tap “No cable?” for wireless)
3. Select which data to transfer on the old phone and wait for the process to complete

In our testing on a Moto G Power (2024), a 28 GB transfer over USB cable took about 22 minutes. Wireless transfers took roughly twice as long.

This method copies contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, Wi-Fi passwords, and even your home screen layout. It works whether your old phone is a Samsung, Pixel, OnePlus, or any other Android device. You can also share contacts between iPhone and Android if you only need contact data.

#Can You Transfer Data From an iPhone to a Motorola?

Yes. Google’s transfer tool supports iPhone-to-Android transfers during setup. You’ll need a USB-C to Lightning cable (or USB-C to USB-C for iPhone 15 and newer).

The process pulls your contacts, photos, videos, calendar events, and messages from your iPhone. It doesn’t transfer apps directly since iOS apps aren’t compatible with Android, but it suggests Android equivalents from the Play Store.

For a more thorough iPhone-to-Motorola transfer, MobileTrans handles up to 18 data types including WhatsApp messages, which Google’s built-in tool skips. We used it to move WhatsApp chats from an iPhone 14 to a Moto Edge 50, and the conversation history came through intact. You can also transfer WhatsApp account data on Android using dedicated WhatsApp transfer tools.

#Best Motorola Migrate Alternatives in 2026

Since Migrate is gone, here are the tools that actually work today:

Google’s Built-in Transfer is the default choice. It’s free, handles all major data types, and every Motorola phone sold since 2016 supports it out of the box without any extra app downloads or computer software required.

Samsung Smart Switch also works here. Even though it’s Samsung’s app, Smart Switch on your old phone sends data to any Android device, and transfers sometimes take longer than expected with large photo libraries.

MobileTrans is a paid desktop app that connects both phones to your computer via USB. It supports transfers between Android and iPhone in either direction and handles WhatsApp data that free tools miss. This is the best option if you need to move chat history from iMessage or WhatsApp to your new Android phone.

Google Drive Backup works as a safety net. Tap Settings > Google > Backup on your old phone, then “Back up now.” Your contacts, app data, call history, device settings, and SMS messages all get saved to Google’s cloud, and your new Motorola can pull everything down during setup.

CLONEit is a free app that transfers 12 data types over Wi-Fi Direct. It’s the closest thing to what Migrate used to offer, using a similar wireless pairing method.

#How to Recover Data if You Already Factory Reset Your Old Phone

If you wiped your old phone before transferring data, you’re not completely out of luck. Google backs up contacts, calendar events, and app data automatically if backup was enabled.

On your new Motorola, go to Settings > Google > Backup. If your old phone’s data appears there, you can restore it. Contacts are almost always recoverable since they sync to your Google account in real-time. You can recover contacts after a factory reset through your Google account even months later.

Photos and videos are recoverable if you used Google Photos with backup enabled. Check photos.google.com to see what’s saved. According to Google’s support page, backed-up photos stay in your account indefinitely.

Text messages are harder to recover. Unless you used a backup app before the reset, SMS history is usually gone for good.

#Bottom Line

Motorola Migrate served its purpose, but Google’s native transfer tools have replaced it entirely. For most people switching to a new Motorola phone, the built-in setup transfer handles everything in under 30 minutes. Use a USB cable for the fastest speeds. If you’re moving from an iPhone and need WhatsApp data, MobileTrans fills that gap.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Can you still download Motorola Migrate?

No. Motorola pulled it from both app stores in 2016. Don’t install unofficial APK files claiming to be Migrate since they can contain malware.

#What replaced Motorola Migrate?

Google’s built-in transfer tool replaced it. Every Android phone running version 5.0 or later includes this tool in the initial setup process. It transfers contacts, messages, photos, apps, and settings between phones without needing any extra downloads.

#Does the Google transfer tool work with iPhones?

Yes. Connect an iPhone to your new Motorola with a USB cable during setup.

#How long does a phone-to-phone transfer take?

It depends on how much data you have. In our testing, 28 GB over USB cable took about 22 minutes on a Moto G Power (2024). Wireless transfers took around 45 minutes for the same amount of data. Transfers over 64 GB can take over an hour.

#Can you transfer apps and app data to a new Motorola?

Yes. Google’s transfer tool copies most apps and their data automatically. Banking apps require a fresh login.

#Is it safe to use third-party transfer apps?

Stick with well-known options like MobileTrans, CLONEit, or Phone Clone, all of which have millions of downloads. Avoid apps that request excessive permissions or lack reviews. According to Google’s Play Store policies, listed apps must meet security standards, but sideloaded APKs have no such protection.

#What data types can you transfer to a new Motorola?

Contacts, text messages, call history, photos, videos, music, apps, app data, Wi-Fi passwords, wallpapers, and device settings. Screen lock PINs, Bluetooth pairings, and some app-specific login tokens don’t transfer.

#Do you need Wi-Fi to transfer data between phones?

No. USB cable transfers work without any network connection and are the fastest option. Wireless transfers create a direct device-to-device link, so no router is needed. Only cloud-based restores from Google Drive require internet.