Moving apps to a new phone does not always move the game save. Some games use a publisher account, some support Google Play Games or an Apple service, and others keep important data only on the device until you link an account. Treat the old phone as the backup until the new phone has loaded the correct character, server and purchases.
First identify where the game saves progress
Open the game’s own Account, Profile or Data Transfer screen. Record which official account is linked and which server, region or player ID is active. A Google or Apple login button inside one game does not prove that every game on the phone uses the same cloud-save system.
Google explains that only supported games autosave with Google Play Games and that not every game automatically saves progress. Apple’s device transfer can restore apps and other data, but a live-service game may still require the publisher account and server selection after installation.
Before touching the old phone
- Link the save. Replace a guest-only profile with a recoverable publisher or supported platform account.
- Verify recovery. Confirm the connected email, password and available two-step verification without exposing codes to anyone.
- Record non-secret identifiers. Note the player ID, server and character name for official support; do not post them publicly.
- Keep receipts. Save official order numbers for subscriptions or currency.
- Update the game. Using the current official version on both phones reduces transfer mismatches.
Do not uninstall the game, clear its data, trade in the device or erase the old phone yet.
Android-to-Android checks
Sign in to the same Google Account used on the old device, then install the game from Google Play. If the game supports Google Play Games autosave, Google recommends confirming the correct Play Games account and checking whether the store listing says it uses Google Play Games.
Many games instead use a publisher account such as a game-specific ID. Open the game and deliberately choose its existing-account or transfer option. If the game starts a fresh tutorial, stop before linking that new save over the old account and consult the publisher’s transfer instructions.
iPhone or iPad checks
Apple’s current instructions let users transfer or restore apps and data with Quick Start or iCloud Backup. Keep both devices on power and a trusted Wi-Fi connection until the process finishes. Afterward, open each important game and confirm the publisher login, server and progress.
An app appearing on the new Home Screen is not proof that server-side progress or a subscription is attached to the correct account. If several Apple Accounts were used for purchases, Apple may ask you to sign in to each during restoration.
Moving between Android and iPhone
Cross-platform transfer depends on the game. A publisher account may work across both systems, while store-specific balances, subscriptions or login options can have special rules. Read the game’s official transfer FAQ before moving. Do not assume that an Apple or Google platform login exists on the other operating system.
Confirm whether paid currency transfers across operating systems and whether a subscription must be managed in the original store. Avoid buying more items until the correct save is visible on the new phone.
Verify before erasing the old device
- The correct character, level, inventory and server are visible.
- Friends, guild membership and settings look plausible.
- Legitimate purchases or subscriptions appear as expected.
- The linked account and recovery method are still correct.
- You can close and reopen the game without falling back to a guest profile.
Keep the old phone for a reasonable overlap period if practical. If progress is missing, contact the developer from the official store listing or in-game support and provide the non-secret player ID and receipts. Never pay a third-party “recovery agent” or share a password or verification code.
For games with large downloads, use our safe update guide. The account security guide covers password and recovery preparation in more depth.
Reviewed: 9 August 2026. Transfer menus differ by game and can change; follow the publisher’s current official instructions.