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You can usually move your games to a new Android phone, but that does not guarantee their progress will move too. A save may come from Google Play Games, the game publisher’s account, Android device backup, or only the old phone’s local storage. The safest approach is to secure each game’s account or cloud save first, transfer during the new phone’s setup, then confirm the right save loaded before wiping or trading in the old phone.
First, find out how each game saves progress
There is no single Android transfer that preserves every game save. Separate the game app from its save: the app can often be reinstalled from Google Play while its progress remains on the old phone or on a game server.
- Google Play Games: Some participating games save progress through Play Games. Sign in on the new phone with the same Google account and Play Games profile used before. Google says some games autosave, but not all do; Play Games achievements or leaderboards do not prove the entire game save is backed up. Google’s Play Games help explains how to check a game’s support indicator.
- Publisher or game account: A game may use its own email, social login, player ID, or server account. Use that same identity in the game on the new phone; the Google account alone may not be enough.
- Local or guest save: Progress may exist only on the old device. Guest progress can be device-bound and may not be recoverable. Use the game’s documented account-linking or export option before switching, if available.
- Android backup and device transfer: Android can copy apps and certain app data, but Google warns that data for apps that do not use Android backup may not transfer. Treat this as helpful, not as a guarantee for every game save. Google’s transfer guide lists the limitations.
Purchases may be associated with a Google Play account or with the game publisher, and their restoration can depend on the game, account, and platform. Downloaded game assets may need to be fetched again. Achievements, leaderboards, and the complete save file can be stored separately.
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- Charge both phones, connect them to Wi-Fi, and make sure you can unlock the old phone.
- On the old phone, confirm which Google account and Play Games profile you use. Open every important game while online.
- In each game, check for Account, Link account, Cloud save, Sync, or Backup. Link a publisher account or make a manual export if the game offers one.
- Record the player ID, username, server or region, and linked email. For valuable progress, take screenshots of the account screen, level, inventory, and any displayed save date.
- Run a device backup if possible: Settings → Google → All services → Backup and restore → Backup → Back up now. The labels can differ by Android version and manufacturer. A backup is an extra safeguard, not proof that a particular game save is included. Google’s backup guidance covers backup and version limitations.
Transfer to the new Android phone during setup
Google recommends copying data during the new phone’s initial setup; the transfer option may not be available later. Cable transfer is recommended when available, while wireless transfer is also supported. Check Google’s current setup steps if your screens differ.
#1 Best Overall
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
- Turn on the new phone and choose the option to set it up using another Android device.
- Connect the phones with a compatible data cable, or select wireless transfer. Follow the prompts to pair them; unlock the old phone and confirm any matching code or shapes.
- Sign in to the same Google account and choose the apps and data to copy. Keep both phones available until the transfer completes.
- Finish setup, then open Google Play Store and update or install any missing games.
- Open each game and sign in to the same Play Games profile and/or in-game account used on the old phone. Give it time to sync before starting a new save.
- If the game asks whether to use local or cloud progress, compare the level, save date, or other details before choosing. Do not select an overwrite option based only on the words “cloud” or “local.”
For a supported cloud save, the game may restore progress automatically after sign-in or show a restore prompt. A game with only local storage may start from the beginning even if its app transferred correctly.
If the old phone is unavailable
During setup, choose to restore from a backup associated with the old phone, select the relevant backup, and follow any prompts for the old phone’s screen-lock credential. Then install or open the games and sign in to their accounts. Google backup can restore only data that was backed up and is supported by the app; it is not a complete recovery mechanism for every game save. Android-version compatibility can also limit restoration: Google warns that a backup from a newer Android version cannot be restored to an older version. See the transfer guide and backup guidance.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Moving to a Samsung Galaxy
Samsung Smart Switch is an alternative for moving general content to a Galaxy. On the new Galaxy, open Smart Switch, choose Receive data, select Galaxy/Android as the source, connect by cable or wirelessly, choose available content, and complete the transfer. Then open or reinstall games and sign into their accounts. Samsung lists app-data transfer for Galaxy devices, but that does not establish that every game’s local save is portable. Treat Smart Switch as a migration tool, not a universal game-save guarantee. Smart Switch on Google Play and Samsung’s transfer guide provide details.
Check that the right progress arrived
Before deleting anything from the old phone, compare the new game with what you recorded. Check the player name or ID, level or chapter, rank, currency and inventory, characters or base, server or region, linked account, and last-save time if shown. Confirm recent purchases where relevant. Achievements are useful clues, but they can sync separately from the game’s full save.
Rank #3
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
If the game starts from the beginning
- Check the Google account and Play Games profile. Multiple accounts on one phone can make a game use the wrong profile. Google’s account settings may be under Settings → Google → All services → Settings for Google apps → Play Games → Sign in account, or Settings → Google → All services → Play Games; names vary. Google notes that changing a Play Games profile can load different progress and settings. See Play Games profile help and profile selection guidance.
- Check the login inside the game. Sign in with the original publisher, email, social, or other game-specific account. Also check that you selected the correct server or region.
- Check whether Play Games is involved. On the game’s Play Store listing, tap Read more and look for “Uses Google Play Games Mobile App.” This indicates integration, not a guarantee that every part of the save is stored there. Google explains the indicator and supported-game behavior.
- Look for a game restore control. Check menus for Load cloud save, Restore account, Switch account, Recover progress, Import save, or customer support.
- Keep both copies safe. Do not continue far into a blank save, link it over the old account, clear game storage, uninstall the old game, or choose “overwrite cloud save” until you know which copy is current. Clearing storage can remove the only local copy on the new phone.
- Contact the game developer if needed. Provide the player ID, username, server, linked account, screenshots, device details, and purchase receipts if relevant. Google directs game-account, progress, and in-app-data problems to the developer because each game controls its own account and data.
Guest saves, offline games, and platform changes
If the old save was a guest or offline profile, first check whether the game supports linking it to an account or exporting it. Android’s game documentation notes that guest progress may be tied to one device and may not be saved or restored. If no documented transfer exists, contact the developer while the old phone is still available; keep it until recovery is confirmed. Do not rely on copying arbitrary game folders with a file manager: game data may be sandboxed, encrypted, or stored on a server.
Android-to-Android does not imply cross-platform transfer. A title may support continuation across Android phones, tablets, or Google Play Games on PC but not between Android and iPhone. Saves, purchases, servers, and account links may be platform-specific. Check the individual game’s policy before switching platforms; support depends on the game. Google’s supported-game information and Android’s saved-games documentation describe the relevant limits.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Before you erase or trade in the old phone
- Open every important game on the new phone and verify the actual progress, not just the app installation or achievements.
- Confirm accounts, player IDs, server or region, and purchases as appropriate.
- Resolve any local-versus-cloud prompt carefully and make sure the chosen save is current.
- Keep the old phone, its game data, and access to its account until missing saves are restored or the developer confirms they cannot be recovered.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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