OnePlus Switch Released to Help New Users Migrate Data Easily

Alongside giving a reason to its existing users to stick to the dated hardware, OnePlus has developed a native migration tool to let its new users easily move data from their old devices. Called OnePlus Switch, the app is designed to transfer apps, calendars, contacts, messages, photos, and videos. It is compatible with devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop or above, but you need a OnePlus device to get your data migrated.

Unlike a traditional migration app, the OnePlus Switch enables connection with a QR code that you need to scan from your old device to transfer its data to your new OnePlus device. Once paired, the app allows you to choose what type of data you would like to transfer. You can pick from the list that includes contacts, call logs, messages, photos, apps, documents, and videos among others.

It is worth noting here that while it transfers apps, the OnePlus Switch doesn't move app data to the new OnePlus device. This means that you need to manually restore your progress from old apps. However, as folks at AndroidPolice have spotted, Google is offering an advanced solution through the default auto-backup feature on Android 6.0 and later devices. Google's solution not just transfers apps but usually migrate their data to help you shift from an older device to a newer one. Users with Pixel devices are even provided with a default auto backup feature that enables migration of call logs, contacts, media, and SMS.

As per a recent post on OnePlus forums, the OnePlus Switch app is currently available in a beta version to test its features ahead of a public release that is set for mid-January. A closed beta tester group would also be created soon to overcome the early issues of the app. "Based on our beta tester group's feedback, a stable version will be released around mid-January 2018," the company said in the forum post.

It will be interesting to see how OnePlus would encash its efforts with the OnePlus Switch app and ease the experience for new users. In the meanwhile, you can download the app from Google Play to experience its migrating features.

The beta launch of the OnePlus Switch app emerges amid the development of bringing the Face Unlock feature to various OnePlus devices. The feature, which was initially exclusive to OnePlus 5T, has now debuted on the OnePlus 5 through the OxygenOS Open Beta 3. It is also expected to arrive on the dated OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T to enable the proprietary facial recognition advancement on a mass level.