iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The safest method is model-dependent: back up the Japanese flip phone (ガラケー/keitai) before changing service, then use a compatible memory card, a supported infrared or Bluetooth link, or carrier assistance. Memory-card phonebook backup is documented by SoftBank, while wireless and app-based options depend on both phones, the carrier, and the data type. Verify contacts and several photos on the smartphone before resetting or discarding the old handset.
What to do before you change phones
Do not begin by moving the SIM or cancelling the old phone. First preserve the data while the keitai still works. SoftBank warns that after a model change the old handset may no longer be operable for saving data to a card, and its exact menu operations differ by model.
- Keep the old phone charged. Use its original charger if possible and disable any automatic power-off that could interrupt a long copy.
- Record the exact model and carrier. Look under the battery, on the back, on the start-up screen, or in the phone’s information menu. Write down the model number, carrier (such as SoftBank or au), and whether the handset has a microSD or other memory-card slot.
- Read the model’s official manual. Confirm which card type and capacity it accepts, whether phonebook entries can be saved, and whether images or videos can also be copied. Japanese menus and supported categories vary even between phones that look similar.
- Gather the receiving-phone requirements. A phone with a card slot can read a compatible card directly; a phone without one needs an appropriate reader or another transfer route. Check the smartphone maker’s instructions before buying an adapter or card.
- Make a second record of irreplaceable information. Photograph or write down a few critical numbers, addresses, and account-recovery contacts. This is not a replacement for a backup, but it gives you a fallback if a file is unreadable.
Use a compatible microSD memory card only after the old phone’s manual confirms the card type. Do not assume that any card, adapter, or capacity will work.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsChoose a transfer route
There is no universal procedure for Japanese flip phones. Select the route that matches the exact old model, the destination (Android or iPhone), and the data you need.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Expand your storage in a flash: ideal for Android smartphones and tablets, Chromebooks, and Windows laptops.
- Increase your TV show, movie, and Full HD video[4] recording collections dramatically with up to a massive 1.5TB[1].
- Transfer files fast with up to 150MB/s[2] read speeds and SanDisk MobileMate USB micro 3.0 microSD card reader[6].
- Load apps faster with A1-rated performance[3].
| Route | Contacts | Photos and video | Destination considerations | What you need to confirm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memory card | SoftBank documents saving all phonebook items to a card before a model change. | Only if the old phone’s manual lists image/video backup; phonebook support does not prove photo support. | New phone must accept the card or a suitable reader, and its import instructions must support the resulting files. | Card type, capacity, save format, and supported data categories. |
| Infrared | Possible on compatible handset pairs. | Possible only when both manuals list image transfer. | iPhone has no infrared function, so it cannot receive an infrared transfer. | Infrared hardware, compatible protocols, and the specific category to send. |
| Bluetooth | Possible on some compatible models. | May be available, but is not guaranteed for every model or file type. | Pairing and profile support must exist on both devices. | Supported profiles, file limits, and whether the manual includes phonebook or image sending. |
| Carrier service or app | May cover supported devices. | Some services include images and video. | Eligibility, account, operating-system, and source-device restrictions apply. | Current carrier rules; au’s Data Migration, for example, requires an au ID and excludes 4G LTE feature phones as source devices. |
If one route fails, stop rather than repeatedly changing settings on the old phone. Move to the next route only after checking that it is supported for your model pair.
Method 1: Transfer with a memory card
A card is usually the most controllable bridge when the keitai supports it, because you can preserve the old phone’s data before the handset is retired. SoftBank’s phonebook guidance specifically describes saving the phonebook to a memory card and then reading it on the new smartphone.
Step 1: Prepare and format the card correctly
- Use a card type and capacity explicitly listed in the old phone’s manual.
- If the card contains files you need, copy them elsewhere first. Formatting or an old-phone initialization can erase them.
- Insert the card while both phones are powered off if the manuals recommend that procedure. Some models permit hot insertion; follow the model-specific instruction instead of assuming.
- Use the keitai’s own format or initialization command only when the manual requires it, and confirm the warning before accepting.
Step 2: Save the phonebook on the old phone
- Open the phonebook or data-management area and look for a memory-card save, backup, or copy command. SoftBank’s documented example uses a memory-card save/read menu, but the Japanese wording and menu location vary by handset.
- Choose the option that saves all entries when you want the complete address book. If the phone offers selected entries as well, an all-entry backup reduces the chance of overlooking a contact.
- Wait for the completion message. Do not remove the battery or card during the operation.
- Record the date and, if the phone shows one, the file name or backup location.
Step 3: Save photos only if the manual supports them
Phonebook backup and photo backup are separate capabilities. The old phone may save contacts to a card while keeping images in internal storage. Look for an image-management command such as copy or move to memory card and verify whether it preserves full-size originals. If no such command is documented, do not infer that the contact backup includes photos.
Recommended Free Tools
Step 4: Import on the smartphone
- Power off the old phone before removing the card if instructed by its manual.
- Insert the card into an Android phone with a supported slot, or use a reader that the smartphone recognizes. An iPhone generally requires an Apple-supported card reader or a different transfer route; check the iPhone’s current import instructions.
- On the smartphone, use the manufacturer’s documented contacts-import function for the file produced by the keitai. If the phone offers a choice between device, account, and SIM storage, select the destination you intend to back up and sync.
- For images, open the smartphone’s file or photo-import function and confirm that the copied files are visible at their original resolution. Do not delete the card until the check is complete.
If the smartphone cannot read the card, the cause may be an unsupported format, capacity, reader, or file structure. Reinsert it in the old phone to confirm that the backup still opens, then consult both manuals or a carrier shop rather than reformatting it.
Method 2: Infrared or Bluetooth
Some Japanese feature phones can send phonebook entries or files directly to another handset. SoftBank lists infrared and Bluetooth as possible alternatives, but does not guarantee every device combination or every data category.
Rank #2
- EXPAND YOUR STORAGE. Insert your card to add massive storage up to 1.5TB[1] to your Android smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, and laptops.
- SPACE FOR MORE. With expansive capacities up to 1.5TB[1], capture and store hours of Full HD video[4], movies, music, games, photos, and podcasts.
- MOVE FILES FAST. Use your card with the SANDISK QuickFlow microSD UHS-I Card USB-A Reader[6] to achieve up to 195MB/s[2] read speeds [128GB-1.5TB models] and offload your content fast.
- LOAD APPS IN A SNAP. Rated A1[3], the SANDISK Ultra microSD card is optimized for faster app launch and overall app performance.
- EASY CONTENT MANAGEMENT. Easily back up, organize, and transfer your photos and videos with the SANDISK Memory Zone desktop or Android mobile app[5].
Infrared transfer
- Confirm that both devices have infrared hardware and that each manual describes the same transfer category.
- On the old phone, open the phonebook or image’s send/share command and choose infrared. On the receiving phone, open its infrared receive command before starting the send.
- Align the infrared ports at the distance specified by the manuals and keep both phones still until completion.
- Send a small test contact or one low-value image first. Check it on the smartphone before sending the remainder.
Infrared cannot transfer to an iPhone because iPhone has no infrared function. SoftBank also warns that compatibility and the data that can be transferred vary by handset, so a successful contact exchange does not establish that photos will work.
Bluetooth transfer
- Enable Bluetooth on both phones and make each device discoverable as directed by its manual.
- Pair the devices, checking that the displayed passcode matches on both screens.
- Use the old phone’s send command for the exact item type you need. A phonebook transfer and a photo file transfer may be separate menu functions.
- Accept the file or contact request on the smartphone and wait for the completion notice.
Bluetooth support can differ by profile and software version. If pairing succeeds but the send command is unavailable, the models may not support that data category; use a card or carrier route instead.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Method 3: Carrier help and migration apps
SoftBank support
SoftBank describes shop assistance for moving data and provides model-specific phonebook instructions. A shop can be useful when Japanese menu labels, card formatting, or the receiving phone’s import process is unclear. Ask what data categories the service covers and whether the old model is eligible before handing over either phone. Keep your screen lock and account credentials under your control unless you deliberately choose otherwise.
au Data Migration
au’s Data Migration service lists address books, images, and video among supported categories for eligible Android and iOS devices. It requires an au ID and has source-device restrictions: 4G LTE feature phones are excluded as sources. Therefore, an au app route may be suitable for one model pair and unavailable for another. Check the current eligibility list, operating-system requirements, and source-phone type before deleting anything from the keitai.
When to choose carrier assistance
- The old phone has no usable card slot and no compatible wireless method.
- The menu is locked behind a language, security, or administrator setting you cannot interpret safely.
- The smartphone cannot read the backup file and you have not yet made another copy.
- The data includes business contacts or legal records where a verified, documented process matters more than convenience.
Android and iPhone: practical differences
Android
Android models vary in whether they have a microSD slot, support USB readers, or expose imported files to the contacts and photo apps. Follow the phone maker’s instructions for importing the old phone’s contact file and for selecting where new contacts are stored. After import, verify that the contacts are in the intended account or device storage, not merely visible in a temporary file browser.
Rank #3
- CAPTURE LARGER THAN LIFE. Unlock startling 5K[3] point-of-view and pristine high-res stills with video speed class ratings of U3 and V30[4].
- SPEED BARRIERS SHATTERED. Save precious moments with rapid read speeds up to 245MB/s[2] and write speeds up to 170MB/s[2] [256GB-1TB capacities[1]].
- MAXIMIZE WITH MASSIVE CAPACITY. Record longer and store more with up to 2TB[1] of storage.
- DURABILITY YOU CAN COUNT ON. SANDISK microSD cards are temperature proof, humidity proof, waterproof, shock proof, drop proof, magnet proof, X-ray proof and wear-out proof[7].
- EASY CONTENT MANAGEMENT. Easily back up, organize, and transfer your photos and videos with the SANDISK Memory Zone desktop or Android mobile app[10].
iPhone
iPhone cannot receive infrared transfers. A card-reader workflow, a carrier-supported app, or a compatible computer/cloud route may be necessary, depending on the old phone’s output. Confirm that the receiving method handles both contacts and images; a route that imports photos may not create editable contacts, and vice versa.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallCrashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteDo not treat an iPhone’s lack of a card slot or infrared as evidence that the old phone’s data is lost. It means you must choose a different documented bridge and verify each category separately.
Verify contacts and photos before you erase anything
Carrier guidance notes that device and data differences can prevent a complete migration. Verification is therefore a required step, not an optional cleanup.
Contact checklist
- Search for contacts by surname, given name, and a less-common entry.
- Check telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses, notes, and group labels that matter to you.
- Compare the old phone’s total entry count with the smartphone’s count when both devices display one. A matching count is helpful but does not prove every field transferred.
- Place a test call or message only after confirming that the number shown is correct.
Photo checklist
- Open photos from different dates and folders, including one that is important but not recent.
- Zoom or inspect details to confirm that the smartphone has the full-size file rather than a thumbnail.
- Check whether videos play with sound if videos were part of the transfer.
- Look for a few files with unusual names or formats; these often reveal a compatibility problem sooner than ordinary JPEGs.
Keep the old phone, card, and any intermediate backup until both checklists pass. Only then should you reset, trade in, recycle, or give away the handset.
Troubleshooting common failures
The old phone has no memory-card option
Recheck the model manual for infrared, Bluetooth, cable, or carrier-supported routes. If none is documented, ask the carrier whether the model is eligible for shop migration. Do not buy a card solely because another keitai model used one.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rank #4
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Save time with card offload speeds of up to 190MB/s powered by SanDisk QuickFlow Technology (Up to 190MB/s read speeds, engineered with proprietary technology to reach speeds beyond UHS-I 104MB/s, requires compatible devices capable of reaching such speeds. Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes. SanDisk QuickFlow Technology is only available for 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, 400GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. 1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes and 1TB=1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Pair with the SanDisk Professional PRO-READER SD and microSD to achieve maximum speeds (sold separately)
- Up to 90MB/s write speeds for fast shooting (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending upon host device interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- 4K and 5K UHD-ready with UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) and Video Speed Class 30 (V30) (Compatible device required. Full HD (1920x1080), 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), and 5K UHD (5120 X 2880) support may vary based upon host device, file attributes and other factors. See HD page on SanDisk site. UHS Speed Class 3 (U3) designates a performance option designed to support real-time video recording with UHS-enabled host devices. Video Speed Class 30 (V30), sustained video capture rate of 30MB/s, designates a performance option designed to support real-time video recording with UHS-enabled host devices. See the SD Association’s official website.)
The card is not recognized
Stop writing to it. Confirm the card type and capacity, test whether the old phone still recognizes it, and check whether the receiving phone or reader supports its format. A different compatible card may solve a capacity or compatibility issue, but only after the old phone’s specification is known.
Contacts transfer but photos do not
This is expected when the old phone’s backup function covers phonebook entries only. Use the image-management copy command, a supported wireless file transfer, or carrier assistance. Do not assume that re-running the phonebook backup will add images.
Some entries or images are missing
Compare categories rather than repeating the same operation. Missing notes, group labels, protected images, or unusual file formats may not be supported by the destination. Preserve the original and ask the carrier or phone maker which fields and formats are transferable for the exact models.
The carrier app refuses the old phone
Check the app’s source-device list, operating-system requirement, and account requirement. For example, au’s Data Migration excludes 4G LTE feature phones as source devices and requires an au ID. An ineligible source cannot be fixed by reinstalling the app; use a supported card, wireless, or store route.
Privacy and safe disposal
- Remove the SIM and memory card only after the transfer is verified and you have decided whether either item will be reused.
- Sign out of carrier, email, messaging, and cloud accounts on the old phone where the manual provides a sign-out command.
- Delete personal photos and contacts only after retaining the backup you intend to keep.
- Run the handset’s documented factory-reset procedure before resale or recycling. A reset is not a substitute for confirming that your new phone has the data.
- Keep a separate backup of the imported contacts and photos so a later smartphone failure does not force you back to the retired keitai.
A decision checklist
- Exact model known? If not, stop and identify it first.
- Card slot and supported card confirmed? Use the memory-card route only when the manual says it is supported.
- Destination identified? Android and iPhone have different hardware and import constraints; iPhone cannot use infrared.
- Data categories separated? Phonebook, photos, and video may each require a different command.
- Carrier eligibility checked? App and shop services have account, OS, and source-device boundaries.
- Verification complete? Open representative photos and inspect important contact fields before wiping the old phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a Japanese flip phone’s contacts directly to an iPhone with infrared?
No. iPhone has no infrared function. Use a compatible memory-card reader, an eligible carrier route, or another documented method instead.
Best Value
- Up To 48MB/s Read Speed
- 10-year warranty
- Easily Back Up Files With "SanDisk Memory Zone" App
- SD adapter included for compatibility with digital cameras
- The 32GB SanDisk Ultra microSDHC UHS-I Memory Card works with any device that has a microSDHC card slot
Will saving the phonebook to a memory card also save my photos?
Not necessarily. Phonebook backup and image backup are separate functions; your old phone’s manual must explicitly list photo or video copying.
Why does a carrier migration app reject my old keitai?
Eligibility can depend on the carrier, au ID, operating system, and source-device type. au’s Data Migration, for example, excludes 4G LTE feature phones as sources.
When is it safe to reset the old phone?
Only after you have confirmed important contact fields and opened representative full-size photos or videos on the smartphone, while retaining any backup you still need.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What if neither phone can read the memory card?
Stop using the card, confirm the old phone’s supported card specification and the reader’s compatibility, and ask the carrier or phone maker for a model-specific transfer route.
Quick Recap
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.
