Transferring apps to new phone
So I believe you used a USB cable with a USB/microUSB adapter ?

If so, you may want to check the quality of your cable and/or use a better one (USB cables are NOT "all the same" : some are excellent, some are utter sh*t). 

Unfortunately, the only tool I know for that goal is the QooPow qualMeter : http://www.qoopow.com/. It's a physical tool (= not an app) and a bit pricey, but if you find yourself lost in your cables, it might be a good investment for the future (your friends may find it useful too. Why not pool some money to get one for the lot of you ?).