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Use Samsung Smart Switch to move data directly from your old Galaxy phone to your new one, either wirelessly or with a compatible cable. It can transfer many common categories, but it does not copy every file, account, credential, or private app state. Plan to sign in to synced accounts and handle some app backups separately, then check the new phone before wiping or trading in the old one.
Before you start
- Open Smart Switch on both phones. It is generally included on Galaxy models. If it is missing, get it from Samsung’s supported app source for your device. You can also search for “Smart Switch” in Settings; the menu route varies by model and software version.
- Charge both phones. Samsung warns that transfers use battery and that low charge can interrupt them. Samsung’s US cable-transfer instructions specify at least 20% charge; a fuller charge is sensible for a large move. Samsung Support’s Smart Switch guide.
- Check available storage. Samsung UK’s workflow calls for at least 500 MB of free internal storage on each device, but that figure may vary by device or software version. Samsung UK’s transfer guide.
- Keep the old phone unlocked and nearby. Smart Switch may prompt you to unlock it, including to access Secure Folder content.
- Back up data that matters inside individual apps. A general phone transfer is not a guarantee that private app data or encrypted chats will migrate.
Choose wireless or cable
| Method | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Smart Switch | A simple direct transfer, especially if the move may take a while. | No cable is needed, and the phones can remain on chargers. Keep them close and maintain a stable connection. |
| Cable Smart Switch | A direct connection and Samsung’s broadest listed set of transferable data types. | The cable or adapter must fit both devices, charging may not be possible during the transfer, and the cable must stay connected until completion. |
| PC or Mac backup and restore | An intermediate backup or a direct transfer that is inconvenient or unsuccessful. | Requires a computer and Samsung’s desktop app; backup and restore happen as separate stages. |
| microSD or USB storage | Devices that support the relevant external storage connection. | Requires compatible storage; not every Galaxy phone has a microSD slot. |
Samsung Support says wired transfers are recommended because they can transfer the most types of data, but a cable can prevent the phones from staying connected to chargers. For a move expected to take over an hour, Samsung suggests wireless so both devices can remain charging. These are setup trade-offs, not a guarantee that one method will be faster for every phone or transfer. Samsung’s US Smart Switch instructions.
Transfer wirelessly with Smart Switch
- Open Smart Switch on both Galaxy phones. If you cannot find it, search for the app in Settings.
- On the old phone, select Send from this phone, then Wireless.
- On the new phone, select Receive on this phone, choose Galaxy/Android, then select Wireless.
- Approve the connection or follow the pairing prompts. Samsung’s US guide recommends placing the phones within 4 inches for its described wireless setup; treat that as a recommendation for that workflow, not a universal radio specification.
- After Smart Switch scans the old phone, choose Everything, a limited set, or Custom. Review the categories before starting.
- Keep the phones nearby and on chargers while the transfer runs. Complete the prompts on both devices when it finishes.
Transfer time depends on the amount of data and connection strength; Samsung does not give a universally applicable duration. An app icon appearing on the new phone also does not mean the app is ready to use: it may still need installation, a separate sign-in, or its own restore process. Samsung Support’s wireless-transfer guidance.
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Transfer with a cable
- Connect the phones with a compatible data cable. Compatible USB-C Android phones may connect directly with a USB-C-to-USB-C cable. Other connector combinations may require a USB-OTG adapter.
- Open Smart Switch on both phones. On the old phone, select Send from this phone, then Cable. On the new phone, select Receive on this phone, choose Galaxy/Android, then select Cable.
- Allow the connection and follow the pairing prompts. When Smart Switch scans the old phone, review the available categories and select what you want to move.
- Leave the cable connected until Smart Switch says the transfer is complete. Samsung warns that disconnecting during a transfer may cause data loss or device damage. Samsung Support’s transfer guidance.
What Smart Switch can—and cannot—move
Samsung’s US list for Android-to-Android transfers includes contacts, calendar or S Planner entries, messages, memos, call logs, clock data, Samsung Pass, Secure Folder, Samsung Internet, photos and other images, DRM-free music and videos, documents, apps, email, wallpaper, lock screen, radio, and preferences. Some categories are limited to Galaxy-to-Galaxy transfers, and availability depends on the connected devices. Samsung’s transferable-content list.
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“Everything” means all the categories Smart Switch makes available for that connection—not a complete clone of every item and state on the old phone. Samsung identifies several exceptions:
- Synced accounts: Data held by synced accounts is not copied by Smart Switch; it may appear after you sign in to those accounts on the new phone.
- Some contacts and calendar data: SIM contacts, contacts from social networks, Google or work email, and externally synced calendar appointments are among the listed exclusions.
- Private or encrypted app data: Samsung UK says its general Smart Switch workflow does not transfer secure or encrypted app data such as WhatsApp chats. Use the app’s current backup and restore instructions for that data.
- Some app and email content: Private-storage app data and some push email may not transfer. Apps can require credentials again; sideloaded apps may need manual downloads, and app availability can differ between operating systems.
- Personalization and protected media: Live wallpapers and themes are among the exclusions, and DRM-protected content cannot be transferred.
Samsung’s category lists and compatibility can change with the model and software version. Check the new phone after the move, and separately sign in, restore, or back up anything that is missing or app-specific.
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Use a computer or external storage as a fallback
PC or Mac
Samsung Smart Switch for desktop can back up a Galaxy phone to a PC or Mac and restore that backup to the new phone. This is useful if you want an intermediate copy or cannot complete a direct phone-to-phone connection. Install Samsung’s desktop app from Samsung’s support site, connect the old phone and make a backup, then connect the new phone and restore it. Follow the app’s prompts; the process is a backup followed by a separate restore. Samsung’s Smart Switch backup and restore guidance.
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microSD or USB storage
Samsung also documents backing up and restoring through microSD or USB OTG storage. Use this route only if the phones and storage device support the necessary connection. Galaxy models do not all include a microSD slot, and external-storage support varies. Samsung UK’s transfer guide.
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Check the new phone before retiring the old one
- Open key apps and confirm they contain the data you expected; complete app-specific restores where needed.
- Sign in to synced Google, work, email, or other accounts and allow their data to sync.
- Check photos, documents, contacts, messages, and any Secure Folder content you rely on.
- Confirm you can access services that may require credentials or a separate setup on the new device.
- Keep the old phone intact until you have verified important data and any separate backups.
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