Use Samsung Smart Switch to move supported apps, files, and other data from an Android phone to your Galaxy Z Fold8. You can transfer during the Fold8’s first-time setup or later from Settings > Accounts and backup > Transfer data for device setup. Smart Switch supports wireless and USB cable transfers; choose the data you want and follow the prompts on both phones.
Before you start
- Charge both phones and keep them close together. For a wireless transfer, connect the old phone to stable Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth.
- Keep the old phone unlocked and available so you can respond to its prompts. Samsung notes that instructions can vary with the source phone, software version, and settings.
- If you prefer a cable, use one that supports data and fits both phones. If the connectors differ, you may need a compatible adapter; a charging cable is not necessarily a data cable. Wireless transfer is also supported.
- Update or install Smart Switch on the old phone if prompted.
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 restore guide covers the initial transfer process.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Unlocked Android Smartphone, 512GB Graphite | $1,899.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Unlocked Android Smartphone, 256GB Graphite | $1,549.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Samsung Galaxy Zflip7 FE Cell Phone (2025), 256GB AI Smartphone, JetBlack | $679.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Transfer during first-time setup
- Turn on the Galaxy Z Fold8 and begin setup.
- When asked about your previous device, choose Galaxy or Android.
- Follow the on-screen connection instructions. The Fold8 may display a QR code for the old phone to scan; setup may also ask you to join Wi-Fi or choose a cable connection.
- Choose Everything, an essential-data option if offered, or Custom to select what to transfer.
- Start the transfer, keep the phones connected, and wait for it to finish. Then complete the remaining setup prompts.
Transfer after the Fold8 is set up
You do not need to reset the phone to receive data later. On the Fold8, open Settings > Accounts and backup > Transfer data for device setup. Install or update Smart Switch if prompted, tap Receive on this phone, choose Galaxy or Android, and follow the connection instructions. Select the content you want and complete the transfer. See Samsung’s after-setup transfer instructions if the labels or prompts differ on your device.
Choose wireless or cable
| Method | Best suited to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Smart Switch | Transferring without connecting a cable | Keep the phones nearby, and follow the Wi-Fi and other connection prompts. |
| USB cable through Smart Switch | Transferring with a suitable wired connection | The cable must support data and fit both phones. An adapter may be needed if the connectors differ. |
Samsung supports both methods and describes wireless as the easiest option. Google’s Android device-copy guide also describes cable and wireless setup, but its general setup flow is not the same as Samsung’s documented option for transferring to a Fold8 after setup.
#1 Best Overall
- SPLIT THE VIEW. MULTITASK¹ TO THE MAX: Productivity never felt this powerful. Use up to three apps¹ at once on the expansive inner screen of Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. You’ll enjoy plenty of space to work, play, connect and more.
- MULTITASKING MADE SMARTER WITH AI: Stay one step ahead with AI² that suggests which apps you might need next. Then view those multiple windows side by side on the large screen of your Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.
- ANY SHOT, ALL THE DETAILS: Dive into the details of any image with our best camera on a foldable smartphone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra boasts a 200MP camera — and an upgraded 50MP Ultra Wide lens — for both stunning wide shots and extreme close-ups.
- ELITE CHIPSET. FLUID GRAPHICS: Experience what’s possible with our most advanced Galaxy Z Series processor. From immersive gaming and speedy multitasking to the latest Galaxy AI³ features, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 keeps everything running seamlessly.
- THE BATTERY YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR: It’s the battery you’ve been wanting in a foldable cell phone. Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra packs a powerful ultra-sized⁴ battery in an ultra-slim design. Plus, with Super Fast Charging 2.0⁵, charge up faster than ever before.
What transfers—and what to check separately
Smart Switch can offer contacts, messages, photos, videos, apps, settings, calendars, and other supported content. The available categories depend on the source phone, its software and settings, and the transfer method, so selecting Everything is not a guarantee that every file or every app’s private data will move.
Google’s general Android setup guidance lists some items that may not copy in that flow: downloads such as PDFs, media in hidden folders, apps installed outside Google Play, data from apps that do not use Android backup, and some non-Google account data or service-synced contacts and calendars. Treat this as a useful checklist, not a complete compatibility list for Smart Switch.
Rank #2
- CREATED FOR YOUR CONTENT: Any way you turn it, the new Galaxy Z Fold8 gives you a fuller viewing experience. Designed with your content in mind, this foldable phone is the perfect size to make your movies, books and more incredibly immersive.
- WORLD’S LIGHTEST FOLD¹: Galaxy Z Fold8 is the newest foldable phone for content on the go. Unfolded, it fits movies and books for an immersive experience. Folded, it delivers comfortable texting and everyday use — all on the world’s lightest fold.¹
- THE BRIGHTEST DISPLAY ON A GALAXY PHONE: Our brightest smartphone display² provides you with a comfortable view, whether you’re inside or outside. Watch movies, play games and scroll with ease no matter where you are.
- RECORD. REFRAME. READY FOR SOCIAL³: Record content on Galaxy Z Fold8 and then use My FanCam³ to keep your subject center stage. The result is a social-ready video that focuses on the part of the action you really want.
- UNTETHER YOUR ENTERTAINMENT: The long-lasting battery of Galaxy Z Fold8 is built to power hours of entertainment. And when you do need to recharge, Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back to what you love quickly.
- Check important folders and downloads on the old phone, especially PDFs and media stored outside standard photo folders.
- For messaging apps and other services, follow the app’s own backup and restore instructions. For example, Google says WhatsApp chats can restore from the cloud after sign-in if backup was enabled on the old phone.
- After the transfer, open the apps and verify that their data is present before relying on it.
Use accounts and cloud storage for online data
Some information is synced to accounts or stored online rather than only on the old phone. Sign in to the same Google and Samsung accounts on the Fold8 to restore supported services and settings. Google services can sync items such as contacts, calendars, and passwords; Samsung services can restore supported Samsung data. Sign in to cloud-storage apps such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, or Dropbox to access files already stored there.
Review the important data you expect to use—such as contacts, photos, documents, and app-specific content—on the Fold8 after setup. If something is missing, check the relevant account or app’s backup before deleting or trading in the old phone.
Quick Recap
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