Use Samsung Smart Switch to move data directly from your old Android phone to the Galaxy S26 FE, either wirelessly or with a USB cable. Before you start, make sure both phones have at least 500 MB of free internal storage. Smart Switch can copy many everyday items, but it is not a perfect clone: check app-specific backup options for private or encrypted data, and verify your important files on the S26 FE before erasing the old phone.
Choose a transfer route
Samsung documents three Smart Switch routes: direct wireless transfer, direct cable transfer, or backing up to a PC or Mac and restoring from there. The best fit depends on whether you have both phones, a suitable wired connection, and access to a computer. Samsung does not give a universal speed ranking or fixed completion time; transfer duration depends on how much data you move and the connection strength.
| Route | What you need | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless phone-to-phone | Both phones, Smart Switch, and a stable wireless connection | You have both phones and want to transfer without a cable. |
| Cable phone-to-phone | Both phones, a suitable USB connection, and source-phone support for “Transferring media files (MTP)” | You have both phones and can connect them directly. Samsung says to use the USB-C connector supplied with the S26 FE. |
| PC or Mac backup and restore | A computer and Smart Switch for the computer | You prefer to make a computer backup before restoring it to the new phone. |
Samsung’s [Android-to-Galaxy Smart Switch instructions] describe these routes. Wireless transfer needs no extra cable; buy or borrow a suitable cable only if you choose the wired route and do not have one.
Prepare both Android phones
- Charge both phones and check that each has at least 500 MB of free internal storage, the minimum Samsung specifies.
- If transferring wirelessly, connect the phones to a stable Wi-Fi network. Keep the devices near one another during the transfer.
- For a cable transfer, check that the old phone supports the USB “Transferring media files (MTP)” option.
- Confirm that both Android phones run Android 6.0 or later. Samsung lists this as the minimum for wired and wireless transfers to the S26 FE.
- On a non-Galaxy source phone without Smart Switch, install it from Google Play. On the S26 FE, open it through Settings or download it from Galaxy Store if needed.
Samsung notes that supported content can differ by transfer method. The S26 FE information is presented on Samsung Korea’s Galaxy S26 FE page; availability and software behavior can vary by region or carrier.
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- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
Transfer directly with Smart Switch
- On the Galaxy S26 FE, open Settings > Accounts and backup > Smart Switch > Bring data from old device.
- Tap Receive data, select Galaxy/Android, then choose Wireless or Cable.
- For wireless, keep the phones close and maintain a stable connection. For cable, connect the phones using the USB-C connector supplied with the S26 FE.
- Follow the prompts on both phones. Select the available categories you want to copy, then watch the on-screen progress indicator.
- When Smart Switch finishes, open the new phone’s key apps and files to confirm that the content you need is there.
The transfer may take more or less time depending on data volume and connection strength; Samsung does not provide a fixed estimate. For more detail, see Samsung’s step-by-step instructions.
Know what Smart Switch can—and cannot—copy
Samsung lists contacts, on-device calendar entries, messages, photos, DRM-free music and videos, call logs, memos, alarms, Wi-Fi information, wallpapers, and documents among the content Smart Switch can transfer. Samsung’s Google Play listing says app data and home-layout transfer are limited to Galaxy devices, and compatibility can prevent the app from installing or working on some devices.
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- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
Do not assume every app or sign-in will arrive intact. Samsung says most app data transfers, but secure or encrypted data—such as WhatsApp chats—does not transfer through Smart Switch. Some apps keep information on their own servers, require you to sign in again, or may need manual installation if they were installed outside Play Store. Banking apps may not carry login details.
For WhatsApp or other private, encrypted, or app-specific information, follow that service’s own backup or migration steps rather than relying on Smart Switch. Google separately documents transferring WhatsApp chats and data during Android setup; that is a distinct process, not a Smart Switch transfer. Afterward, open the app and verify the conversations or records you need.
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- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
If the old phone is unavailable, restore a Google backup
If you cannot use the old handset, you may be able to restore a backup associated with your Google Account while setting up the S26 FE. You will need the Google Account and password used for that backup, and the restore can only include data available in it.
- Start setup on the S26 FE and choose the option to set up without another device.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and sign in to the Google Account used on the old phone.
- Choose the available backup and select the apps and data you want to restore, following the setup prompts.
- After setup, allow supported account-synced content and apps to appear, then check the items that matter to you.
Google says contacts saved to a Google Account appear after sign-in, and supported music services sync after you install their app and sign in. Google’s Android device-copy and restore guidance explains setup and restore options.
Rank #4
- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
Verify the transfer before wiping the old phone
Do not factory-reset, trade in, or hand over the old phone until you have checked the S26 FE. Confirm that essential contacts, photos, messages, documents, and app-specific information are present and usable. If something important is missing, keep the old phone intact while you use the relevant app’s backup or recovery process. Google specifically advises clearing the old phone only after confirming that the data copied over.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
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