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Turn on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, connect it to Wi-Fi, and follow the setup wizard. When it asks about an old phone, use Samsung Smart Switch: choose Galaxy/Android or iPhone/iPad, scan the displayed QR code, select a wireless or cable connection, choose the data categories, and start the transfer. A USB-C data-transfer cable is usually the most complete option; wireless is easier when the phones use different connectors or must stay on chargers.
What you need before starting
Keep the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the old phone nearby, unlocked and charged. Have the old phone’s screen lock, Google or Apple account credentials, and any two-factor-authentication method available. The setup screens can differ by carrier and software version, so button names may vary slightly.
- For an Android or Galaxy source: Smart Switch installed on both phones, either a wireless connection or a compatible USB cable.
- For an iPhone: the Apple ID and password if you plan to use iCloud, plus access to the verification code sent to the iPhone.
- For a cable transfer: the old phone’s USB cable and, if the plugs do not match, a USB-OTG adapter. A USB-C-to-USB-C data-transfer cable is the natural choice when both phones have USB-C ports.
- For a phone you cannot access: a recent Google backup, or a Smart Switch backup stored on a USB-OTG flash drive or other external storage.
Do not erase or trade in the old phone until you have checked the information that matters to you on the S26 Ultra.
Set up the Galaxy S26 Ultra for the first time
- Press and hold the S26 Ultra’s power button until the Samsung logo appears.
- Choose your language and region when prompted.
- Read the terms and conditions. Accept only the terms you agree to, then continue.
- Connect to a trusted Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi is important for account sign-in, software updates and cloud-based transfers.
- Follow the prompts for a screen lock, Google account and other requested services. If you are moving from an old phone, the wizard will offer a data-copy option.
- At the old-phone prompt, choose Galaxy/Android or iPhone/iPad. The S26 Ultra displays a Smart Switch QR code or directs you to the appropriate transfer method.
Samsung describes this QR-based process as “Quick setup with Smart Switch” for transferring existing accounts and networks. The exact initial setup page may look different depending on the carrier and installed software.
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Transfer from an Android or Galaxy phone wirelessly
Wireless Smart Switch is convenient and lets both phones remain connected to chargers. Samsung’s 2026 instructions say to keep the phones within 4 inches of each other during the wireless connection.
Install and open Smart Switch
- Install or update Smart Switch on both phones.
- On the old phone, open Smart Switch and choose Send from this phone, then Wireless.
- On the S26 Ultra, open Smart Switch during setup or from its app screen and choose Receive on this phone, Galaxy/Android, then Wireless.
Pair the phones
- Scan the QR code shown on the S26 Ultra with the old phone, or tap Connect when that option appears.
- Approve the connection on both devices.
- Wait while Smart Switch scans the old phone and builds a list of transferable content.
Select what to copy
Smart Switch offers broad and selective choices. Choose Everything for the widest transfer, Just accounts, calls, contacts and messages for a focused migration, or Custom to select individual categories. Review the estimated size before starting, especially if the old phone contains many videos.
Run and monitor the transfer
- Keep both phones within the recommended distance and connected to power if possible.
- Tap the start button and leave Smart Switch open.
- Wait for the completion message on both devices. Large photo and video libraries can take substantially longer than contacts or messages.
Wireless transfer avoids connector problems, but interference, distance or a low battery can interrupt it. If the connection repeatedly fails, restart both phones and use a cable instead.
Transfer by cable: Samsung’s most complete method
Samsung recommends a wired transfer when you want the most types of data. The trade-off is that the two phones cannot both remain connected to chargers while the cable is in use.
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Choose the right cable or adapter
- Use a USB-C-to-USB-C data-transfer cable when the old phone and S26 Ultra both use USB-C.
- Use the old phone’s USB cable with a USB-OTG adapter when its connector differs from the S26 Ultra’s port.
- Make sure the cable supports data, not charging only. A charging-only cable will not establish a Smart Switch connection.
Start a wired Android transfer
- Connect the two phones directly with the cable and any required OTG adapter.
- On the old phone, open Smart Switch and select Send from this phone, then Cable.
- On the S26 Ultra, choose Receive on this phone, select the source phone type, then choose Cable.
- Tap Connect if prompted and approve any USB permission request on the old phone.
- Review the scan results and select Everything, Just accounts, calls, contacts and messages, or Custom.
- Start the transfer and keep the cable still until Smart Switch reports completion.
If Smart Switch does not see the old phone, disconnect and reconnect both ends, unlock the old phone, accept its USB prompt, and try a different known-good data cable. If the connectors physically do not fit, stop rather than forcing them and add the appropriate OTG adapter.
Move data from an iPhone to the Galaxy S26 Ultra
Smart Switch provides two practical iPhone paths: an iCloud transfer during setup or a direct cable connection. iCloud is useful when you do not have a suitable cable, but its available content is limited by what Samsung can retrieve from iCloud.
Use iCloud during Galaxy setup
- On the S26 Ultra, choose Receive data, then iPhone or iPad, and select Get data from iCloud.
- Enter the Apple ID and password used on the iPhone.
- Approve the verification code delivered to the iPhone, then enter that code on the Galaxy.
- Review the categories Smart Switch finds in iCloud.
- Select the data you want and start the transfer. Keep the S26 Ultra on Wi-Fi while it downloads the content.
Samsung states that iTunes music and videos cannot be transferred from iCloud. Unencrypted iTunes music can instead be copied as files from a computer, then moved to the S26 Ultra.
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For a direct transfer, connect the iPhone and S26 Ultra with a compatible data cable and any necessary adapter. In Smart Switch, choose Receive data, select iPhone or iPad, choose the cable method, unlock the iPhone and approve its trust or USB prompt. Review the scan, select the available categories and start copying. The exact categories depend on the iPhone, cable and Smart Switch version.
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What Smart Switch and Android backup can move
Samsung’s 2026 S26 manual lists contacts, photos, music, videos, messages, notes and calendars as Smart Switch content that can transfer over USB, Wi-Fi or a computer. Samsung also warns that supported items vary by the connected device and transfer method; an app that cannot install may need to be downloaded manually.
| Source or method | Examples of content it can move | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Switch from a compatible phone | Contacts, photos, music, videos, messages, notes and calendars | Supported items vary by connected device and method; failed app installations require manual downloads. |
| Google Android setup backup | Apps and certain app data, music, photos, videos, phone or SIM contacts, text messages, multimedia in messages, wallpaper, call history and most settings | Downloads such as PDFs, hidden-folder media, apps outside Google Play, data from apps without Android backup, non-Google accounts and some synced contacts or calendars do not copy automatically. |
| iCloud import to Galaxy | Data that Smart Switch can retrieve from the selected iCloud account | iTunes music and videos are not transferable from iCloud. |
“Transfer” does not necessarily mean that every app session, offline file or protected database will appear exactly as it did on the old phone. Banking, password-manager, authenticator and other security-sensitive apps commonly require sign-in or re-registration.
If the old phone is missing, broken or unavailable
Restore a Google backup during setup
Google backup restoration is available during the setup wizard after you sign in on the new or reset device. Samsung’s guide says Google Drive restoration is not available directly from the S26 Ultra’s ordinary device settings, so do not skip the setup-time restore prompt if you need that backup.
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- Sign in with the Google account that contains the backup.
- Choose the relevant backup when Android offers one.
- Select the categories to restore and leave the phone connected to Wi-Fi and power while the process completes.
Restore from Smart Switch external storage
Smart Switch can back up a phone to a USB-OTG flash drive or other external storage and restore that storage on the S26 Ultra. This is useful when the old phone is available long enough to make a backup but cannot stay connected during a direct phone-to-phone transfer.
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- On the old phone, connect the USB-OTG storage and use Smart Switch’s backup option.
- Safely disconnect the storage after the backup finishes.
- Connect it to the S26 Ultra with the required OTG adapter.
- Open Smart Switch, choose the restore option, select the backup and review the available categories.
- Start the restore and keep the storage connected until Smart Switch confirms completion.
Verify the transfer before wiping the old phone
Use the S26 Ultra itself to check the items that would be difficult or impossible to recreate. This is a practical verification step, not a guarantee that every application’s private data will transfer.
- Gallery and Photos: open several recent and older images, videos and albums.
- Contacts: search for key people and confirm whether contacts came from the phone, SIM or an online account.
- Messages: inspect recent conversations and messages containing photos or other media.
- Calendar: check upcoming appointments and calendars from each account.
- Files: look in Downloads and other folders for PDFs, recordings and documents.
- Music: test locally stored tracks and identify any iTunes files that need a computer-based copy.
- Password manager: sign in and confirm that vault access and synchronization work.
- Two-factor authentication: open authenticator apps, confirm codes work and complete any account migration process before removing the old phone.
- Critical apps: launch banking, work, travel and messaging apps, then reinstall or sign in where required.
Only after these checks should you remove the old phone from account security settings, factory-reset it or hand it to someone else.
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| Method | Best use | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Switch wireless | Convenient Android or Galaxy migration when both phones can stay close together and on chargers | Requires the phones to remain within 4 inches and can be more sensitive to interference. |
| Smart Switch cable | The widest range of data types from a compatible phone | Requires a data cable or OTG adapter, and both phones cannot stay connected to chargers during the transfer. |
| Google backup restore | Replacing an unavailable Android phone | Must be selected during setup on a new or reset device; it does not restore directly from normal device settings. |
| iCloud import | Moving from iPhone without a direct cable | Requires Apple ID verification and cannot bring iTunes music or videos from iCloud. |
| Smart Switch external storage | Backup-and-restore when direct phone-to-phone transfer is impractical | Requires USB-OTG storage and an additional backup step. |
Common problems and fixes
The phones will not pair wirelessly
Move them within 4 inches, unlock both screens, confirm Smart Switch is installed on both devices, and restart the pairing process. Keep the apps open and avoid switching to other tasks. If pairing still fails, use a cable.
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Use a data-capable cable, unlock the old phone, accept its USB permission prompt and reconnect both ends. A connector mismatch requires a USB-OTG adapter. Try another cable if the first one charges but does not establish a data connection.
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An app is missing after migration
Open Google Play and download it manually. Samsung notes that apps that fail to install may need manual downloading, and Android backup excludes data from apps that do not support Android backup. Sign in again and use the app’s own restore or synchronization feature.
Photos or documents are missing
Check whether they were stored in a cloud account, a hidden folder, Downloads or another local directory. Google’s Android setup list specifically excludes downloads such as PDFs and hidden-folder media from automatic copying. Copy those files manually or use the old phone’s original cloud service.
The iCloud transfer cannot find expected media
Confirm that the Apple ID is correct and that the verification code was entered on the Galaxy. iTunes music and videos are not available through iCloud transfer; copy unencrypted iTunes music as files from a computer instead.
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Reconnect both phones to power when using wireless, free storage on the S26 Ultra, restart Smart Switch and retry with a smaller Custom selection. For a large library, transfer essential categories first, verify them, then copy remaining media.
Quick Recap
Recommended order for a smooth migration
- Charge both phones and update Smart Switch.
- Start the S26 Ultra’s setup wizard and connect it to Wi-Fi.
- Choose the correct source type when prompted.
- Use a USB-C data-transfer cable for the most complete Android transfer; choose wireless when charging flexibility and convenience matter more.
- For an iPhone, choose cable when available or use the iCloud path with Apple ID verification.
- Review the scan and choose Everything or a Custom set rather than assuming every category is wanted.
- Wait for completion, then verify Gallery/Photos, Contacts, Messages, Calendar, Files, passwords, two-factor authentication and critical apps.
- Keep the old phone intact until those checks pass.
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