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Use Samsung Smart Switch to move apps and selected content to a new Galaxy: open the app on both phones, choose Send on the old phone and Receive on the new one, then select a wireless or cable transfer and follow the prompts. Some apps may need to be installed or signed into again, and Smart Switch does not guarantee that every app’s private data, encrypted content, or password will move.
What Smart Switch can—and cannot—move
Samsung Smart Switch can transfer apps from an Android phone to a Galaxy, along with selected content such as photos, documents, contacts, messages, calendars, settings, and preferences. The available items depend on the connected devices; some content is transferable only between Galaxy devices. Data synced to an account is not copied by Smart Switch, but may appear when you sign in to that account on the new phone. Samsung’s Smart Switch content list describes the categories supported for its transfer flows.
App installation and app data are separate issues. Samsung UK says most app data transfers, but private app storage cannot be backed up, secure or encrypted data may be excluded, and some apps do not transfer credentials. Apps installed outside Google Play may need to be downloaded manually. For apps that store information on their own servers, follow the provider’s backup or migration steps before signing in on the new phone. Samsung’s guidance specifically cautions that secure or encrypted data, such as WhatsApp chats, may not transfer. Samsung UK’s Android-to-Galaxy transfer FAQ has the applicable details.
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- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Before you start
- Charge both phones and keep them close during a direct transfer.
- Check that both devices have enough free space. Samsung UK’s Android-to-Galaxy instructions list at least 500 MB of free internal memory on each device for the process described on that page.
- Have account passwords and app-specific migration instructions available, especially for banking, messaging, and other apps with protected data.
- For a cable transfer, check the phones’ ports and cable compatibility. Depending on the models, a USB adapter may be needed. A cable is optional; wireless transfer is also available.
- Check Samsung’s current compatibility guidance for your particular device and method. Samsung India lists Android 6.0 or later and iOS 12 or later on its regional Smart Switch page; those requirements should not be treated as universal for every route or device. Samsung India Smart Switch requirements and Samsung’s regional support pages provide route-specific details.
How to transfer apps from Android to a Samsung Galaxy
Menu wording varies by phone model, software version, and region. On newer Galaxy phones, Samsung UK places Smart Switch under Settings > Accounts and backup. The setup flow may instead show options such as Bring data from old device and Receive data.
- Open Smart Switch on both phones. If it is not installed on the old phone, install or open the app as directed by Samsung.
- On the old phone, choose Send from this phone or the equivalent send option. On the new Galaxy, choose Receive on this phone or Bring data from old device, then tap Receive data.
- On the new phone, select Galaxy/Android as the old device type, then choose Wireless or Cable. Follow the connection prompts on both phones.
- On the new Galaxy, select the content to transfer. Include apps if that option is offered, then start the transfer.
- Leave both phones connected and wait for transfer and app installation to finish before opening apps that still appear faded or unavailable.
Samsung’s US wireless instructions recommend keeping the phones within four inches for the flow described there and plugging them into chargers. Treat those as setup recommendations for that flow, not a universal technical distance limit. The phone may display an estimated transfer time, but Samsung does not give one general duration for all transfers. Samsung US transfer instructions explain its wireless setup.
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- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Wireless or cable: which route should you use?
| Route | What you need | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless | Smart Switch on both phones and the connection requested by the app | You do not have a suitable cable or prefer a direct wireless setup |
| USB cable | A cable compatible with both phones; some model combinations also need an adapter | You already have the right cable and want a wired phone-to-phone transfer |
| PC or Mac | A compatible computer and Samsung Smart Switch desktop software | You prefer to make an intermediate computer backup and restore from it |
| External storage | Compatible SD card or USB storage and, where needed, an adapter | Your devices support the documented external-storage workflow |
Samsung documents Smart Switch backup and restore through Windows PCs and Macs, as well as SD card and USB storage workflows on compatible devices. Not every Galaxy has a microSD slot, and external storage or adapters may be separate purchases. Availability depends on hardware and software. Samsung US Smart Switch guidance and Samsung UK’s Galaxy-to-Galaxy instructions describe these options.
Moving from an iPhone to a Galaxy
Smart Switch can bring selected content from an iPhone to a Galaxy, including items such as contacts, calendars, photos, and documents, depending on the transfer route. For apps, it may recommend Android alternatives rather than move the iOS app itself. The Apple App Store and Google Play Store do not offer identical selections, so an app without an Android equivalent will not transfer. Some protected, DRM-locked media is excluded. You may need to install Android apps and set them up again on the Galaxy. See Samsung US’s supported-content guidance for the listed limitations.
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- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
If apps are missing or will not open
- An app is faded or unavailable: Wait for the transfer and installation process to finish, then try opening it again.
- An app is missing: Install it manually from Google Play if available. An app installed outside Play Store may require a separate download from its provider.
- You are asked to sign in again: Sign in with the app’s account. Smart Switch may not carry over credentials, including for some mobile banking apps.
- Chats or private app data are absent: Check the app provider’s current migration instructions. Secure or encrypted data and private app storage may not transfer through Smart Switch.
- Account-synced items have not appeared: Sign in to the relevant account on the Galaxy and allow its data to sync.
- The phones will not connect by cable: Confirm that the cable supports data transfer and that the model combination does not require an adapter. Samsung says wired transfer requires MTP support for the Android-to-Galaxy process described in its UK guidance.
When you can retire the old phone
Do not reset, trade in, or erase the old phone until you have checked the apps and information that matter to you. Verify that essential accounts work, that messaging and banking apps are accessible, and that any app-specific backup or restore process has completed. If an important item did not transfer, use the app provider’s migration process while the original device is still available.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist¹ with Galaxy AI.² Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more³
- FAST. POWERFUL. AI-READY: Power through your day with AI-accelerated performance from our fastest, smoothest and most powerful Galaxy processor yet, built to keep up with everything you do
- IMMENSELY IMMERSIVE: No matter where you are or what you’re watching, your favorite videos and more come to life with the vibrant display on Galaxy S26
- FIT EVERYONE IN THE SHOT: Group selfies are easier on your Samsung phone with a wider front camera⁴ that captures more of the scene, so no one gets left out of the moment
Rank #4
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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