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Use Samsung Smart Switch to move text messages directly from your Motorola phone to your Samsung Galaxy. You can connect the phones wirelessly or with a cable, select Messages, and start the transfer. If you no longer have the Motorola, try a Google backup; if the Galaxy is not set up yet, Android’s setup copy is another option.

What to check before transferring

  • Keep both phones available, unlocked, and charged. For an extensive message history, Samsung recommends wireless transfer so the phones can stay connected to chargers.
  • On the Galaxy, make sure there is enough free storage. Samsung’s UK Android-transfer FAQ specifies at least 500 MB of free internal storage on each phone; requirements and menus may differ by device or region. Samsung’s Android transfer FAQ
  • If using a cable, check that it supports data transfer and that the phones’ ports are compatible. You may need a USB-OTG adapter; Samsung also specifies MTP support for wired transfers in its UK FAQ. Samsung Smart Switch instructions

Transfer messages with Smart Switch

Smart Switch supports Android-to-Galaxy transfers over Wi-Fi or cable. Samsung lists Messages as transferable content from Android, although the items supported can vary by the connected device. Samsung’s transferable-content guide

  1. Open or install Samsung Smart Switch on both phones if it is not already available. Keep both devices unlocked.
  2. On the Motorola, choose Send from this phone. On the Galaxy, choose Receive on this phone.
  3. Choose wireless or cable when prompted, then follow the connection instructions on both phones. For a cable transfer, use a compatible data cable and any required OTG adapter.
  4. When the content list appears, select Messages. Select any other content only if you also want it moved.
  5. Start the transfer and respond to prompts on the Motorola and Galaxy. When it finishes, open the messaging app on the Galaxy and check that your conversations appear.

Exact button names and screens can differ by phone model and software version. Samsung advises wireless transfer for large amounts of data or years of messages; a wired transfer depends on cable, adapter, storage, and MTP compatibility. Samsung Smart Switch instructions Samsung’s Android transfer FAQ

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If Smart Switch is not an option

Copy messages during Android setup

If the Galaxy is still being set up, Android’s setup process can copy text messages and multimedia attachments from an old Android phone. Motorola says that if you skipped the copy step, you may be able to resume it from the Android Setup notification. Motorola’s copy-data instructions

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Restore from a Google backup

If you cannot use the Motorola for a direct transfer, check whether it has a recent Google backup and whether the Galaxy will use the same Google account. Motorola says Google backup may include SMS when using Messages, but warns that not all apps back up data automatically. Motorola’s Android 14 backup guide

A backup restore depends on what was actually backed up, so do not assume it contains every conversation, attachment, or app-specific message. Confirm the backup on the Motorola before relying on it where possible.

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Check the Samsung messaging app and transfer result

Samsung says Smart Switch message history transfers to Google Messages on relevant Galaxy devices. After the transfer, check which app is set as the Galaxy’s default SMS app, then open it and inspect several conversations, including any that matter most. Supported content can vary by device, and the available documentation does not guarantee that every message type or attachment will transfer identically. Samsung’s guide to Messages on Galaxy Samsung’s transferable-content guide

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