Use Samsung Smart Switch to copy supported content from an old Android phone or iPhone to a Galaxy Z Fold8. The easiest time is during the Fold8’s initial setup, but if you skipped that step, Samsung also supports transferring data later through Settings without resetting the phone. You can connect wirelessly or use a compatible USB data cable; after the transfer, check your important files and messages and sign in to accounts and apps that need it.
Before you start
Charge both phones and keep them close together. Decide whether you will transfer wirelessly or with a cable, and keep the old phone available until you have checked the results on the Fold8. Smart Switch can offer categories such as contacts, photos, videos, messages, apps, settings, and calendars, but the content available depends on the connected device. Samsung’s Smart Switch content guide describes supported categories and notes that availability can vary.
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- For wireless transfer: Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network. Samsung also recommends enabling Bluetooth on the old phone to help the new Galaxy find it. Keep the phones near one another and follow the pairing instructions that appear.
- For a wired transfer: Use a compatible, data-capable USB cable. The connector you need depends on the two phones. A cable is optional; wireless transfer is also supported.
- For either route: Follow the connection prompts shown on the phones. The available choices and category names can differ with the source device, software version, and settings.
- Before choosing categories: Think about what you most need to bring over, such as recent photos, important conversations, contacts, or calendars. The transfer screen shows the choices available for your devices; it does not promise that every item or every app’s internal information can move.
Smart Switch is Samsung’s main supported route for moving supported phone data to a new Galaxy. It is useful for the categories the connected phones make available, while account sign-in and individual app restore processes handle some other information. Treat the transfer as one part of changing phones: keep the old device until you have checked the data that matters and can access the accounts and services you use.
Transfer during the Fold8’s initial setup
If you have not finished setting up the Fold8, use the copy or transfer option when it appears and choose Smart Switch. This is the simplest path because the transfer is part of setting up the new phone. The exact wording and screens can vary, so follow the prompts on your devices rather than looking for one universal sequence.
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- 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.
- Start the Fold8’s initial setup and continue until it offers a way to copy or transfer data.
- Choose Smart Switch and select the old phone’s platform when prompted: Galaxy or Android, or iPhone or iPad.
- Choose a wireless connection or a compatible USB cable, then follow the on-screen instructions to connect the phones. If using wireless, put both devices on the same Wi-Fi network and enable Bluetooth on the old phone as Samsung recommends.
- Choose the data categories the Fold8 offers. Select everything if you want all offered categories, choose a limited communication-data option if that is what you need, or use Custom to select categories individually. Read the actual list before confirming because options can differ by source device and settings.
- Keep the phones connected until Smart Switch says the transfer is complete. Then review key items on the Fold8 and sign in to services that need account access.
“Everything” means the categories the transfer screen offers for your connected devices, not necessarily every file, app, credential, or piece of app-specific data on the old phone. If you want to limit the transfer, Custom lets you choose from the displayed categories. A limited communication-data option may also appear; its exact contents depend on what the device presents, so check the screen rather than assuming a fixed list.
Do not close out of the transfer simply because you see some items appear on the Fold8. Keep both phones connected until the process finishes, then review a sample of the important content. The old phone remains useful for checking an item that did not appear, signing in to an account, or accessing an app’s own restore instructions.
Transfer after the Fold8 is set up
You do not have to erase or reset the Fold8 if you skipped migration during setup. Samsung’s post-setup transfer guide gives this route: on the Fold8, open Settings > Accounts and backup > Transfer data for device setup.
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- Choose Receive on this phone, then select Galaxy or Android device or iPhone or iPad, as appropriate.
- Choose wireless or cable transfer and follow the connection prompt. Samsung describes a QR-assisted connection for the wireless post-setup flow; use the QR code and prompts displayed on your devices.
- Review the available categories and select everything offered, a limited communication-data option, or Custom, depending on what you want and what the screen provides.
- Leave the phones connected until the transfer completes, then check important content and complete any required sign-ins.
This later route is useful if you initially set up the Fold8 without the old phone nearby, chose not to transfer at the time, or simply want to start the move afterward. It is not necessary to factory-reset the new phone to use Samsung’s post-setup transfer option. The route and category choices may still vary with the old phone and software version.
The category list is not a guarantee that every item on the old phone will move. Samsung says supported content varies by the connected device, and the prompts may differ by device, software version, and settings. If an item is not on the list, it may need to be accessed through a synced account or the service that stores it rather than through Smart Switch.
Choose wireless, cable, or account restore
| Route | What you need | What it does | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Smart Switch | Both phones nearby and connected to the same Wi-Fi network; Bluetooth enabled on the old phone is recommended by Samsung. | Connects the phones through the on-screen pairing flow. Samsung’s post-setup instructions describe QR-assisted connection. | When you do not want to connect the phones with a cable and both can use the wireless prompts. |
| USB cable with Smart Switch | A compatible, data-capable cable; the required connector depends on the phones. | Connects the phones by cable for a Smart Switch transfer. | When you have a suitable cable and prefer a wired connection. |
| Account or cloud sign-in | Access to the relevant account and any files or information stored with that service. | Restores or gives access to supported synced information and stored files; it complements rather than replaces Smart Switch. | When information is already synced to an account or stored in a cloud service. |
Choose between wireless and cable based on the route your phones support and the connection you can use. Wireless avoids needing a cable, but requires the phones to connect through the on-screen process; for the wireless route, use the same Wi-Fi network and Bluetooth recommendation described above. A cable is an alternative if you already have a compatible data-capable one. The correct connector depends on the two phones, and a cable intended only for charging is not suitable for a data transfer.
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.
There is no requirement to buy a cable if you prefer wireless transfer. If you choose wired transfer and do not already have a compatible data cable, check the connector and data capability needed for your devices before buying one. Samsung Smart Switch is software, not a physical product needed for purchase.
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Signing in to the same Google or Samsung account can restore supported synced information. Samsung also names Microsoft OneDrive, Dropbox, and Google Drive as examples where signing in gives access to stored files. That is account or cloud access, not proof that Smart Switch copied every file or app’s internal data. A cloud service may make files available after you sign in, but it is a separate path from the phone-to-phone Smart Switch transfer.
What transfers—and what may need another step
Photos, videos, contacts, messages, and calendars
These are among the categories Smart Switch can offer, along with settings and apps. Check the category selection before starting, and review the result on the Fold8 afterward. If something is absent from the transfer options, or does not appear after completion, check whether it is synced to an account or stored in a service you can access by signing in.
For photos and videos, open several examples on the Fold8 after the transfer, especially files you rely on. For messages and contacts, check key conversations and entries rather than assuming that seeing a completion notice confirms each one. Calendars and settings may also be available categories, but their availability can depend on the connected device. The phone’s own selection screen is the guide to what Smart Switch is offering in that transfer.
Apps are not the same as app data
Smart Switch may transfer apps, but that does not guarantee that every app will be available on the Fold8, that its private data will come across intact, or that its subscription and login state will carry over. App availability differs between Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Plan to reinstall apps that are missing and sign in again where needed. For important app-specific information, check whether the app publisher provides its own account sync or restore process.
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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11An app appearing on the new phone does not establish that its stored content, preferences, subscription, or active login has also moved. Conversely, information linked to an account may become available after signing into that service even if it was not copied as app data by Smart Switch. Keep these outcomes separate when checking your migration: verify that the app is present, open it, and follow the app’s own sign-in or restore steps if needed.
Rank #3
- 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.
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Passwords and iPhone-specific limits
Samsung’s iPhone-to-Galaxy guide, updated February 23, 2026, says Apple Keychain passwords are not transferred through Smart Switch and that Apple-owned apps may need to be downloaded again on Android. A later Samsung Global Newsroom announcement describes an iOS-to-Galaxy workflow that can move passwords and passkeys, but only with One UI 9, Android 17 or later, iOS 26.6 or later, and in regions outside mainland China. Do not assume that newer option is available on every phone or in every region: check whether your devices meet those requirements and whether the option appears in their transfer screens. The iPhone-specific instructions are at Samsung Support Ireland; the conditional workflow is described in Samsung’s Global Newsroom announcement dated August 25, 2026.
That newer password-and-passkey capability is conditional, not a general promise about Smart Switch. Its listed software versions and regional limitation matter, and the transfer option must be available on the devices in question. Follow the requirements and prompts shown on your own phones. If the option is absent or a password does not transfer, expect to use the relevant sign-in or password-recovery process for that service.
After Smart Switch finishes
Do not treat the completion message as a substitute for checking the information you rely on. Review these items on the Fold8:
- Open several recent and important photos and videos.
- Check that key conversations and contacts are present.
- Look for the apps you use most, then reinstall or sign in to any that need attention.
- Sign in to Google, Samsung, or other relevant accounts to restore supported synced information or access cloud files.
- Reauthenticate services or restore app-specific information where required.
If a category was not offered, or an item is missing, first check whether it is available through an account or cloud service you used on the old phone. For apps, check the publisher’s own guidance: Smart Switch category support does not establish that an app’s private data or login credentials moved.
It is sensible to leave the old phone available until you have checked the information you consider important and confirmed that you can sign in to your accounts. Smart Switch and account restore have different roles: Smart Switch moves supported categories from the connected phone; signing in can restore supported synced information or provide access to files stored with a service; individual apps may have their own restore steps. If one path does not provide an item, check the others rather than assuming the data is gone or that a second Smart Switch transfer will include app-private information.
Common decisions and limits
You already finished setup
Use Settings > Accounts and backup > Transfer data for device setup and choose Receive on this phone. Samsung supports this later route without resetting the Fold8.
Rank #4
- 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.
You are moving from an iPhone
Choose iPhone or iPad on the Fold8 and follow the connection prompts. Check what Smart Switch actually offers for your devices; do not assume iPhone apps, Apple-owned apps, Keychain passwords, or app-private data will all transfer. The newer password-and-passkey workflow has the version and regional requirements described above.
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You are unsure what to select
Choose Everything only if you want the offered categories. Otherwise select Custom or the limited communication-data option if available. The contents of those choices can vary, so review the actual list before confirming. If you have a particular item in mind, look for its category on the screen and verify the result after the transfer.
You do not have a cable
You can use wireless transfer instead. Put both phones on the same Wi-Fi network, keep them close, enable Bluetooth on the old phone as Samsung recommends, and follow the pairing flow. A cable is not a required purchase for Smart Switch.
You want to know whether an item was copied or restored
Check how you access it. An item offered as a Smart Switch category is part of the phone-to-phone transfer route. Information that appears after signing in to Google, Samsung, OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, or an individual app may be restored or accessed through that account or service instead. These routes can complement each other, but one does not guarantee that the other transferred the same data.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Smart Switch does
Samsung describes Smart Switch as its data transfer app for moving contacts, photos, videos, messages, apps, settings, and more from an Android or iOS device to a new Galaxy. The practical boundary is important: it moves supported content that your connected devices offer, while account sync, app availability, private app data, passwords, and sign-in status may require separate steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I transfer everything from my old phone to a new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
During initial setup, choose the copy or transfer option, select Smart Switch, choose the old phone’s platform, connect by wireless or a compatible USB cable, and select the categories offered. “Everything” means all categories shown for your connected devices; it does not guarantee that every app, password, or piece of private app data will move. Keep the phones connected until completion, then review important items and sign in where needed.
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Can I transfer photos and text messages after I have set up the Fold8?
Yes. Samsung supports a post-setup transfer without resetting the Fold8. Open Settings > Accounts and backup > Transfer data for device setup, choose Receive on this phone, select the old phone’s platform, connect the devices, and choose the available categories. The exact list varies by connected device, software, and settings.
Will Smart Switch move my apps from iPhone to Galaxy?
Smart Switch may offer apps, but availability differs between Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Do not assume every iPhone app will be available on Android or that app-private data, subscriptions, or login status will transfer. Apple-owned apps may need to be downloaded again, and app-specific information may require the publisher’s own restore process.
Do I need to buy a USB cable to use Smart Switch?
No. Samsung supports wireless transfer as well as cable transfer. If you choose wired transfer, use a compatible, data-capable cable; the connector depends on the two phones. For wireless transfer, connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network, keep them nearby, enable Bluetooth on the old phone as recommended, and follow the pairing prompts.
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Samsung’s iPhone-to-Galaxy Smart Switch guide says Apple Keychain passwords are not transferred and Apple-owned apps may need to be downloaded again. Samsung has also described a newer workflow for passwords and passkeys, but it requires One UI 9, Android 17 or later, iOS 26.6 or later, and a region outside mainland China. Check the requirements and transfer options on your devices; do not assume the newer workflow is available.
What should I do if something is missing after the transfer?
Check whether the item was offered in the Smart Switch category list. Then look for supported synced information or stored files by signing in to the relevant Google, Samsung, or cloud account, or check whether the app publisher offers its own restore process. Smart Switch support for an app category does not guarantee that the app’s internal data or credentials moved.
The Bottom Line
Use Smart Switch during initial setup for the simplest migration, or open Settings > Accounts and backup > Transfer data for device setup to transfer later without resetting the Galaxy Z Fold8. Choose wireless or a compatible data cable, select from the categories your phones actually offer, and verify your photos, messages, contacts, apps, and account access afterward. Supported content varies, and apps, passwords, and private app data may need separate sign-in or restore steps.
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