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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesKeep a Galaxy handoff simple by making three decisions first: whose accounts will be on the phone, whether anything needs to move from an old phone, and whether this is a child’s phone that needs supervision. Then follow the on-screen setup, check the important data, and leave the old phone untouched until its owner confirms the new one is ready.
Make three decisions before setup
Whose accounts belong on the phone?
For an adult relative, use that person’s own Google and Samsung accounts, not the helper’s. Google says transferred information is associated with the Google Account selected, and a primary account can be associated with data such as apps and passwords. Account choice affects whose services and personal information the phone uses.
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Does anything need to come from an old phone?
If the old phone is available, you can use Samsung Smart Switch during Galaxy setup. If it is not available, you may be able to restore from a Google backup; the account and password used for that backup are needed. Decide what the owner actually wants to bring over rather than assuming the new phone must be an exact copy.
Is this a child’s phone?
Use a child-specific Google Account and its supervision setup for a child. For an adult, parental controls are not a default setup step: ask what help the owner wants and keep the phone under their account and control.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
Prepare both phones
- Charge the old and new phones and connect them to Wi-Fi.
- Have the old phone’s screen-lock PIN, pattern, or password available; transfer setup may ask for it.
- Confirm which Google Account should hold the transferred information. For a backup restore without the old phone, have the backup account’s password ready.
- Keep the old device intact until the family member has checked what arrived on the Galaxy.
Google notes that setup steps may vary by device. Menus, available transfer data, and timing can also differ with the phone and its configuration.
Transfer data to the new Galaxy
When the old Android phone is available
- Turn on the new Galaxy and follow its setup screens. In Samsung Canada’s documented flow, choose setup with a Galaxy or Android device.
- Pair the phones as prompted. In that flow, the new Galaxy displays a QR code for the old phone to scan.
- Verify the connection using the old phone’s screen-lock credential if requested.
- Open Smart Switch on the old phone and grant the permissions it requests.
- Choose wireless or wired transfer, then select “Everything,” “Calls, Contacts, and Messages,” or “Custom,” depending on what the owner wants to move.
- Allow the transfer to finish before continuing. Samsung asks users to allow time for the process; Google says transfers can take minutes to hours depending on storage and device conditions.
Exact labels and prompts can change. Samsung’s New Galaxy Setup guide shows the Galaxy-specific Smart Switch flow.
Rank #2
- 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.
Choose cable or wireless
Both wired and wireless transfer are documented options. A cable is optional, not a requirement: use a compatible data-transfer cable if one already connects the two phones. Samsung’s depicted wired flow uses the included USB-C charging cable; Google notes that the cable must fit both devices and that an adapter may be needed. If the available cable will not connect them or does not support data transfer, wireless avoids buying an adapter.
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One-click scans. No signup required.
When the old phone is unavailable
Connect the Galaxy to Wi-Fi, sign in with the Google Account used for the backup, and follow the restore prompts. Google’s switch-to-Android instructions describe restoring from a backup. A restore depends on there being a usable backup associated with that account.
Rank #3
- 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
What may not transfer
Migration is not a perfect clone. Google’s general Android transfer guidance lists apps and some app data, music, photos, videos, contacts, messages, call history, and some settings among items that may copy. It also lists items that may not: downloads such as PDFs, media in hidden folders, apps installed outside Google Play, unsupported app data, some data from non-Google accounts, ringtones, and certain settings. This is general Android guidance, not a complete Samsung-specific compatibility list; check critical apps individually after setup.
Sign in and finish the handoff
- Sign in with the family member’s own Google Account and, if they use one, their own Samsung account. Do not leave the helper’s account as the owner of the phone’s personal data and services.
- Complete any remaining setup prompts, then check contacts, text messages, photos, videos, messaging apps, and important files with the owner.
- Update the phone and install only the apps the family member needs.
- Show them the basics they will use: unlocking the phone, answering calls, changing volume, and opening Settings.
- Erase, trade in, recycle, or give away the old phone only after the owner confirms that the important data is present on the Galaxy.
Google’s Android copy guide and switch guide describe transfer limitations and advise checking the copied data before clearing the old device.
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.
Set up a Galaxy for a child
Use the child’s supervised Google Account
During setup, sign in with the child’s Google Account and complete the parent verification prompts. Google lists Family Link controls that can include Search filters, Play controls, Chrome restrictions, screen-time limits, location on GPS-enabled devices, app limits, and app blocking. Which controls are available depends on the device; Google’s child sign-in instructions explain the account setup.
Consider Samsung family controls where available
Samsung UK describes an additional Galaxy route at Settings > Samsung account > Family. Its options include web-access choices, app and game age ratings, downloads and purchases, and a Family Link area for daily limits, downtime, app limits, and content restrictions after parental controls are set up. Samsung says its Samsung parental controls for child accounts require One UI 6.1 or higher. The instructions are region-specific, so check the Galaxy model, software version, country, and actual menu labels before following the path.
Best Value
- 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.
Family Link settings do not automatically cover every profile on a shared phone. Google says other user profiles without the supervised child’s account signed in are outside those settings, and whether multiple profiles are supported depends on the device.
Quick Recap
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