Use Samsung Smart Switch to copy data directly from your old Android phone to the Galaxy S26 FE, either wirelessly or with a cable. If the old phone is unavailable, restore a Google backup during setup instead. Check your messages, photos, contacts, and other important data on the S26 FE before you erase or give away the old phone.
Before you start
- Charge both phones and check that each has at least 500 MB of free internal storage, as Samsung requires for Smart Switch transfers. Samsung UK Support states this minimum in its Android-to-Galaxy Smart Switch guidance; the Google Play Smart Switch listing also gives the same requirement.
- For wireless transfer, connect both phones to a stable Wi-Fi network. Keep them near each other while the transfer runs.
- For a cable transfer, the old phone must offer the USB setting “Transferring media files (MTP).” Samsung says to use the USB-C connector supplied with the S26 FE.
- Both Android phones must run Android 6.0 or later for Smart Switch wired or wireless transfers, according to Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE support information.
Smart Switch may already be available on the S26 FE through Settings or Galaxy Store. If it is missing on a non-Galaxy source phone, Samsung directs users to install it from Google Play. Available content can vary by transfer method.
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Transfer directly with Smart Switch
- On the Galaxy S26 FE, open Settings > Accounts and backup > Smart Switch > Bring data from old device.
- Tap Receive data, choose Galaxy/Android, then select Wireless or Cable.
- For wireless, follow the prompts on both phones and keep the devices close together. For cable, connect the phones using the USB-C connector supplied with the S26 FE, then follow the on-screen prompts.
- Choose the available data categories you want to copy. The S26 FE displays transfer progress; Samsung says the time depends on the amount of data and connection strength, so there is no dependable universal time estimate.
Samsung also documents a Smart Switch route using a PC or Mac: back up the old phone to the computer, then restore that backup to the Galaxy. Use this option if you have a computer available and prefer not to connect the phones directly.
What Smart Switch can copy—and what needs separate attention
Samsung’s Smart Switch listing names contacts, on-device calendar entries, messages, photos, DRM-free music and videos, call logs, memos, alarms, Wi-Fi information, wallpapers, and documents among the transferable content. App data and home-screen layout transfer are limited to Galaxy devices, and compatibility can prevent an app from installing or working on a particular phone.
#1 Best Overall
- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
Smart Switch is not a complete clone of the old phone. Samsung says most app data transfers, but secure or encrypted information such as WhatsApp chats does not move through Smart Switch. Some apps keep data on their own servers, require you to sign in again, or need manual installation if they came from outside Play Store. Banking apps may not carry login details.
For WhatsApp, use its own transfer or backup process rather than expecting Smart Switch to copy encrypted chats. Google separately documents that WhatsApp chats and data can be transferred from an old device through its device-copy process. For any important private or encrypted app data, follow that app’s migration instructions and confirm the information appears on the S26 FE.
Rank #2
- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
If the old phone is unavailable, restore a Google backup
If you cannot use the old phone, Google’s Android setup flow can restore data from an available Google backup. You will need the Google Account and password associated with that backup.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Start setting up the Galaxy S26 FE and choose the option to skip setup using another device.
- Connect the S26 FE to Wi-Fi and sign in to the Google Account used for the backup.
- Choose the available backup and select the apps and data to restore, then continue through setup.
Contacts saved to your Google Account appear after you sign in. Supported music services sync after you install their apps and sign in. What can be restored depends on what was included in the available backup and on app support.
Rank #3
- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
Which transfer route should you choose?
| Route | Choose it when | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Smart Switch | Both phones are available and you have a stable wireless connection. | Keep the phones near each other. No extra cable is needed. |
| Cable Smart Switch | Both phones are available and the old phone supports USB MTP transfer. | Samsung says to use the USB-C connector supplied with the S26 FE. The source phone must support “Transferring media files (MTP).” |
| PC/Mac Smart Switch backup and restore | You have a computer and want to move data through a computer backup. | Back up the old phone to the computer, then restore that backup to the S26 FE. |
| Google backup restore | The old phone is unavailable but an applicable Google backup exists. | You need the Google Account and password used for the backup; restore during setup. |
Samsung does not publish a universal speed ranking for wireless versus cable transfer. The better choice depends on your devices, available connection, and whether you have a computer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verify the transfer before wiping the old phone
Open the new phone and check the information you care about—especially contacts, photos, messages, and app-specific data. Sign in to apps that require it and make sure their content is present. Google advises clearing the old phone only after confirming that the data copied over. Do not factory-reset it or hand it to someone else until you have completed those checks.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
Rank #4
- LAUNCH BUNDLE: Get an Amazon Gift Card when you buy Galaxy S26 FE. Select Gift Card bundle variation for redemption. Available until 9/20.
- PERFECTLY IN FRAME: Filming your little one at the park or your favorite idol in the parking lot? With My FanCam,¹ your Galaxy S26 FE can then create a video so the person you want is always centered in the video.
- SMOOTH VIDEOS WITHOUT A GIMBAL: Capture fast-paced action on the go using Super Steady Video with Horizontal Lock that keeps your camera frame anchored to the horizon so your footage looks straight and smooth every time.²
- LONG BATTERY LIFE. SHORT CHARGE TIMES. Busy day? No worries. Galaxy S26 FE is built with a powerful 4,900mAh battery that’s ready to go the distance.³ And when you need to top it off, 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0⁴ gets you back in action.
- FAST, SMART AND POWERFUL FOR YOUR EVERYDAY: You shouldn’t feel like your phone’s holding you back. Galaxy S26 FE speeds things up with a flagship-level chipset⁵ that keeps your day moving.
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