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To transfer apps to a new Samsung Galaxy, use Samsung Smart Switch: choose Send on the old phone and Receive on the new Galaxy, select a wireless or cable connection, then choose what to move. Apps can transfer, but Smart Switch does not guarantee that every app’s private data, encrypted chats, or login credentials will come with them. Keep the old phone until you have checked your important apps and accounts.
Before you transfer apps
Check the phones and prepare the accounts you will need before starting:
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- Charge both devices and make sure there is enough free storage on the new Galaxy.
- Samsung UK’s Android-to-Galaxy guide lists at least 500 MB of free internal memory on each phone for the process it describes. Requirements can differ by device and route; check Samsung’s current guidance for your models.
- Have passwords and app-specific migration instructions available, especially for banking, messaging, and apps that store data on their own servers.
- Do not erase or trade in the old phone until you have confirmed that important apps, chats, and accounts work on the Galaxy.
Smart Switch is available on supported devices, but menu names and transfer options vary by model, software, and region. Samsung India lists Android 6.0 or later and iOS 12 or later as phone and tablet requirements on its regional Smart Switch page; check compatibility for your devices and chosen method.
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- Open Smart Switch on both phones. On newer Galaxy devices, you may find it under Settings > Accounts and backup. The new phone may instead show a Bring data from old device option during setup; follow the prompts to choose Receive data.
- On the old phone, choose Send from this phone or Send data. On the new Galaxy, choose Receive on this phone or Receive data, then identify the old phone as a Galaxy or Android device.
- Choose Wireless on both phones and connect them as instructed. Keep the devices close together. For the wireless flow in its US guide, Samsung recommends keeping them within four inches and plugging them into chargers; treat those as recommendations for that flow, not universal technical requirements.
- On the new phone, select the content to transfer, including apps where offered, and start the transfer.
- Leave the phones connected and let the transfer and app installations finish. Some app icons may appear faded until installation is complete.
Smart Switch can show an estimated transfer time, but there is no single duration that applies to every transfer. The amount and type of data, devices, and connection affect the process.
#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
Transfer apps with a cable
A cable is optional; wireless transfer is available. For a wired transfer, connect the phones with a compatible data cable, then use Smart Switch to choose Send on the old phone and Receive on the Galaxy. Select the items to move and follow the prompts. Depending on the models, you may need a USB adapter. Samsung’s UK guide says the USB-C cable supplied with the new phone can be used for its described transfer, but check the ports and compatibility of your particular devices before connecting them.
Samsung lists MTP support as a requirement for wired transfer in its UK compatibility guidance. If the phones do not recognize one another, check cable and adapter compatibility, unlock both devices, and try the wireless route instead.
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.
What Smart Switch moves—and what may not come across
For Android-to-Galaxy transfers, Samsung lists apps alongside items such as photos, documents, contacts, messages, calendar entries, settings, and preferences. The available categories depend on the connected devices, and some content is transferable only between two Galaxy devices. Data synchronized to an online account is not copied by Smart Switch, but may appear on the new phone after you sign in.
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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
In practical terms, expect to open some apps on the Galaxy, sign in again, or follow the app provider’s separate migration steps. Do not treat the presence of an app icon as proof that its account, settings, or history has moved.
Move from an iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy
Smart Switch can transfer selected iPhone content, including contacts, calendars, photos, and documents, depending on the route. It can also recommend Android apps that correspond to iOS apps. The Google Play Store and Apple App Store do not offer identical selections: an iOS app without an Android equivalent will not transfer as an app, so you may need to choose another app or use the service another way. Samsung’s guidance also excludes DRM-protected media from the described transfer.
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.
After moving the eligible content, install or open the recommended Android apps and sign in. For chats or other data inside an iPhone app, check that app’s own migration instructions rather than assuming Smart Switch will carry it over.
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If direct phone-to-phone transfer is not suitable, Samsung documents Smart Switch backup and restore using a Windows PC or Mac, as well as SD card or USB storage workflows on supported devices. Exact options depend on the phone and software. Not every Galaxy has a microSD slot, and an external drive or adapter may be needed for a storage-based workflow. These routes can provide an intermediate backup, but they do not remove app-specific limits on encrypted data, private storage, or credentials.
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.
Fix common app-transfer problems
- An app is missing: Check whether Smart Switch offered it for transfer. Apps unavailable on the new platform, apps outside the Play Store, and apps unsupported by the connected devices may need manual installation or an alternative.
- An app appears faded or will not open: Wait for the transfer and installation to finish, then try opening it again.
- The app opens but data or chats are missing: Check the app provider’s current migration or backup instructions. Smart Switch may not move encrypted content or data held in private app storage.
- You are asked to sign in again: This can be expected; Smart Switch may not transfer app credentials. Use the app’s normal account recovery process if needed.
- The phones will not connect by cable: Confirm that the cable supports data, that the ports match, and whether your device combination needs an adapter. Wireless transfer is an alternative.
For the exact eligible content and current menu labels, consult Samsung UK’s Android-to-Galaxy transfer guide and Samsung US’s Smart Switch content list. For Galaxy-to-Galaxy steps and cable details, see Samsung UK’s Galaxy transfer instructions.
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