Samsung Smart Switch is the simplest way to move many kinds of data from an old Galaxy phone to a new one, either wirelessly or with a cable. It does not copy literally everything: synced account data, some app-private or encrypted data, DRM-protected content, and certain other items may need a separate sign-in, backup, or restore. After the transfer, check the new phone and handle those items independently.
Before you transfer
- Open Smart Switch on both phones. Galaxy models generally include the app. If it is missing, install it from a Samsung-supported app source for your device. You can also search for Smart Switch in Settings; menu paths and labels vary by model and software version.
- Charge both phones. Samsung’s US cable-transfer instructions specify at least 20% battery. A full charge is sensible for a large move, since low battery can interrupt a transfer. Wired transfers may prevent the phones from charging while connected.
- Keep the old phone nearby and accessible. Leave it unlocked when prompted. Samsung says Secure Folder content may require you to unlock the old phone during transfer.
- Check the new phone’s available storage. Samsung UK’s instructions, updated May 14, 2026, say both devices need at least 500 MB free for the described workflow; this may vary by device or software version, so treat it as a guide rather than a universal requirement.
- Back up app-specific data separately. Smart Switch does not transfer all private or encrypted app data. Check the app’s current backup and restore instructions before relying on the general phone transfer.
Transfer wirelessly with Smart Switch
- Open Smart Switch on both phones. If needed, find it by searching in Settings or in the app list.
- On the old phone, select Send from this phone, then Wireless.
- On the new phone, select Receive on this phone, choose Galaxy/Android, then Wireless.
- Allow the phones to connect, following any on-screen prompts. Keep them close together. Samsung’s US support flow recommends placing them within 4 inches during setup; this is guidance for that flow, not a universal wireless specification.
- When Smart Switch scans the old phone, choose Everything, select specific categories, or use Custom if offered. Review the list before starting.
- Start the transfer and wait for Smart Switch to finish. Complete any prompts on both phones. An app icon appearing on the new phone does not necessarily mean that the app is ready; it may still need to install or require you to sign in.
Wireless is useful for a long transfer because you can keep both phones on chargers. Samsung says transfer time depends on the amount of data and connection strength; it does not give one duration that applies to every move.
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Transfer with a cable
- Connect the phones with a compatible data cable. Samsung says compatible Android phones with USB-C ports can connect directly using USB-C to USB-C. Other connector combinations may need a USB-OTG adapter.
- Open Smart Switch on both phones. On the old phone, choose Send from this phone > Cable. On the new phone, choose Receive on this phone > Galaxy/Android > Cable.
- Follow the pairing and permission prompts. Let Smart Switch scan the old phone, review the available categories, and select what to transfer.
- Start the transfer and keep the cable connected until Smart Switch reports that it is finished. Samsung warns that disconnecting during a transfer may cause data loss or device damage.
Samsung Support describes wired transfers as the recommended method because they can transfer the most types of data. That does not make cable the best choice for every move: a connected cable may prevent charging, while wireless lets both phones remain on chargers. Choose based on your connection compatibility, battery situation, and the categories Smart Switch offers for your devices.
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What Smart Switch can transfer—and what it may leave behind
For Android-to-Android transfers, Samsung’s US content list includes contacts, calendar or S Planner entries, messages, memos, call logs, clock data, Samsung Pass, Secure Folder, Samsung Internet data, photos and images, music, videos, documents, apps, email, wallpaper, lock screen, radio, and preferences. The list specifies DRM-free music and videos. What appears as transferable depends on the connected devices, and Samsung notes that some categories are limited to Galaxy-to-Galaxy transfers.
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“Everything” means the categories Smart Switch can transfer from those phones, not a byte-for-byte copy of the old device. Samsung lists these limitations and exclusions:
- Synced account data: Smart Switch does not copy data that is synced with accounts. It may appear on the new phone after you sign in to the relevant account.
- Some contacts and calendar items: SIM contacts, contacts from social networks, Google or work email, and externally synced calendar appointments are among the listed exclusions.
- Private app data: Data held in an app’s private storage may not transfer. Samsung UK says secure or encrypted app data, including WhatsApp chats in its general Smart Switch workflow, is not transferred; use that app’s own supported backup or transfer process.
- App access and installation: Some apps may ask for credentials again. Sideloaded apps may need to be downloaded manually, and app availability can differ between operating systems.
- Other excluded content: Samsung lists some push email, live wallpapers, and themes among the items that may not transfer.
- Protected content: DRM-protected content cannot be transferred.
These categories and compatibility can change with the phone model and software version. Check the scan results on your own devices rather than assuming every category listed by Samsung will be available.
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Choose a transfer method
| Method | Best fit | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless Smart Switch | A direct move, especially when you expect it to take a while | No cable or adapter is needed, and both phones can stay on chargers. The phones need to be nearby and able to establish a connection. |
| Cable Smart Switch | A direct connection when you want Samsung’s broadest listed set of transferable data types | You need a compatible cable or, for some connector combinations, an OTG adapter. The cable may prevent charging during the transfer and must remain connected until completion. |
| PC or Mac backup and restore | An intermediate backup or an alternative when a direct phone-to-phone connection is inconvenient | Requires a computer and Samsung’s desktop Smart Switch app; the process has separate backup and restore stages. |
| microSD or USB storage | A staged transfer when both the storage and phone connections are supported | Requires compatible external storage and, where needed, an OTG connection. Not every Galaxy model has a microSD slot, and storage support varies. |
Use a computer or external storage instead
Samsung also documents backing up a Galaxy phone to a PC or Mac with Smart Switch, then restoring that backup to the new phone. This separates the move into two stages and gives you an intermediate backup. Samsung documents backup and restore through microSD or USB OTG storage as well, but availability depends on the phones and storage connections. Use the relevant Smart Switch prompts for your devices; a microSD option will not appear on a model that does not support it.
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Check the new phone after the transfer
- Open the main categories you expected to move—such as Photos, Contacts, Messages, and Calendar—and confirm that the important items are present.
- Sign in to accounts whose data syncs online, then allow time for their content to appear.
- Open important apps. Complete installation and sign-in prompts, and restore private app data using each app’s supported process.
- Check Secure Folder content and any other items that required an unlock or extra approval on the old phone.
- Keep the old phone and its backup until you have verified the data you care about on the new device.
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