Transfer Data To New Samsung Phone With Smart Switch

Want a clean, complete move to your new Galaxy? This step‑by‑step guide shows you exactly how to Transfer Data to a New Samsung Phone (Smart Switch) the right way—faster, safer, and with fewer headaches. We cover Android‑to‑Galaxy, iPhone‑to‑Galaxy, cable vs wireless, PC/Mac backups, app‑by‑app tips, and fixes for common errors so you don’t lose photos, messages, or app data.

What is Smart Switch and when to use it

Samsung Smart Switch is Samsung’s official migration tool for moving your data, apps, and settings to a new Galaxy phone. It supports Android‑to‑Galaxy, iPhone‑to‑Galaxy (with limitations from iOS), and PC/Mac backups and restores. You can connect wirelessly, with a USB‑C cable, or through a computer.

When to use which method?

USB‑C cable: fastest, most reliable, transfers the most data types in one pass.
Wireless (Wi‑Fi Direct): convenient when you don’t have a cable; slightly slower; avoid congested Wi‑Fi.
PC/Mac: when consolidating from multiple devices, doing a full backup, or when direct phone‑to‑phone fails.

What transfers and what doesn’t

Smart Switch can move a lot—but not everything—especially from iOS. Use the table below as a reality check.

Data type	Android → Galaxy	iPhone → Galaxy	Notes
Photos/Videos	Yes	Yes	Prefer cable; large libraries transfer faster via USB or PC.
Contacts/Calendars	Yes	Yes	Syncing via Google is most reliable long‑term.
SMS/MMS	Yes	Partial	iMessage history doesn’t migrate; disable iMessage before switching.
Call logs	Yes	No	Android only.
Apps	Re‑installed from Play Store	Limited	iOS apps don’t carry over; Android apps auto‑install when possible.
App data	Some	No	Depends on each app’s cloud backup; gaming progress often cloud‑based.
WhatsApp chats	Yes (Android→Android)	Yes (iOS→Android)	Follow WhatsApp’s in‑app transfer process on both platforms.
Settings & Home layout	Partially	No	One UI settings restore better from Android.
Secure Folder content	Limited	No	Export outside Secure Folder or back up within it, then re‑import.
Samsung Health	Cloud sync	Cloud sync	Use Samsung account sync for safety.
Wallet/Payments	No	No	Re‑add cards in Samsung Wallet; banks require re‑verification.
eSIM	Carrier‑dependent	Carrier‑dependent	Contact your carrier for eSIM transfer or QR re‑provisioning.

Pre‑migration checklist (save time, avoid errors)

Do these before you start to reduce failures and missing data:

Charge both phones to at least 60% and keep them plugged in.
Update software on both devices (Android/iOS) and the Smart Switch app on Android.
Free up space on the new Galaxy; ensure more free storage than the data you’re moving.
Connect to stable Wi‑Fi (for wireless) or prepare a USB‑C to USB‑C cable (or USB‑A with adapter). For iPhone, use a Lightning to USB‑C cable or Apple’s Lightning to USB‑C adapter.
Sign in to your Google account and Samsung account on the new phone during setup.
Turn off iMessage and FaceTime on your iPhone and deregister iMessage if you’re switching from iOS (details below).
Back up chats inside apps that support it (e.g., WhatsApp, Signal) to ensure nothing is lost if the transfer is interrupted.
Disable VPNs, battery savers, and app‑killers during the transfer; they often break long copy jobs.

Pro tip: If you can, do the first boot of your new Galaxy with Smart Switch during setup. It reduces duplication and ensures permissions are granted correctly.

Method 1: Phone‑to‑phone via USB‑C cable (fastest)

This is the most reliable approach for large photo libraries and app‑heavy users.

On the new Galaxy, begin setup and choose Copy apps & data > Smart Switch. If setup is finished, open the Smart Switch app.
Connect the two phones with a USB‑C to USB‑C cable. If the old phone has USB‑A, use a high‑quality USB‑A to USB‑C cable or Samsung’s USB‑C adapter.
On the old phone, allow access when prompted. Sign in if asked.
Select what to transfer (apps, photos/videos, messages, call logs, settings). Tap Transfer.
Keep screens on and devices unlocked. Avoid phone calls or switching Wi‑Fi during the transfer.
When finished, reboot the new Galaxy. Open the Play Store and let apps auto‑update to the latest versions.

Why cable wins: fewer dropouts, faster throughput, and better success restoring large apps and local media.

Method 2: Phone‑to‑phone over Wi‑Fi (no cable)

Best when you lack a cable or want to move just a few categories.

Install/open Smart Switch on both phones. On the new Galaxy, tap Bring data from old device.
Choose Wireless transfer, then Galaxy/Android as the source.
On the old phone, confirm the connection and allow permissions.
Pick the categories to move. Deselect large items (like 4K videos) if your Wi‑Fi is busy—move them later by cable.
Start the transfer and keep both phones close together on the same Wi‑Fi environment. Avoid streaming or downloads.

Heads‑up: Wireless transfers are more vulnerable to interruptions. If it fails repeatedly, switch to USB‑C or do a PC/Mac backup.

Method 3: Move from iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy

Smart Switch can import most essentials from iOS, but there are iPhone‑specific steps you must do to avoid missing texts.

Before you start

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and turn iMessage off. Also turn off FaceTime.
If you no longer have the iPhone, deregister iMessage online to receive SMS on your new Galaxy.
Have your Apple ID ready to turn off services that could block SMS routing.
Prepare a Lightning to USB‑C cable (or Apple’s adapter) if you plan to use a cable.

iPhone → Galaxy by cable (recommended)

On the new Galaxy, open Smart Switch and choose iPhone/iPad as the source.
Connect the iPhone to the Galaxy with a Lightning to USB‑C cable.
Follow on‑screen prompts to select content (contacts, photos, videos, messages, etc.).
Start transfer. Keep the iPhone unlocked and on the home screen.

iPhone → Galaxy wirelessly

Back up your iPhone data to iCloud.
On the new Galaxy, in Smart Switch, choose iPhone/iPad > Get data from iCloud, then sign in.
Select categories to import and proceed.

Limitations: iOS apps don’t carry over. iMessage history cannot be migrated; disable iMessage to receive SMS on your Galaxy. You’ll need to re‑install apps from the Play Store and sign back in.

Method 4: Using Smart Switch for PC/Mac (backup & restore)

If you prefer a full image‑style backup or need to stage data between devices, the desktop app is ideal.

On your computer, install Smart Switch for PC/Mac from Samsung’s official page (link in resources below).
Connect your old phone via USB and choose Backup. Wait for completion and verify the backup folder size.
Connect the new Galaxy and choose Restore. Pick the latest backup and proceed.
After restore, reboot the phone and open the Play Store to update apps.

When is desktop best? When direct phone‑to‑phone fails, when consolidating multiple sources, or when your Wi‑Fi/cable is unreliable.

Messages and chat apps (SMS, RCS, WhatsApp, Signal)

SMS/MMS: From Android, Smart Switch can copy your messages. From iPhone, only partial SMS may come across; iMessage history won’t. Make sure iMessage is disabled and deregistered if you can’t receive SMS after switching.

RCS: RCS sync is tied to your carrier/Google Messages servers, not the phone. After you insert your SIM/eSIM and sign in to Google Messages, RCS should reactivate. It won’t retroactively bring old RCS chats unless your account/cloud had them backed up as SMS/MMS equivalents.

WhatsApp: Use WhatsApp’s built‑in Transfer to new phone feature on Android‑to‑Android, and Move chats from iPhone to Android for iOS‑to‑Android. Keep both devices on the latest WhatsApp and plugged in.

Other messengers (Signal/Telegram): Signal uses encrypted device‑to‑device transfer on Android and requires your old device; Telegram is cloud‑based and restores after login.

After the transfer: verify, optimize, and secure

Verify everything arrived

Open Gallery/Google Photos and scroll to the oldest items.
Check Contacts (switch to Google account view) and Calendar.
Open Messages and spot‑check threads.
Launch critical apps (banking, 2FA, work apps) and sign in.

Re‑enable security and payments

Set up screen lock, fingerprint, face unlock.
Add cards in Samsung Wallet/Google Wallet anew; payments never transfer.
Set up 2FA properly. If you used Google Authenticator, enable account‑linked sync or export codes from the old phone to the new one.

Optimize battery and performance

After a big migration, indexing and restoring can drain the battery for 24–48 hours. To keep your day smooth, try these proven tips:

Allow the phone to finish syncing while plugged in overnight.
Update all apps from the Play Store and Galaxy Store.
Review background activity for heavy apps and revoke unused permissions.

Want a practical checklist to extend battery life on any Galaxy? Read: Boost Battery Life on One UI: 15 Proven Tweaks.

Troubleshooting: common errors and quick fixes

“Connection lost” or phones won’t pair

Use a different cable (USB‑C to USB‑C if possible) and a different USB port.
Disable VPN, Hotspot, and Battery Saver on both phones.
Reboot both devices; try Airplane mode off and keep Wi‑Fi on for wireless transfer.

Transfer is stuck at X%

Wait a bit—thumbnails and app restore can stall then jump.
Deselect huge video folders and transfer them later by cable or PC.
Clear cache/data for the Smart Switch app and retry.

“Not enough space on destination”

On the new Galaxy, uninstall pre‑loaded apps you don’t need.
Move media to a computer first, then copy back what you want.
Consider a higher‑storage model if your library is very large.

Missing SMS after moving from iPhone

Ensure iMessage is off on iPhone and that you deregistered iMessage online if you no longer have the device.
Ask contacts to delete and re‑create your chat thread; some carriers cache routes.

Apps not appearing or crashing

Open the Play Store > Manage apps & device and install pending updates.
Open Galaxy Store and update Samsung services (Gallery, Keyboard, etc.).
Re‑install the problematic app and sign in; some apps block data restores for security.

WhatsApp chats didn’t transfer

Update WhatsApp on both phones.
Use WhatsApp’s Transfer to new phone flow (Android), or the Move chats to Android flow (iPhone).
Keep both phones unlocked, connected, and plugged in.

eSIM and network issues

Contact your carrier to re‑provision eSIM with a new QR code or transfer via their app.
After activation, toggle Airplane mode and reboot to refresh RCS and VoLTE.

FAQs

Is USB‑C always better than wireless?

For large transfers, yes. USB‑C is faster and more stable, reducing the risk of partial copies or restarts.

Can Smart Switch move Secure Folder content?

Not directly. Export items outside Secure Folder or use in‑app backup within Secure Folder on the old device, then re‑import on the new device.

Will my home screen and One UI settings move?

Partially from Android. Expect to re‑organize some widgets and set default apps again.

How do I keep my photos safe long‑term?

Enable cloud backup (Google Photos, OneDrive, or your preferred service). Cloud copies protect against device loss and make future switches easier.

How long does the whole process take?

Anywhere from 10 minutes to several hours depending on your cable speed, Wi‑Fi quality, and how much media you have.

Official resources and tools

Final tip: Once your data is settled and syncing calms down, fine‑tune your new Galaxy for endurance and speed. If the phone feels warm or battery dips faster the first day, it’s normal while indexing and restoring. Use our practical tweaks to keep it smooth: Boost Battery Life on One UI: 15 Proven Tweaks.

Transfer Data to New Samsung Phone with Smart Switch

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