How to use Samsung Smart Switch to transfer data between phones

There are a couple of things you should be aware of before you start using Samsung Smart Switch to transfer content from your old smartphone to the new Samsung device. The very first requirement is that Samsung Smart Switch only works for transferring data to Samsung devices. You cannot, for example, use this tool to transfer data from, say, a Samsung device to a OnePlus device.

Wirelessly transferring content from one smartphone to another is no longer as daunting as it once used to be. It is almost as fast as doing the task using a cable. This is, therefore, our preferred mode of device-to-device content transfer. Now, depending on the smartphone model you own (and the OS it runs), let us take a look at how to use Samsung Smart Switch to wirelessly transfer content.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Accounts and backup.
3. Tap Bring data from old device under the Smart Switch section.
4. You will see a prompt to download the Smart Switch app.
5. Proceed with the on-screen instructions and download the app.
6. Once the app is installed, grant the necessary permissions.

Once you have ensured that Samsung Smart Switch is installed on both phones, open the app on both devices. You will see a screen that says Bring data to your new phone (or Let’s Go). Make sure that both the devices are physically close to each other.

1. On the old phone, tap Send data/Let’s go.
2. You will now be asked to choose how you want to connect the two devices. Choose Wireless.
3. On the old phone, you will get a pop-up screen called Invitation to connect. Tap Accept. 
4. The new phone will now attempt to connect to your old phone. You will see a prompt on the old phone to allow the connection. Tap on Allow.
5. The connection will be established immediately.

• The new phone will now show you the things you can select to transfer. This screen will also show the estimated space the transferred data shall take up on your new phone, along with the time it will take to complete the transfer.
• The app also lets you fine-tune what you import from your old phone. For example, if you tap on the arrow next to each option, you will see a sub-menu of what to import. If you tap on the arrow next to Messages, as an example, you can select if you want to import all the SMS stored on the phone or the ones from a selected time period. You can also do this for images and videos and select only the ones you need on your new phone.
• Once you have made sure of everything, scroll down on the new phone and tap Transfer.
• Once the transfer is complete, click Done on your new phone.

While the wireless method to transfer content is the easiest way to use Smart Switch, there may be circumstances you will need to use a cable to do this. Here’s how you can transfer content from an Android phone to a Samsung phone using cables.

Things needed: USB Cable, OTG Adapter.
Note: If you have a  Lightning to USB-C or USB-C to USB-C cable, you won’t need an adapter.

In case you are moving to a Samsung device from an iPhone, Samsung recommends that you use a cable to achieve this. To do this, you will need to get hold of a Lightning to USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-C cable (with an adapter) to continue. Here’s how you can start the process.

The second option (ex) iPhone users have to transfer data to a new Samsung device is to use iCloud to do this. Do note, however, that iCloud does not back up as many things as the cable method lets you. Use this as the second option.

1. Open Smart Switch on the new Samsung device.
2. Tap on Receive data and then select iPhone/iPad.
3. Tap on the option that says Get data from iCloud instead at the bottom.
4. Enter your iCloud and AppleID credentials and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. You may be asked to enter your verification code. Tap OK.
6. Select everything you want to import from the iPhone and tap Import.

In case you have a high-capacity USB flash drive or a microSD card, you can use these to transfer data from your old Android phone to the new Samsung phone. For the SD card option to work, both devices should feature a microSD card slot.

The good thing about Samsung Smart Switch is that it allows you to transfer content from really old/outdated platforms like Windows Phones. Here’s how you can do that.

The Samsung migration tool does not transfer everything between devices. The type of contents Smart Switch can transfer to your new Samsung Galaxy phone will depend on the type of phone you are migrating from:

From an Android phone:

• Contacts, schedules, messages, call history, clock settings.
• Images.
• Music (DRM-free only).
• Videos (DRM-free only).
• Documents.
• Applications.
• Most app settings.

From iOS using a cable:

• Contacts, schedules, messages, notes, call history, browser bookmarks.
• Images.
• Music (DRM-free only).
• Videos (DRM-free only).
• Documents.
• Wi-Fi and alarm settings.

From iOS using iCloud:

• Contacts, schedules, notes, call history, browser bookmarks.
• Images.
• Videos (DRM-free only).
• Documents.
• Wi-Fi and alarm settings.

• Contacts saved only on the SIM card.
• Accounts from Google, social media, and work email.
• Appointments synced with external accounts.
• Private application data.
• Some restricted e-mails (Social Hub, premium accounts, and others).
• Live wallpapers and themes.

Well, that pretty much sums up our steps for transferring content from your old smartphone to your new Samsung phone using Samsung Smart Switch. Have you used SmartSwitch to achieve this? How has your experience been? Do let us know in the comments below!