Transfer content from an Android phone with Smart Switch

Last Update date : Aug 06. 2020
Transfer content from an Android phone with Smart Switch

It's something we all fear: losing our precious files when we get a new phone or device. Luckily, the Smart Switch app makes it easy to transfer content from your Android phone to another phone. You can even create a backup on a computer that you can use later in case of an emergency, like if you break your phone.

Information provided applies to devices sold in Canada. Available screens and settings may vary for smartphones sold in other countries.

You can transfer many different types of files using Smart Switch. However, some can only be transferred between two Galaxy phones.

  • Personal content: Contacts, S Planner, Messages, Memo, Call logs, Clock, and Internet.

  • App data: Images, Music (DRM free content only), Videos (DRM free content only), Documents, Story Album, and Applications.

  • Settings, etc: Email, Wallpaper, Lock screen, Radio, and Preferences.

A wireless transfer is usually most people's preferred way to copy data to a new phone because it's fast and lets you keep the phones plugged into their chargers during the transfer.

1 First, make sure the Smart Switch app is installed on both phones, and plug them into their chargers.
2 When you're ready, place the phones within 4 inches (10 cm) of each other. Launch Smart Switch on both phones.
3 Tap Send data on the old phone, tap Receive data on the new phone, and then tap Wireless on both phones.
4 On your new phone, select the type of your old phone (Galaxy, iPhone, etc.).
5 Follow any on-screen instructions; some devices may have additional steps.
6 Next, complete the connection by tapping Allow on the old phone.
7 On your new phone, choose the content you want to move, and then tap Transfer.
On your new phone, choose the content you want to move, and then tap Transfer.
8 Once the transfer is complete, tap Done on the new phone, and then tap Close on the old phone. Now you're good to go.

If you don't want to transfer your files right now but would like to create a backup that you can use later, you can make one using Smart Switch and a computer.

Create a backup on a computer

First, make sure Smart Switch is installed on both your phone and computer. Connect your phone to your computer using a USB cable, and then tap Allow on your phone. Next, navigate to and open Smart Switch on your computer, and then click Backup. Your computer will automatically start backing up your phone's data, which may take several minutes. When it's done, a screen will appear informing you it's complete. Click OK.

When you back up your old phone's content on a PC or Mac, the files are automatically stored in a default location (unless you've chosen a different location). Here are the default locations, so you'll know where everything is stored:

  • Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Samsung\Smart Switch PC

  • Windows 10: C:\Users\[username]\Documents\Samsung\SmartSwitch

  • Mac OS X: /Users/[username]/Documents/Samsung/SmartSwitch/backup

Here's another way to get content from your computer onto a new Galaxy phone - you can synchronize data on your phone with your computer. Syncing ensures you have the same content on your PC or Mac and your phone.

Sync your data with a computer

On a PC, open Smart Switch, and then click Outlook Sync. If you are not already logged into your account, sign in with your Microsoft Outlook credentials. Next, click Sync Preferences for Outlook, select what you want to sync, and then click OK. Click Sync Now, and then click Confirm when finished.

On a Mac, open Smart Switch, and then click Sync. Choose specific content to sync from your computer, and then click Sync Now. When syncing is complete, click Confirm.

Thank you for your feedback!

The coding for Contact US > Call > View more function. And this text is only displayed on the editor page, please do not delet this component from Support Home. Thank you