FAQ

Smart Switch PC or Mac

With Smart Switch PC installed on your PC or Mac, you can do the following tasks:

  1. Back up data from your previous Samsung device to PC, and restore the data to your new Samsung device.
  2. Restore iTunes backup data to your new Samsung device.
  3. Prompt you to update your device's software and display options for updates.
  4. For Windows PC, display Outlook Sync menu and let you sync Outlook data on your Windows PC to your phone. For Mac, display Sync menu and let you sync contact/calendar data on your Mac to your phone

Download and install the Smart Switch software for Mac or PC.

  • Note: If you're installing Smart Switch on a Mac computer - make sure to uninstall Android File Transfer if you have installed this Google app on your computer. Smart Switch will not open or run on the same machine if they're both installed.

 Use a compatible USB cable to connect your phone or tablet to the computer.

  • Note: Not all USB Cables are created equal! Some USB cables are only capable of charging a device, not transmitting information. The original Samsung cable that came with your device will be a Data capable USB cable.

 

Smart Switch might take a minute to read the contents of your device, depending on how much is saved on your phone or tablet.

Select ‘Backup’ from the options available on the computer screen.

  • Note: You can choose to select Check Encryption Settings if you would like to encrypt your backup so that no one can read the information off your computer. You'll need to set a PIN on your mobile device. 

 

Select ALLOW on the mobile device screen, to allow the Smart Switch software to read the contents of your device.

 

Wait for the backup to complete.

 

When finished, Smart Switch will show you a list of items it has successfully backed up. There may be items that are "excluded" which usually means that there was no content under that category to save.

  • Note: You can access Music and Photos from the backup location inside the folder at:
  • Windows: C:\Users\*your PC user id*\Documents\Samsung\SmartSwitch\backup\*device model number*

 

Windows PC MAC
Windows OS 10 or later.
If Microsoft Media Feature Pack is not installed on your pc, download it form here
macOS X 10.9 or later

By default, Smart Switch doesn’t back up emails.

To back up emails, enable backup encryption on Smart Switch PC or Mac.

  1. Click on "Check Encryption settings" option which appears on Smart Switch
  2. Check "Encrypt data backup" to encrypt your future backups.

If you are experiencing issues when launching Smart Switch on your PC, it may be because the Microsoft Visual C++ redistribution package is not being installed. To resolve this, follow the below steps:

  1. Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ redistribution package from this link.
  2. Open Smart Switch on your PC and follow the instructions to back up your data.

 

Notes:

  • *iOS, iMessage,  iPhone, iPad, iTunes and Mac are trademarks of Apple Inc. Smart Switch is not endorsed by Apple Inc.
  • *Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. Smart Switch is not endorsed by Windows.

No, you do not need to uninstall the old version of the Smart Switch software from your computer (Windows PC or Mac). Simply download and install the new version of Smart Switch software for your respective computer.

  1. Install and click the PC or Mac version of Smart Switch on your computer.
  2. Click on "Check Encryption settings" option which appears on Smart Switch window
  3. Check "Encrypt data backup" to encrypt your selected data content items before initiating backup.

By default, all data content items will be backed up (except e-mails). To select the content to be backed up, simply:

  1. Install and then click open Smart Switch software on your PC or Mac computer.
  2. Go to More > Preferences> Backup Items and select only items you wish to transfer from your Samsung device to the PC or Mac computer.

You can copy your content stored on your PC to your Samsung device by following the below steps:

Connect your compatible Samsung device to your PC using a compatible USB cable.

  1. Once your Samsung device is connected to the PC, device drivers will be installed automatically.
  2. Provide access to your Samsung device by clicking on the "ALLOW" option within the pop up message that appears on the mobile device screen.
  3. An 'AutoPlay' pop up window will appear on your PC screen.
  4. Click on Auto Play > Open device to view files > Phone/SD card
  5. Copy the content you want to transfer into the relevant folder.
  6. After content transfer, disconnect your Samsung device.

We're here every step of the way

  • Smart Switch in store icon
  • In store
  • Drop into any Samsung Experience Store and chat to our experts.
  • Book a visit
  • Smart Switch live chat
  • Live chat
  • Speak to our automated chat assistant or a live chat agent.
  • Learn more
  • Smart Switch dedicated switching team icon
  • Call our dedicated Switching team
  • On 1300 425 299 (GALAXY)
  • To transfer data from iCloud, internet or data connection is required.
  • Apple, iCloud, and iOS are trademarks of Apple Inc. Smart Switch is not endorsed by Apple Inc.
  • Windows is a trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. Smart Switch is not endorsed by Windows.