Transfer data to a new phone using Smart Switch for Windows or Mac
The one tiny drawback of getting a new phone or tablet is having to manually transfer all your important data. Don't worry, Smart Switch allows you to easily transfer contacts, photos, messages, and other types of files. You can even create a backup for your old files using your Windows PC or Mac, and then transfer or sync your data onto your new Galaxy phone or tablet.
Note: To use Smart Switch, your phone, tablet, or computer must meet the compatbibility requirements.
Install Smart Switch on your compatible device
Whether you're using a Windows PC or a Mac, you can download Smart Switch for your computer from the Smart Switch page. You can also find links there to install Smart Switch on your mobile device. Be sure you have installed Smart Switch on both your computer and mobile device before you get started.
Android Requirements: Android 4.3 or higher is required for general transfers. To transfer encrypted data, you must have Android 7.0 or higher.
iOS Requirements: For cable transfers, you must have iOS 5 or higher. To transfer using Wi-Fi, you must have iOS 12 or higher.
Mac Requirements: MacOS 10.9 or later
Windows Requirements: Windows 10 or later
Note: Chromebooks are not compatibile with Smart Switch.
Create a backup on your PC
After installing Smart Switch, you'll need to back up content from your old device and save it on your Windows PC or Mac. Before you proceed with creating and saving a backup file, make sure your PC has enough storage space for the size of the backup file.
Note: Some content types, such as text messages, can be backed up and transferred to a new phone using a Mac or Windows PC, but those messages cannot be read on the PC.
Connect your device 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.
A list of different data categories (Call and contacts, messages, apps, etc.) you can back up will display.
"Select all" is the default option, but you can deselect some items if you'd like. Clicking on a category will allow to select specific items in that category.
Select Backup when you are ready.
Your computer will start backing up your data, which may take several minutes.
When it's done, a screen will appear informing you it's complete. Select OK.
Default save location
When you back up your 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
Windows 11: C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\Samsung\SmartSwitchPCtoPC
Mac OS X: /Users/[username]/Documents/Samsung/SmartSwitch/backup
Note: To quickly access the AppData folder, click Start. In the search bar, type appdata and press the Enter key.
Transfer content
Note: Before you start transferring data, make sure the file types are supported by Smart Switch on PC or Mac.
Transfer the backup files on your computer onto your new phone, so you can enjoy all your music and photos on the go.
First, you may turn off or temporarily disable your firewall, anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-malware, and other security tools on your PC, so all your files can transfer.
Open Smart Switch on your computer. When prompted, connect your Galaxy device to the computer using the USB cable. Once it's connected, the Smart Switch screen will appear.
On your computer, click Restore and, if desired, click Select your backup data to choose specific data to restore.
When you're ready, click Restore now. Once restoration is complete, click OK.
Note: You may need to allow permissions on your phone or tablet to complete the backup.
Sync with Outlook app
Here's another way to get content from your computer onto a Galaxy phone or tablet - you can synchronize data from the Outlook app on your computer. Syncing ensures you have the same content on your PC or Mac and your device.
On a PC, click Outlook Sync on the Smart Switch screen. 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, click Sync on the Smart Switch screen. Choose specific content to sync from your computer, and then click Sync Now. When syncing is complete, click Confirm.
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