Smart Switch transfer issues

Are you facing difficulties completing a transfer, recognizing your device on a PC or Mac, or dealing with sudden crashes during a Smart Switch transfer? There are several ways to tackle these issues. Try clearing the app's data, removing unnecessary items from your device, or trying another solution listed below.

Galaxy S24 Ultra with the Smart Switch app displayed placed next to a Galaxy Book

Smart Switch transfer issues

Which issue are you experiencing with Smart Switch?

Smart Switch transfer did not complete

Smart Switch crashes on computer

Smart Switch for PC or Mac doesn't recognize my device

Wireless transfer fails when using Smart Switch

Smart Switch transfer did not complete

If an error occurs while transferring content via Smart Switch, don't worry - we've got you covered. Clearing the app's cache and residual files can often fix the problem. Her's how to do it:

Note

The available screens and settings may differ depending on your wireless service provider, software version, and phone model.

Navigate to Apps.

From your Home screen, go to Settings and tap Apps.

Open Smart Switch storage.

Scroll down to find Smart Switch and tap on it. Next, tap Storage.

Clear app cache.

Tap Clear cache. If needed, you can also clear the app's data by tapping Clear data and then Delete. Once done, restart the content transfer.

Contact Samsung Customer Support.

If the issue persists despite trying these steps, feel free to contact Samsung Customer Support for further assistance.

Smart Switch crashes on computer

Check for computer updates.

Checking for updates will be a little different depending what kind of computer you have:

Windows: Navigate to the search bar, and search for and select Check for updates. Then, click Check for updates again.

Mac: Navigate to the menu, and then select System Preferences. Select Software Update. If updates are available, click Update Now.

Check if your computer has the necessary requirements.

Below are the system requirements for Smart Switch:

Mac Requirements: MacOS 10.9 or later.

To find the version of MacOS your computer is running, open the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, and then select About This Mac.

Windows Requirements: Windows 10 or later. If Microsoft Media Feature Pack is not installed on your PC, download it here.

To find the version of Windows your computer is running, click the Start menu in the bottom left corner, and then click the Settings icon. Select System, and then click About.

USB 2.0 recommended

Note

Chromebooks are not compatible with Smart Switch.

Restart your computer.

Restart your computer and then try opening Smart Switch again. If the issue persists, please follow the remaining steps.

Remove Smart Switch from the computer.

If your computer meets the requirements but still doesn't work, you'll need to uninstall Smart Switch:

Windows: Select Start, and search for the app in the list. Right-click the app, and then click Uninstall.

Mac: Select Launchpad, and search for the app. Click and hold the app, and then click the Delete (x) icon. Click Delete.

Reinstall and try Smart Swtich.

Restart the computer, and then download a fresh copy from Smart Switch for Mac/PC. Open Smart Switch and try transferring again.

Try another computer.

If Smart Switch is still not working, try and connect your phone to another computer. If Smart Switch works on a different computer, contact the computer manufacturer for further troubleshooting. There may be a hardware or software issue with the original computer.

Smart Switch for PC or Mac doesn't recognize my device

Confirm that your devices meet the requirements.

Android Requirements: Android 4.3 or higher is required for general transfers. To transfer encrypted data, you must have Android 7.0 or higher.

To find the software version on your device, navigate to and open Settings. Tap About phone or About tablet, and then tap Software information.

iOS Requirements: For cable transfers, you must have iOS 5 or higher. To transfer using Wi-Fi, you must have iOS 12 or higher.

To find the software version on your device, navigate to and open Settings. Tap General, and then tap About.

Mac Requirements: MacOS 10.9 or later.

To find the version of MacOS your computer is running, open the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, and then select About This Mac.

Windows Requirements: Windows 10 or later. If Microsoft Media Feature Pack is not installed on your PC, download it here.

To find the version of Windows your computer is running, click the Start menu in the bottom left corner, and then click the Settings icon. Select System, and then click About.

Note

Chromebooks are not compatible with Smart Switch.

Check the USB connections and cables.

Make sure the USB cable is fully plugged in to your computer and your device.

Try using a different USB cable. Not all USB cables can transfer data.

Try a different USB port on your computer, if possible.

Allow access to your data.

When you plug in your device, a notification will ask you to allow MTP connection. Tap Allow.

If your PC or Mac does not detect your device or when it's connected via USB, or the MTP notification doesn't appear:

Disconnect the device.
Restart the device.
On your PC or Mac, open Smart Switch, and select the three dots in the upper right corner to access additional functions. Select Reinstall device driver, and then select Confirm.
Reconnect the device. The MTP notification will appear.

Make sure your USB is set for file transfer.

On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers to access the Quick settings panel. Under Android System, tap USB for file transfer, and then choose Transferring files under Use USB for.

Open Smart Switch.

Open Smart Switch on your mobile device to resume using Smart Switch on the PC.

Wireless transfer fails when using Smart Switch

Free up storage space on your devices.

A Smart Switch transfer may fail when there is not enough free storage space available on both of your devices. You can delete some of the unnecessary items on your devices to free up the storage room. You should also ensure that the estimated total size does not surpass the receiving phone's available space.

Deselect All.

Try transferring data through Smart Switch again. When selecting which content to transfer, deselect All.

Choose the content to transfer.

Select the content you want to transfer individually, and then select transfer.

Uninstall Smart Switch and restart the device.

If the transfer still fails even when you have enough available space, uninstall Smart Switch, and then reinstall it.

To uninstall the app:

Android: Navigate to the Apps screen, and then touch and hold the app to uninstall. Tap Uninstall.

iOS: Navigate to the App library, and then touch and hold the app to uninstall. Tap Delete App, and then tap Delete.

Windows: Select Start, and search for the app in the list. Right-click the app, and then click Uninstall.

Mac: Select Launchpad, and search for the app. Click and hold the app, and then click the Delete (x) icon. Click Delete.

After you've removed the app, restart your devices.

Check the device's compatibility and reinstall the app.

Before downloading a fresh copy of Smart Switch, check your device's compatibility and reinstall the app.

Android Requirements: Android 4.3 or higher is required for general transfers. To transfer encrypted data, you must have Android 7.0 or higher.

To find the software version on your device, navigate to and open Settings. Tap About phone or About tablet, and then tap Software information.

iOS Requirements: For cable transfers, you must have iOS 5 or higher. To transfer using Wi-Fi, you must have iOS 12 or higher.

To find the software version on your device, navigate to and open Settings. Tap General, and then tap About.

Mac Requirements: MacOS 10.9 or later.

To find the version of MacOS your computer is running, open the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, and then select About This Mac.

Windows Requirements: Windows 10 or later.

To find the version of Windows your computer is running, click the Start menu in the bottom left corner, and then click the Settings icon. Select System, and then click About.

If Microsoft Media Feature Pack is not installed on your PC, download it here.

Chromebooks are not compatible with Smart Switch.

Connect with a cable.

If the transfer still fails, you can try connecting the devices with a USB cable.

Contact Samsung Support

Contact us online through chat and get support from an expert on your computer, mobile device or tablet. Support is also available on your mobile device through the Samsung Members App.

Get support