How to use smart switch app on android

Learn about the Samsung Smart Switch app for Android 4.3 and later. For Android 4.2 and earlier, use Samsung Kies for Android devices.

App features

• Samsung Smart Switch makes it easy to transfer your content to your new Galaxy device. Transfer content from Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Symbian devices.
  • Samsung Smart Switch app isn't compatible with iOS 9.0. The Smart Switch for PC app moves content from an iOS 9.0 device to a new Samsung Android device.
• Transfer contacts, photos, music, videos, messages, notes, calendars, and more.
• Available as both an Android app, and as a Windows-based computer app.

Note: This app is preloaded on the Settings menu of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge.

App requirements

Samsung Galaxy device with Android 4.3 or later

How to guides

The following steps are for the Smart Switch Windows-based computer app. To learn more about the Samsung Smart Switch app for Android, see Samsung Support.

Watch: How to use Samsung Smart Switch

How to wirelessly transfer your data with Samsung Smart Switch to another Android phone.

1. Make sure the Smart Switch app is installed on both phones.
2. Plug them into their chargers.
3. Place the phones within 4 inches of each other.
4. Launch Smart Switch on both phones.
5. Tap Send data on the old phone.
6. Tap Receive data on the new phone.
7. Then tap Wireless on both phones.
8. On your new phone, you may have to select the type of your old phone.
9. Follow any on-screen instructions, since some types of devices may have additional steps.

Download Smart Switch

1. Review Samsung Smart Switch: Transfer Contacts, Music and More for instruction to use Samsung Smart Switch.
2. Download the most recent version of Smart Switch from Samsung Smart Switch. (Select the Smart Switch version compatible with your computer operating system and device.)
3. Double-click the installer to begin the installation process.
4. Accept the license agreement by selecting the I accept... check boxes and then click Next.
5. When the installation is complete, click Finish.

Create a backup

1. Connect your Samsung device to your computer using the cable that came with the device.
2. On the Smart Switch screen, click MORE.
3. Click Preferences and then select the Backup items tab.
4. Select the content types you would like to back up and then click OK.
5. Click Backup on the main Smart Switch screen.
6. Click Confirm when the backup is complete.

Transfer files between your computer and an SD card

1. Download and install the version Samsung Smart Switch that is compatible with your computer from Samsung.
2. Using the USB cable that came with your device, connect the device to the computer.
3. Allow your computer to install any required drivers for your device.
4. Open Smart Switch on your computer, and allow it to make the connection.
5. On your computer, choose Open folder to view files > OK.
6. In the Removable Disk window, choose Open folder to view files > OK. Locate the folder containing the files that you want to move.
7. Locate the files that you want to move.
8. Cut or copy the files, and then paste them in the new location on your computer or SD card.

Update device software version

Follow the device requirements on the software update document, along with the following:

• Use a Samsung USB cable.
• Back up your data before completing the update.

To update

1. Connect the mobile device to the computer with the USB cable.
2. Open Smart Switch on your computer. If a software update is available for your device, Smart Switch automatically prompts you to update.
3. Click Update to begin downloading the necessary files.
4. Click OK to proceed. Your device may turn off and on a few times during the update process. When the update is complete, the device returns to the Home screen.

During the update

• Don't use the device or press any keys.
• Don't remove the battery.
• Don't turn off the device.
• Don't disconnect the USB cable until the update is complete.
• You can't place a call during the update; not even an emergency call.

Troubleshooting

For help troubleshooting problems with the Samsung Smart Switch app, contact Samsung.

Setting up a new device from scratch can be tricky, especially if you have a lot of data on your old phone that you want to transfer over. With the Smart Switch app on Samsung phones, you'll have everything within reach in just a few taps.

Once connected, you'll be able to transfer content seamlessly to your new Samsung Galaxy device. The app also lets you back up important data from your old device to a microSD card or PC. You simply need to install the app, connect, and transfer between devices. Here is a complete guide to the Samsung Smart Switch app.

What Is Smart Switch?

Smart Switch is Samsung's data transfer solution. The app scans for old and new devices and presents you with a user-friendly interface for transferring contacts, call logs, media, user accounts, and other data from your old phone to your new Samsung Galaxy phone. Let us take a look at how this works for various devices.

Download: Samsung Smart Switch Mobile (Free)

How to Transfer Data Between Samsung Devices

The process to transfer data between two Samsung devices is simple. Ensure you have backed up your data on an external storage device or cloud applications before you begin.

Start by installing the app on both Samsung devices. You can transfer data wirelessly or with the help of a USB cable. To transfer data via Wi-Fi, follow the steps below.

Install and Set Up Smart Switch

1. Install the updated Samsung Smart Switch app from the Google Play Store or Galaxy Store, and launch the app on both devices.
2. Tap Allow on both devices to grant necessary permissions for data access.
3. Tap Receive data on your new Samsung phone and select Send data on your old device.
4. On your new device, you will be asked to select the type of OS that's on your old device. Select Galaxy/Android.
5. Next, the app will show up connection options for your device. Tap Wireless on both devices.

Connect and Copy Your Data

1. The app will scan for devices within range. On both devices, tap Connect in the pop-up banner. Keep in mind that both devices should be connected to the same wireless network.
2. Tap Allow on your old device to establish a connection to your new Galaxy device.
3. Once connected, your new device will show a list of transferable items from your old phone, including apps, contacts, media files, audio, user accounts, and more. Choose the relevant files you want to copy and tap Transfer.
4. Once the transfer process is complete, click Done.

Not all Samsung devices provide a USB cable and connector in the box. In such cases, the Samsung Smart Switch app only works wirelessly. For more information on how to transfer data via a USB cable from a non-Samsung Android device, refer to the section below.

How to Transfer Data From an Old Android Device

You can also transfer data from an old non-Samsung Android device wirelessly or with a USB cable. To transfer over Wi-Fi, follow these steps.

1. Install and launch the Samsung Smart Switch app on both your devices.
2. Tap Allow to grant the required permissions.
3. Select Receive data on your new Samsung Galaxy device and Send data on your old Android phone.
4. When prompted, select Galaxy/Android on your new device.
5. For both devices, tap Wireless > Connect > Allow and choose the files you want to transfer from your old device.
6. Tap Transfer to begin.
7. Once the transfer process is complete, click Done.

You can also transfer your files using a USB cable. Here's how to do this:

1. Install and launch the Samsung Smart Switch app on both of your devices.
2. Tap Allow to grant the requested permissions.
3. Select the type of your old device as Android/Galaxy.
4. Tap Receive data on your new Samsung Galaxy device and Send data on your old device.
5. Select Cable on both devices.
6. Connect the devices with a USB data cable. The screen will show you relevant information about supported hardware that may be specific to your device. Make sure that both of your devices have a near-full charge.
7. On your new Samsung device, choose the files from a list of items and tap Transfer. The app will now transfer your selected data to your new phone.

How to Transfer Data via the Desktop Smart Switch Client

You can also transfer data between two devices using the Desktop Smart Switch client. This app is available for both Windows and macOS operating systems.

Get started by going to the official Samsung website in your desktop browser. Scroll down to the Download Smart Switch section and choose your platform. We'll be using Windows for this guide.

Back Up Your Data

1. Install and launch the Smart Switch desktop client on your PC.
2. Connect your old phone to your PC using the USB data cable. Make sure your smartphone's screen is unlocked.
3. Once connected, you will be able to view a list of items (from your old device) that can be backed up on your PC.
4. Choose the items and select Backup on the desktop app.
5. Once the backup process is complete, you can see a summary of the files that were backed up. Click OK and disconnect your old phone.

Restore Data to Your Galaxy Phone

1. Now connect your new Galaxy device to your PC with the USB cable.
2. Select Restore and click Select your backup data to retrieve the latest backup files.
3. Choose the items that you want to restore, and tap OK.
4. Once all of your data is transferred, you can safely disconnect your new device.

Smart Switch Problems

While Smart Switch works well most of the time, you may occasionally have some problems with it. Here's how to fix Smart Switch.

Functionality issues

The Smart Switch tool is not fully compatible with all devices. It only supports transfer for compatible smartphones running at least Android 4.3 or iOS 4.2.1 versions. Similarly, the tool works with Windows 7 or higher, and Mac OS X 10.9 or later.

If you have functionality and compatibility issues, you may need to use third-party apps such as Wondershare MobileTrans instead. It is an easy-to-use tool that can transfer data between your PC and smartphone.

Connection issues

If your phone disconnects frequently during wireless transfers, go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi to check whether your Wi-Fi connection is enabled.

For hardware issues, check whether your USB cable is properly connected to both of your devices. When using a connector, make sure that it is wired to your new Galaxy device.

If you're transferring files via the Windows desktop client and are having USB device issues, you need to check that your USB drivers are updated and working correctly. To do this, press the Windows Key + X and go to Device Manager > Universal Serial Bus Controllers > Properties.

Check if the device is working properly or tap Update drivers. You can also try uninstalling the drivers and rebooting your PC to check for improvements.

Installation issues

If the Samsung Smart Switch app is facing installation issues due to lack of space, try clearing any cached data or uninstalling unused or rarely-used apps.

Smart Switch: Make Your Next Transition Easy

The Smart Switch app lets you transfer all the data from your old device to your new one. It's faster, easier, and more accurate than manually copying data to an external storage device. Whether you're a Samsung newbie or an experienced user, we recommend using this tool, as it will save you a lot of time.