If you want to know how to transfer data from Samsung to Samsung, Samsung Smart Switch is one of the easiest ways to move supported information to a new Galaxy phone. Depending on your devices, it can transfer contacts, messages, photos, videos, documents, call history, compatible apps, Wi-Fi information, home-screen information and selected settings.
You can transfer data wirelessly or with a compatible USB cable. The best method depends on how much data you have and whether both phones are working normally.
One important warning: Smart Switch does not create a perfect copy of everything on your old phone. Some account-synchronized information, private app data, protected content and certain application information require separate handling.
Before You Transfer Data From Samsung to Samsung
Prepare both phones before starting:
- Charge both phones.
- Check available storage on the new Galaxy.
- Make sure Smart Switch is available and updated.
- Keep both phones nearby for wireless transfer.
- Have a compatible USB data cable ready if you prefer a wired transfer.
- Make sure you know the passwords for important accounts.
- Do not reset the old phone until you have checked the new one.
Samsung supports wireless, USB and computer-based Smart Switch transfers, although the available options can vary by device and software version.
Method 1: Transfer Samsung to Samsung Wirelessly
Wireless transfer is usually the simplest option when both Galaxy phones are working properly.
On the New Galaxy
Go to:
Settings → Accounts and backup → Transfer data for device setup
Depending on your Galaxy model or One UI version, you may see Smart Switch directly. You can also search for Smart Switch in Settings.
Select Receive data, then choose the appropriate Galaxy or Android option.
Samsung Smart Switch setup guide
On the Old Samsung
Open Smart Switch and select the option to send data.
Allow the permissions required for the information you want to transfer.
Select Wireless and wait for the phones to connect.
Samsung recommends keeping the phones close together during wireless transfer.
Samsung wireless Smart Switch instructions
Select Your Data
Smart Switch will show the categories available for your particular phones.
These may include:
- Contacts
- Messages
- Photos
- Videos
- Music
- Documents
- Call history
- Applications
- Some app data
- Wi-Fi information
- Home-screen layout
- Selected settings
Select everything you need or choose individual categories, then tap Transfer.
Keep both phones alone until the transfer finishes.
Method 2: Transfer Samsung to Samsung With a USB Cable
A USB connection can be useful when you have a large amount of data or wireless transfer keeps failing.
Samsung officially supports USB transfers between compatible Galaxy devices.
Samsung USB Smart Switch instructions
What You Need
Use a compatible data cable, not simply any charging cable.
If the phones do not recognize each other, try another known-good data cable.
USB Transfer Steps
- Open Smart Switch on the new Galaxy.
- Select Receive data.
- Choose the old Samsung or Android device.
- Select Cable.
- Connect both phones.
- Allow the connection on the old phone if requested.
- Wait for Smart Switch to scan the device.
- Select the information you want to move.
- Tap Transfer.
- Keep the cable connected until the process finishes.
Do not disconnect the cable during the transfer.
Samsung cable-transfer instructions
Wireless vs. USB: Which Should You Use?
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Small or moderate transfer | Wireless |
| Large photo/video library | USB |
| Wireless connection keeps failing | USB |
| No suitable cable available | Wireless |
| You want a direct connection | USB |
For example, if your old Galaxy contains 100GB of photos, videos and documents, a USB connection may be more practical than repeatedly attempting a large wireless transfer.
What Does Smart Switch Transfer?
Samsung Smart Switch can transfer a wide range of supported information.
Samsung’s current Smart Switch transfer information
Contacts
Supported contacts can be transferred between compatible Galaxy devices.
Messages
SMS and MMS messages are supported.
Photos and Videos
Supported photos and videos can be moved to the new Galaxy.
Documents
Supported documents, including common PDF, Word, Excel and PowerPoint files, can be transferred.
Call History
Supported call logs can be moved.
Applications
Many compatible applications can be transferred or reinstalled.
Some App Data
Some application data can transfer, but this depends on the individual application.
Wi-Fi Information
Supported Wi-Fi information can be transferred between compatible devices.
Home Screen and Settings
Depending on the devices, Smart Switch can also transfer selected settings, wallpaper and home-screen information.
The categories displayed by Smart Switch on your phones are the best indication of what can actually be transferred.
What Smart Switch Does Not Transfer
Smart Switch is not a complete clone of your old phone.
Samsung identifies several types of information that may not transfer, including certain synchronized account information, private app data, DRM-protected content, some SIM contacts, certain externally synchronized information, themes and live wallpapers.
Samsung’s list of excluded content
Account-Synchronized Information
Some information is synchronized through your Google, Samsung or other account instead of being copied by Smart Switch.
After signing into the same account on the new Galaxy, that information may appear automatically.
Private App Data
Some apps store information in protected areas that Smart Switch cannot access.
DRM-Protected Content
Protected music and video content may not be transferable.
Some App Data
An application may appear on the new phone without its internal data.
Themes and Live Wallpapers
Some themes and live wallpapers may need to be downloaded again.
SIM or Externally Synchronized Contacts
Some contacts stored on a SIM card or synchronized through another service may require separate handling.
WhatsApp Must Be Handled Separately
This is one of the most important things to remember.
Do not assume Smart Switch will transfer your WhatsApp chats.
Samsung’s current guidance says WhatsApp chat transmission from Android devices is not supported through Smart Switch.
Samsung’s WhatsApp and Smart Switch guidance
Instead, use WhatsApp’s own Chat Transfer feature.
WhatsApp supports transferring chat and media history between Android phones using this feature.
WhatsApp Android chat-transfer instructions
WhatsApp Transfer
On the old phone:
- Open WhatsApp.
- Go to Settings → Chats → Transfer chats.
- Tap Start.
- Follow the instructions.
On the new phone:
- Install and open WhatsApp.
- Verify the same phone number.
- Choose the chat-transfer option.
- Follow the instructions to display the QR code.
- Scan the QR code with the old phone.
- Keep both phones nearby and unlocked until the transfer finishes.
Do not reset the old phone or uninstall WhatsApp until you have confirmed that your chats and media are available on the new device.
WhatsApp Chat Transfer guidance
Check Your Photos and Videos
Photos and videos are often the most important files on an old phone.
After Smart Switch finishes, check:
- Recent photos
- Older photos
- Videos
- Albums
- Downloaded images
- Important work folders
Open several older photos and play videos from different dates.
If something appears to be missing, check My Files and look in folders such as:
- DCIM
- Pictures
- Download
- Movies
- Documents
Do not erase the old phone until you are satisfied that your important media is available.
What Happens to Contacts?
Contacts can come from several locations:
- Phone storage
- Google account
- Samsung account
- SIM card
- Other synchronization services
This can explain why some contacts appear to be missing after a transfer.
If Contacts Are Missing
- Open Contacts on the new Galaxy.
- Check the selected contact source.
- Sign into the same Google or Samsung account.
- Allow synchronization to finish.
- Search for several contacts manually.
Do not manually recreate hundreds of contacts until you have checked account synchronization.
What About Messages?
SMS and MMS messages are supported by Smart Switch on compatible devices.
After transferring them, check both recent and older conversations.
Look for important messages containing:
- Work information
- Addresses
- Delivery details
- Important dates
- Family conversations
Keep the old phone available until you confirm that the messages you need are present.
Will All My Apps Transfer?
Many supported applications can be transferred or reinstalled, but not every app will behave exactly as it did on the old Galaxy.
You may encounter three situations:
The App and Its Supported Data Transfer
The application appears on the new phone with supported information.
The App Transfers but Requires a Login
This is normal for banking, email, social media and many cloud-based services.
The App Needs to Be Installed Again
Some apps may require a fresh installation because of compatibility, installation source or other restrictions.
Private app information may also require the app’s own backup or synchronization system.
What About Google and Samsung Accounts?
Accounts should not be treated like ordinary files.
Some information is synchronized through the account itself. Other applications require you to sign in again.
Before resetting the old phone, make sure you can access:
- Google account
- Samsung account
- Email accounts
- Banking apps
- Password manager
- Two-step verification methods
- Important work accounts
If you are having a separate Samsung phone internet problem after setup, see our guide to Samsung mobile data not working.
What If the New Galaxy Does Not Have Enough Storage?
Suppose your old phone contains 110GB of selected data but the new Galaxy has only 70GB of free space.
The entire selection cannot fit.
What to Do
- Check available storage on the new phone.
- Return to the Smart Switch selection screen.
- Identify the largest categories.
- Reduce large video or file transfers.
- Transfer essential information first.
- Move large archives separately later.
Large videos are often the easiest place to start.
Smart Switch Troubleshooting
The Old Samsung Is Not Detected
Try:
- Restart both phones.
- Open Smart Switch again.
- Keep the phones closer together for wireless transfer.
- Check Smart Switch permissions.
- Try USB instead of wireless.
Wireless Transfer Keeps Failing
Try:
- Restarting both phones.
- Keeping them close together.
- Checking battery levels.
- Selecting fewer categories.
- Switching to a USB connection.
Smart Switch Appears Stuck
Large transfers can take a long time.
If there is genuinely no progress:
- Check storage.
- Cancel the transfer if necessary.
- Restart both phones.
- Select fewer categories.
- Try USB instead.
The USB Cable Is Not Working
Try:
- Disconnecting and reconnecting it.
- Checking the phone ports for obvious obstruction or damage.
- Using another known-good data cable.
- Restarting both phones.
- Opening Smart Switch again.
Some Photos or Files Are Missing
Identify the missing category before repeating the entire transfer.
- Contacts: Check account synchronization.
- Photos: Check Gallery and My Files.
- Documents: Check Downloads and Documents.
- Apps: Check whether the app needs installation or login.
- WhatsApp: Use WhatsApp’s own transfer feature.
- Account information: Sign into the relevant account.
If your new Galaxy is having other Samsung-related problems after migration, our Samsung troubleshooting guides can help you find the relevant fix.
A Safe Samsung-to-Samsung Transfer Example
Imagine your old Galaxy contains:
- 8,000 photos
- 400 videos
- Hundreds of contacts
- Years of SMS messages
- Dozens of apps
- Work documents
- Multiple accounts
- WhatsApp conversations
Do not rush to erase the old phone.
First, check the new phone’s storage. Then use Smart Switch to transfer the supported Galaxy data. Because the transfer is large, a USB connection may be preferable.
Afterward, check your Gallery, Contacts, Messages and documents.
Then sign into important accounts and transfer WhatsApp separately.
Only after everything important has been confirmed should you reset the old Galaxy.
Do Not Erase Your Old Samsung Yet
This is the most important rule.
Keep the old phone until you have confirmed:
- Contacts are available.
- Messages are available.
- Important photos are present.
- Videos play correctly.
- Documents open.
- Important apps work.
- Banking apps can be accessed.
- Google and Samsung accounts work.
- WhatsApp chats are available.
- Authentication methods work.
Frequently asked questions about how to transfer data from Samsung to Samsung
Can I transfer everything from one Samsung Galaxy to another?
You can transfer a large amount of supported information, but Smart Switch does not copy every type of data. Some private, protected, synchronized or app-specific information needs a separate method.
Is wireless better than USB?
Wireless is easier and more convenient. USB can be preferable for very large transfers or when wireless transfer keeps failing.
Does Smart Switch delete the old phone?
No. It copies supported information to the new device. Your old phone remains intact until you choose to erase it.
Will Smart Switch transfer WhatsApp?
Do not rely on Smart Switch for Android-to-Android WhatsApp chats. Use WhatsApp’s own Chat Transfer feature.
Will my photos and videos transfer?
Supported photos and videos can transfer between compatible Galaxy devices. Check the new phone before erasing the old one.
Will my contacts transfer?
Supported contacts can transfer, but contacts connected to certain accounts or SIM storage may require separate synchronization.
Will all my apps transfer?
Many supported apps can transfer or reinstall, but some apps require you to sign in again or download them manually.
Why does Smart Switch say there is not enough storage?
The selected information is larger than the available space on the new phone. Reduce the selected categories, especially large videos and files.
Final Checklist on how to transfer data from Samsung to Samsung
Before resetting your old Samsung, make sure you have:
- ☐ Checked storage on the new Galaxy
- ☐ Transferred contacts
- ☐ Checked SMS/MMS messages
- ☐ Checked photos
- ☐ Checked videos
- ☐ Opened important documents
- ☐ Tested important applications
- ☐ Signed into important accounts
- ☐ Checked banking and authentication apps
- ☐ Transferred WhatsApp separately
- ☐ Confirmed important files are available
- ☐ Kept the old phone until everything was verified
Final thoughts on how to transfer data from Samsung to Samsung
Learning how to transfer data from Samsung to Samsung is straightforward when you understand what Smart Switch can and cannot do.
Use wireless transfer for convenience and USB when moving large amounts of data or when wireless transfer is unreliable. Smart Switch can handle much of your Galaxy information, including supported contacts, messages, photos, videos, documents, applications and settings.
However, do not treat the process as a perfect phone clone. Some account information, private app data and protected content require separate handling.
Most importantly, do not reset your old Samsung until you have checked the new phone. Verify your photos, videos, contacts, messages, documents, important apps, accounts and WhatsApp chats first.
Once everything important is confirmed, you can safely erase the old Galaxy and move on to using your new phone.
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