The process of changing a smartphone often causes mixed feelings: on the one hand, the joy of a new device with a powerful processor and an excellent camera, on the other hand, the fear of losing important contacts or getting confused in the settings. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android offers many tools for a seamless migration. If you purchased a flagship or budget phone from the company Samsung, you are even luckier, since the South Korean giant has developed one of the best solutions on the market.
In this article we will look at all available methods of transferring information: from automatic utilities to manual copying via a computer. No matter what kind of old device you have - Xiaomi, Huawei or Poco, you can keep your memories and work files intact. The main thing is to choose the appropriate method for your tasks and the amount of memory.
Preparing devices for information migration
Before you start the copying process, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready for use. Charge both devices to at least 80% as transferring large amounts of data, especially photos and videos, can drain battery power. Also check the available space on the target device Samsungto ensure that all files will fit.
It is recommended to update the software on both gadgets to the latest available version. This will minimize the risk of compatibility errors and ensure that all functions work at maximum speed. Go to Settings → Software update and check.
Remove unnecessary junk from your old phone. There is no point in transferring gigabytes of cache or temporary files; this will only delay the process. Use built-in cleaning tools or third-party utilities to free up space before starting.
☑️ Preparing for the transfer
Using the proprietary Samsung Smart Switch application
The most effective and preferred way is to use the utility Smart Switch. This application is pre-installed on all modern smartphones Samsung and is available for download in Google Play for other devices based on Android. The app allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos, music, videos, applications and even home screen settings.
To start the process, install the application on your old phone if it is not there. On the new one Samsung it should already be in the folder with system utilities. When you turn on your new device for the first time, the setup wizard will prompt you to start the data transfer. If you have already set up your phone, find the icon Smart Switch in the menu.
Select the connection type. The fastest option is to use a cable USB-C to USB-C, which is often included with new models. If there is no cable, you can use a wireless connection Wi-Fi Direct, however, the transmission speed will be lower and the risk of losing the connection will be higher.
⚠️ Attention: When connecting wirelessly, keep the devices close to each other and do not minimize the application during the process to avoid synchronization errors.
Once connected, select the data to transfer. You can check only the categories you need, for example, keep old applications and transfer only media files. Press the button Send on the old device and Accept on the new one. Wait for the process to complete, which may take from 10 minutes to several hours depending on the volume.
Use the original cable included with the new Samsung for the most stable connection - third-party cables may not support data transfer, working only for charging.
Synchronization via Google account
If you do not have a cable on hand or want to prepare data in advance, the ecosystem Google will come to the rescue. This method is ideal for transferring contacts, calendar, notes, and system settings. Make sure synchronization is enabled on your old device.
Go to your account settings and check what data is saved in the cloud. Typically these are contacts, calendar events, passwords from Chrome and application history. After logging into the same account on a new one Samsung, this data will be pulled up automatically in the background.
For photos and videos, the service Google Photosis best suited. Install the application, enable the Startup and Sync feature and wait for the process to complete. On the new phone, just log in to your account, and the entire media library will be available in the gallery.
⚠️ Attention: Google's free storage is limited to 15 GB. If you have a lot of original quality photos, you may run out of space and sync will stop.
This method will not transfer the application files themselves (APK) and their internal data (for example, progress in games if it is not saved in the developer’s cloud), but will restore the list of installed software. The system will offer to download them from Play Market during the first setup.
Manual transfer of files via computer
Sometimes automatic methods fail or it is necessary to transfer specific folders that are ignored by standard utilities. In this case, the good old method using a PC remains the most reliable. You will need a computer and two USB cables.
Connect your old smartphone to the computer. In the notification shade, select the USB operation mode File transfer or MTP. Open Explorer on your PC, find the device and copy the necessary folders (usually DCIM, Download, Music) to your hard drive.
Then connect the new one Samsung to the same computer in the same mode. Copy the saved data from the PC disk to the appropriate directories of the new phone. This method ensures that you get an exact copy of the files without compression or loss of quality.
What to do if the computer does not see the phone?
Make sure that the cable is working and supports data transfer, not just charging. Try a different USB port, preferably located on the rear panel of the system unit. You may also need to install MTP drivers for Windows.
Transferring data using a microSD memory card
Many users still use memory cards to store archives. If both smartphones support the format microSD, this may be the fastest way to transfer heavy files such as movies or long videos.
Insert the card into the old phone and copy all the necessary data to it through the file manager. Once completed, remove the card and insert it into the slot of the new device Samsung. The files will become available instantly.
It is worth noting that the new flagship models Samsung More and more often they are deprived of a slot for memory cards. In this case, you will need a special card reader with an interface USB-Cthat connects directly to the phone's charging connector.
| Method | Speed | Reliability | What it carries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Switch (cable) | High | Very high | Everything (including settings) |
| Google Account | Medium | High | Contacts, photos, settings |
| Computer | High | Maximum | Files only |
| Wi-Fi Direct | Low/Medium | Medium | All (without system settings) |
⚠️ Attention: Interfaces and menu names may vary slightly depending on the version of the One UI shell and the version of Android. If you do not find the item in the menu, use the search in the settings.
Transferring messages and call logs
The most difficult part of migration is often the transfer of correspondence history SMS and call logs. Standard tools Android do not always process this data correctly when changing the device manufacturer.
The application Smart Switch copes with this task best by converting message databases into a format understandable to the new phone. If you use this method, make sure that in the list of transmitted data you have the items “Messages” and “Call Log”.
For instant messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram or Viber there is a separate procedure. In the settings of the messenger itself, create a backup copy of chats on Google Drive. When installing the application on a new phone, restore a copy from the cloud.
To completely transfer SMS and call history, use only a cable connection via Smart Switch; the wireless method may skip some records.
Possible problems and their solutions
Unforeseen situations may arise during the transfer process. For example, the transfer may freeze at 99% or some applications will not install. Most often this is due to lack of space or a software version conflict.
If the process is interrupted, do not panic. Check the free space and try to start the transfer again, selecting only those categories of data that were not copied the first time. There is no need to duplicate files that have already been transferred.
Some banking applications and highly secure apps may require re-authorization or may not be transferred at all for security reasons. This is normal behavior and you will have to configure them manually.
Why are some photos not displayed in the gallery?
After transferring large amounts of data, the system takes time to index the media files. Leave the phone turned on and connected to Wi-Fi for 30-60 minutes, then reboot the device.
Frequently asked questions
Will passwords from Wi-Fi networks be transferred?
Yes, when using Smart Switch or full synchronization via Google account (with the settings backup function enabled), passwords from known Wi-Fi networks will be transferred automatically.
Do you need to reset your new Samsung to factory settings before transferring?
No, this is not necessary. Smart Switch can work on an already configured phone. However, if you want to start with a clean slate and transfer only the most important things, a reset can be useful, but in most cases it is not necessary.
Is it possible to interrupt data transmission via a cable?
It is highly not recommended to disconnect the cable during the active phase of data recording. This may result in file corruption or application failure. Wait for the success message.
What to do if Smart Switch is not installed on your old phone?
Try downloading the application APK file from the official website Samsung or use alternative methods, such as copying via PC or Google cloud services.