Data transfer Samsung without Samsung Smart Switch

Do you have a new Samsung phone and want to transfer data from your old Samsung? The easiest way to do this is to use the Samsung Smart Switch app. Want to transfer data to a brand other than Samsung or can’t/won’t use the Smart Switch app for some other reason? Then here we explain how you can easily do this using the Google Drive!

Did you buy a new iPhone and want to transfer data from your Android? Then check out this blog!

With this roadmap, you can independently transfer your data but after reading these instructions, are you thinking: Help, I don’t trust myself with this? Then you are more than welcome at ThePhoneLab. We take the entire process off your hands for a flat fee. Read more info about help with porting by ThePhoneLab here.

The method we now discuss is as follows:

• Create a Google backup on your old Android phone
• On your new Android phone, log in to your Google account
• Synchronize your data

1. Create a Google backup on your old Android phone
   -To do this, open the Google Drive app and log in with your Google account.
   -Click the three dashes at the top left and go to ‘Settings’.
   -Click ‘Back up and reset’.
   -Click ‘Back up to Google Drive’ at the top.
2. On your new Android phone, log in to your Google account
   -After booting up your new phone, connect it to the WiFi
   -Log in with the same Google (Gmail) account as on your old phone
   -In the list of backups, choose the name of your old phone and the backup you just made.
3. Synchronize your data
   -Synchronizing all your data may take some time. In some cases, your phone is still downloading photos and other data in the background for days.
   This may also cause your battery to drain extra quickly in the first few days. Do not be alarmed by this, after a few days this usually subsides.

Transferring data with Samsung Smart Switch

Do you have access to both phones and everything is working properly? Then Smart Switch is by far the fastest and easiest way to transfer your Samsung phone. The app is on your device by default, and you have a choice of three methods:

Via a USB-C cable: this is the most stable and fast way

1. Make sure both devices are fully charged
2. Connect the devices with a USB-C to USB-C cable (or USB-A to USB-C with adapter)
3. Open the Smart Switch app on both devices
4. Select on the new device: Receive data
5. Then choose Galaxy/Android as the type of old device
6. On the old device, select Send data via cable
7. Give permission on both devices.
8. Select what you want to transfer (apps, photos, settings, etc.) and start the process.
9. Wait until everything is completely transferred. You will see a confirmation once it has succeeded.

Via wifi: convenient if you don’t have cable, but slightly slower and more susceptible to interference

1. Connect both devices to the same wifi network.
2. Open the Smart Switch app on both devices
3. On the new device, select Receive data -> wireless
4. On the old device, choose Send Data -> wireless
5. Connection is made between the devices
6. Choose what you want to transfer
7. Confirm the transfer on both devices
8. Wait for the process to complete. Depending on the amount of data, this may take a little longer

Via an SD card or computer: less common, but possible

• Via SD card

1. Open the Smart Switch app on your old device
2. Tap Data backup -> SD card
3. Select what you want to back up
4. Then insert the SD card into your new device
5. Open Smart Switch on your new device and select “Restore data via SD card”

• Via computer

1. Install Samsung Smart Switch on your computer via Samsung’s official site
2. Connect your old device to the computer with a USB cable
3. Back up your data
4. Then pair your new device and choose Restore to transfer the backup

Smart Switch transfers almost everything: apps, photos, messages, call history and even the layout of your home screen. Just make sure both devices are adequately charged and that you use a reliable cable.

Common problems when transferring data

Can’t figure it out? Here are the most common problems and how to solve them:

• Smart Switch crashes
  Reboot both devices, close the app completely and try again. Switch from wifi to cable (or vice versa) if necessary.
• The backup is not recognized
  Make sure you are logged in with the correct Google or Samsung account and that your back up is recent.
• Not all data has been transferred
  See if you have enough storage on your new device. Sometimes certain things are not checked while backing up.

Transfer data for WhatApp/Photos and videos

Do you especially want to keep your WhatsApp history or your photo gallery? There are great solutions for that too!!!

• WhatsApp transfer:
  Make sure you have backed up on your old device in WhatsApp through Settings -> chats -> chat back up. When setting up on your new device, choose ‘restore back up’.
• Photos and videos
  Use Google Photos to have your media files synced automatically. Or transfer your files manually via a USB cable or SD card.

Apps and settings:
When you log in with your Google account, your apps are downloaded again from the Play Store. Settings, wifi passwords and your background are largely restored as well, depending on what you previously set in backups.

Any questions?

If you still can’t figure it out or would rather have this process taken out of your hands, make an appointment at one of our stores.