Use the setup cable when both phones support it because it usually transfers more reliably than wireless. Account data, app binaries and photos may copy separately; authenticator secrets, secure folders, work profiles and some app data require their own migration.
What this covers
- A new Android phone set up from an available old Android or iPhone
What it does not cover
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedEstablish the exact starting state
ReversibleBack up the old phone, charge both devices, confirm the destination Google Account and locate the correct cable or adapter.
Separate the fault or decision boundary
ReversibleList data that is cloud-synced, device-local or app-protected so a missing item is not mistaken for a failed whole transfer.
Apply the narrowest correction
ReversibleRun the setup transfer once, then migrate protected apps and accounts using their provider-specific export or recovery method.
Charge both phones and choose cable or wireless
ReversibleFor cable, both phones need at least 20% charge; for wireless, keep them within 4 inches and on their chargers.
Expect the list of what transfers to vary with the old device
ReversibleSamsung says the supported items depend on the connected device, so check the list on screen before you start.
Use the old phone's own cable for a wired transfer
ReversibleSamsung recommends the wired transfer and says many cables need a USB-OTG adapter, unless both phones use USB-C, in which case a USB-C to USB-C cable plugs straight in.
Verify before escalating
ReversibleCompare contacts, photos, messages, downloads, two-factor access, work profile and a fresh destination backup.
Samsung Smart Switch
The two transfer methods and their conditions
Samsung's Smart Switch moves data from most Android and iOS phones to a Galaxy phone or tablet; it does not transfer to other makers.
- Cable
- Samsung says cable transfers are the recommended method because they can transfer the most types of data. The devices need at least 20% charge for a cable transfer, with a full charge recommended, and they disconnect from chargers during it.
- Wireless
- A convenient way to copy data that is fast and lets the phones stay on their chargers. Place the phones within 4 inches of each other.
- Direction
- Smart Switch transfers content from previous devices to Galaxy phones and tablets only, and you cannot transfer content to an iOS device.
- What cannot move
- iTunes music and videos cannot be transferred from iCloud, though unencrypted iTunes music can be copied as M4A files from a PC.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the transfer stops, do not factory-reset the old phone; reconnect the cable or bring the phones back within 4 inches and restart the transfer.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions about “Transfer data to a new Android phone and verify what did not copy”
Is cable or wireless better?+
Samsung recommends cable because it can transfer the most types of data; wireless is faster to set up and keeps the phones on chargers.
Can I move data from a Galaxy to a Pixel with Smart Switch?+
No. Samsung says Smart Switch transfers to Galaxy phones and tablets only.
Do the phones need to be charged?+
Samsung says cable transfers need at least 20% charge on both, with a full charge recommended; wireless transfers can stay plugged in.
What does not transfer from an iPhone?+
Samsung says iTunes music and videos cannot be transferred from iCloud, though unencrypted iTunes music can be copied as M4A files from a PC.
Can the data go back to an iPhone?+
No. Smart Switch transfers content to Galaxy phones and tablets only, and Samsung says you cannot transfer content to an iOS device.
Which data moves with the Android setup transfer?+
Contacts, photos, calendar entries, apps and often messages move across, but the exact list depends on the two phones and the maker's tool. Some app data and saved passwords still need signing in again, so read what the transfer screen lists before you start.
Should I keep the old phone until the new one is checked?+
Yes. Keep the old phone as it is until contacts, photos, messages and any two-factor apps work on the new one. Wiping the old phone too early can lose data the transfer did not carry across.
How do I move authenticator codes safely?+
Use the app's own transfer or backup feature, or move each account to the new phone using the service's security settings. Do not wipe the old phone first.