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Galaxy S9 Guides

a community for owners of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+

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  • How-to Guides
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      • Official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with Android Pie update
      • Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • How to use the new navigation gestures in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to remap Bixby button on Galaxy S9 and S9+ after updating to Android Pie?
      • How to use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 with the Android Pie update?
      • How to update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie (Android 9)?
      • How to use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
    • Meaning of Galaxy S9 status icons and notification icons in Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • How to use Samsung DeX with Galaxy S9 and S9+ and other Samsung phones?
      • How to use Multi Window on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use app pair on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable
      • How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use a USB flash drive on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to charge Galaxy S9 battery?
    • Galaxy S9 SIM card guide
      • How to use two SIM cards on Galaxy S9, S10, and S20?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 dual messenger to run two accounts of messenger apps simultaneously on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use micro SD card on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to back up Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use smart switch to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or S9+?
      • How to reset Galaxy S9 and S9+? What is Galaxy S9 factory data reset?
    • How to disable Bixby button in Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen?
    • Understand and Use Galaxy S9 Home screen
      • How to use Galaxy S9 edge screen on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to show photos on Galaxy S9 Home screen?
      • How to pin files to Galaxy S9 Home screen (add file shortcuts to Galaxy S9 Home screen)?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 Apps screen on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 Home screen edit mode to customize Galaxy S9 Home screen?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 home screen landscape mode?
      • How to hide Galaxy S9 apps screen and how to hide Galaxy Apps button?
      • How to use and customize Galaxy S9 navigation bar and navigation buttons?
      • How to manage Galaxy S9 Home screen panels on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use and customize Galaxy S9 lock screen?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 always-on display (AOD) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 notification panel on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Do Not Disturb on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • Understand and use Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots, app icon badge)
      • How to use quick setting buttons on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use quick-open notification panel on Galaxy S9 and S9+ to check notifications?
    • Galaxy S9 layout (and layout of Galaxy S9+)
      • How to use adapt sound on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • 5 ways to take screenshots on Galaxy S9 and S9+ without using any apps
      • How to use Galaxy S9 touchscreen gestures?
      • How to use wireless printing on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 themes to customize the look and feel of Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • Unbox Galaxy S9: understand package contents in Galaxy S9 box and S9+ box
    • How to reboot into Galaxy S9 recovery mode and to clear Galaxy S9 cache partition on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to reboot Galaxy S9 and S9+ if Galaxy S9 hangs?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 safe mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?
      • 6 ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • Understanding and use Galaxy S9 camera settings
      • How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use Galaxy S9 camera Pro Mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • New features
    • Top 9 new features of Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+
      • How to use the lockdown mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the new navigation gestures in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9+?
      • How to use the night mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to remap Bixby button on Galaxy S9 and S9+ after updating to Android Pie?
      • How to update Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus to Android Pie (Android 9)?
      • How to use the lift to wake feature on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the new Recents screen in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the floating keyboard on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to lock Galaxy S9 home screen layout on Galaxy S9 and S9+ with Android Pie update?
      • How to use the rotation toggle to change and lock screen orientation in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
      • How to use Bixby quick commands on Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8, and Note 9 with the Android Pie update?
    • Top 10 new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+
    • How to remove Bixby Home from Galaxy S9 Home screen?
    • How to use and customize Galaxy S9 navigation bar and navigation buttons?
    • How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • Understand and use Galaxy S9 notification number badge (notification dots, app icon badge)
    • How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 home screen landscape mode?
    • Understanding and use Galaxy S9 camera settings
    • How to use dual aperture to manually switch Galaxy S9 camera aperture in Pro mode?
    • Galaxy S9 layout (and layout of Galaxy S9+)
    • How to use app pair on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
  • Camera
    • How to use Galaxy S9 camera app?
    • How to use the updated camera app in Android Pie update for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus?
    • Understanding and use Galaxy S9 camera settings
    • 6 ways to start Galaxy S9 camera app in Galaxy S9 and S9+
    • How to use dual aperture to manually switch Galaxy S9 camera aperture in Pro mode?
    • How to use super slow motion mode (super Slow-mo) on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Galaxy S9 camera Pro Mode on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to show photos on Galaxy S9 Home screen?
  • Official User Guides
    • Official user manuals for Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with Android Pie update
    • Official Samsung Galaxy S9 user guides (Oreo)
  • Accessories
    • How to use Samsung Galaxy S9 clear view standing cover (S-view cover)?
    • Samsung Galaxy S9 LED wallet cover guide
    • How to use micro SD card on Galaxy S9 and S9+?
    • How to use Samsung DeX with Galaxy S9 and S9+ and other Samsung phones?
      • Samsung DeX Station vs Samsung DeX Pad vs Samsung DeX cable
      • How to use Samsung DeX Station for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use Samsung DeX Pad for Galaxy S9, S9+, S8, S8+, Note 8 and Note 9?
      • How to use a USB flash drive on Galaxy S9 and S9+?

How to use smart switch to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or S9+?

You can migrate data from iPhones, other Galaxy phones and other Android phones to Galaxy S9 or S9+ easily with Samsung smart switch.

simon · Leave a Comment

use smart switch to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or S9+You can transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 and S9+ from iPhones or Android phones through a USB cable, or wireless connection, or cloud storage.

For many Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners, Galaxy S9 or S+ is not your first smartphone. You were very likely using an iPhone or an Android phone before getting Galaxy S9 or S9+.

This Galaxy S9 guide explains to you how to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 and S9+ if you were using 1). an iPhone; or 2). a Samsung Galaxy phone, or 3). other Android phones.

Table of Contents hide
1) What can be migrated to Galaxy S9 and S9+? What cannot be?
2) Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from an iPhone
3) Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from Samsung Galaxy phones
3.1) Step 2: Connect Galaxy S9 with the old phone
3.2) Step 3: Grant permission on the old phone
3.3) Step 4: prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9
4) Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 from other Android phones

What can be migrated to Galaxy S9 and S9+?  What cannot be?

Contacts, messages, call logs, photos, videos, music files, documents and stock calendar data in your old phone can be easily transferred and migrated to Galaxy S9 and S9+.

If you want to migrate data to Galaxy S9 from an iPhone, of course, apps cannot be transferred.  There is no one-to-one match in Google play store and Apple’s App Store.  Some app developers only release apps in App Store. Some may only release them in the Google Play store.

If you want to migrate data to Galaxy S9 from a Samsung Galaxy phone, then you can transfer and migrate almost all data. Apps from Galaxy apps and side-loaded apps can be transferred as well.  Phone settings including WiFi, wallpaper, home screen settings, and some system settings, will be migrated. The only data that cannot be transferred or migrated are some game progress data and login credentials (unless you use the Samsung Pass). Your email settings in the stock email app can also be migrated. But you need to re-enter the password for each account.

If you transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or Note 9 from other Android phones, some phone settings will not be copied. Some side-loaded apps may also be ignored.

Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from an iPhone

If you want to migrate from iPhone to Galaxy S9, you need to have iOS 5 or higher on your iPhone.

The simplest way to migrate iPhone data to Galaxy S9 is through iCloud.  You back up everything you need to transfer in your iPhone to iCloud.

In your iPhone, go to Settings – YOURNAME –  iCloud – iCloud Backup (for iOS 10.2 or later) or Settings –  iCloud – Backup (for older iOS) to back up the phone.

Then in Galaxy S9,  go to Settings — Clouds and Accounts, tap Smart Switch.

In Smart switch page, as shown in the screenshot below, you can find that Samsung smart switch supports 3 modes of connection between your old phone and Galaxy S9 (or S9+).

  1. Wireless (WiFi).
  2. USB cable.USB connector (USB OTG adapter) is needed.
  3. External storage(not recommended).

If your WiFi speed is good, for iPhone users, it is recommended to use WiFi. Otherwise, use the lighting cable with the USB adapter/connector in the Galaxy S9 box.

In this example, we use WiFi. Tap Wireless (marked as 1)  as shown below.

Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from an iPhone Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from an iPhone

Next, in the transfer wirelessly page, you need to define the role of Galaxy S9 or S9+.

In this case, it should receive data from iCloud. So, tap Receive as shown above.

You will now be asked to select the OS of the old phone as shown below.

In this case, the old phone is iPhone and you want to migrate data to Galaxy S9 through iCloud backups.

So, tap iPhone/iPod (import from iCloud) as shown below.

Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from an iPhone

Now, sign in to your iCloud and migrate data to Galaxy S9 from iCloud.

Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from Samsung Galaxy phones

For Samsung Galaxy phones with Android Nougat 7.0 or later, Smart Switch is integrated into the settings.

If your Galaxy devices have an older Android, you need to install the smart switch app from Play Store or Galaxy Apps.

Step 1:  Prepare smart switch on Galaxy S9 or S9+

Go to Settings — Clouds and Accounts —Smart Switch.

In the smart switch page, as shown earlier,  tap USB connection (marked as 2). Of course, if you want, you can use WiFi as shown earlier for iPhone.

It will ask you to connect the phone with the old phone.

Step 2: Connect Galaxy S9 with the old phone

Connect the USB adapter (you can find it in your Galaxy S9 box) to your Galaxy S9 (new phone).

Use your old phone’s USB cable to connect the two phones. The USB-A side (with bigger connector) should be inserted into the USB adapter. The other side (micro USB or USB C depending on the model of the old phone) should be connected to the old phone as shown below.

Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from Samsung Galaxy phones Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from Samsung Galaxy phones

Once the old phone is detected, tap Receive as shown above.

Step 3: Grant permission on the old phone

Now, work on the old phone.

On the old phone, start smart switch, choose to connect through USB, then choose the role as “SEND“.

Remember the old device is to send data, and the new device is to receive data.

When the two phones are connected, it will ask you to grant permission to access the data on the old phone.

As shown in the screenshot below, tap Allow to grant the permission.

Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from Samsung Galaxy phones Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9, S9+ or Note 9 from Samsung Galaxy phones

Once the permission is granted, the old phone will be connected to Galaxy S9 s shown above.

From now on, it is NOT necessary to check the old phone.

Step 4: prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9

Back to Galaxy S9 or S9+.

Now, Galaxy S9 should search for transferable contents in the old device as shown below.

It may take up to a few minutes depending on the age of the old device and the size of the data.

Be patient!!

prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9 prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9

Once the scanning is finished, you can then select data to be migrated to Galaxy S9.

As shown above, almost everything from the old Galaxy phones can be transferred to the new phone (Galaxy S9 or S9+).

But please note, although the app can be transferred to Galaxy S9, some app data may be not transferred, or usable.

Do not assume all app data can be transferred. Actually, most game data cannot be transferred.

You can select or deselect individual items for the transfer as well.

Once you finish the selection, tap transfer as shown above to start to migrate data to Galaxy S9.

From now on, no interaction is needed on either of the two phones.  You can leave the phones on the desk and check back later.

The smart switch uses 3 stages to transfer and migrate data from the old device to Galaxy S9 and S9+:

  1. Preparing. Backups in the old phone will be generated.
  2. Transferring. Packed data will be moved to the new device (Galaxy S9).
  3. Saving. Transferred data will be restored on Galaxy S9 or S9+.

As shown below, in the preparing stage, backups will be generated in the old device.

In the top right, you can see the progress of the stages.  This stage can take considerable time.

prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9 prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9

In the transferring stage, packed data are copied to the new phone through the USB cable.

This stage usually is fast.

Once the data are transferred to the new phone (Galaxy S9 in this case), you can actually disconnect the old phone if you need to use it.

In the last stage, all transferred data will then be saved (restored) to Galaxy S9 or S9+.

It may take a while for the restoring depending on the size of the data transferred.

prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9 prepare, transfer and restore data to Galaxy S9

Once the data are restored, you can tap close app as shown above to exit the smart switch and enjoy your Galaxy S9.

Transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9  from other Android phones

If you were using an Android phone from other manufacturers, you can migrate data to Galaxy S9 as the process mentioned for Galaxy phones.

The only exception is that you must install the smart switch app from the Google Play store.

Some calendar entries may not be migrated. Email accounts will not be transferred.

Can you use Samsung smart switch to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or S9+ from iPhones, Galaxy phones or other Android phones?

If you have any questions or encounter any problem when using Samsung smart switch to transfer and migrate data to Galaxy S9 or S9+ from iPhones, Galaxy phones or other Android phones,  please let us know them in the comment box below.

The community will help you find the answer.

For the user guide for new features of Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 new features guides page.

For using Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 how-to guides page.

For using Galaxy S9 camera, please check Galaxy S9 camera guides page.

For accessories for Galaxy S9 and S9+, please check Galaxy S9 accessories guides page.

For the official Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ user guides (in PDF format), please check Galaxy S9 user guides page.

You may also contact us through our Facebook page.

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Filed Under: Galaxy S9 Guides Tagged With: back up, Galaxy S9 package contents, iPhone, migrate to Galaxy S9, smart switch, USB adapter, USB connector, USB OTG, USB-C

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