Difference between Samsung smart switch and restore from back up? (2024)

Cody Ratliff

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  • Jan 15, 2021
  • #1

Is there a difference at all? I'm switching from a N10+ to a N20U and I'm trying to see if there really is a difference or if smart switch just transfers though the app everything that's in the back up if you have back up turned on.

Thanks

mustang7757

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  • Jan 15, 2021
  • #2

Difference is convenience, Samsung cloud you do everything from the device , smart switch on pc you need to connect to phone

Cody Ratliff

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Im going to do the smart switch from the app but it sounds like it should all work the same.

bandofbrothers2112

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  • Jan 15, 2021
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I use my Samsung Cloud back up to move across my information however when it comes to my apps I download these using my listing the Playstore.

I'm not a fan of Smartswitch.

mustang7757

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It's not the same the smart switch app, it ask to transfer from another device or sd card , best way is smart switch back up from pc and restore if you going from Samsung to Samsung it saves settings, home screen etc.

Cody Ratliff

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  • Jan 17, 2021
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Ok. So here's what I did and it was excellent. Since I wanted to copy everything from my Note10+ to N20U (including home screen setup) I simply just restored my last back up from my N10+ on my N20U. It was pretty quick and it automatically downloads the apps necessary to copy everything. The only apps that it didnt download were google calendar and the amazon app. Kind of weird though since it did download the Prime Music app.

After that I used smart switch to move only my pictures and videos (not using SD card) to the new phone. Also once I logged into my Samsung account in the new phone I was able to use Samsung pass for saved passwords once I used them in the new phone. I used a data cable instead of wifi so not sure how much longer it would be using wifi direct.

mustang7757

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Cody Ratliff said:

Ok. So here's what I did and it was excellent. Since I wanted to copy everything from my Note10+ to N20U (including home screen setup) I simply just restored my last back up from my N10+ on my N20U. It was pretty quick and it automatically downloads the apps necessary to copy everything. The only apps that it didnt download were google calendar and the amazon app. Kind of weird though since it did download the Prime Music app.

After that I used smart switch to move only my pictures and videos (not using SD card) to the new phone. Also once I logged into my Samsung account in the new phone I was able to use Samsung pass for saved passwords once I used them in the new phone. I used a data cable instead of wifi so not sure how much longer it would be using wifi direct.

Does it transfer over home screen setup,settings like wifi etc?

Cody Ratliff

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  • Jan 18, 2021
  • #9

Yes.

jimd1050

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  • Jan 18, 2021
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I did SmartSwitch via Cable, then did a Restore of my last backup just to make sure I didn't miss anything! Also, either/or Samsung and Google did automatic restores once the new phone went online, so anything that was missing, definitely got replaced!!!

T

tivoboy

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  • Feb 10, 2021
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I’m been trying to do this for a week from a Note 10+ to a new S21+.. I do the smart switch app on both devices, everything seems selected, I don’t unselect things and all what to move checkboxes are checked… and yet, it completes, I have about 1/4 of the apps from the source phone, NONE of the home screens are setup, of course no stored passwords are coming across, nothing. Is there some other trick? Is there an issue going from a device that has Android 10 to new Android 11? Any tips appreciate, I COULD do a cable if that somehow helps.

mustang7757

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  • Feb 11, 2021
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tivoboy said:

I’m been trying to do this for a week from a Note 10+ to a new S21+.. I do the smart switch app on both devices, everything seems selected, I don’t unselect things and all what to move checkboxes are checked… and yet, it completes, I have about 1/4 of the apps from the source phone, NONE of the home screens are setup, of course no stored passwords are coming across, nothing. Is there some other trick? Is there an issue going from a device that has Android 10 to new Android 11? Any tips appreciate, I COULD do a cable if that somehow helps.

I responded in the other thread , just seen u posted here also .

T

tivoboy

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  • Feb 11, 2021
  • #14

Thanks. I ended up trying it a third time but with a USB C cable connection.. same things popped up to copy, all were checked and everything came across except Home Screen backgrounds. So, after having tried it wirelessly three times prior, using a direct cable connection seems to have allowed it to work properly.

wenso smith

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Smart Switch can back up contacts, photos, application data, and any other local files on your phone. This makes moving between Galaxy phones a breeze; you can move all of your data to your new phone and pick up right where you left on the old device.

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Difference between Samsung smart switch and restore from back up? (2024)

FAQs

What cannot be transferred using a Smart Switch? ›

Items that cannot be backed up with Smart Switch

Calender: Appointments synced with external accounts, such as Google, and calendar stickers are excluded. App data: Data saved in private storage cannot be backed up. Email: Social Hub and Premium accounts (Push email) are excluded.

Will a Smart Switch transfer everything? ›

Smart Switch can transfer all your data, including your device settings, so that you can pick up your new device and carry on right where you left off. You can even create a backup for your old phone's files on your PC or Mac, then transfer or sync your data onto your new Galaxy phone.

What does Smart Switch restore do? ›

What can Smart Switch do? You can use Smart Switch to back up phone data to a PC or SD card, restore the backed up data to a phone, or transfer data from an old phone to a new phone.

What is the best way to backup a Samsung phone? ›

  1. How to manually back up data. Go to Settings > Accounts and backup. Tap Samsung Cloud > Back up data. ...
  2. How to back up data automatically. Auto back up automatically backs up your data once every 24 hours. ...
  3. Tap More options (three vertical dots) > Settings. Tap Sync and auto backup settings > Auto back up.
Jan 11, 2024

What does not transfer with Samsung Smart Switch? ›

Note that paid apps and most in-app purchases from non-Android devices won't transfer. But you can install paid apps on your new device later.

Why did Smart Switch not transfer everything? ›

If an error occurred while you were transferring content through Smart Switch, there is a simple way to solve the problem: clearing the app's cache and residual files. Available screens and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version, and phone model.

Should I put a SIM card in a new Samsung phone before transferring? ›

If using an UNLOCKED phone, first choose to transfer from an old device, select your service provider (2nd screenshot), and confirm your selection before inserting the SIM card. In short, insert the SIM before restoring.

Does Smart Switch transfer all text messages? ›

The Samsung Smart Switch allows you to transfer text messages from one Samsung device to the other. You don't even need a PC for that. Just use the app on both sides, and voila!

Does Smart Switch take everything off your old phone? ›

If I use Smart Switch, will the data be removed from the old form during the transfer? No the data will still be on the old phone unless you delete it. From experience, I'd recommend using a cable to transfer data than doing it wireless. A 100% none of your data will be deleted.

Does Smart Switch backup everything? ›

Smart Switch can back up contacts, photos, application data, and any other local files on your phone. This makes moving between Galaxy phones a breeze; you can move all of your data to your new phone and pick up right where you left on the old device.

Does Smart Switch restore app data? ›

Smart Switch mobile does not support application data backup or restore. Smart Switch only backs up the application on its list.

What does Samsung Smart Switch back up? ›

Smart Switch PC/Mac will back up the following information: Contacts. SMS Messages. Call logs.

How to back up everything on Samsung phone? ›

  1. Go to and open the Samsung Cloud app.
  2. Select Back up data. Note: On this screen, you can also tap the switches to select items you wish to automatically back up. ...
  3. Select which items to back up to the Samsung Cloud > tap Back up now.
  4. Tap Done.

Is Google backup better than Samsung backup? ›

Basically Samsung Cloud backs up pretty much the same thing as Google Drive, such as apps, messages, call history and device settings. Samsung Cloud can do more such as backup your Home Screen. Photos & Videos will only be backed up to Google Drive, if you're using Google Photos.

How do I backup my entire phone? ›

You can set up your phone to automatically back up your files.
  1. On your Android phone, open the Google One app .
  2. At the bottom, tap Storage.
  3. Scroll to "Backup" and tap View. ...
  4. To review your backup settings, tap Manage backup.
  5. Choose your backup settings. ...
  6. If asked, tap Allow permissions.
  7. At the top left, tap Back.

Does Smart Switch transfer all apps? ›

Yes it absolutely transfers everything. Connect both phone via usb type c to each other. Open smart switch on both phones and follow the instructions.

Can you transfer everything from Samsung to Samsung? ›

Smart Switch will transfer your data and device settings

Smart Switch is the simplest way to transfer all your data to your new Galaxy smartphone. Keep your contacts, photos, music, and more. And it's compatible with most major operating systems.

Can I choose what data to transfer with Smart Switch? ›

Open Smart Switch on your new Samsung device and press 'Start'. Then follow the onscreen prompts. You will then have the option to select the data you wish to transfer.

What devices are compatible with the Samsung Smart Switch? ›

Whether your old phone is an Android, iOS, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile device, upgrading to a Galaxy smartphone or tablet is done in one seamless move with Smart Switch. From your contacts to messages, your photos and videos to your music, your calendar events to your apps.

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