How to Use Samsung Smart Switch

The Samsung Smart Switch application backs up your mobile data to your computer so that it can later be restored on your Samsung smartphone, tablet, or phablet. Learn how to use Smart Switch to save your important photos, music, and more.

Information in this article applies to Samsung devices running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and later.

How to Download and Install Smart Switch

The Smart Switch Mobile app is already installed on Samsung Galaxy smartphones and phablets, but you’ll have to install the app on your Galaxy Tab tablet from the Galaxy Apps store. You’ll also need to download and install Smart Switch for your Windows PC or Mac from the Samsung website.

How to Use Samsung Smart Switch to Back Up Data

After you install Smart Switch onto your computer, you can use Smart Switch to back up your Samsung device:

1. Launch Samsung Smart Switch on your computer and connect your smartphone or tablet via USB port.

   If Smart Switch doesn’t find your smartphone or tablet right away, try unplugging it and plugging it back in.

   

2. Select Backup.

   If you see a USB file transfer is not allowed message, tap Allow on your phone's screen to continue.

   

3. After the backup process is complete, you'll see a summary of the data that was backed up. Select OK to go back to the Smart Switch main menu.

   

If new updates are available for your device, select Update at anytime on the Samsung Switch main menu to upgrade your Android version.

How to Restore Your Backed-Up Data

Here's how to restore your backed-up data to your smartphone or tablet when it's connected to your computer:

1. Select Restore Now to restore the most recent backup, or choose Select Your Backup Data to select a different backup.

   If there's not enough space on your device for a full restore, you can choose specific types of data to restore from the Select Your Backup Data screen.

   

2. Select the date and time of the backed-up data, choose which types of data you want to restore, then select OK.

   Tap Allow on your mobile device if the Allow Access window appears.

   

On your smartphone or tablet, you may have to restore some features such as the data within the Weather widget on the Home screen.

Synchronizing Your Outlook Contacts With Smart Switch

Due to compatibility issues, the Outlook Sync feature is no longer supported for most Samsung devices. Selecting this option will usually result in an error message. Fortunately, there are other ways to sync Outlook contacts across multiple devices.

More Samsung Smart Switch Options

Smart Switch has several more options for managing your smartphone or tablet from your computer. Select More on the main menu and choose from one of the following menu options:

• Emergency Software Recovery: Recover and initialize the smartphone or tablet system software.
• Reinstall Device Driver: Reinstall a malfunctioning device driver on your smartphone or tablet
• Preferences: Change Smart Switch preferences.
• Smart Switch Help: Get online help for using Smart Switch.
• Smart Switch Information: Read the current version and license information.