Getting a new phone is exciting. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a big upgrade. But then comes that moment when you realise you have to move everything from your old phone. All your photos, contacts, messages, apps, and settings.
The good news is that Samsung has made this really simple. You do not need to be a tech expert. You do not need to pay someone to do it for you.
I have helped many people move to new phones over the years. And I have seen the mistakes people make. This guide will show you exactly what to do.
Let us get your data moved over the right way.
The Tool That Does Everything: Smart Switch
Samsung built a tool called Smart Switch specifically for this. It is free. It comes pre-installed on your Galaxy S26 Ultra. And it works with almost any phone—Android or iPhone.
Smart Switch can transfer:
- Contacts and messages
- Photos and videos
- Apps (from Android phones)
- Call logs
- Calendar events
- Documents
- Settings and home screen layout
- Wi-Fi networks and passwords
Basically, everything that matters.
The best part? You choose exactly what to move. You do not have to transfer everything. If you want a fresh start with only your photos and contacts, you can do that.
1. Transfer During Initial Setup (Easiest Way)
When you turn on your Galaxy S26 Ultra for the first time, it walks you through a setup wizard. This is the easiest moment to transfer your data.
Here is what you do:
- Power on your new S26 Ultra. Select your language and tap Start.
- Go through the terms and conditions.
- The phone will ask if you want to set up using your old phone. Select either “Galaxy or Android device” or “iPhone or iPad.”
- A QR code will appear on your new phone.
- Open Smart Switch on your old phone. Scan the QR code.
- Choose whether to connect wirelessly or with a cable.
- Select what data you want to transfer. Tap Next.
- Wait for the transfer to finish.
That is it. The whole process is guided. You just follow what the screen says.
2. Wireless Transfer
If you already set up your phone and skipped the transfer, do not worry. You can still do it later. Wireless transfer is convenient because both phones stay untangled.
Here is how:
- Make sure Smart Switch is installed on both phones. On your S26 Ultra, it is already there. On your old phone, download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store if you do not have it.
- Place both phones within 4 inches of each other.
- Open Smart Switch on both phones.
- On your old phone, tap “Send from this phone” and select Wireless.
- On your new S26 Ultra, tap “Receive on this phone.” Select the type of phone you are transferring from.
- Scan the QR code shown on your new phone with your old phone.
- Choose what to transfer. Tap Next.
- Wait for it to complete.
When to use wireless: If you have less than 30-40GB of data, wireless works fine. It takes about an hour for most people.
A real tip: Keep both phones plugged into chargers during the transfer. If a phone dies halfway through, you will have to start over.
3. Transfer Using a USB Cable (Faster)
If you have a lot of photos and videos, use a cable. It is much faster than wireless.
Here is what you need:
- A USB-C to USB-C cable. Your S26 Ultra comes with one in the box.
- If your old phone uses micro-USB or Lightning, you will need an adapter.
Steps:
- Install Smart Switch on both phones.
- Connect both phones with the cable. You may need a USB-OTG adapter for some phones.
- Open Smart Switch on both phones.
- On your old phone, tap “Send from this phone” and select Cable.
- On your new S26 Ultra, tap “Receive on this phone.”
- Choose what to transfer.
- Wait for it to finish.
When to use cable: If you have tons of photos, videos, or more than 50GB of data. Cable transfers are significantly faster than wireless.
A real tip: Use the cable that came with your S26 Ultra. Third-party cables can be slower or unreliable.
4. Transfer From iPhone
Moving from iPhone to Samsung is very common. Smart Switch handles it well.
What transfers from iPhone:
- Photos and videos
- Contacts
- Messages (iMessage conversations come over as regular texts)
- Calendar events
- Notes
What does not transfer:
- iOS apps (you will need to download Android versions from the Play Store)
- Apple Music playlists (you will need to recreate them manually)
- iCloud data (you will need to set up separately)
The process is the same as the methods above. Just select “iPhone or iPad” when prompted.
A real tip: For iPhone transfers, a wired connection is more reliable than wireless. iPhones sometimes disconnect during wireless transfers.
5. Transfer From External Storage or Computer
Maybe your old phone is broken. Maybe you already backed everything up to a computer. Smart Switch can handle that too.
From external storage (like a USB drive or SD card):
- Insert the USB OTG storage into your old phone.
- Open Smart Switch on the old phone.
- Tap the SD card icon.
- Select “Back up to” and choose the external storage.
- Move the storage to your S26 Ultra.
- Open Smart Switch and restore from the external storage.
From a computer:
- Go to www.samsung.com/smartswitch on your computer.
- Download and install Smart Switch for PC or Mac.
- Connect your old phone to the computer and back up your data.
- Connect your S26 Ultra to the computer.
- Restore the backup to your new phone.
This method is great if your old phone is damaged or if you want a full backup before transferring.
Common Problems and How to Fix Them
Transfer keeps failing or stopping
This usually happens when the connection drops. If you are using wireless, move the phones closer together. Within 4 inches is the recommendation. If you are using a cable, try a different cable or port.
Some apps did not transfer
This is normal for some apps. Not every app allows its data to be transferred. If an app does not show up, just download it again from the Play Store or Galaxy Store.
Duplicate contacts
This can happen if you have contacts saved in multiple places—like your Google account and your phone storage. After the transfer, go to Contacts and merge duplicates. It takes two minutes.
Phone feels slow after transfer
Some people notice this. The fix is simple: restart your phone. If that does not help, clear the cache partition. Search online for “clear cache partition S26 Ultra” and follow the steps. It is safe and helps.
Should You Transfer Everything?
Here is something I always tell people: you do not have to move everything.
Yes, Smart Switch can transfer all your apps and settings. But think about it. Do you really need every app from your old phone? Probably not. Most of us have apps we never use.
Transferring everything also means transferring old junk. Old settings. Old cache files. Old notifications preferences.
A smarter approach:
- Transfer only your photos, videos, contacts, and messages.
- Download your essential apps fresh from the Play Store.
- Set up your settings manually.
This takes a bit more time upfront. But your new phone will feel cleaner, faster, and more organised. No baggage from the old phone.
One user on the Android Central forums said they cleaned up unused apps before transferring via Smart Switch. That kept their new phone uncluttered and worked great.
Before You Start: A Quick Checklist
Do these things before you begin any transfer:
- Charge both phones. Fully charged is best. Plug them in during the transfer.
- Check your storage. Make sure your S26 Ultra has enough space for everything.
- Update Smart Switch. On your old phone, make sure Smart Switch is the latest version.
- Know your passwords. You will need to sign into apps and accounts again after the transfer.
- Back up first. If something goes wrong, you want a backup. Use Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or Smart Switch on a computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the transfer take?
Most transfers finish in under an hour. If you have 100GB or more, it could take a couple of hours, especially over wireless. Use a cable for large transfers.
Can I use my phone during the transfer?
Do not. Leave both phones alone. If you start using your S26 Ultra while it is receiving data, things can get messed up.
Do I need to put my SIM card in the new phone first?
You can do it either way. Some people put the SIM in right away. Others wait until the transfer is complete. Both work.
Will my WhatsApp messages transfer?
WhatsApp has its own backup system. Back up your chats to Google Drive on your old phone. Then restore them on the S26 Ultra when you install WhatsApp. Smart Switch does not handle WhatsApp directly.
What about my Samsung account?
Sign into your Samsung account on the S26 Ultra. Your Samsung Cloud data will sync automatically.
Can I transfer from a broken phone?
If the screen is cracked but the phone turns on, you can connect it to a computer and use Smart Switch for PC. If the phone does not turn on at all, you may need professional data recovery.
Final Thoughts
Moving to a new phone does not have to be stressful. Samsung Smart Switch does the heavy lifting. You just need to choose your method and follow the steps.
The wireless method is great for most people. It is simple and does not require any cables. But if you have a lot of data, use a cable. It is faster and more reliable.
And remember: you do not have to move everything. A fresh start on a new phone can feel really good. Transfer the essentials. Download your favourite apps fresh. Set things up the way you want.
Your Galaxy S26 Ultra is a powerful device. Do not weigh it down with years of digital clutter from your old phone.
Here is my question for you: When you move to a new phone, do you transfer everything or do you start fresh? What is your reason? Drop your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear your approach.
