Transfer Data from Old Android to Galaxy S25 Wirelessly

Transfer Data from Old Android to Galaxy S25 Wirelessly

If you're upgrading to the Samsung Galaxy S25, the easiest way to move everything—apps, photos, texts, system settings—is to use Samsung’s wireless transfer tools. This guide covers the exact steps, common issues people hit, and what to do when the transfer gets stuck.

For more Samsung guides, visit the Samsung Hub.

Before You Start: Requirements

• Old device must be Android 6.0 or newer.
• Both phones should have at least 40% battery.
• Wi-Fi enabled on both devices.
• Install Samsung Smart Switch on the old phone (if not preinstalled).

Method 1: Transfer Wirelessly Using Smart Switch

Step 1 — Open Smart Switch on Both Devices

On your Galaxy S25, open Settings › Accounts and Backup › Smart Switch. On the old Android device, open Smart Switch from the app drawer or install it from the Play Store.

Step 2 — Choose “Send Data” on the Old Device

Select Send data on the old phone and Receive data on the S25.

Step 3 — Select “Wireless”

Both devices will search for each other. When the old phone detects the Galaxy S25, confirm the connection.

Step 4 — Choose What You Want to Transfer

You can select:

• Apps & app data
• Photos & videos
• Messages (SMS/MMS)
• Call logs
• Documents & downloads
• Settings from the old device

For large transfers (50–150 GB), keep both devices close and connected to power if possible.

Step 5 — Start the Transfer

Tap Transfer and wait. Depending on data size, this can take from 5 minutes to over an hour. Both screens will show progress.

Method 2: Transfer via Wi-Fi Direct (When Devices Won’t Pair)

If Smart Switch fails to automatically connect, restart both devices and try again. If still not pairing, turn off mobile hotspots and VPNs, then retry the wireless link.

Method 3: Use a USB Cable (Faster & More Stable)

Wireless is convenient, but USB-C to USB-C is noticeably faster and avoids “stuck at 99%” issues.

1. Connect the phones via USB-C cable.
2. The S25 will detect the old device automatically.
3. Select the data types and tap Transfer.

Fix Transfer Problems

1. Transfer Stuck at 1% or 99%

Enable Airplane Mode on both phones, then manually turn Wi-Fi back on. This prevents background apps from interrupting the connection.

2. Old Android Phone Not Detected

• Restart both phones.
• Update Smart Switch on the old device.
• Disable battery optimizations for Smart Switch.

3. Apps Didn’t Transfer

Apps from non-Google sources (e.g., unknown APKs, regional stores) may not move automatically. Reinstall them manually after the transfer.

4. WhatsApp Messages Didn’t Move

Use WhatsApp’s built-in transfer tool under Settings › Chats › Transfer chats to Android.

What Data Won’t Transfer Wirelessly?

• Login passwords or biometric unlocks
• Some app-specific settings
• Files stored inside certain secure or encrypted folders

Useful Samsung Resources

For deeper device optimization, check out:

• Battery & Power Management
• Performance & System Tweaks

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy S25’s Smart Switch makes moving from an older Android quick and painless—as long as you follow the wireless pairing steps and keep both devices stable during the process. If the connection fails, switching to a USB-C cable almost always solves the issue.