Samsung Smart Switch can transfer items from one of your old devices to your new Samsung smartphone wired or wirelessly, making it easier for you when you switch between Android, iPhone, Windows or from a Blackberry to a new Galaxy S9 / S10. You might consider it to be the perfect solution for Samsung file transfer, until the moment you realize that Smart Switch is not working on your devices..
There are 2 big major issues with Smart Switch not working: the connectivity issue and the stability issue, which cause devices to fail to connect or apps to crash while transferring data. In this article, you will learn specific explanations of each problem and methods to diagnose and repair Samsung Smart Switch not working issues.
In rare cases, Samsung Smart Switch simply cannot work on your devices or you might just be tired of this app, then you have an alternative to Smart Switch: FonePaw DoTrans (opens new window) , which allows to simultaneously connect 2 devices and migrate items from Android / iPhone / iPad to Samsung Galaxy or vice versa, it's a really easy and stable method.
Samsung Smart Switch cannot connect to your device (or the connection has dropped)
The first problem you might face with Samsung Smart Switch is connecting Smart Switch with your devices. Here are the various Samsung Smart Switch connection issues that you might encounter, along with the corresponding solutions..
# Samsung Smart Switch on PC cannot connect with mobile device
When you try to transfer data from your Galaxy smartphone through Samsung Smart Switch to PC / Mac, Smart Switch to PC or Mac, it might have trouble recognizing your Galaxy smartphone, iPhone or Android device. If a similar situation happens to you, then here is what you can do.
- Make sure your devices meet at least these system requirements : your PC is running Windows XP or later, your Mac is running Mac OS X 10.6 or later, your Samsung devices are running Android 4.3 or later , your iPhones are running on iOS 4.2.1 or later.
- Make sure the USB cable and the USB port are working well. Otherwise please change the cable or try another port.
- In the USB connection options, please choose “Media device (MTP)” on your Samsung smartphone.
- Restart Smart Switch.
- Reinstall the Smart Switch USB driver. In the main application window, click “MORE”> “Reinstall device driver”. After that, restart your Samsung device and reconnect it to Samsung Smart Switch.
# Samsung Smart Switch loses connection
Samsung Smart Switch might sometimes display the note “connection lost” on your Samsung device when it tries to detect an iPhone through a lightning cable and a USB-OTG adapter. If the connection keeps getting lost, then you can try to:
- Make sure your iPhone is running on iOS 5.0 or later;
- Use an original lightning cable and a USB connector offered with your Samsung and iPhone device;
- Clear the Smart Switch cache on your Samsung by going to “Settings”> “Application”> “Application Manager”> “DOWNLOADED”> “Smart Switch”;
- Restart Samsung and iOS devices;
- Reinstall Samsung Smart Switch;
- Switch to wireless transfer, which can move your iPhone data through iCloud backup;
- Switch to Smart Switch for PC / Mac and restore iPhone data from iTunes backup to your new Samsung device.
The worst would be if you lose the network connection when connecting to your iPhone via cable, Smart Switch reports that there is no iCloud backup, or the internet connection is lost when you try to do a wireless transfer. If so, then use FonePaw DoTrans (opens new window) , which allows you to connect your iPhone and Samsung devices to the computer and select the data you want to transfer.
Samsung Smart Switch constantly disconnects
By installing Smart Switch Mobile on your old Galaxy smartphone and new Galaxy smartphone, you will be able to wirelessly connect your two devices via high frequency audio, which is sent from the speakers of the old device to the microphone of the new device. If Smart Switch keeps disconnecting, then you should make sure that the following conditions have been met in your case:
- Your Galaxy devices run on Android 4.0 or higher;
- The two devices are located side by side;
- The speakers of the old device are not covered, and the two devices are not connected to headphones or other Bluetooth devices.
If you are unable to pair the two Galaxy devices via the audio connection, then do so manually by entering a PIN code..
Samsung Smart Switch is blocked
Samsung Smart Switch could also hang at 99% or for a very long time while transferring data. If this happens, then please follow the following tips:
- If you are transferring items wirelessly via Smart Switch, please unplug and plug the cable back into your device.
- If Smart Switch is stuck during a wired transfer, then try the wireless transfer. Make sure that Smart Switch for Android has been installed on both devices and that your two smartphones are connected to Wi-Fi. Open the Smart Switch app and tap on "Wireless transfer".
- During the data transfer process, please make sure that all other apps are closed on your devices so that the Smart Switch transfer is not interrupted. If none of these tips worked for you, then try Samsung Smart Switch on PC.
Samsung Smart Switch cannot transfer apps
Samsung Smart Switch supports transferring apps and app data from Android to Galaxy smartphone, but it cannot transfer all apps. For example, if your old Galaxy smartphone is a Verizon phone and the new one is not, then Verizon apps cannot be transferred.
Also, while transferring items from your iPhone to Galaxy device, the apps will not be transferred because the iOS apps are different from the ones working under the Android version. Smart Switch only transfers the list of applications from an iPhone to a Galaxy smartphone. You can tap “Install” to get the iOS version of the apps.
# Alternative to Samsung Smart Switch: FonePaw DoTrans
DoTrans (opens new window) is a desktop tool that can transfer photos, videos, sounds, messages, contacts, etc. from iPhone or Android to Galaxy devices or vice versa. Unlike Smart Switch for PC, DoTrans allows you to simultaneously connect different mobile devices and select the data to be transferred with the connected devices. In this way, the tool can transfer data to Galaxy devices much faster and in a much more flexible way, more importantly, you will never face connection issues.
- Connect your old device (iPhone or Android) and your new Galaxy smartphone to the computer using USB cables.
- Select the file category you want and tick all the items you want to transfer.
- Click “Export” and select the destination device to start the transfer process.
