Transferring data to new phone

[EllisKai]

Switching to newer Samsung phones is still a long and frustrating process for me. I restored my backup from Samsung cloud. I started in the afternoon and ended in the evening setting up S23 Ultra coming from Note20 Ultra. I was able to restore exact (I think) settings including the home screen wallpaper, messages, call history, WiFi password, Bixby routines, quick commands and Bixby voice recognition. Restoring installed apps is the really tiring one. Some of the widgets won't be readily available because the apps could not be installed automatically. Even GoodLock modules don't install and revert to last settings. I had to search two app stores to download each app manually. AR emojis weren't backed up, call background, theme and quick shortcuts layout, didn't restore. 

My audio recordings were restored but the categories were gone. 

Note20 Ultra:

S23 Ultra:

Do you use smart switch? How do you transfer your data and settings to your newer phone? 

*****

Update Aug 22 2023:

I usually don't upgrade a phone until my current phone is broken so I've never used smart switch even though it's installed already. I also don't remember it being offered in the set up process. Activating the new phone would always take me to logging in to Samsung and Google accounts then to the prompts to restore from previous phone's backup files (in random):

I think this process should work the same if I would take the smart switch route. But to my surprise last night, it was easier to use smart switch - I could just copy the apps with their settings from my previous phone. I was able eto copy about 1/3 of my previous files and 3 apps and that took an hour to complete. 

Maybe I just have a slow Internet so restoring my data from cloud always fail to complete. 

Thanks for all your replies, esp this:

[Zajjj · Accepted solution]

I have used Smart Switch to transfer everything from my old phone to my new phone and didnt have issues with. Settings, apps, files, and other contacts were included in it automatically.

With apps, some apps were transferred and greyed out which needs to be downloaded or updated. I just did this by going to google playstore and samsung galaxy store -> apps then just click update all then thats it.

Although login to every app, may it be social media or banking apps, you really need to do it all over. Even the phone password, finger prints, etc., i configured it again

In my case tho, I just backup a few things in the cloud like contacts, some pics, and some other important files soo I didnt need to access and restore them to my phone because they're included in the smart switch transfer anyway

Just my experience 😁

[ProCo · Accepted solution]

Smart Switch, plug in type C cable or USB cable on both device. Then active Smart Switch to transfer old data to new device. No need to turn on Wifi.

[dulber]

As a personal preference, I only restore some key accounts and settings like wifi. The rest I manually add. For work related stuff, like authentication, I transfer to a tablet. Then take it back when the phone is up.

[summeRamirez · Accepted solution]

I use Smart Switch and it copies everything (that I want to) from what I remember. I never spent that long transferring everything to a new device.

[ProCo]

Appreciate your commendation. Thank you! 😎 Enjoy your new device. Keep safe.