Samsung’s latest One UI 9 makes switching phones easier – the updated Smart Switch app now has a simpler set-up process and it can copy more data too.
If you are moving from an iPhone to a Galaxy Z8 foldable, you no longer need to install Smart Switch on the iPhone. The app on the Android side will generate a QR code that you scan with the iPhone’s camera app, then you need to confirm a few options and you’re ready to go.
Even better, the new app is able to copy more data from your old iPhone – the transfer now includes passwords and passkeys, call history, accessibility settings and eSIM information. As usual, the app will also copy photos, contacts, messages, calendars and apps.
If that didn’t make sense, watch the short video below that goes over the process. While your new Galaxy phone will offer to fire up Smart Switch during the initial set-up process, you can do it after the fact too (that’s covered in the second half of the video). This could come in handy if, for example, you were using an iPhone as a second phone, but now you want to drop it.
Anyway, Samsung has also thought about the experience after you switch. New One UI 9 devices – as well as older models on One UI 8.5 – are compatible with Apple’s AirDrop. This allows Quick Share to send and receive files from iPhones.
Additionally, you can use Good Lock to tweak the One UI interface to make it feel more familiar. You can customize home screen layouts, change swipe gesture settings, personalize the theme of the phone and more.
One UI 9 is only on the Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 right now. However, it’s coming to more devices soon. Galaxy S26 phones are on their fifth One UI 9 beta. Even A-series models like the Galaxy A57 and the Galaxy A16 5G are part of beta testing.
PS. Pixel phones running Android 17 have a similarly upgraded experience – Apple and Google have been working on it for a while.