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Secure Folder did not transfer? Check before wiping the old Galaxy
A new Galaxy can look ready while important files are still inside the old phone's Secure Folder. Keep the old phone until you have checked the protected contents on the new one. The useful first question is which transfer route your exact software and device support.
International English; Samsung Galaxy-to-Galaxy route planning based on US support and UK cloud documentation; country, carrier, exact model and OS eligibility must be checked on-device.
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Choose a route before looking for Restore
Samsung's US support guide says the old Secure Folder backup feature is discontinued. Its Restore function is unavailable on devices running Android 16 with One UI 8 or higher; Samsung directs those users to Smart Switch. On an older supported device, Restore can retrieve a previously created backup. That does not mean you can create a fresh backup through that old feature. Samsung's Secure Folder transfer guidance.
On small screens, scroll the table sideways.
| Your situation | Route to check | Before proceeding |
|---|---|---|
| Both Galaxy phones are available | Smart Switch, with Secure Folder selected | Keep the old phone and its unlock method available. |
| You have an eligible Temporary Cloud Backup | That separate backup service | Check completion, supported items and expiry in your account. |
| You have only an older Secure Folder backup | The old Restore feature, where supported | Check the receiving device's Android and One UI versions. |
| No usable old phone or confirmed backup | Account and model-specific Samsung support | Do not erase another possible copy while investigating. |
With both phones, explicitly select Secure Folder
Open Smart Switch on each phone and follow the wired or wireless connection prompts. Set the old phone to send and the new phone to receive. When choosing content, expand Apps and select Secure Folder, or expand the Secure Folder entry to select particular contents. Finish the transfer, then open Secure Folder on the receiving phone. A transfer of ordinary Gallery files alone does not establish that the protected folder arrived. Samsung's selection and verification steps.
Temporary Cloud Backup is a different service
Samsung's current UK Cloud page lists Secure Folder files within Temporary Cloud Backup. It describes retention of up to 30 days and explains that this service and traditional Samsung Cloud backup support different items. Availability depends on country, network provider, model and software; the current page specifies T OS or higher. Check the supported-item list actually displayed on your device. External storage such as an SD card or USB device is excluded. Samsung Cloud's current scope and limitations.
The 2023 rollout announcement additionally described Wi-Fi transfers and a 100 GB individual-file cap, despite no overall storage cap. It also warned that app policies affect what can be backed up or restored. Those launch details are useful limits to check against the service now offered on your phone, rather than proof that every Galaxy or every app's contents will transfer. Samsung's Temporary Cloud Backup rollout details.
Use a pre-trade-in verification list
Write down the old and new model names, Android versions, One UI versions and the chosen route. Then check the items that would matter if the old phone became unavailable.
- Open Secure Folder on the new phone, rather than relying on the transfer-complete message.
- Open representative photos, documents and videos, including an older file and a large or important one.
- Compare the important folders against the old device and look for omissions.
- Open important protected apps and check the data you need. An installed app icon is not evidence that its records or sign-in state transferred.
- If using a temporary backup, record its expiry and verify the restored contents before that deadline.
- Keep an unresolved-items list. Resolve it before following the trade-in provider's erase instructions.
This is a verification workflow based on Samsung documentation, not a tested guarantee for your devices. If Secure Folder is absent from the supported selection, a backup is expired, or files remain missing, seek Samsung help with the model, version and route details. Avoid moving private files into ordinary shared storage simply to make the transfer screen look complete.