Now that Samsung has ended the recall and has completely stopped all sales of the Galaxy Note 7, all devices must be returned. Here we’ll explain how to backup and save everything on your phone, then reset and wipe your Galaxy Note 7 so you’re ready to return it.
Considering that most of the owners just upgraded to the Galaxy Note 7, we assume you already know how to save or transfer important information. Things like contacts, text messages, photos and video, music, apps and more. Fortunately, backing up everything between Google services and Samsung will be extremely easy.
In September, Samsung launched an official Product Replacement Program to get rid of faulty devices that could potentially explode. Now more than a month later, new safe replacements are also burning, and the company has completely canceled the phone. All carriers accept full returns and allow owners to exchange it for something else regardless of its condition or whether it has passed the return window. Here are the steps you should take before heading to a carrier or retail store.
Backing up an Android smartphone or tablet is super easy, and the operating system already does most of that for you. However, we will go through every step to make sure the owners don’t lose any contacts, text messages, photos, music and more.
First, contacts, email, calendar and that sort of thing. Then we’ll get into everything else. By default everyone probably has a Gmail and Google account that will sync and backup almost everything important to the cloud. Just like when you get the Note 7 and sign in to your Google account, everything transfers instantly in a matter of seconds.
Our link above covers everything you need to know about backing up your Galaxy Note 7. Follow these steps to use Google Backup, save photos, music, and more. Another excellent option is the Samsung SmartSwitch, which we will explain in a moment.
Google Backup
First, we want to make sure that the default backup options are enabled and synced to Google’s cloud. This is enabled out of the box so most likely almost everything on your Note 7 is already registered. Owners can use Google or Samsung or both in addition to manually saving photos and media.
Go in and make sure the second list of options below is open. Now go back, select “Accounts” and you will see everything Google has saved for you. The list usually includes app data, calendar, Chrome, contacts, documents, drive, Gmail, movies, music and more. Owners can even press the three dots in the top right and then select Sync Now. That’s it and everything is saved in the cloud.
Now, when you return it for another Android smartphone, sign in to Gmail and everything will be transferred. Nothing is lost.
Samsung Backup
Samsung has its own backup solution similar to Google’s, but with even more options and saves everything. Like text messages, call log/history and much more. As long as you have a Samsung account, the same field has Samsung at the top. Tap “Back up my data” and turn on Auto Backup. At the bottom is another option to start a backup right now. Click this, otherwise it will schedule a backup later. We want to do it immediately and return the phone. Samsung will save everything to the cloud for you. Phone, clock and alarms, home screen icons and layout, apps, settings, text and picture messages, music, documents and more.
This works the same as Google’s automatic backup feature and puts everything in the cloud for easy restore when you get a new Samsung device. Once this is done, all owners have to do is go to the same settings menu on a new phone, sign in and restore the information on a new device. It shouldn’t take too long and is a painless experience. We like that it restores icons and layout to the home screen as well.
Return the Galaxy Note 7 and get a phone like the awesome (and totally safe) Galaxy S7 Edge. Then use the same tool to restore everything from the cloud and Note 7 to your new Galaxy S7 Edge.
Save Photos and Music
Any photo, video or music that may be on the phone can also be easily backed up and saved. Connect Note 7 to your computer and click/drag any content you want to keep and put it in a folder. Then drag it back to your new device. Most of them are on SD card that can be removed and inserted into another smartphone.
However, Google Photos is probably the easiest method to save photos. It will backup every photo or video on your device to the cloud. This can then be accessed from almost any device. Download Google Photos (if you haven’t already) and open the application and run the setup. It will sync and save everything on the Note 7, make sure you do this over a WiFi connection. The same can be done with Google Musicfor any music you may have on your device.
Samsung Smart Switch
If you are going to replace the Galaxy Note 7 with another Samsung device, using the company’s own “Smart Switch” service is definitely the easiest and best method. Download here. Smart Switch is pre-installed on the Note 7 and can be used to transfer to another Samsung, an iPhone, or directly to a computer or cloud. This records literally anything and everything on your phone. Then, it lets you stream to almost any device.
Most owners have probably used Smart Switch to transfer from an old phone to the Note 7 and you can do the same with a new one. Most carriers don’t do this in-store as it is a fire hazard. We recommend doing this at home first and saving your backup to a computer or cloud. However, proceed with caution and at your own risk. Putting a heavy load on the Note 7 can cause it to explode. It probably won’t happen, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Click the link above and download Samsung Smart Switch whichever is easier for you. They have an app for Android and iOS, a version for PC or Mac, and even a version for other devices.
We recommend downloading the desktop version and using the cable and adapter that came in the Note 7 box. Run the program, plug in the cable and follow the easy instructions. It will save everything to your computer. It may take a few hours at most, so hit transfer and let it finish. It does everything for you and works incredibly well. It also transfers microSD data, although owners can throw the SD card into their new phone if they want to. It’s always a good idea to have an extra backup though.
Wipe and Reset Your Galaxy Note 7
Now that you have saved everything on the Galaxy Note 7, owners will want to do what is called a “Factory Data Reset” to erase everything from the phone. This will erase everything on your device and return it to factory as it was out of the box the day you got it. This will ensure that information, photos, contacts and other things do not fall into the wrong hands.
We are returning the Note 7 to carrier stores and Samsung so this is not a big concern, but we still recommend all owners wipe their device just to be sure.
Make sure to backup everything on your Note 7 or transfer it to a new phone with our steps above or with the help of a carrier store employee then wipe it completely.
enter inside. Look at the list here and click the icon at the bottom. This will take a few minutes and will completely wipe your Galaxy Note 7.
Now the phone is like new again and ready to be returned to Samsung or your carrier for a refund. As of now, owners cannot return it for another Galaxy Note 7. You will need to get a refund or exchange it for something else.
Again, be sure to use it carefully and save anything important before doing the reset. At the same time, some owners may be worried and not think it’s worth the risk. If so, turn off the device and immediately return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. If you have any other questions or concerns, drop us a comment below.
