Switching from Samsung to Pixel 9PRO. So many questions!

[Hardhat Harry]

We have been with Samsung phones since the S5, upgrading when the new model came out. Presently using the Z Flip5. This will be our first use of Pixel phones.

When the 9 Pro arrives I will need to transfer Apps and Contacts from the Flip5. I plan (?) on using a USB-C cable, phone to phone.

1. Will the 9 Pro reject Samsung specific apps or will I have to remove them before or after transfer?
2. I assume my Samsung Tiles will no longer be usable, TRUE?
3. I assume my Samsung Buds2 Pro earbuds will continue to function properly and I will be able to download (or transfer) the Samsung WEARABLE app. TRUE?
4. I presently use Samsung Wireless Charging Stands. Will they work with the 9 Pro?
5. Transferring data to storage on my Windows PC...Samsung uses Smart Switch, what about Google/Pixel?

Cases and Screen Protectors already ordered. Phones to be shipped by October 9, so I have time to worry about the small stuff

 

[Laura Knotek]

If you use your Google account for your contacts you won't need to do anything when you switch devices.

 

[jbjtkbw007]

I left my Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to go to Pixel Phones. Here's what I can answer from your questions:

1-Yes, it will reject some of those Samsung apps, but some can be reinstalled. For example, there isn't a Gallery app, but you can install Google's Gallery app. You can reinstall Samsung Gear.
2-Pretty sure those tiles will disappear as they are Samsung bloatware. I was using a custom launcher, so I ignored as much bloatware as possible.
3-See bullet 1. Yes, you can reinstall. I did hear that there are some slight differences and you may lose a feature or 2.
4-Your wireless charging stands will work.
5-I'm a little confused by how this is worded. Are you talking about placing it in mass storage mode so that you can connect to your PC and transfer files? I have not tried this as I use Phone Link when connected to the PC as mainly, I'm transferring photos. But you can also install Google Drive as a standalone app on the PC to access files in both locations. If you're talking about transferring from Sammy to Pixel, then that will be part of the setup as long as both devices are on the same network and you're logged into your Gmail account.

Hope this helps.

 

[Hardhat Harry]

Thank you for your response to my questions. Very helpful.

About #5. Presently we backup the data (apps, contacts, photos and phone data, etc) from the phone to the PC, which is stored in a folder on the PC. My wife, twice, inadvertently deleted her contacts instead of deleting Call History. I connected her phone to the PC and copied her contacts back to her phone. I can also remove lots of her old photos from her phone, but they are still stored in the folder on the PC. I guess I will have to become familiar with Google Drive which I have never used!

 

[jbjtkbw007]

Thank you for your response to my questions. Very helpful.

About #5. Presently we backup the data (apps, contacts, photos and phone data, etc) from the phone to the PC, which is stored in a folder on the PC. My wife, twice, inadvertently deleted her contacts instead of deleting Call History. I connected her phone to the PC and copied her contacts back to her phone. I can also remove lots of her old photos from her phone, but they are still stored in the folder on the PC. I guess I will have to become familiar with Google Drive which I have never used!

Google Drive will be your anchor. I NEVER used Google Drive before I got on a Pixel. I didn't even use Google photos, opting instead to backup photos to my OneDrive. Now, I use both and like Apple users ad iCloud, I'm pretty much all in on the whole Google One experience. No more losing contacts if you're backing up to Google. And the syncing across devices without having to manually initiate it will make it so much easier.

 

[Hardhat Harry]

Thanks again.
I gots some learnin' to do! At least I've got time because the phones are scheduled to ship October 7.

I remember going from an HTC Wizzard to a Gen 1 Moto Razor to our first Android Galaxy S5. Those were the days.

 

[holz75]

I just switched from an S22+ to a P9P, and I mostly used the function where the Pixel asks you to transfer everything over. I first did the settings to just make sure everything on the phone was working properly and was going to connect the phones by cable to transfer music and photos, but I could not get the phones to connect at all via cable or Bluetooth. I ended up going back and was able to transfer everything else via the initial set up process. For texts, I also use SMS Backup and Restore Pro because I find that Google Backup always misses texts while restoring. Like others have said, using your Google account for all of your contacts is amazing. They sync right up going from phone to phone.

 

[bxrider117]

So I'm working on one full day with the pixel 9 pro and I switched from the Samsung s24. Just a small one and I have to say with the first thing I noticed is the screen difference because the pixel pro is a top tier pixel phone. The higher resolution makes a big difference for me, especially needing reading glasses. Aside from that, everything else is pretty much just a general smartphone. I am noticing the battery life is really really good on the pixel 9 pro because I'm currently sitting it about 5 and 1/2 hours of screen time and I took the phone off the charger last night at around 9:00 p.m. and it's currently 9:00 p.m. Tonight I'm almost at 24 hours with still at least 35% battery life left. So I think I'm really going to be happy with this phone and I can't wait to sell my Samsung s24.

 

[kolyan2k]

You can't install Samsung apps on Pixel. Only Samsung Gear and SmartThings maybe. Samsung branded wireless charger is useless for Pixel, it will work but charging speed will be very slow

 

[racedog]

Been working on my phones and my wife's phone. Used the Google switch app and it worked well but it still leaves a lot of work to do with user and password on lots of apps, switching from Samsung Pay to Google Wallet etc.

After using Sammy's for well over ten years some of this stuff, while Android still feels different. Nevertheless, I'm happy with the decision to switch and happy with the phones.

I'll likely have some questions over the next few days.

 

[racedog]

There's lots of stuff that is different between my old Samsung phones and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Most of it are small differences with a few minor annoyances at best. But, I've found one thing that is making me crazy! I can't remove the Google search bar from my homepages. I don't want it! I don't need it! And, I won't use it! But unlike My Sammy phones I can't just remove it.

The only way I've found, so far, to be able to remove it is by using a third party launcher. Are you friggin kidding me Google?

I used Nova Prime for years but haven't used a third party launcher for years and wasn't planning to go back to it now.

Am I missing something? Is there a way to remove it? (Rant over)

 

[dc52ltr]

There's lots of stuff that is different between my old Samsung phones and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Most of it are small differences with a few minor annoyances at best. But, I've found one thing that is making me crazy! I can't remove the Google search bar from my homepages. I don't want it! I don't need it! And, I won't use it! But unlike My Sammy phones I can't just remove it.

The only way I've found, so far, to be able to remove it is by using a third party launcher. Are you friggin kidding me Google?

I used Nova Prime for years but haven't used a third party launcher for years and wasn't planning to go back to it now.

Am I missing something? Is there a way to remove it? (Rant over)

Nope.. Nova seems the best way to go

 

[Bkdodger1]

There's lots of stuff that is different between my old Samsung phones and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Most of it are small differences with a few minor annoyances at best. But, I've found one thing that is making me crazy! I can't remove the Google search bar from my homepages. I don't want it! I don't need it! And, I won't use it! But unlike My Sammy phones I can't just remove it.

The only way I've found, so far, to be able to remove it is by using a third party launcher. Are you friggin kidding me Google?

I used Nova Prime for years but haven't used a third party launcher for years and wasn't planning to go back to it now.

Am I missing something? Is there a way to remove it? (Rant over)

You should be thanking Google cuz I really don't know why you're not using Nova lol

Let's go get to customizing get to using all the quality features of Nova prime

 

[SeeBeeEss]

The only way I've found, so far, to be able to remove it is by using a third party launcher. Are you friggin kidding me Google?

Just Google being Google. Personally, I use Microsoft Launcher, but Nova is also a great tool to bypass Google's digital delusions of grandeur.

 

[racedog]

You should be thanking Google cuz I really don't know why you're not using Nova lol

Let's go get to customizing get to using all the quality features of Nova prime

Ok, for one Nova has been sold off to a less than trustworthy company, and importantly, development seems to have stopped on Nova.

 

[Bkdodger1]

Ok, for one Nova has been sold off to a less than trustworthy company, and importantly, development seems to have stopped on Nova.

It’s still be handled by the guy that has been doing it from the beginning so I’m staying with it.

 

[Laura Knotek]

It’s still be handled by the guy that has been doing it from the beginning so I’m staying with it.

I'm still using Nova despite having a Samsung device.

 

[Bkdodger1]

I'm still using Nova despite having a Samsung device.

The only reason I'm not using Nova with my Samsung fold 6 is because of the foldable compatibility otherwise regular slab I would definitely go with it

 

[Laura Knotek]

The only reason I'm not using Nova with my Samsung fold 6 is because of the foldable compatibility otherwise regular slab I would definitely go with it

That makes sense. I'm currently using Nova on my S24 Ultra, but I also switch to OneUI. I've had the paid version of Nova since the first day I've used Android. I even used it on my Moto and Nexus devices, even though those pretty much ran stock Android.

 

[sykes13]

My wife and I have been using Nova for years. Every new phone and tablet has Nova Prime. I prefer the customization that Nova offers.