Samsung said Galaxy S26 Ultra setup centers on a four-step process: transfer data with Smart Switch, sign in to a Samsung account, enable Galaxy AI features, and finish first-time essentials.
Smart Switch is positioned as the key onboarding tool, letting users move photos, messages, contacts, apps, settings and more during initial setup, either wirelessly or by cable depending on the old phone.
Galaxy-to-Galaxy transfers carry the broadest set of data, including home-screen layout, Wi-Fi and system settings, while some non-Samsung phones support a narrower set that Smart Switch previews before copying.
Samsung account sign-in unlocks features tied to the S26 Ultra experience, including Galaxy AI tools such as Now Brief, Photo Assist, Audio Eraser and Notification Highlights; some also require a network connection.
Samsung framed the setup as a long-term investment, saying the Galaxy S26 Ultra will receive up to seven years of OS and security updates from launch.