With Samsung's data transfer app Smart Switch, moving your contacts, calendar reminders, and photos to your new Galaxy device is a simple task. Until recently, it was nearly impossible to move KakaoTalk conversations using the Smart Switch without natively backing up the Korean Messenger app's recordings. Many users experienced inconvenience because they did not take this issue into consideration in advance.
Galaxy users can now safely and easily restore their KakaoTalk data with the help of Smart Switch. Samsung Newsroom reports that Seungho Kang from the experience planning team of Samsung Electronics' Mobile Experience (MX) business and Jiyoung Hwang, product manager and talk service planner at Kakao, will discuss how the two companies will improve the data transfer experience. We asked them how they collaborated.
From recovering open chat messages to simplifying the account verification process
Q: Smart Switch can now fully restore KakaoTalk conversations. Please tell us more about the new features.
Kan: When transferring data between Galaxy devices via Smart Switch, users can now easily recover KakaoTalk conversations and related media such as photos and videos. With this update, the unread status of texts is now maintained. Additionally, you can now save open chat messages, which was previously difficult to enable.
fan: Galaxy users will be particularly interested in Open Chat conversation recovery support. Due to the flexible nature of the feature, KakaoTalk did not previously support a backup feature for open chats. However, given the popularity of open chat among Android users, we decided to offer recovery support for the first time.
Q: How will this update improve the user experience?
Kan: Previously, when moving an app from an old phone to a new phone, users had to restore their KakaoTalk data either manually or through paid backups. Additionally, the self-certification process created a high barrier to entry for older users and those unfamiliar with the platform. Both companies have a common goal of improving user convenience: Samsung wants to create an effortless experience for Galaxy users when setting up a new device, and KakaoTalk wants to create an effortless experience for Galaxy users when setting up a new device, and KakaoTalk wants to create an effortless experience for Galaxy users when setting up a new device. We want to optimize your app for users, so we worked to reduce the account verification process.
fan: With this new update, KakaoTalk users only need to complete the account verification process once. Once the data is transferred to the new device through Smart His Switch, users can prove that the transferred data is theirs by entering their KakaoTalk account password. This allows you to easily and safely restore everything in one verification step.
User convenience as a shared value
Q: How did the collaboration between Samsung and KakaoTalk come about?
Kan: Users have long wanted data recovery support from KakaoTalk, but complex data security and technology policies posed some challenges. However, late last year, Samsung and Kakao agreed to develop an update in a joint effort to improve user experience.
fan: We wanted to launch the service as soon as possible. During the collaboration, they communicated in real time through Messenger and organized their ideas as if they were one team. We carefully discussed what aspects each company wanted to support, and proceeded with development in a planned manner with the goal of launching the service on the target date. For me, it was a memorable experience to be able to complete this cross-company collaboration in such a short period of time.
Q: What is the most important aspect of the development process?
fan: Security was very important. A strict security system is needed to give KakaoTalk users peace of mind that their data will be protected even if their phone is lost. Both companies have considered how best to protect users and their data. Ultimately, we streamlined the account verification process and introduced a system that disables data transfers if verification is not done within a certain time frame.
Samsung and KakaoTalk: Focus on new user experience
Q: Have there been any memorable reactions since the update?
fan: We have been monitoring this app since the update was released and are proud to see the positive reviews and comments. Some are wondering what the next level of restoration will look like. That's interesting to me and makes me want to leave a reply.
Kan: The response to supporting open chat restoration was significant, especially since this feature was not previously possible. We hope to see more positive responses from users as new Galaxy devices are released in the future.
Q: What do you think about collaboration on this feature? What are your future goals?
fan: Collaboration between companies with different interests and cultures is rare and difficult to achieve. We will remember this experience for a long time, as our partnership was made possible because we both had the best interests of our users in mind.
Kan: This meaningful experience will help guide other future collaborations to provide a better customer experience. I'd like to hear from users who say, “Smart Switch takes care of the data transfer, so I can buy a new flip phone with confidence.'' In addition to messenger apps like KakaoTalk, Samsung is partnering with apps from various industries to further improve the way users transfer data. Stay tuned for updates from Smart Switch to find out who we'll be collaborating with next.
Samsung is committed to providing a satisfying experience for everyone and is always listening to Galaxy users and exploring open collaboration and product enhancements. Follow the guide below to learn how to use KakaoTalk Restore feature via Smart Switch.
*KakaoTalk data transfer is only possible between Galaxy devices.
*KakaoTalk data transfer from another device using the “Use on another device” feature is not supported.
*If KakaoTalk is already installed on the new device (deleted and reinstalled using Smart Switch), the data will not be restored.
*Once you complete authentication of your Kakao account on a new device, login information from other devices will also be deleted.