Samsung Kies is a freeware software application used to communicate between Windows or Macintosh operating systems, and more recently manufactured Samsung mobile phone and tablet computer devices, usually using a USB connection (though wireless LAN Kies connectivity is now possible using some devices). Samsung has released new software to replace Kies, which is named Samsung Smart Switch and mainly directed at migrating customers onto new Samsung devices. The name K.I.E.S. originated as an acronym for "Key Intuitive Easy System". After version 2.0, the name was shortened to "Kies"
Versions
Kies is available in several versions and editions, depending on the specific Samsung device and the OS it is running. Kies3 (version 3.x) supports devices with Android Jelly Bean (4.3 and up). Kies (currently in version 2.6.3.14074_11) supports devices with Android 2.1 through 4.2. Trying to use Kies with newer devices, or Kies3 with older devices, will result in an error message.
There is also a Kies Mini version, which is available only for specific devices such as Samsung Vibrant, Captivate or Infuse. It is used to update these devices' operating systems (OS versions). Though there are both Windows and Mac(intosh) versions of the full Kies product, there is only a Windows version of Kies Mini for most Samsung devices; however, non-Windows users may overcome this limitation by using a Windows virtual machine, installing Kies Mini within it and connecting a Samsung device via USB cable to accomplish the OS update.
Though most Kies connectivity has traditionally been via USB cable, wireless LAN connectivity between a Samsung device on which the Kies Wireless Android app is running, and any Windows or Macintosh computer running the Kies full version, is now also possible. The Kies Wireless app also supports wireless connectivity with other devices via said other devices' web browsers. All such connectivity, though, must be via a local Wi-Fi connection (and not via cellular 2G, 3G, or 4G data networks) wherein all involved devices are on the same Wi-Fi LAN.
The full version of Kies may be downloaded from the Samsung Global Download Center or from the download part of an individual mobile device's technical support web page on the Samsung website. With few exceptions, it is usually only the Kies Mini version, and not the full version, which is typically downloadable from a given Samsung device's individual technical support web pages.
It is important to note that Samsung Kies, has been succeeded by Samsung Smart Switch. The new software is located on Samsung's website (http://www.samsung.com/ca/support/smartswitch/). Kies is still available and supported, but it is recommendeded to use Smart Switch with newer devices.
Uses
This software may be used for:
- Data backup
- Data transfer (between a Windows or Mac PC, and a Samsung mobile device), limited to certain media file formats
- Multimedia (audio, photos, video, etc.) management, but limited to certain file formats; for example, Kies does not recognise .avi files
- Purchase/acquisition of additional or special device features
- Device firmware and operating system (OS version) upgrades
System requirements
Specific links
External links
- Official website
