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Using Kies to sync media to Galaxy Tab

Learn how to use Samsung's companion app for the Tab.

Nicole Cozma
Nicole Cozma has an affinity for Android apps and devices, but loves technology in general. Based out of the Tampa Bay Area, she enjoys being a spectator to both sunsets and lightning storms.
Nicole Cozma
2 min read

Samsung Kies is a free computer application that makes moving media (music, videos, or even contacts) to and from your Galaxy Tab much easier than manual file transfers. However, in order to get to the easy part, a little bit of setup is required on both your tablet and your computer. Syncing can be done across Wi-Fi or USB; this example will show the Wi-Fi sync option (the fewer cords, the better!).

Tablet prep:

Connect to your home Wi-Fi network. This can be done by entering the Settings menu in the bottom right corner of the screen. You can tap the Wi-Fi icon to enable it, or if you have to put a password in, open the Settings menu. From there you will need to go into the Wi-Fi settings menu to locate your network ID and type in the password to connect.

Computer prep:

Download and install Samsung Kies if you do not already have it on your computer. The program is available for PC and Mac only.

Samsung Kies Web site. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Open the program and you should see a screen asking you to connect a device (your tablet). If you would like to keep your media organized within Kies (similar to iTunes' structure), you can drag and drop your media files or add them through the menu buttons. After connecting with the Galaxy Tab, you can sync these files to the device. Alternatively, you can drag and drop files in the sync area once your tablet is connected (less chance of duplicates on computer).

The stepping stones to easy media syncing:

Step 1: Open the Settings menu and make sure you are looking at the Wireless and networks tab.

Step 2: Press on Kies via Wi-Fi and wait for the network window to pop up.

Settings area on Galaxy Tab. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 3: Pick your computer (it will be the name given to your computer) from the list and the tablet will attempt to establish a connection with the computer.

List of PCs on the network. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 4: Accept the connection request that pops up on your computer.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma


Step 5: Drag and drop your media to its corresponding folder in the top menu--the folders under the device name.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

OR - Click on the media files you preloaded into the Kies application in the bottom menus and then click the Transfer to Device button at the top (hint: you can select all media at once, if you like).

Transfer button located at the top. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma


After syncing has finished--denoted by the progress bar at the bottom of the Kies window--you can disconnect the tablet from your computer. This can be done by either clicking cancel on the Kies window on the tablet, or by clicking the X next to the device's name in the Kies left-side menu.

Progress bar for the media transfer. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma


Pressing the Cancel button will disconnect the tablet from the computer. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Clicking the X by the device name will disconnect the sync. Screenshot by Nicole Cozma