A new phone is exciting, and also a little stressful. Where will your photos go? What about your contacts, your messages and your apps? The good news is that moving to a new phone is much easier than it used to be, especially if you prepare first. Here’s how to do it step by step, and how to handle the old phone safely.
Before You Start
Charge both phones, or keep them plugged in.
Connect to Wi-Fi. The transfer uses a lot of data.
Have your passwords ready. You’ll need your Apple Account password if you’re using iPhones, or your Google account password if you’re using Android.
Install updates on your old phone.
Make a backup of your old phone first, so you have a safety copy.
Set aside an hour or two, and choose a time when you’re not in a hurry.
Make a Backup
iPhone: open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
Android: open Settings, look for Google and then Backup (the path varies), and tap Back up now.
Also check that your photos are backed up to iCloud or Google Photos.
Moving From iPhone to iPhone
Turn on the new iPhone and place it next to your old one.
A Quick Start screen appears on the old phone. Tap Continue, and follow the prompts. You may need to scan a pattern with the camera.
Choose to transfer directly from the old iPhone, or to restore from your iCloud backup.
Keep both phones close and plugged in until it finishes.
Moving From Android to Android
Turn on the new phone and begin setup.
When it offers to copy apps and data, choose to copy from your old phone. A cable between the phones is often the fastest and most reliable method, but you can also do it wirelessly.
Sign in with your Google account and follow the prompts.
Some brands, like Samsung, have their own helper app (such as Smart Switch), which can make it even easier.
Switching Between iPhone and Android
Both systems have a way to move data between them. When setting up an iPhone from Android, look for the Move to iOS option. When setting up Android from an iPhone, the setup offers to copy from an iPhone. Some things, like certain messages and app data, may not move over, so it’s worth checking what’s included.
Things That Need Extra Steps
WhatsApp chats. Back them up before you switch, in Settings, Chats, Chat Backup.
Banking and payment apps. You’ll usually need to sign in again and verify yourself.
Authenticator apps. Move your accounts to the new phone before you erase the old one, or you could be locked out.
Your phone number (SIM or eSIM). Your carrier can help you move it. Don’t erase the old phone until the new one has service.
Passwords. If you use your phone’s password manager, check that your passwords came over.
Face ID or fingerprint. You’ll need to set these up again on the new phone.
Smartwatch or earbuds. You may need to pair them again.
Keep the Old Phone for a Few Weeks
Don’t erase the old phone straight away. Use the new phone for a couple of weeks, and make sure everything works, including your photos, messages, banking and two-step verification codes. Only then, erase the old one.
If You’re Selling, Trading In or Giving Away the Old Phone
Before the phone leaves your hands:
Back up one last time, and confirm your photos are safe.
Sign out of your account. On an iPhone, sign out of your Apple Account (and turn off Find My). On Android, remove your Google account.
Remove the SIM card if it has one.
Erase it. On an iPhone, open Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings. On Android, open Settings, System, Reset options, Erase all data (the path varies by brand).
Skipping the sign-out step can leave the phone locked to you, which causes problems for the next owner.
Stay Safe During the Switch
Be careful with calls or texts about a “free upgrade” or a problem with your account. Go to your carrier’s official store or website yourself.
Never share a verification code with anyone who contacts you.
Buy phones from trusted sellers. A deal that looks too good may be a scam or a stolen phone.
If you’d like someone beside you while you move everything over, a Kendera Global session can walk through it with you, step by step, on your own phones.
