Your replacement phone: a calm first-day setup guide
Set aside an unhurried part of the day for a phone change. Keep your old phone, its charger and your account recovery details nearby. The aim is to finish with your everyday essentials working, rather than simply reaching the new home screen as quickly as possible.
Start with a backup and a short checklist
Create a current backup using the method recommended for your old phone. Write down the things you cannot afford to miss: contacts, recent photos, important conversations, work access and any app you use for signing in elsewhere. You do not need to share passwords or recovery codes with a retailer to get general setup advice.
Choose the transfer route for your devices
For a move between compatible iPhones, Apple offers Quick Start. Keep the devices near one another and connected to power while the transfer completes, following the prompts and Apple’s requirements. If you are moving to a Galaxy phone, Samsung Smart Switch supports several transfer methods; what transfers depends on the source device and connection.
Samsung: transferring content with Smart Switch
Check the things you use every day
Make a call and confirm mobile data and Wi-Fi work.
Open a few recent photos, contacts and important conversations.
Sign in to essential apps and check their own transfer or recovery instructions.
Confirm access to authentication apps, work accounts and recovery options.
Check alarms, accessibility preferences and notification settings.
Do not assume that an app icon means all its data has moved. Open the apps that matter and check the content inside them. Banking, messaging and authentication apps can have their own steps, so follow the instructions from each provider rather than repeatedly reinstalling them.
Keep the old phone until you have checked
Only prepare the old phone for handover once you have verified the new setup and your backup. If something is missing, stop and investigate while you still have both devices. Transfer time depends on the amount of data and the method used; allow enough time that you are not forced to rush.
Next: prepare your old phone for trade-in
If you need help choosing a setup route, tell us the old and new model names and which part you are unsure about. Keep personal account information out of your message.