How to Move Everything to a New Phone (iPhone and Android)

Before you start: a five-minute prep list

Moving to a new phone is much smoother when the old one is ready. Do these first, while both phones are in front of you:

• Charge both phones, or keep them plugged in during the transfer.
• Connect to good Wi-Fi. Home Wi-Fi is better than a busy public network.
• Update the old phone to the latest software it supports.
• Know your passwords: your Apple Account or Google account, your Samsung account if you have one, and your phone passcode.
• Check your photos have finished uploading if you use iCloud Photos, Google Photos or another service.
• Back up WhatsApp from inside the app (details below).

If your old phone has a broken screen, a dead charging port or won't stay on, a transfer may not be possible until it's working again. A phone repair first can be the simplest way to get everything across.

iPhone to iPhone: Quick Start

Quick Start copies your settings, apps and data straight from your old iPhone to the new one.

1. Turn on the new iPhone and place it next to your old one. Make sure Bluetooth is on.
2. A Quick Start prompt appears on the old iPhone. Tap Continue.
3. Hold the old phone over the animation on the new one, or choose to authenticate manually.
4. Enter your old iPhone's passcode on the new one, then set up Face ID or Touch ID.
5. Choose Transfer from iPhone to copy everything directly. Keep both phones close together and plugged in until it finishes.

Alternatively, you can choose to restore from an iCloud backup. Make a fresh backup on the old phone first under Settings › [your name] › iCloud › iCloud Backup. If you use an eSIM, the setup may offer to transfer it; if not, your carrier can move it for you.

Samsung Galaxy: Smart Switch

Smart Switch comes built into Galaxy phones and handles most of the work.

1. On the new Galaxy, follow the setup screens until you're offered to copy apps and data, or open Smart Switch from Settings afterwards.
2. Make sure Smart Switch is on the old phone too. It can be installed from the Play Store if needed.
3. Connect the phones with a USB-C cable for the most reliable transfer, or use the wireless option.
4. Choose what to bring across, such as contacts, messages, photos, apps and settings, then start the transfer.

Smart Switch can also bring data across from an iPhone, using a cable or your iCloud account.

Google Pixel: copy apps and data

A new Pixel offers to copy apps and data during setup.

1. Turn on the new Pixel and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. When asked to copy apps and data, choose to use your old phone.
3. Connect the two phones with a cable if you have one that fits both, or follow the on-screen steps to transfer wirelessly.
4. Sign in to your Google account and pick what to copy.

If the old phone isn't available, you can restore from your Google account backup instead, as long as backup was turned on.

The things that often get left behind

WhatsApp

Chats are stored separately from your phone's main backup. Before switching, open WhatsApp and back up under Settings › Chats › Chat backup. WhatsApp also has a built-in chat transfer option for moving to a new phone of the same type. Sign in with the same phone number on the new phone and restore when prompted.

Authenticator apps

Two-factor codes don't always transfer. Some authenticator apps can sync or back up to your account, but others are tied to the old phone. Before you wipe anything, open each one and make sure you can sign in on the new phone first.

Photos and videos

If you use cloud photos with storage saving turned on, the full-quality originals may only be in the cloud. Confirm uploading has finished before you reset the old phone.

Banking and work apps

Many banking, payment and workplace apps need you to sign in again and re-verify on the new phone. Re-add your cards to Apple Pay or Google Wallet too.

Wipe the old phone, the right way

Keep the old phone for a few days while you confirm nothing is missing. Then:

• iPhone: go to Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple Account password when asked so Activation Lock is removed.
• Pixel: remove your Google account, then go to Settings › System › Reset options › Erase all data.
• Samsung: remove your Google and Samsung accounts, then go to Settings › General management › Reset › Factory data reset.

Removing accounts first prevents the next owner from hitting an account lock. If you're passing the phone on, our used phone buying guide explains what a buyer will check.

Need a hand?

If your old phone is too damaged to transfer from, or you'd rather have someone walk you through it, Woman Wireless On The Go can help at your home or workplace anywhere in our service area. A certified woman technician can repair the old phone so your data can be moved across, with a free quote before any work starts. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247, or book online.

Frequently asked questions

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