Although Apple has made it incrementally easier to switch over from previous iterations of their wildly popular iPhone range, there are still things you must do if you are to complete the change successfully. Fortunately, it’s not overly challenging, and as long as you follow a few pointers, you will be better able to start using your shiny new phone right away while ensuring your data is unaffected. This post will explore six pretty critical steps you must take to ensure things go without a hitch, and even if something goes awry, it’s easily remedied.
Do you have a particular question about switching to a new iPhone? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
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How to activate new iPhone?
Buying a shiny new iPhone is always a thrill, but before you start snapping photos and watching videos, there’s a little setup dance that we all have to perform. Don’t worry though, I’ve got the ultimate guide to get you through it swiftly!
First, unbox that beauty and press the power button to turn on your new iPhone. You’ll be greeted with a “Hello” in various languages — Apple’s warm hug to welcome you. Now, brace yourself to select your language and region. Oh, and don’t forget to have your Wi-Fi network’s password on hand, because it’s about to come in handy!
Method 1: Quick Start. It’s as quick as it sounds. Bring your current iPhone near the new one and your new device should display an animation. Simply scan it with your old iPhone’s camera and enter your passcode.
Method 2: Manual setup. For those who prefer to take the scenic route, you can manually set up your phone following the on-screen instructions.
Voila! You’re one step closer to experiencing all that your new iPhone has to offer.
Transfer iPhone to iPhone
Guess what? It’s time to move all your precious data from the old kingdom to the brand-new castle! And I’ve got a few methods to transfer all those cherished files safely and swiftly.
Using iCloud
Make sure your iCloud backup is up to date on your old iPhone. Go to Settings, tap your Apple ID at the top, find iCloud, then iCloud backup, and finally hit ‘Back Up Now’.
Grab your new device, follow the initial setup until you reach the “Apps & Data screen”. Here, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup”, tap in your Apple ID and select the latest backup. Grab a cup of coffee while your data takes a wireless journey to your new device!
Using Quick Start
If both your iPhones are running iOS 15 or later, you can utilize the data with Quick Start option. It’s practically like magic; your data transfer will be over before you know it.
Through iTunes or a PC
For those sticking with a Mac or PC, you have the trusted iTunes to assist you. Connect the two devices using a cable and open iTunes. Select your old iPhone, choose ‘Back Up Now’, then disconnect it. Connect your new iPhone, choose ‘Restore Backup’, and pick the backup you just created.
Backup Your Old iPhone Data
Before you dive headfirst into the brave new world with your shiny iPhone, there’s one golden rule you absolutely need to know: back up everything. Yes, everything. Because while the step from one iPhone to another should be a breeze with Apple’s smart setup process, one can never be too cautious.
First off, get ready to give your iCloud storage a little check-up. Does it have enough storage space to shelter all your data? You may need to upgrade it to a larger capacity if you are a digital hoarder. Apple has streamlined the backup process over the years, making it a suitable and secure method to transfer files without a hitch. It’s practically like moving houses, but faster.
However, if you are in the “better safe than sorry” camp, making a physical backup using a Mac or PC is a smart choice.
But do remember, if you opt to restore from Mac or PC, you have to be a bit tech-savvy because erasing data on mac isn’t as straightforward as it might be on other platforms. Keeping abreast with the latest version of iOS can offer a more smooth sailing experience.
Sure, you don’t need to go the extra mile, because the chances to fail are minimal, but having a backup in place means peace of mind. It’s almost like having a safety net while performing a trapeze act.
Now, imagine the grand reunion where your old iPhone to a new iPhone transfers all its cherished memories and essential files, almost breathing life into its successor. You’d want to transfer everything seamlessly, ensuring all those cherished photos and vital documents find their new home without a glitch.
To ensure you are able to transfer everything effectively, your Wi-Fi network should be robust, giving the green light for a smooth data transfer without any hiccup. After all, no one wants to be stuck mid-transfer with data hanging in limbo between two devices.
Lastly, after successfully migrating all your data, and setting up your new iPhone to your heart’s content, it’s time for the final goodbye to your old buddy. Navigate to settings to reset and erase all content and settings on your old device, sealing the transfer process with assurance that everything you held dear is safely housed in its new abode.
So as you step into this exciting upgrade journey from one iPhone to another, arm yourself with all the essential know-how below.
Transfer Your SIM card Over (Or Update To The Latest E-Sim Tech)
Yes, this is completely obvious, but with newer iPhones making use of the latest and greatest e-sim technology, it might not be as elementary as you first imagined. This shouldn’t be an issue if you are updating from an older iPhone to any model less than the iPhone 14, but if you do plan on getting the most recent iterations, be prepared to discover they don’t have a sim card tray (as is the way with Apple’s constant doing away with things…) If you are located in the US, this won’t be an issue because most carriers now support this system, but if you have purchased a US iPhone 14 but reside in another country, you might be fresh out of luck. Therefore, double-check so you don’t face any nasty surprises.
Log In To Your Accounts To Ensure They Work Smoothly
Perhaps the most inconvenient aspect of changing over phones is the hassle that often arises from user accounts. When it comes to Apple-specific accounts, you shouldn’t have a problem, but if, like most normal people, you probably have a range of other accounts, not least of which is a Google account. Therefore, once you have downloaded all the pertinent apps, make the time to log in to each one and ensure it works perfectly. Additionally, remember to log out of your previous phone. Some apps remind you of this, while others leave you blissfully in the dark to stumble around on your own. Unfortunately, this is just how things are, so it’s up to you to ensure you remember this task.
Check Your App Subscriptions
Many iOS apps are directly connected to your iCloud account, and your iCloud account is, in turn, directly connected to your current phone. Some subscriptions may not transfer correctly for various reasons, usually related to the way Apple controls its ecosystem. This control results in amazing apps and a high level of security, but it can be frustrating at times. Users can ensure they continue accessing paid content without too much disruption by taking a few minutes to verify all their existing subscriptions.
Sync Your Contacts, Music
What is a phone without the content that occupies it? The honest answer is that it is merely a very expensive slab of glass, metal, and a slack handful of rare earth minerals! So, if you want your shiny new drive to resemble something more than an overpriced paperweight, you should connect to the internet and begin the monotonous task of syncing your relevant data. If it’s a lot and you prefer having data physically on the drive rather than only residing in the cloud, this might be an overnight process.
Enable Automatic Software Updates
The final step in your setup is to enable automatic updates so you can tick one more thing from your to-do list. By enabling this option, your iPhone will perform the tedious task of periodically searching for updates, and if it finds one, run the process in the background. This will keep your phone up to date with the latest software patches and goodies.
Switching to a new iPhone isn’t a particularly challenging task (and is far more accessible in some regards than their Android counterparts), but it’s not an automatic process, and you need to keep your eye on the ball. As long as you back up data and go through the usual motions, you should be up and running with your new device in no time at all.
Credits: Thanks for the photo to Canva.
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