Getting a new phone? What to do before you switch

Give it 30 to 60 minutes before the new phone comes out of the box, and the switch itself mostly runs on its own. Have your old phone and its passcode close by, plus the password for your Apple Account, or for your Google and Samsung accounts if you're on a Galaxy.

This is the part people skip, and it's the part that saves you if something goes wrong. The move itself has its own guide, how to move everything from your old phone to a new one.

Step 1: Back up your old phone (10 to 20 minutes)

Transfers do sometimes stall, and older phones sometimes die partway through. With a fresh backup, neither costs you anything.

On an iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, iCloud Backup and Back Up Now. Stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.

On a Samsung Galaxy, open Settings, tap Accounts and backup, then Back up data under Google Drive, and tap Back up now. Samsung Cloud works too, from your account name at the top of Settings.

Step 2: Update and make room (10 to 30 minutes)

Apple and Samsung both say to run the latest software before you switch, so install any update waiting on the old phone.

Then compare what the old phone is using, memory card included, with the new one's capacity. Apple says everything you bring over from Android has to fit. It's easy to miss when your refurbished pick has less storage than the phone you're leaving.

Step 3: Find your passwords (about 5 minutes)

Setup will ask for your account password and usually your old phone's passcode. Dig them out now, not halfway through with two phones waiting on you.

While you're at it, think about login codes. If you use Google Authenticator, your codes only back up on their own when you're signed in to your Google Account inside the app. If you're not, move them across from the old phone while it still works. Other authenticator apps have their own steps.

Step 4: Check your number can follow you (about 5 minutes)

Leave the SIM where it is for now. The new phone asks about your number during setup. Some carriers move it across on their own, and others send you to their app or website to finish, so find out which yours does before you start.

If you're changing carrier at the same time, check your phone isn't locked to the old one. A locked phone won't work on another network until it's unlocked, and each carrier sets its own rules. Ask before you switch.

When you're ready

Charge both phones fully and pick a time you won't need the old one for a while, because the transfer ties up both.

And hold on to the old phone. Don't wipe it or trade it in until you've checked everything made it across. For the rest of setup, see how to set up your new iPhone or how to set up your new Samsung Galaxy.

Sources

1 Quick Start needs both iPhones on the latest software; choose a time you won't need your current device, because it occupies both. Apple Support, September 2026.

2 Back up an iPhone with Settings, your name, iCloud, iCloud Backup, Back Up Now. Apple Support, September 2026.

3 Back up a Galaxy with Settings, Accounts and backup, Back up data under Google Drive, or Samsung Cloud with a Samsung account. Samsung, October 2026.

4 Before switching to a Galaxy: fully charged devices and the latest software. Samsung, October 2026.

5 Content moved from Android, including a memory card, has to fit on the iPhone. Apple Support, May 2026.

6 Moving your number during setup depends on carrier support; some carriers finish it in their app or on their website. Apple Support, September 2026.

7 Authenticator codes back up automatically when you're signed in to your Google Account in the app; otherwise transfer them from the old device. Google Account Help, October 2026.

8 A locked phone can't be used on another carrier until it's unlocked; the process varies by provider. FCC, October 2026.