A new phone can affect photos, messages, passkeys, authenticator apps, and the number used for account recovery. The safest approach is to keep the old phone working until the new one has passed a short set of checks.
Before you begin
Set aside enough time that you will not need to rush. Charge both phones and connect to trusted Wi-Fi. Keep the old phone’s passcode available.
On the old phone:
- Install pending operating-system updates if the device can run them reliably.
- Confirm that the latest device backup has completed.
- Check that recent photos and contacts appear in the cloud account you expect.
- Review your main email recovery details.
- Find any backup codes for essential accounts.
Apple and Google both recommend keeping devices powered and connected while transfer or restore work continues.
Use the built-in transfer process
Follow the instructions shown during first setup. For iPhone, Apple offers Quick Start and iCloud restore. Android provides a device-to-device transfer and Google Account restore.
The transfer may continue after the home screen appears. Do not assume it is finished because you can open a few apps. Photos, messages, and app data may take longer.
If the phone belongs to an employer or school, stop and follow that organization’s setup instructions. Managed devices can use different backup and transfer rules.
Move your sign-in methods carefully
Authenticator apps and passkeys do not all move in the same way. Open each important account’s official security page and confirm the new phone is registered before removing the old one.
Prioritize:
- Main email
- Apple, Google, or Microsoft account
- Banking and payment services
- Mobile carrier account
- Password manager, if you use one
- Important social or work accounts
Keep a known-good session open on the old phone while you test. If a service offers backup codes, store them somewhere separate first. The two-step verification guide explains the recovery checks in more detail.
Test the new phone
Before erasing anything, confirm that you can:
- Send and receive a call or text if your plan includes them.
- Open your main email and receive a new message.
- View recent and older photos.
- Find contacts and recent messages.
- Sign in to two or three essential accounts using the new second step.
- Open one important file that was stored in the cloud.
Also check any health, transport, payment, or government apps you rely on. Some require a fresh identity check.
Wait before erasing the old phone
Keep the old phone charged, locked, and in a safe place for a few days if practical. Use the new phone normally. This gives unfinished transfers and missed account prompts time to become visible.
When you are satisfied, follow the old phone manufacturer’s official erase instructions. Removing files by hand is not the same as a full device erase. If you will sell, trade, or give away the phone, also follow the official steps for removing activation locks and mobile service.
Your sensible stopping point
You are done when the new phone can open your main email, photos, contacts, and essential accounts, and you have tested the new sign-in method. The old phone should remain intact until then.
For an extra check, review the household safety checklist on the new device.