Key Takeaways
- Backing up your data before switching is the single most important step — don't skip it.
- Carrier compatibility and network bands vary; confirm your new phone works on your plan.
- Two-factor authentication apps must be migrated carefully or you can lose account access.
- App purchases and subscriptions may not transfer automatically between platforms.
- Factory reset your old phone only after confirming the new device has everything you need.
Summary
18 items · 30–90 minutes
Why This Checklist Matters
Switching to a new phone feels exciting — until you discover that three months of text message threads are gone, or that your authenticator app is locked to a device you already wiped. The process involves more moving parts than most people expect, especially if you're crossing from one operating system to another (say, Android to iOS, or the reverse).
This checklist is built for everyday users who want to move their digital life to a new device without losing anything important. Work through each section before you power down your old phone for the last time. If you're still deciding whether a smartphone is even the right device for your needs, our guide to tablets vs. smartphones can help you think that through first.
Cloud backup service (iCloud, Google One, or equivalent)
Stores your photos, contacts, app data, and settings so they can be restored on the new device.
USB cable or wireless transfer app
Used for direct phone-to-phone data transfer, particularly useful for large photo libraries.
2FA authenticator app with export feature
Required if you use app-based two-factor authentication — lets you migrate login codes safely.
Password manager
Keeps all your account credentials accessible from any device without relying on a single phone.
Carrier account login credentials
Needed to confirm compatibility, activate a new SIM, or set up an eSIM on your carrier's network.
The Full Pre-Switch Checklist
Work through these groups in order. The earlier steps protect your data; the later ones help you avoid frustration after your new phone is in hand.
Back Up Your Data
Check Carrier and Network Compatibility
Secure Your Accounts
Review Apps and Purchases
Final Steps Before Retiring the Old Phone
Don't Wipe Before You Verify
A factory reset is irreversible. Before you reset your old phone, spend at least a full day using the new one to confirm your photos, contacts, app data, and messages are all present and accessible. Rushing this step is the most common cause of permanent data loss during a phone switch.
A Few Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even careful switchers trip over a handful of recurring issues. Two-factor authentication (2FA) apps — those apps that generate six-digit codes for logging into accounts — are frequently overlooked. If your codes are tied to your old device and you wipe it before migrating, you can be locked out of critical accounts. Most 2FA apps have an export or account-transfer feature; use it before the switch.
Platform switches (Android to iPhone, or vice versa) add extra complexity around paid apps. Purchases made in one ecosystem's store don't carry over to the other. Take stock of any paid apps or in-app purchases you rely on and check whether equivalent apps exist on your new platform — and whether you'll need to repurchase them. For a broader look at assumptions that catch buyers off guard, see our piece on common phone choice regrets.
Two-Factor Authentication Can Lock You Out
If you use an authenticator app for 2FA and wipe your old phone without migrating the app first, you may lose access to email, banking, and other critical accounts. This isn't recoverable without going through each service's account-recovery process — which can take days. Treat this step as non-negotiable before any switch.
Once you're satisfied everything transferred correctly, clearing the old phone through a factory reset protects your personal data. The process varies by device, but the option is typically found under Settings > General Management or Settings > System. Don't rush this step — it's permanent.
Setting up a new device shares some overlap with setting up any new piece of tech. If you're also getting a new computer around the same time, our new computer setup walkthrough covers that process in similar detail.