Move everything to a new phone
Transfers are much easier than they used to be. The few things that go wrong are predictable, so prepare for them.
Before you start
- Know your Google account or Apple ID password. You will need it.
- Charge both phones and connect them to the same Wi-Fi.
- Back up the old phone.
- Move your two-factor authenticator codes first (most authenticator apps have a transfer or export option), or you can be locked out of accounts.
Same system
- Android to Android: during setup of the new phone, choose to copy data from the old one, by cable or wirelessly. Samsung's Smart Switch does the same for Galaxy phones.
- iPhone to iPhone: put the phones next to each other; Quick Start appears on the old one. You can transfer directly or restore from an iCloud backup.
Switching between Android and iPhone
- Android to iPhone: install Apple's "Move to iOS" app on the Android phone and follow the setup of the new iPhone. It moves contacts, messages, photos, calendars and, with WhatsApp's help, chats.
- iPhone to Android: most Android phones offer a cable or wireless transfer from iPhone during setup. Before switching, turn off iMessage (Settings → Messages) so texts from iPhone users reach your new phone.
- Paid apps do not carry over between the two systems.
Afterwards
- Open your bank and messaging apps; many need you to sign in again or verify the new device.
- Check that photos, contacts and chats arrived before wiping the old phone.
- Then prepare the old phone for selling or recycling.