6 things I always do when setting up a new phone

I set up a new phone pretty typically — whether or not it’s transferring to a new day by day driver or secondary phone, or setting up one of many new finest Android telephones to overview. Since I’m a creature of behavior, I like to make sure that switching gadgets isn’t too jarring, so I have created a little bit of a routine when it involves setting up a new system.

Whereas I could tweak my strategy relying on whether or not I plan to make use of the phone as my new day by day driver or as a secondary system (comparable to a digital camera smartphone), these are the important steps I take with each phone.

Many Android producers supply a phone clone utility that copies the info immediately out of your earlier system. Nonetheless, I favor utilizing my Google account to revive a backup from my foremost system for a variety of causes. Firstly, the cloning utilities on smartphones typically require the new and outdated phone to be linked or close to one another for a while. Which means I typically really feel like I can’t use both phone throughout the switch, which cuts me off from things like my chats and notifications. A minor challenge, however nonetheless.

Secondly, when restoring apps from my unique phone, I am in a position to choose which of them to put in. That is a nice function, since I typically accrue apps that I check for work that I don’t essentially use anymore however overlook to uninstall.

Moreover, restoring a backup from a Google account consists of lots of the useful options of cloning your phone, comparable to copying over SMS messages, contacts, system settings, and name historical past. And since I use Google Password Supervisor, syncing my Google account with the new phone additionally provides me entry to the login particulars I use for numerous apps. Nonetheless, I have discovered that my mileage could fluctuate relying on which producers I’m switching between. In circumstances the place my login particulars haven’t transferred, I use the Chrome app to entry the password supervisor.

There was a time that Android skins felt very related, however through the years I’ve observed extra fragmentation when it involves the default person interface (UI). So at any time when I set up a new smartphone, I be certain that to regulate the UI’s settings to my ideally suited setup.

This consists of three-button navigation, everlasting darkish mode, switching to Eye Consolation mode, selecting an app drawer for my dwelling display screen if it’s not on by default, and switching my management panel shortcuts to these I use probably the most. Many of the modifications I make are to forestall my smartphone from triggering my migraines, however a few of them are additionally resulting from habits I’ve constructed up after over a decade of utilizing Android telephones.

A current annoyance I’ve discovered with some Android phone manufacturers is the try to change customers to a break up notification panel by default. On some Android skins, there’s no approach to swap again to a mixed notification and management panel, which actually frustrates me. However when the choice is there, I swap to the mixed view. For instance, when I not too long ago set up the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, I switched again to the mixed notification view in One UI 7.

Regardless that I’ve tried to maneuver away from Google Photographs by self-hosting Immich as a substitute, I nonetheless haven’t made the transition totally. That is partially resulting from how Google Photographs incorporates into my workflow, since I typically take pictures on my phone after which entry them by the net to obtain and add them to a submit I’m engaged on, for instance.

So, not less than for now, Google Photographs stays a necessary utility for me. I again up pictures throughout all my gadgets, even when I’m simply utilizing the phone for a two-week overview interval — particularly since I typically use overview gadgets to take photos of scenic areas and my pets. This additionally signifies that the pictures I take with these gadgets are added to my Recollections, which is one among my favourite Google Photographs options.

In case you’ve used Android, you’ll be very acquainted with bloatware — the non-essential, pre-installed apps that OEMs embrace on their gadgets. I discover that this step is especially wanted when it involves mid-range and funds smartphones, which are likely to pack in a lot extra bloat.

Generally these apps are OEM instruments that I by no means use resulting from preferring cross-platform apps as a substitute. However I’ve additionally discovered loads of social media apps, video games, and workplace software program come pre-installed on gadgets whether or not you utilize them or not.

The place doable, I uninstall any app or recreation that I don’t use. After all, some bloatware can’t be uninstalled. On this case, I attempt to see if I can archive or disable the app in order that I don’t obtain prompts to make use of it as a substitute of my most popular software program.

To be sure that I begin receiving necessary notifications on my new system, I signal into my most-used apps as quickly as doable. These are normally my Gmail, Asana, and Slack accounts. Nonetheless, if the phone is my new day by day driver, I be certain that to log into WhatsApp and restore my chat backup.

If an app isn’t integral to getting work notifications or communications from my contacts, I’ll take my time signing into it when I truly use it. For instance, I don’t rush when it involves signing into my social media apps, particularly since I go weeks with out utilizing some platforms.

However lacking a Slack notification or an necessary electronic mail to my secondary Gmail account (which is totally different to my backup account) signifies that I might miss necessary details about work or assignments. So I be certain that to signal into these as quickly as doable.

Whereas two-factor authentication (2FA) undoubtedly has its advantages, I always fear about switching gadgets and not gaining access to my authenticator app. Whereas I initially solely used Microsoft Authenticator for my Microsoft account, over time, I started including another apps and web sites to the device.

However I quickly realized that the app doesn’t routinely sync with the linked Microsoft account, that means the totally different built-in companies don’t transfer over when you register on a new system. I ultimately found out that I first wanted to create a backup on my outdated system, then restore that account backup on the new system.

Now, at any time when I set up a new smartphone, I be certain that to revive the account backup in order that I can entry my linked companies. In case you use a 2FA or multi-factor authentication (MFA) app, be sure you switch your credentials so that you simply don’t lose entry.

I’m typically juggling a couple of smartphone at a time, however I be certain that to comply with sure steps when setting them up. This makes switching between gadgets simpler for me, whereas additionally offering me with the most effective expertise when I change my foremost system. Too many instances I’ve been caught out by not having the proper settings or information on the smartphone I’m utilizing, which might turn into a difficulty when my different gadgets are usually not round.

Most individuals solely have one smartphone to take care of, however these steps are useful no matter what number of gadgets you’re utilizing. Simply be certain that to manufacturing unit reset your outdated phone in case you plan to promote it or give it away, when you’re sure you may have all the required info you want from it.