6 things I always do when setting up a new phone

I set up a new phone pretty typically — whether or not it’s shifting to a new every 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.

While I might tweak my method relying on whether or not I plan to make use of the phone as my new every day driver or as a secondary system (reminiscent of 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 information instantly out of your earlier system. However, I choose utilizing my Google account to revive a backup from my predominant 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 Firstly, the cloning utilities on smartphones typically require the new and outdated phone to be linked or close to one another for a while. This signifies that I typically really feel like I can’t use both phone in the course of the switch, which cuts me off from things like my chats and notifications. A minor challenge, however nonetheless.

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

Furthermore, restoring a backup from a Google account contains most of the useful options of cloning your phone, reminiscent of copying over SMS messages, contacts, system settings, and name historical past. And since I use Google Password Manager, syncing my Google account with the new phone additionally provides me entry to the login particulars I use for varied apps. However, I have discovered that my mileage might 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 comparable, however through the years I’ve observed extra fragmentation when it involves the default consumer interface (UI). So at any time when I set up a new smartphone, I be sure that to regulate the UI’s settings to my superb setup.

This contains three-button navigation, everlasting darkish mode, switching to Eye Comfort 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 stop my smartphone from triggering my migraines, however a few of them are additionally as a result of habits I’ve constructed up after over a decade of utilizing Android telephones.

A latest annoyance I’ve discovered with some Android phone manufacturers is the try to modify customers to a break up notification panel by default. On some Android skins, there’s no technique to swap again to a mixed notification and management panel, which actually frustrates me. But 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 Ultra, I switched again to the mixed notification view in One UI 7.

Even although I’ve tried to maneuver away from Google Photos by self-hosting Immich as an alternative, I nonetheless haven’t made the transition absolutely. This is partially as a result of how Google Photos incorporates into my workflow, since I typically take pictures on my phone after which entry them by way of the online to obtain and add them to a submit I’m engaged on, for instance.

So, not less than for now, Google Photos stays a vital 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 footage of scenic areas and my pets. This additionally signifies that the pictures I take with these gadgets are added to my Memories, which is one in all my favourite Google Photos options.

If you’ve used Android, you’ll be very accustomed to 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 finances smartphones, which are likely to pack in a lot extra bloat.

Sometimes these apps are OEM instruments that I by no means use as a result of preferring cross-platform apps as an alternative. But I’ve additionally discovered loads of social media apps, video games, and workplace software program come pre-installed on gadgets whether or not you employ them or not.

Where doable, I uninstall any app or recreation that I don’t use. Of course, some bloatware can’t be uninstalled. In 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 an alternative of my most well-liked 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. However, if the phone is my new every day driver, I be sure 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.

But lacking a Slack notification or an necessary e-mail to my secondary Gmail account (which is completely different to my backup account) signifies that I may miss necessary details about work or assignments. So I be sure that to signal into these as quickly as doable.

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

But I quickly realized that the app doesn’t robotically sync with the linked Microsoft account, which means the completely different built-in companies don’t transfer over when you check in on a new system. I finally 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 sure that to revive the account backup in order that I can entry my linked companies. If you employ a 2FA or multi-factor authentication (MFA) app, ensure you switch your credentials so that you simply don’t lose entry.

I’m typically juggling multiple smartphone at a time, however I be sure that to observe sure steps when setting them up. This makes switching between gadgets simpler for me, whereas additionally offering me with the perfect expertise when I change my predominant system. Too many instances I’ve been caught out by not having the best settings or information on the smartphone I’m utilizing, which might change into a problem when my different gadgets will not be round.

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