Key Takeaways
Summary
18 items · 30–90 minutes
Why a Fresh Setup Beats a Full Restore
Unboxing a new device is genuinely exciting — but the instinct to restore everything from your old device as quickly as possible can quietly undermine the fresh start you paid for. A full backup is a snapshot of every decision, permission, and app you ever accumulated, including the ones you made years ago without much thought.
Think of it this way: your old device probably had apps you forgot were installed, location permissions granted to services you no longer use, and notification settings you never actually chose — they just crept in. A full restore imports all of that instantly.
Setting up selectively takes a bit more time upfront, but it gives you meaningful control. You decide what comes with you. For guidance on what to transfer and what to leave behind when switching phones specifically, see our practical transfer guide for a step-by-step approach.
Password Manager
Stores and generates strong, unique passwords so you can sign into accounts securely without reusing credentials.
Authenticator App
Generates time-based one-time codes for two-factor authentication, more secure than SMS-based 2FA codes.
Cloud Storage Service
Holds a selective backup of contacts, photos, and documents you want to carry over without doing a full device restore.
Device Manufacturer Account Portal
Used to verify account security settings, enable Find My Device, and review connected devices before setup.
The Checklist: From Unboxing to Secure and Organised
Work through these items in order — the sequence matters. Securing your primary account and installing updates before adding apps creates a stable foundation everything else builds on. Refer back to each group as you move through the setup process.
Before You Power On
Initial Setup and Accounts
Privacy and Permissions
System and Security Settings
Full Backups Can Import Old Problems
Restoring an entire backup feels convenient, but it also copies across every app, permission, and configuration from your old device — including ones you forgot about or never intended to keep. Malware, excessive app permissions, and years of notification clutter travel in full backups. Consider a selective restore instead, bringing over only data you specifically need.
Do Not Skip Updates Before Adding Apps
Out-of-box software on a new device is often months old by the time it reaches you. Installing apps before running system updates means those apps interact with unpatched software. Always run updates first — this one step closes known security gaps before you introduce new software.
Once you have worked through the checklist, take a moment to revisit your notification settings. A device set up without deliberate notification choices quickly becomes as chaotic as the old one. Our guide to managing app and notification overload picks up right where this checklist leaves off.
What to Carry Over — and What to Leave Behind
Not everything from your old device deserves a place on the new one. Here is a practical rule: if you would not deliberately install or configure something today, do not restore it from backup.
Worth bringing over
- Contacts (export as a file or sync via your primary account)
- Photos and videos (via cloud sync or direct file transfer)
- Documents and notes you actively reference
- Saved passwords via your password manager
Consider leaving behind
- Apps you have not opened in six months or more
- Saved Wi-Fi passwords for networks you no longer visit
- Browser extensions or plugins you installed experimentally
- Old authenticator app setups that no longer correspond to active accounts
Secure Your Primary Account First
Your Apple ID, Google account, or Microsoft account is the master key to nearly everything on your device — email, payment methods, app purchases, and backups. Before doing anything else, ensure this account has a strong unique password and two-factor authentication enabled. If this account is compromised, everything linked to it is at risk.
For broader online safety practices, including how to manage what your devices know about you on an ongoing basis, the online safety section has approachable guides for everyday situations. And once your device is configured and secure, keep the hardware itself in good shape — safe cleaning methods for screens and keyboards are worth knowing before you encounter a smudged screen or sticky key.