Moving to a new phone without losing anything
Prepare for a phone transfer so nothing important is left behind.
Modern phones copy themselves onto a new phone remarkably well. The trouble is always in the corners the copy does not reach.
Set the two phones side by side, plugged in, on your home internet, and the new one will pull nearly everything across. Photos, messages, apps, wallpaper, the arrangement of your icons. It takes an hour and mostly runs itself.
Do not wipe or trade in the old phone the same day. Keep it in a drawer, charged, for two weeks. It is your safety net while you find the small things.
Key points
- Side by side, plugged in, on home internet moves nearly everything.
- Make a fresh backup the same day you transfer.
- Know your account password apart from the old phone.
- Authenticator apps need a deliberate move of their own.
- Keep the old phone charged in a drawer for two weeks.
What to remember
- A backup made today is what turns a bad transfer into a small delay.
- Trade-in offers almost always stay open for a while. Your old data does not.
- Handle the code-generating app before transfer day, while both phones are still in your hands.
Try this
Even if no new phone is coming, run a backup today and write your main account email and password on a card kept in a safe place at home.
Practice: Moving to a new phone without losing anything. Your first lesson is free, with no account or card; the rest are part of a Lantern plan. Interactive lessons require JavaScript.