Setting up a new phone safely

Before you start

Make sure your old phone is fully backed up, and keep it charged and nearby. Many phones can copy apps, photos and settings directly from the old one. Have your email and phone account passwords ready, and connect to your home Wi-Fi rather than public Wi-Fi.

Step 1: lock it properly

• Set a PIN of at least six digits, or a longer passcode. Avoid birthdays and patterns such as 123456.
• Add fingerprint or face unlock for convenience. The PIN remains the backup.
• Set the screen to lock automatically after a short time.
• Hide message previews on the lock screen if you do not want others to read codes or private messages.

Step 2: update and back up

1. Go to the update page in Settings and install the latest system update straight away. New phones often have one waiting.
2. Turn on automatic updates for the system and for apps. See Keeping your devices updated.
3. Turn on cloud backup for your phone and photos. See How to back up your files and photos.

Step 3: turn on "find my device"

On iPhone this is Find My; on Android it is Find My Device or the maker's equivalent. It lets you locate, lock or erase the phone from another device if it is lost or stolen. Check that it is on, and try signing in to the service on a computer so you know how it works before you need it.

Step 4: apps and permissions

• Install apps only from the official app store. See What is an app?
• Do not reinstall every app from your old phone. Leave out the ones you no longer use.
• When an app asks for location, camera, microphone or contacts, allow only what it genuinely needs. Choose "only while using the app" for location where offered.
• Review Settings, then Privacy, after a week to see which apps use what.

Step 5: secure your key accounts

1. Turn on 2-step verification for your email, phone account (Apple or Google) and banking.
2. Set up a password manager, or the one built into your phone.
3. Consider creating passkeys for accounts that offer them.
4. Move your authenticator app to the new phone before wiping the old one, or you may lock yourself out.

Tip: Ask your mobile provider whether they offer a SIM PIN or a "port-out" protection setting. It makes it harder for criminals to move your number to their SIM.

Step 6: wipe the old phone

1. Check everything is on the new phone: photos, messages, authenticator codes and banking apps.
2. Sign out of your Apple or Google account on the old phone. This removes activation lock so the next owner can use it.
3. Remove the SIM and any memory card.
4. Use Erase all content and settings (iPhone) or Factory reset (Android).
5. Remove the old phone from your account's device list online.

Done properly, the next owner gets a clean phone and none of your information.