How To Switch To Your New Iphone

iphone-13-pro-max-pro-13-and-13-mini-cnet-2021-10 — There are some steps you'll need to take before switching to an iPhone 13.
Patrick Holland/CNET

Apple released its new lineup of iPhones last week -- the regular iPhone 13, the13 Mini, the13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. The newest iPhones are now available to buy (with some great deals to be had), and you could get yours as soon as today. If you're planning to get an iPhone 13, make sure toget your old phone ready for the switch and prep your current device for a data transfer.

While you may want to immediately begin using your phone when it arrives -- we understand, it's new and exciting -- don't rush through the setup process. Instead, we recommend taking the time to pay attention to the steps so you can make sure your iPhone 13 is set up exactly how you want it.

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Read more: CNET'siPhone 13, 13 Mini,13 Pro and 13 Pro Max reviews

Depending on your situation, Apple has several options for you to set up your phone. For instance, you can set it up as brand new: You'd be starting from scratch with no settings, messages, photos, apps or accounts transferred over. There's also the option to move everything from your current phone to an iPhone 13 -- even if you're currently an Android user.

We'll explain the four different methods for restoring your phone from a recent backup of your current iPhone. On the other hand, if you're not ready to upgrade your iPhone but want a similar experience, here's how to download and install iOS 15.

iphone-13-pro-max-cnet-2021-review-33 — You've got several options when it comes to setting up your new iPhone.
Patrick Holland/CNET

Restore a recent iCloud backup to your iPhone 13

The easiest and quickest method to set up your new iPhone 13 is to restore from a recent iCloud backup. As you walk through the initial setup process, tap Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple ID and then pick the most recent backup of your old iPhone.

Brett Pearce/CNET

If the backup is more than a day or two old, I suggest (and your new phone might actually suggest this as well) you take an extra few minutes to create a new backup. To do so, open the Settings app on your old phone and searchiCloud Backup (click the icon), then selectBack Up Now.

Once that finishes, go back to your new iPhone and select the backup you just created as what you want to use to restore from.

Your phone will then restore your settings and preferences, and you'll be able to start using it in about 15 minutes while it finishes downloading your installed apps.

Once everything is restored, you'll need to sign back into any accounts you added to your phone, as well as go through your apps and make sure you're still signed in.

iphone-13-cnet-2021-review-03 — Apple's data transfer tool lets you skip iCloud backups.
Patrick Holland/CNET

Use Apple's direct transfer method

During the setup process, you'll be asked if you want to directly transfer apps and information from your old iPhone to your new one. This feature was first rolled out with iOS 12.4, so if it's been a few years since you've upgraded phones, it'll be the first time you've seen the option.

The tool is straightforward to use. Make sure you have both phones, preferably plugged in and charging to ensure they don't run out of battery, a Wi-Fi connection and enough time for the process to finish -- it could take over an hour.

The more information you have on your phone, like photos in your camera roll, the longer it will take. When the transfer starts, the phones will show you a time estimate. Every time I've used this tool, that estimate has been accurate within a couple of minutes. It's worth taking the time if you don't use Apple's iCloud service to back up your phone.

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11:51

Use a Mac or PC to transfer your data to an iPhone 13

The method I personally use with every new iPhone is to restore from an encrypted backup using a Mac or PC. Not only does this process transfer all of your apps, settings and preferences, but it also means you don't have to sign into the countless apps you have on your phone.

Before you can use this method, you'll need to create an encrypted backup of your current iPhone. I know that may sound intimidating or overly complicated, but it only means you have to check an extra box and enter a password.

On a Mac, you'll use Finder to back up your old iPhone. We outlined the steps when Apple killed iTunes. Just make sure to check the Encrypt backup box and enter a password you'll remember when prompted. Let your Mac go to work, creating a backup file. It will let you know when it's done.

On a PC, you'll need to use iTunes (it's not completely dead) to create a backup. That process is explained here. Again, you'll need to make sure the Encrypt backup box is checked and enter a password.

To restore your new phone, open Finder or iTunes, and connect your phone to your computer. Click Trust when prompted, and then follow the prompts, selecting the backup you just created as what you want to use to restore the phone. You will need to enter the backup's password before the process begins -- so make sure you don't forget it!

Once it's done, your new phone will be an exact copy of your old phone and you won't have to spend any time signing into apps or random accounts.

Apple made an Android app called Move To iOS that makes moving your messages, photos, videos and more from an Android phone to an iPhone easy.
Patrick Holland/CNET

Android user? This app is your answer

Apple doesn't have many Android apps listed in Google's Play Store, but Move to iOS is one of them. This free app will connect your Android phone to a new iPhone and allow you to transfer the most important information from one phone to the other.

Follow along as we walk you through the entire process as well as cover some caveats, like the fact that it won't transfer any locally stored music or PDF files.

No matter the process you used to set up your new phone, you're sure to be giddy with excitement as you explore what it can do. And because it comes with iOS 15 installed out of the box, we have you covered from a review of all the features we could find to some of the besthidden tricks.