A good new phone setup takes about an hour, and the order matters. Check that the phone is genuine, move your data across while the old phone still works, then lock the new one down before you carry it outside.
Most people do the fun part first: wallpaper, Instagram, camera. The step they skip is the one that decides whether a thief can wipe and resell the phone, and it’s in section 4.
⚡ Key takeaways
- First, SMS “KYM <IMEI>” to 14422 to confirm the new phone’s IMEI is genuine. It takes one minute.
- Transfer data with a cable if you can. Google says a cable is the recommended way between Android phones, and only one transfer is allowed during setup.
- Turn on Find Hub (Android) or Find My and Stolen Device Protection (iPhone) on day one, not after the phone goes missing.
- Don’t reset the old phone until WhatsApp, UPI and your 2-step codes work on the new one.
- This checklist fits any Android phone or iPhone bought in India, online or from a shop.
Why the Order of Your New Phone Setup Matters
The new phone setup screen asks for a lot in the first five minutes: Wi-Fi, accounts, copying data, a screen lock. Rush through it and you end up fixing things for weeks. Missing chats, a UPI app that won’t verify, or a phone that isn’t protected if it gets lifted from your pocket at a crowded Diwali market.
There’s also a one-shot step. On Android, Google’s help page for copying data to a new device says only one data transfer can be done during setup. If you skip it, you’re stuck restoring things app by app.
So here’s the order that works. Keep the old phone charged and switched on, keep both phones on Wi-Fi, and give yourself an hour without interruptions.
1. Check the New Phone Is Genuine (IMEI Check)
Even a sealed box from a shop can hide a grey-market or refurbished phone. India’s Department of Telecommunications gives you a free way to check.
How to check the IMEI
- Dial \*#06# on the new phone to see its IMEI. Dual-SIM phones show two.
- Match it with the IMEI printed on the box and the bill.
- Send an SMS: KYM, a space, then the 15-digit IMEI, to 14422. You can also use the Sanchar Saathi website or app.
If the reply shows the right brand and model, you’re fine. If it says blacklisted, duplicate or already in use, go back to the seller before you open any apps.
💡 Pro tip
Take a clear photo of the bill and the box label today and save it to your email. Warranty claims at service centres in India almost always ask for the invoice.
2. Move Your Data Across the Right Way
This is the longest step, so plug both phones into chargers first.
Android to Android
During setup, choose to copy apps and data from your old device. Google calls the cable method the recommended option. If your cable doesn’t fit both phones, you may need an adapter, or you can use the wireless option.
Google’s page says the copy can take a few minutes to over an hour depending on how much data you have. If it stalls, its troubleshooting guide suggests recharging both phones, replugging the cable or trying another one.
iPhone to iPhone
Apple’s Quick Start needs the old iPhone unlocked, on Wi-Fi, with Bluetooth on. You can transfer directly, or download from iCloud. Apple notes that with a direct transfer, you can’t use either phone until it finishes.
Also readCheck Your Phone’s Battery Health in 2 Minutes (Android, iPhone) 3. Pick the Transfer Method That Fits You
Not every switch is the same. Here’s a quick map.
| Switching from → to | Best method | Time it can take | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android → Android | Copy during setup with a cable | Minutes to over an hour (Google) | Only one transfer during setup |
| Samsung → Samsung | Samsung Smart Switch or Google’s copy | Depends on data | Samsung offers several options |
| iPhone → iPhone | Quick Start, direct or from iCloud | Depends on data | Direct transfer locks both phones until done |
| iPhone → Android | Cable during Android setup | Depends on data | Turn off iMessage on the iPhone first (Google) |
| Any → any | Restore from Google or iCloud backup | Runs in the background | Backup must be recent |
WhatsApp chats are the exception. They move through WhatsApp’s own transfer or backup, not always through the phone’s copy tool, so check your chats are there before you touch the old phone.
4. Lock It Down Before You Step Outside
This is the step most people skip, and it’s the one that matters if your phone is stolen.
Set a real screen lock
Use a PIN, pattern or password, plus fingerprint or face unlock. Google’s backup help page recommends a PIN, pattern or password rather than swipe or Smart Lock, because it also protects your backed-up data.
Turn on Find Hub or Find My
On Android, open Settings, then Security, then Find Hub, and check that “Allow device to be located” is on. Google’s lost-device guide says you need to be signed in to a Google Account with location on. Test it from android.com/find on another device.
On iPhone, Find My is under your name at the top of Settings.
iPhone: switch on Stolen Device Protection
Apple’s Stolen Device Protection (iOS 17.3 or later) is under Settings, Face ID & Passcode. Away from home or work, it needs Face ID or Touch ID, with no passcode fallback, to erase the phone, use saved passwords or turn off Lost Mode. Changing your Apple Account password also needs a one-hour wait.
⚠️ Watch out
The catch: these protections only work if they’re on before the phone goes missing. A thief who watched you type your passcode on a bus can’t erase a protected iPhone quickly. On an unprotected one, they can.
5. Update, Then Turn On Backup
New phones often ship with an update waiting. Install it before you load up apps, while the phone is still empty and quick to restart.
Turn on backup on day one
On Android, open Settings, Google services, All services, then Backup, and turn it on. Google says this backs up apps and app data, call history, contacts, device settings and SMS. Your Google Account includes up to 15 GB of free storage, and the first backup can take up to 24 hours.
On iPhone, turn on iCloud Backup under Settings, your name, iCloud. The free 5 GB plan fills fast, so decide what really needs backing up, such as photos, before paying for more.
Also readSIM Binding From 1 Jan 2027: Will Your WhatsApp Stop Working? 6. Get WhatsApp, UPI and Banking Working
Payment apps are where new phone setup trips most people up.
UPI apps
UPI apps verify your phone by sending an SMS from the SIM linked to your bank account. So put that SIM in the new phone first, and keep it in the slot the app asks for. Then open Google Pay, PhonePe or Paytm, verify, and set or reuse your UPI PIN. If you use small payments, our UPI Lite guide explains what happens to the Lite balance when you change phones.
WhatsApp and Telegram
Messaging apps are moving to SIM-linked logins in India. Our explainer on the SIM binding rule covers what that means if your WhatsApp number’s SIM is in another phone.
2-step verification codes
If you use an authenticator app, move it before resetting the old phone. Losing it can lock you out of email or work accounts.
7. Wipe the Old Phone the Right Way
Only now should you clear the old phone. Do it in this order:
- Check the new phone has your chats, photos, contacts and payment apps working.
- On the old Android phone, remove your Google account (Settings, then Accounts). On Samsung, also sign out of your Samsung account.
- On the old iPhone, sign out of your Apple Account, so Activation Lock comes off.
- Remove the SIM and any memory card.
- Factory reset.
Skipping step 2 or 3 is why many used phones end up locked to the old owner. Our checklist for buying a used phone shows what the buyer sees if you forget.
✅ Our verdict
Do the boring steps first: IMEI check, data transfer, screen lock, Find Hub or Find My, and backup. On iPhone, turn on Stolen Device Protection the same day. Install your favourite apps only after that. An hour of setup now saves a week of trouble if the phone is lost.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first when I get a new phone?
Check the IMEI by sending “KYM <IMEI>” to 14422, then transfer your data while the old phone still works. Next, set a screen lock and turn on Find Hub or Find My. Install apps after that.
Can I transfer data to a new Android phone after setup?
Google’s help page says only one data transfer can be done during setup. After that, you mostly rely on your Google backup and each app’s own restore. That’s why it’s better to copy everything during the first new phone setup.
Is it better to transfer data with a cable or wirelessly?
Google recommends the cable method between Android phones. A wireless copy works too, but it depends on your Wi-Fi. Keep both phones charging either way.
When should I factory reset my old phone?
Only after WhatsApp, UPI apps, photos and your 2-step codes work on the new phone. Remove your Google or Apple account from the old phone before the reset, or it may stay locked to you.
The Bottom Line
A new phone setup done in the right order takes about an hour: genuine check, data, locks, backup, payments, then the old phone. The theft settings are the part people regret skipping. Do that one today, then enjoy the new camera.
Keep reading
Read nextPhone Safety for Parents: 9 Settings to Fix on Your Diwali VisitRead nextCheck Your Phone’s Battery Health in 2 Minutes (Android, iPhone)
Read nextBuying a Used Phone? 7 Checks Before You Pay in IndiaSources
- Google Android Help: Copy apps and data from an Android to a new Android device
- Google Android Help: Can’t transfer data to a new Android device
- Google Android Help: Back up or restore data on your Android device
- Google Android Help: Be ready to find a lost Android device
- Apple Support (India): Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone
- Apple Support (India): About Stolen Device Protection for iPhone
- Sanchar Saathi, Department of Telecommunications