Replace your phone
Moving to a new phone with the same number? Back up, move your authenticator codes, transfer your data and SIM, and only then erase the old phone.
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Your plan so far
11things this change touches
- critical1
- high7
- moderate2
- low1
Updates as you answer. Every item will explain why it’s there.
What could break
In a typical new phone plan, these are the most serious things to get right.
Google Authenticator: sync or transfer your codes
Critical · Sign-in & recovery
Erase the old phone first and you could be locked out of every account those codes protect, with a separate recovery process for each.
Test calls, texts and verification codes on the new phone
Critical · Phone & internet service
You could wipe the old phone and then find that sign-in codes don't arrive.
Back up the old phone and confirm it finished
High · Data & files
Photos, files or chat history can be lost for good.
Make sure you know your main account passwords
High · Sign-in & recovery
Setup stalls at the sign-in screen, and a forgotten password can start a recovery process that takes days.
Keep the old phone working until the new one is ready
High · Devices
If you erase or hand it over too early, anything that didn't transfer may be gone, including codes you need to sign in.
Save backup codes for accounts protected by your authenticator
High · Sign-in & recovery
Without them, a hiccup during the change can turn into a slow account-recovery process.
Use Quick Start to transfer from your old iPhone
High · Data & files
Setting up as new can leave behind message history, app layouts and files you didn't know were only on the phone.
WhatsApp: bring your chats across
High · Messaging & contacts
Chats and groups can be lost if you just register the new number from scratch.
Transfer your eSIM to the new phone
High · Phone & internet service
A transfer done out of order can leave you briefly without service, often just when a sign-in code is needed.
Banking apps tied to a single device
High · Banking & payments
You may be unable to approve payments or sign in to banking on the new phone until it's verified, and fingerprint or face sign-in usually has to be set up again.
Before and after the change
Before you change it
- Back up the old phone and confirm it finished
- Make sure you know your main account passwords
- Keep the old phone working until the new one is ready
- Update both phones' software first
- Google Authenticator: sync or transfer your codes
- Save backup codes for accounts protected by your authenticator
- Check your passkeys will come with you
After the change
- Use Quick Start to transfer from your old iPhone
- WhatsApp: bring your chats across
- Transfer your eSIM to the new phone
- Banking apps tied to a single device
- Add your cards to the new phone's wallet
- Apps that keep data only on the phone
- iMessage and FaceTime: check they're using your number
- Move your watch, earbuds and other paired devices
- Test calls, texts and verification codes on the new phone
- Sign in to your most important accounts from the new phone
- Turn off Activation Lock or Factory Reset Protection
- Erase the old phone
Your own plan adds or removes items based on your answers, and explains why each one is there.
The safe order
Doing things in the right sequence is what keeps you from getting locked out halfway through.
Before the change
Step 1: Back up and get ready
A fresh backup, current software and passwords you can actually type.
- Back up the old phone and confirm it finished (high risk)
- Make sure you know your main account passwords (high risk)
- Keep the old phone working until the new one is ready (high risk)
- Update both phones' software first (low risk)
Step 2: Move authenticator codes and check passkeys
Do this first, while the old phone works. It's the step people regret skipping.
- Google Authenticator: sync or transfer your codes (critical risk)
- Save backup codes for accounts protected by your authenticator (high risk)
- Check your passkeys will come with you (moderate risk)
During the change
Step 3: Transfer your data to the new phone
Use the built-in transfer, then bring your chats across.
- Use Quick Start to transfer from your old iPhone (high risk)
- WhatsApp: bring your chats across (high risk)
Step 4: Move your SIM or eSIM
Your number follows the SIM, so calls and codes start arriving on the new phone.
- Transfer your eSIM to the new phone (high risk)
Immediately after
Step 5: Set up apps that don't transfer fully
Banking apps, wallet cards and work apps usually need verifying again.
- Banking apps tied to a single device (high risk)
- Add your cards to the new phone's wallet (moderate risk)
- Apps that keep data only on the phone (moderate risk)
- iMessage and FaceTime: check they're using your number (low risk)
Step 6: Re-pair your watch, earbuds and car
Back up a watch before unpairing it.
- Move your watch, earbuds and other paired devices (moderate risk)
Verify
Step 7: Test the new phone before touching the old one
Prove calls, codes and sign-ins work on the new phone alone.
- Test calls, texts and verification codes on the new phone (critical risk)
- Sign in to your most important accounts from the new phone (high risk)
Clean up
Step 8: Erase the old phone, or keep it locked down
If it's leaving you: turn off activation lock, erase it, then remove it from your accounts.
- Turn off Activation Lock or Factory Reset Protection (high risk)
- Erase the old phone (high risk)
- Remove the old phone from your accounts (moderate risk)
Later
Step 9: Trade in or sell the old phone
Keep the confirmation until the credit or payment arrives.
- Trade in, sell or recycle the old phone (low risk)
Why this change needs a plan
Modern transfer tools move most things for you: apps, photos, messages and settings. The problems come from the few things that don't move by themselves, and from erasing the old phone too soon.
Authenticator apps are the big one. Unless they sync or back up, their codes live only on the old phone. Banking apps and wallet cards are usually tied to one device and need verifying again. Watches and earbuds have their own pairing steps.
The safe approach is to treat the old phone as your safety net until the new one has proven it can sign you in, receive codes and pay for things.
Why it matters
Your phone holds your sign-in codes and is trusted by your bank and accounts. A rushed switch can leave you with a shiny new phone that can't sign you in to anything.
What makes it risky
Risk is highest when you use authenticator apps that don't sync, when the old phone is being traded in on a deadline, and when banking apps need the old phone to approve the new one.
Common mistakes
- Erasing or trading in the old phone before checking that authenticator codes made it across.
- Setting the new phone up as new and losing chat history that would have transferred.
- Forgetting to sign out of the Apple Account or remove the Google account, leaving Activation Lock or Factory Reset Protection on.
- Assuming banking apps and wallet cards will work straight away like other apps.
- Starting the transfer without knowing the Apple Account or Google Account password.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to back up if I'm doing a phone-to-phone transfer?
It's still worth it. A direct transfer is usually quickest, but a fresh backup protects you if the transfer fails or you need to start again.
Will my authenticator codes transfer automatically?
Only if the app syncs or backs them up and you sign in on the new phone. Google Authenticator can sync to your Google Account, Microsoft Authenticator has a cloud backup, and others vary. Check every code works on the new phone before erasing the old one.
How long should I keep my old phone?
Until you've signed in to your important accounts, received a verification code and made a payment with the new phone. For most people that's a day or two.
Do I need a new SIM card?
Not usually. Move your physical SIM, or transfer your eSIM during setup. If the new phone needs a different SIM size or only supports eSIM, your carrier can issue one.
What do I need to do before trading in my old phone?
Unpair any watch, sign out of your Apple Account or remove your Google account to turn off Activation Lock or Factory Reset Protection, erase the phone, and take out the SIM.