6 things I always do when configuring a new phone

I have set up a new phone quite often – whether it is a new daily driver or a secondary phone, or the configuration of one of the new best Android phones to examine. As I am a usual creature, I like to make sure that switching devices are not too shocking, so I created a little routine when it comes to configuring a new device.

Although I can change my approach depending on whether I plan to use the phone as a new daily driver or as a secondary device (like a camera smartphone), these are the essential steps that I take with each phone.

Many Android manufacturers offer a phone clone utility that copies data directly from your previous device. However, I prefer to use my Google account to restore a backup of my main device for a number of reasons. Firstly, public cloning services on smartphones often require that the new and old phone is connected or near other for a while. This means that I often have the impression of not using one or the other phone during the transfer, which cuts me things like my cats and my notifications. A minor problem, but still.

Second, when restoring applications from my original phone, I can select the ones to install. This is an excellent feature, because I often accumulate applications that I test for the work that I no longer necessarily use but forget to uninstall.

In addition, restoring a backup from a Google account includes many beneficial features of cloning your phone, such as copying on SMS messages, contacts, device settings and call history. And as I use Google Password Manager, the synchronization of my Google account with the new phone also gives me access to the connection details that I use for various applications. However, I noticed that my mileage can vary depending on the manufacturers between which I change. In cases where my connection details have not been transferred, I use the Chrome application to access the password manager.

It was a time that Android skins felt very similar, but over the years I noticed more fragmentation with regard to the default user interface (IU). So, each time I configure a new smartphone, I make sure to adjust the settings of the user interface to my ideal configuration.

This includes three buttons, permanent dark mode, the transition to eye comfort mode, the choice of an application drawer for my home screen if it is not on by default, and the shortcut change of my configuration panel to those I use the most. A lot Changes that I make is to prevent my smartphone from triggering my migraines, but Some of them are also due to habits that I have accumulated after more than a decade of using Android phones.

A recent discomfort that I found with certain Android phone brands is the attempt to transfer users to a default divided notification panel. On some Android skins, there is no way to return to a combined notification and control panel, which really frustrates me. But when the option is there, I go to the combined view. For example, when I recently configured the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, I came back to the view of notification combined in an IU 7.

Even if I tried to get away from Google Photos by the Immich self-hosting instead, I have still not fully carried out the transition. This is partly due to the way Google Photos integrates into my workflow, because I often take photos on my phone, then I will access them via the web to download and add them to an article on which I work, for example.

So, at least for the moment, Google Photos remains an essential utility for me. I save photos on all my devices, even if I simply use the phone for a two -week exam period – especially since I often use revision devices to take photos of panoramic zones and my pets. It also means that the photos I take with these devices are added to my memories, which is one of my favorite Google Photos features.

If you have used Android, you will be very familiar with the Bloatware – the non -essential and preinstalled applications that OEMs include on their devices. I note that this step is particularly necessary with regard to mid -range and low -budget smartphones, which tend to pack in many more bloating.

Sometimes these applications are OEM tools that I never use due to the preference of multiplatform applications instead. But I also found many social media applications, game games and desk software on devices, whether you used them or not.

As far as possible, I uninstall any application or play that I do not use. Of course, some Bloatware cannot be uninstalled. In this case, I try to see if I can archive or deactivate the application so that I do not receive any invites to use it instead of my favorite software.

To make sure that I start to receive important notifications on my new device, I connect to my most used applications as soon as possible. These are generally my Gmail, Asana and Slack accounts. However, if the phone is my new daily driver, I make sure to connect to WhatsApp and restore my cat backup.

If an application is not an integral part of the work notifications or communications from my contacts, I take my time that connects me when I really use it. For example, I do not rush when it comes to connecting my applications on social networks, especially since I spend weeks without using certain platforms.

But miss a SLACK notification or an important email to my secondary Gmail account (which is different from my backup account) means that I could miss important information on work or assignments. So I make sure to connect them as soon as possible.

While authentication with two factors (2FA) undoubtedly has its advantages, I always worry about changing the device and no longer having access to my authenticator. Although I only used Microsoft Authenticator for my Microsoft account, over time, I started adding other applications and websites to the tool.

But I quickly realized that the application does not automatically synchronize with the linked Microsoft account, which means that the various integrated services do not move when you log into a new device. I finally understood that I first needed to create a backup on my old device, then restore the backup of this account on the new device.

Now, every time I configure a new smartphone, I make sure to restore the backup of the account so that I can access my linked services. If you use a 2FA or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) application, be sure to transfer your identification information so that you do not lose access.

I often juggle more than one smartphone at a time, but I make sure to follow certain steps during the configuration. This facilitates the switching between devices for me, while offering me the best experience when I change my main device. Too many times, I have been caught up by not having the right settings or the right data on the smartphone that I use, which can become a problem when my other devices are not there.

Most people have only one smartphone to manage, but these steps are useful, regardless of the number of devices you use. Just make sure you reset the factory of your old phone if you plan to sell or give it, once you are sure you have all the necessary information you need.