How to move your data to a new phone

A new phone should be exciting, not a weekend of lost photos and locked-out accounts. Most of the move is now automatic, but a few things, such as authenticator apps, banking apps and WhatsApp between different systems, need care. This guide covers the order to do things in so nothing gets left behind.

Before you start

Do these with the old phone still working and in your hand:

• Charge both phones and connect to good Wi-Fi.
• Update the old phone to the latest software it supports.
• Check you know your Apple ID or Google account password, not just your PIN.
• Make sure your phone number is working on the old phone, since many apps send a text code during setup.
• Write down which apps use an authenticator or text code to log in.
• Do not wipe or hand back the old phone until you have checked everything on the new one.

iPhone to iPhone

Apple's Quick Start is the easiest route. Turn on the new iPhone, hold it near the old one, and follow the prompts. You can transfer directly from phone to phone, or restore from an iCloud backup.

• Direct transfer copies almost everything, including apps, settings and messages.
• An iCloud backup works too, but check it has finished recently in Settings first.
• Health data and saved passwords transfer if they are included in the backup or synced to iCloud.

Android to Android

Most Android phones offer to copy data from your old phone during setup, either with a cable or wirelessly. Samsung has its own Smart Switch app that does the same between Samsung phones and from other Android phones.

• Sign in with the same Google account on the new phone.
• Check your Google backup is up to date in the old phone's settings before you start.
• Photos are easiest if they are already backed up to Google Photos or your phone maker's cloud.
• Text messages and call history are included in the Google backup on most phones, but check.

Android to iPhone, and iPhone to Android

Moving between systems takes a little more work, but both companies provide tools.

Android to iPhone

Apple's Move to iOS app runs on the Android phone. During the new iPhone's setup, choose to move data from Android and enter the code shown. It moves contacts, messages, photos, calendars and some free apps where there is an iPhone version.

iPhone to Android

Most new Android phones offer to copy from an iPhone during setup, often with a cable. Google also has tools to move photos and contacts from iCloud. Before you switch, turn off iMessage on the iPhone (in Settings, under Messages) so texts from iPhone users reach your new phone rather than disappearing.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp chats are not stored in your Apple or Google account in the usual way, so check them separately.

• Same system: make a chat backup in WhatsApp settings (to iCloud on iPhone, Google Drive on Android) and restore it when you set up WhatsApp on the new phone with the same number.
• Between systems: WhatsApp has a built-in transfer during setup on both iPhone and Android. Follow the steps in WhatsApp's own help when you first open it on the new phone.
• Keep the old phone until the chats, photos and voice notes all show up on the new one.

Photos and contacts

These are the things people miss most if they go wrong.

• Check how many photos are on the old phone, and check the same number appears on the new one or in your cloud account.
• Large photo libraries may need more cloud storage than the free amount. Consider copying them to a computer as a second copy.
• Contacts saved only on the SIM or "on this phone" may not sync. Make sure they are saved to your Google or iCloud account first.

Authenticator apps and two-factor codes

This is the step that locks people out. If you use an authenticator app for email, work, social media or anything else, the codes may not move by themselves.

1. Open the authenticator on the old phone and check whether it has a backup or transfer option.
2. If it does, use it and check the codes on the new phone match the old ones.
3. If it does not, log in to each account on a computer and move the two-factor setup to the new phone.
4. Find and save your backup or recovery codes for important accounts.
5. Only then remove the authenticator from the old phone.

Passkeys and saved passwords usually move with your Apple or Google account, but check your most important logins work on the new phone.

Banking apps

Irish banking apps are tied to your device for security. Expect to register the new phone again. This usually means logging in with your details, getting a code by text or in the app, and sometimes confirming on the old phone. Do this while you still have the old phone and your number works. If you get stuck, contact your bank directly through its official app or website, and never through a link in a text or email.

Moving your eSIM

If you use an eSIM, it does not move with a SIM tray. Both iPhone and many Android phones can transfer an eSIM during setup, but not every network supports this for every phone, and moving between iPhone and Android is often not supported.

• Check your network's instructions before you start.
• If transfer is not offered, ask your network for a new eSIM QR code, usually through their app or a shop.
• Do not delete the eSIM from the old phone until the new one is working.

Your number stays the same. If you are also changing network, number porting is free, and you can compare plans on our mobile page. ComReg explains your rights when switching.

Wiping and selling the old phone

Once everything is working on the new phone, prepare the old one.

1. Sign out of your Apple ID or Google account. On iPhone, turn off Find My. On Android, remove your Google account so the phone is not locked to you.
2. Unpair any watch or earbuds.
3. Remove the SIM card and any memory card.
4. Use the full factory reset in settings to erase everything.
5. Check it starts up to the welcome screen with no account attached.

A phone still linked to your account cannot be used by the next owner and may be returned to you. Your data is personal information, and the Data Protection Commission has general guidance on protecting it. If you are selling, see what similar phones go for on our phone prices page. When selling privately, meet in a public place, and do not hand over the phone until payment has cleared.

Recycling it instead

If the phone is too old to sell, recycle it. In Ireland, shops that sell electrical goods must take back old ones under the WEEE rules, and there are free drop-off points at civic amenity sites. WEEE Ireland lists collection points, and the EPA explains the rules. Wipe the phone first, even if it is going for recycling.

Worth knowing: never put a phone or its battery in your household bin. Lithium batteries can cause fires in bin lorries and recycling plants.

A quick check before you finish

• Photos and videos all there
• Contacts all there
• WhatsApp chats restored
• Authenticator codes working
• Banking apps registered
• Calls and texts working on your number
• Old phone signed out and reset

Once those are ticked, the old phone is ready to go. If you are still choosing the new one, compare prices for new and refurbished handsets on our electronics pages.