Hey there, what a lovely new iPhone you have! Whichever one of the many iPhones in Apple's lineup you snagged, the setup experience is nearly identical. Here’s how to set up a new iPhone properly to ensure a three- to five-year lifetime, give or take, of happiness. (Or just one, if you’re an annual upgrader.) Things always go more smoothly when you're prepared, so make sure you have the following ready for the easiest possible setup:
Your old phone (not essential, but it's smart to have it handy)
(not essential, but it's smart to have it handy) Your SIM card (not required for eSIM activation)
(not required for eSIM activation) Your Wi-Fi details
Your Apple account details (you must have an Apple account to use an iPhone)
After you set up your device, check out our guides on cases—the Best iPhone 16 Cases, Best iPhone 15 Cases, Best iPhone 14 Cases, and Best iPhone 13 Cases—to protect your handset, and see our Best MagSafe Accessories guide to kit it out.
Updated September 2025: We've updated this guide to reflect iOS 26 and the iPhone 17 range.
First, Back Up Your Old Phone
... continue reading