I’ve switched phones 50 times in five years – here are the 11 things I do first

As a professional phone tester, my SIM card seldom remains in a single device for over a month. 

On average, I switch to a different smartphone about 10 times each year, totaling more than 50 devices in the last five years. That’s quite impressive! 

In 2025, transitioning from one Android device to another is simpler than ever. Just connect both devices (wirelessly or via USB-C), and most of the heavy lifting is done for you. However, you will still need to handle messaging apps like WhatsApp separately, which necessitates a backup. 

That said, your job is far from complete once you see the home screen. In many respects, the real work is just beginning. 

Fine-tuning and personalizing everything to your preferences can be tedious, but the silver lining is that you typically only need to do it once. It also helps prevent unexpected annoyances later on. 

However, be aware—these 11 steps can take me about an hour to nail down. If you’re going to follow these steps, allocate enough time for it. 

These tips are tailored to my experience and outline procedures for a Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy device. The steps may differ if you are using a different Android model, and they vary significantly if you’re on an iPhone. 

Nevertheless, irrespective of the handset, it’s wise to review these configurations before you become too comfortable with your device. 

Configure WhatsApp and restore backup

Whenever I change phones, WhatsApp is the application I worry about the most. It’s unique in that it cannot be accessed merely through a username/email and password; it needs to be registered to your primary device. 

Simply moving your SIM card does not suffice; this requires a manual transfer. You essentially have to back it up on your old phone (commonly to Google Drive), log in on your new device (including authentication), and then restore the just-completed backup. 

If you receive any messages during this procedure, that’s unfortunate—they won’t be transferred. But this process is about as effective as it gets. 

Once this is done, it brings me a sense of relief. 

Remove or disable undesirable applications

Bloatware remains an issue across most phones today, albeit in varying degrees. Even if you manage to prevent unnecessary apps from downloading during setup, there will still likely be pre-installed ones you have no interest in using. 

If you’re fortunate, you can uninstall these apps as you would any app from the Play Store. 

Yet many, including stock apps, must simply be disabled. I make sure to disable the YouTube app, which tends to be a major distraction for me. 

For Google Pixel phones, long press the app you want to unsee, tap on ‘App info,’ then select ‘Disable.’ On Samsung Galaxy devices, the process is more straightforward—just press and hold the app and choose ‘Disable.’ 

Disregard any warnings about possible malfunctions—that’s precisely your goal. 

Modify default applications

I’ve just switched to the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE, and its default app suggestions are rather… curious. 

To put it mildly, I prefer Chrome over Samsung Internet and Google Wallet over its Samsung counterpart. Luckily, changing these settings, or even the launcher entirely, is simple. 

On both Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. You’ll find seven adjustable options, including ‘Home app’ if you’re looking to switch the launcher.

Disable Google Discover feed near the home screen

You might have encountered Google Discover before, even if the term doesn’t ring a bell. 

This is the feed of articles displayed whenever you open Chrome on your phone or the Google app. It’s also present when you swipe right from your Android’s home screen, which can be the most bothersome aspect. 

The articles here are carefully curated based on your browsing habits and actions. They can often be interesting or useful (like a Tech Advisor article), yet I prefer not to have this feed accessible directly from my home screen.

Just like using social media, swiping to the Discover feed became an impulsive action for me, leading to wasted hours without realizing it. I want to use it more intentionally, so I had to deactivate it. 

On Google Pixel devices, press and hold an empty spot on the home screen, and select ‘Home settings.’ Here, ensure the toggle labeled ‘Swipe to access Google app’ is turned off. 

If you’re on a Samsung Galaxy phone, press and hold an empty area on the home screen, swipe right, and toggle off the ‘Media page’ switch at the top.

Disable vibrations

While some enjoy the tactile feedback from advanced vibration motors on modern devices, I’m not among them. 

I typically keep my phone on silent, and when I do need to hear it ring, that’s sufficient. I don’t see the need to ‘feel’ every keystroke or tap on the keyboard. 

Fortunately, turning off vibrations is straightforward. 

On Google Pixel devices, navigate to Settings > Sound and vibration > Vibration and haptics, and ensure the toggle for ‘Use vibration and haptics’ is disabled. 

For Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration. Start by selecting ‘Call vibration’ and set ‘Call vibration intensity’ to the lowest. Do the same in ‘Notification vibration’ and ‘System vibration’ for their corresponding intensities. Finally, adjust all sliders for ‘Vibration intensity’ to the minimum possible and switch off ‘Vibration sound for incoming calls.’

Disable system sounds

Just like vibrations, system sounds are totally unnecessary for me. I don’t want my phone emitting sounds upon locking or charging. Most people can agree how irritating it is when someone’s phone beeps every time they tap the keyboard. 

Disabling these noises is quite simple. 

On Google Pixel phones, navigate to Settings > Sound and vibration, then scroll down. Disable the toggles for ‘Dial pad tones,’ ‘Screen locking sound,’ ‘Charging sounds and vibration,’ and ‘Tap and click sounds.’ 

For Samsung Galaxy devices, go to Settings > Sounds and vibration > System sound. Lower ‘System sound volume’ to the minimum, and uncheck the toggles for ‘Touch interactions,’ ‘Dialing keypad,’ ‘Samsung Keyboard,’ ‘Charging,’ and ‘Screen lock/unlock.’

Install and activate Gboard (if needed)

Google’s Gboard is typically the default keyboard on most Android devices. I’ve sampled numerous alternatives over the years, but Gboard remains my go-to because of its classic look, ease of use, and customization options. 

However, Samsung phones may default to using the Samsung Keyboard. While it packs some useful features, such as integration with Galaxy AI writing tools, I find it to be rather cluttered. 

To switch to Gboard, head to the Play Store and download the application. After installation, open it and follow the prompts to access Settings. Enable the toggle next to ‘Gboard,’ click ‘OK’ to confirm, then tap ‘Default keyboard’ at the top and select your preferred option, typically ‘English (UK)’ for me.

Set up face unlock or fingerprint (if not completed during setup)

Most devices prompt you to register your fingerprint or face during initial setup, but not always for both. I prefer alternating between the two methods for convenience, as face unlock is generally easier while fingerprint recognition is typically more secure (although certain recent Pixels feature secure 3D face unlock). 

To configure your fingerprint or face on a Pixel device, go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Device Unlock > and select ‘Fingerprint’ or ‘Face.’ You’ll need to enter your lock screen PIN first. Follow the on-screen prompts to finish the setup. 

On a Samsung Galaxy device, navigate to Settings > Lock screen and AOD > Screen lock and biometrics. Enter your lock screen PIN. For face unlock, tap ‘Face recognition’ and then ‘Register face.’ For fingerprint configuration, select ‘Fingerprints’ and tap ‘Add fingerprint.’

Log into all essential applications

This step is often the most cumbersome, and it’s one I dread each time. Although apps have been migrated from your old device, most of them will have you logged out. Essentially, the only exceptions are first-party Google apps. 

While it may seem excessive to sign into all apps immediately after setting up a new phone, it’s the only way to ensure you won’t be caught off guard later on when you desperately need to access an app. 

Running late and needing a quick ride? Being logged out of Uber could slow you down significantly. Approaching the ticket gate and finding you’re logged out of your ticket app? Stressful. Wanting to check your bank balance in a hurry? A 10-minute login process could quickly become a nightmare. 

Trust me, I’ve experienced this. Taking a little extra time now while you are at home will pay off when you need those apps in a pinch. The risk just isn’t worth it. 

Personalize the home screen

I don’t spend much time considering my lock screen. Typically, I glance at it for mere seconds, so I usually stick with the default settings. 

However, the home screen? That’s an entirely different matter. It must look just right, or I’ll find it frustrating every time I pull out my phone. Unless you’re switching between devices of the same brand, your layout won’t save automatically. 

On Google Pixel or Samsung Galaxy devices, long-press any open area on the home screen. You’ll discover options for changing the wallpaper, adjusting themes, adding widgets, and accessing more detailed settings, as well as a plethora of customization features available through various launchers in the Play Store. 

My preferences are quite simple—just a primary home screen with a few widgets and frequently used apps, and I’m perfectly content. 

Verify for software updates

The software your device comes with may not be the latest version available. It might have been prepared weeks prior, or it may have been lying around at home for some time. 

After spending nearly an hour completing the above tasks, the last thing I wish to do is wait for a software update. Still, running the latest version is always rewarding. Assuming the update isn’t brand new, it allows you to avoid bugs and vulnerabilities while benefiting from all the newest features available. 

For Google Pixel devices, head to Settings > System > Software updates. For Samsung Galaxy phones, navigate to Settings > Software update. 

Your device will likely notify you if an update is available, as it frequently checks in the background. However, you can manually do this by tapping ‘System update’ (Google) or ‘Download and install’ (Samsung).