How do you change phones these days?

[Whereohwhere2026]

It's been about 5 years since I got a new phone and I've got no idea how to go about getting a new one now that mine is getting slower, not holding charge and running out of storage.

I want to replace it before it gives up entirely.

How do I ensure I don't lose photos, WhatsApp messages and contacts?

Is it as simple as taking out my EE SIM and adding it into new phone and it'll work?

Any recommendations for phones less than £500 that have a really good camera and decent storage?

Back it up and then when you get a new device install from other in set up, everything with be on the new phone.

When you get the phone, during set up it will walk you through moving everything across (everything is stored on the phone not the SIM). It's very simple.

Sorry. I'm not sure what this means. I'm not massively tech savvy.

I've just got my first new phone in about 4 years and it sat in the box for about 3 months while I used a smashed up old one because I was scared of the changeover process.

Fear not, they've now invented a whizz bang set up process that copies over all your apps and settings so your new phone will look just like your old one.

It takes ages, like well over an hour and there are some minor things that get missed, but it is very easy to do.

I got a refurbished Samsung from Back Market, seems fine. Unless you have some specialist requirements i would have thought most modern phone cameras far exceed what people actually use them for.

I have Samsungs and you basically just put your sim in the new phone and it does it all for you, you get a prompt to connect the two phones and then everything is copied over.

How do you connect them?

You just turn them on and the new phone reads the sim card and what phone it used to be in and says would you like to transfer data. You need to do it via WiFi but it asks you that.

OP the phone will guide you step by step.

Or…do what I did and go into the store and they’ll do it all for you while you wait 😂😂

If everything is automatically backed up onto your Google account or cloud then it won't matter what device you log in with, all will be there.

I use Google Drive and Google Photo. When I change phones I just log in again with my Google account and it's all there.

If you are changing to another network get a PAC code first from your current provider (Porting Authorisation Code) so that you will be able to keep your existing number.

When you get your new phone then they are all usually quite good at walking you through the setup process, step by step.

I'm not particularly tech savvy. It was a bit daunting at first but there's no choice really and I have done it several times now.

The ones I have had all just said that I should simply set them next to each other, often plugged it via their chargers but otherwise no physical connection between them. Sometimes perhaps Bluetooth turned on.

Thanks all. I presume these days it doesn't matter what network I'm on. I can just get any phone and the SIM will fit? I'm on EE currently and would like to keep the SIM.

Any recommendations of phones welcome.

Any recommendations of phones welcome.

My last 2 phones have been from backmarket and looked brand new. As others have said, when you turn the phone it- it guides you through the set up. Look on backmarket for what they have in your budget, then check reviews on techradar.
Sometimes the latest/newer model of a phone doesn't have that many more features than previous models.

Personally, I always choose an android phone rather than I-phone and samsungs have been good for me.

https://www.backmarket.co.uk/en-gb

www.techradar.com/uk

This what i did , i just got a new phone after christmas and i was amazed at how easy it was.

@Whereohwhere2026 if you are nervous though the mobile phone shop will help you.

What do you have? If moving from iPhone to iPhone it basically just does it for you. You login in with the Apple ID and just put the phones near each other and select some new phone transfer options and it’s done.

Not sure about Samsungs or switching between types.

Most new phones now have an e-sim rather than an actual SIM card, but should copy over fine from old phone like others have said.

I've just got a new (to me) iPhone from BackMarket. I did google how to set up the new one and watched a couple of YouTube videos. It was all very straightforward, messages on the phone screen told me what to do. All of my data/apps etc from the old phone are now on the new one - took about 10 mins.

It's an Android.

I can think of nothing worse than changing phones! Hate anything tech related like that.
I have a iPhone, just because i find them so user friendly. Last time we swapped you literally just put the new one next to the old one and it did its thing - took hours though. Not sure they have a SIM card anymore.

You don't need to spend anything like £500. I've got a samsung galaxy A15 and my kids have the same or similar. I bought mine from the local shop where I go for screen repairs etc. I guess I could have got it sightly cheaper but I was happy to support a local business.

Thank you all

If you can get to your phone service provider-shop in the High Street, it is likely they will help,
Go early in the day. Avoid Saturdays.
Check their opening hours before you make a journey.

I’ve had mobile phones since the 90’s… currently have the latest iPhone 17 but I honestly have no idea at all about what ‘backing up ‘ my phone means!!!!
if you have an iPhone and are buying a new iPhone then you just plug them both into a plug, hold them next to each other and the phone takes you through the whole set up!!
new phones tend to use ‘esims’ nit physical little card type things…phone your provider & they send you a code to enter during set up… or even after…if I can do it anyone can!!!

I replace mine at the 02 shop. They do it all. I usually get a mid range previous generation phone on contract because there's often a better deal than outright purchase and keep it for 4/5 years.