How to Set Up a New iPhone Step by Step

Unboxing a brand-new iPhone is exciting, but the first-time setup can feel like a lot. The phone asks you a dozen questions in a row — Wi-Fi password, Apple ID, Face ID, passcodes — and each question has its own screen. Plan for about 30 to 45 minutes of uninterrupted time, sitting near your Wi-Fi router with both your old phone (if you have one) and your new one nearby.

Before you start, make sure your old phone is charged up to at least 50%. If you are switching from another iPhone, the new one can copy almost everything over using a feature called Quick Start — hold the two phones next to each other and the new one pulls over your contacts, photos, apps, and settings. This is by far the easiest way to switch.

You will also need your Apple ID and password handy. That is the email address you use for the App Store and iCloud. If you cannot remember the password, take a moment to reset it at appleid.apple.com before you start the setup — trying to reset it in the middle of setup is frustrating.

Your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile) may have already put the SIM card in the phone, or they may have activated it as an "eSIM" that transfers over automatically. If the new phone shows "No Service" after setup, call your carrier's customer service line. They can usually fix it in a few minutes.

One tip that saves heartache: when the phone asks about Face ID, iCloud Backup, and Find My iPhone, say yes to all three. Face ID unlocks the phone with your face so you do not have to type a passcode every time. iCloud Backup makes a copy of your photos and contacts in case the phone is lost. Find My iPhone helps you locate the phone if you misplace it.