Every time a new iPhone comes out, most people spend all their energy deciding which model to buy and forget to prepare for moving their data. Then on the big day, after unboxing, it all gets needlessly chaotic: chats gone, banking app won't let you in. This article gathers 6 things to check before the new phone lands in your hands, whether it's an iPhone 18 Pro, Pro Max or Duo.
First, the checklist in a simple view, then the detail for each item below.
1. Always back up to iCloud Backup manually first
Many people think the phone already has auto-backup, so there's nothing more to do. But auto-backup only runs when the phone is plugged in, locked and on Wi-Fi all at the same time. If you forgot to plug it in the night before switching, your latest backup may be older than you think. We recommend going to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tapping "Back Up Now" yourself again the night before the switch. Also check that you have enough iCloud space, because Apple gives only 5GB free and if you have lots of photos it may not be enough. You'd need to buy extra space temporarily or back up through a computer instead.
2. Move your eSIM with Quick Start, no need to call your carrier
Since iOS 16, Apple has made moving an eSIM between two iPhones much easier. Just put the old and new phones close together and turn on Bluetooth on both. When you reach the new phone's setup screen, an option to transfer from another iPhone will pop up for you to tap. In most cases you no longer need to call AIS or True like in the old days (it depends on whether your carrier supports it, and both phones must use the same Apple Account). This matters especially if you're getting an iPhone Duo, because it drops the physical SIM tray altogether and is 100% eSIM only. If the transfer doesn't succeed right in the box, you can't make calls straight away.
3. Don't forget LINE: iCloud Backup normally doesn't cover chats
The spot where people in Thailand slip up most often is assuming that backing up the whole phone brings LINE chats along automatically. In fact, LINE stores chat history separately. You have to open the LINE app yourself, go to Settings > Chats > Back up and restore chat history, and tap "Back up now" before every phone switch. If you skip this step, all your old chats disappear the moment you log in to LINE on the new phone, and they can't be recovered. This is especially true if you keep a lot of work chats or important chats. Do not forget this one.
4. Most banking apps need you to verify your identity again
A new phone = a new device in the eyes of a banking app's security system. Most will ask you to scan your face or verify your identity again as soon as you first log in on the new phone. Some banks let you do it right in the app, but in some cases you can get stuck and have to verify your identity at a branch. We recommend doing this as one of the first things once the phone is set up. Don't wait until the day you really need to transfer money urgently and then hit the problem of not being able to get into the app.
5. Check 2FA and passkeys before you ditch the old phone
Some authenticator apps don't move over automatically with iCloud Backup (Google Authenticator can sync through your Google account if you've turned that on, while for others like Authy, check each app's own transfer method). You have to export or move the accounts by hand in that app. Make sure you can log in to every important account from the new phone first, and only then stop using or reset the old phone.
6. What to do with the old phone
If you're going to trade in your old phone for a promo, check the conditions of the telco and bank promos running right now first, because some promos limit the phone's condition or have a very short deadline. Don't wait around and miss the promo window (see our roundup of iPhone 18 pre-order deals from banks and telcos: https://oopslife.me/tech/iphone-18-preorder-bank-telco-deals-2026).
Do all 6 and the actual switch day will go much more smoothly than you'd expect. No digging around for old chats, and no waiting on a bank call centre when you're in a hurry for money.
