How to Keep Personal Data Safe Before Switching Devices

Getting a new device is frequently an exciting moment in our lives. When old reliable has finally started to reach the end of its usefulness and a shiny new toy presents itself, we’re only too happy to turn it on and start setting things up. We’re ready to be faster, smarter, and sexier.

Then comes the one dreadful part: everything on your old device must be migrated to the new one. That comes with its own set of challenges, which include:

• Backing everything up online (on a secure network)
• Transferring old data onto the new device
• Removing unnecessary apps and files
• Ensuring nothing is leftover on your old device
• Setting up accounts

Doing everything in the right order ensures a smooth transition and a less headache you’ll need to deal with. Everything is simple enough, so let’s start from the beginning.

1. The Backup Phase

The first step in transferring data to a new device is to ensure everything critical is backed up. Depending on the manufacturer of your device, there are several different steps you may want to take to guarantee a smooth transfer.

Apple, for instance, allows you to back up your contacts, messages, app data and call history on their iCloud service. Similar backups are also available for Samsung and other major providers. You could also opt to use a third-party app such as Titanium Backup for Android if your provider doesn’t include a backup feature.

Just make sure you don’t skip this step. If anything goes wrong in the transfer process, you could lose important information that isn’t easily recovered.

2. Safely Transferring Data

Once you’ve got everything backed up, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll actually do the transfer. The first thing you’ll want to do is ensure both devices have enough charge (or a power source available) to complete the transfer. Typical transfers can take anywhere from 10 minutes to a full hour.

You should also take the opportunity to make sure there are no malicious apps on your device and that you aren’t working from an unsecured network. Running a virus scan using an antivirus app will make sure you aren’t bringing over anything “dirty” from the old device.

 

With confidence that you’re free from malware, you can begin the transfer. Transfer processes vary, but if you’re moving from the same manufacturer to the next, there will be a transfer utility. Samsung and Apple both have apps that help you migrate data from one device to the next.

If your device isn’t equipped with that feature by default, there are a few apps you can use to accomplish the same purpose:

• Titanium Backup
• LG Backup
• Pixel’s Quick Switch Adaptor (in the case of iOS to Android)
• Move to iOS (in the case of Android to iOS)

What you can actually transfer depends on the service you’re using. For instance, Pixel’s service won’t bring over all file types. In that case, you’re better off transferring them to online storage such as iCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, or in the case of Android to iPhone, you can transfer them via your computer using iTunes (for music and photos anyway).

Generally, the easiest transfer is from one manufacturer to another device by that same manufacturer. For a few examples, iPhone to iPhone and Galaxy to Galaxy go fast because you can connect them directly and transfer information rapidly and seamlessly.

3. Removing Old Apps and Clutter

Once the data transfer is complete, you have some housekeeping to do. Older apps may not necessarily work on your new device, particularly if you’re switching operating systems and an equivalent app doesn’t exist.

This is also a good time to decide what apps you really need. Sometimes, as time goes by, you find yourself overloaded with apps you no longer use. Some of them have been abandoned and are no longer updated; these are security risks you shouldn’t take. In some cases, they won’t work on newer operating systems anyway, so they should be removed promptly.

This is also a good opportunity to start fresh on local storage. Photos and music you don’t view or listen to make your device run slower. Store them in a separate location, such as on a cloud service, on an SD card (particularly for Android users) or on a PC hard drive. This way you’ll get maximum performance from your new device.

4. Performing a Factory Reset

Once your new device has everything from the old device, it’s time to perform a factory reset. You’ll find the option under “Settings” on either operating system. A reset takes just a few minutes, and once it’s done, everything is deleted from your old device, except what originally came installed.

As simple as this step is, it’s one of the most crucial in protecting old information. Selling your device, trading it in or donating it without performing a reset could put you at major risk for identity theft.

5. Setting Up Your Accounts

With your new device in tow, you’ll want to get things set up so you can get back to normal. For apps that didn’t transfer, you can check for new versions on the respective app store. Yet you’ll also need to get your old accounts back up and running.

Social media accounts don’t automatically connect after a transfer. You’ll need to log in to each one separately. That includes your email addresses, games, and other services. This is also a great time to start using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you don’t already have one.

As an often overlooked security service, a VPN helps protect your device in its entirety from malicious internet activity directed at your connection. It works by encrypting what you do and keeping hackers from intercepting or injecting things into your internet. This review by Secure Thoughts is a good place to learn about them.

It’s also a good idea to consider a password manager. With the sheer number of services we access daily, having to remember each unique password frequently leads to making a lazy but dangerous compromise: reusing the same password.

Password managers encrypt your passwords and allow you to log in to multiple services with a single master password. That allows you to use difficult passwords for each service as you won’t need to remember them. Stolen accounts are one of the most useful tools cyber criminals can use to infiltrate the numerous different services you utilize each day.

Smooth Sailing

With your apps updated, your accounts set up and security services installed, your new device should be safe to use and free from concern. Expect to spend a few hours getting things properly organized. That being said, the work is definitely worth it.

Have other questions about migrating to a new device? Not sure about how to perform one of the steps? Post your comments and questions below.

About the Author: Caroline is a technology writer and online security blogger. With all the new threats we face online each day, there’s never a shortage of problems for her to help solve for users and businesses alike. You can follow Cariline on Twitter at @securethoughts1 and read more of her writing on technology topics at http://securethoughts.com.