What phone habits should I change before getting a new device?

Getting a new phone feels exciting, but many people unknowingly sabotage their experience before they even start using it. The phone habits you've developed with your current device can either make your transition smooth or create unnecessary frustration from day one.

Your smartphone habits matter more than you might think. Poor charging practices, messy data organisation, and weak security setups don't just affect your current phone. They follow you to your new device and can immediately compromise its performance and your overall experience.

This guide shows you exactly which phone habits to change before making the switch. You'll learn how to prepare your data properly, establish strong security practices, and set up organisation systems that keep your new device running smoothly for years to come.

Bad phone habits that hurt your new device experience

Many smartphone users develop habits that seem harmless but actually damage their device experience over time. When you upgrade to a new phone, these same behaviours can immediately impact your device's performance and longevity.

The most common destructive phone habits include:

• Poor charging practices: Constantly letting your battery drain to zero, leaving your phone plugged in overnight every single night, or using cheap, uncertified chargers can degrade battery health faster than necessary
• Inadequate storage management: Downloading apps without thinking, never deleting photos or videos, and ignoring storage warnings until your phone becomes sluggish
• Security oversights: Using the same weak password for everything, ignoring app permission requests, connecting to any available WiFi network, and postponing security updates
• Digital clutter accumulation: Keeping unnecessary screenshots, duplicate photos, and unused apps that consume storage and processing power

These smartphone habits compound over time. What starts as minor inconveniences eventually becomes major frustrations that no amount of processing power or storage space can fix. Breaking these patterns before you get your new phone prevents you from immediately recreating the same problems you're trying to escape.

How to properly prepare your data before switching phones

Data preparation makes the difference between a smooth phone upgrade and a stressful migration experience. Most people approach this process haphazardly, leading to lost information, duplicate contacts, and missing photos.

Follow this essential data preparation checklist:

1. Organise your photos and videos before backing them up:
   • Delete blurry shots and unnecessary screenshots
   • Remove duplicate images
   • Create albums for important events or categories
2. Clean up your contact list:
   • Remove outdated entries
   • Merge duplicate contacts
   • Verify important contacts have complete information
   • Ensure contacts sync with Google account or iCloud
3. Prepare your apps strategically:
   • Document login credentials for important applications
   • Note custom settings or configurations
   • Identify apps that store data locally versus in the cloud
4. Optimise cloud storage:
   • Clean up cloud storage accounts
   • Organise files into logical folders
   • Test backup by accessing files from a different device

Account verification prevents access problems later. Confirm you can log into all your important accounts, update recovery information if needed, and enable two-factor authentication where it's not already active. This preparation prevents lockouts when setting up your new phone.

Security habits you need to establish before day one

Security setup determines how well your new phone protects your personal information from the moment you first turn it on. Waiting until after activation to think about security leaves your device vulnerable during its most critical setup period.

Implement these critical security measures before switching phones:

• Password management foundation:
  • Audit current passwords and update weak or repeated ones
  • Install a reputable password manager
  • Ensure password manager syncs across all devices
• Two-factor authentication setup:
  • Enable 2FA for email, banking, social media, and cloud storage
  • Use authenticator apps rather than SMS when possible
  • Store backup codes securely
• App permission planning:
  • Research apps you plan to install
  • Understand necessary versus requested permissions
  • Prepare to deny excessive permission requests
• Privacy settings preparation:
  • Research your new phone's privacy options
  • Decide which location services you need
  • Plan data sharing preferences

Network security habits protect your data during transmission. Avoid connecting to public WiFi networks for sensitive activities, verify network names before connecting, and consider using a VPN for additional protection. These smartphone best practices become more important as you store more personal information on your device.

Storage and organisation strategies that prevent future headaches

Proactive organisation keeps your new phone running efficiently and makes finding information effortless. Most people set up their phones reactively, creating organisation problems that worsen over time.

Establish these organisation systems from day one:

1. Strategic app organisation:
   • Plan home screen layout with most-used apps accessible
   • Group similar apps into folders with descriptive names
   • Resist downloading every interesting app immediately
2. Automatic backup configuration:
   • Set up regular backups for photos, contacts, and app data
   • Schedule backups during overnight charging with WiFi
   • Test backup system periodically
3. File organisation systems:
   • Create logical folder structures for documents and media
   • Use descriptive file names
   • Regularly clean up downloads folder
4. Proactive storage monitoring:
   • Enable storage notifications
   • Review which apps consume most storage
   • Use cloud storage for infrequently accessed items

Phone data management becomes easier with established routines. Schedule monthly reviews to delete unnecessary files, update apps, and organise new content. These device preparation habits maintain performance and prevent the storage crises that plague many smartphone users.

Changing your phone habits before upgrading creates a foundation for long-term satisfaction with your new device. The preparation work might seem extensive, but it prevents countless frustrations and security risks down the road. Your new phone represents a fresh start, and these smartphone best practices help you make the most of that opportunity.

At SamMobile, we understand that getting the most from your device starts with proper preparation and good habits. Taking time to establish these practices before your upgrade ensures your new phone delivers the experience you're hoping for from day one.