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How to Set Up and Customize a New iPhone

Follow the setup prompts, choose the data-transfer method that fits your situation, then tailor the iPhone’s screens, controls, sounds, accessibility, and tracking permissions.
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To set up a new iPhone, turn it on and follow the onscreen instructions; if you have another iPhone or iPad, Apple’s Quick Start can help transfer your data. You can then personalize the Home Screen, Lock Screen, controls, sounds, and accessibility settings. The exact screens and available features vary by model, so use the prompts on your device as your guide.

Before you begin

If you’re transferring from another iPhone or iPad with Quick Start, prepare that device first:

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  • Connect it to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth.
  • Unlock it and leave it on the Home Screen.
  • Keep it near the new iPhone and connected to power during migration.
  • Choose a time when you can leave the old device occupied, especially if you plan to transfer directly.

Transfer time depends on network conditions and how much data you have. Apple’s current iPhone User Guide covers iOS 27, but its instructions and features can differ by model. Apple notes, “Not all features are available for all iPhone models.”

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Turn on the iPhone and follow setup

  1. Turn on the new iPhone and follow the onscreen instructions.
  2. Connect to the internet when prompted. Setup also covers Apple Account and iCloud options, along with cellular service.
  3. If you have another Apple device and want to use Quick Start, place it near the new iPhone and follow the prompts on both screens.
  4. Complete the authentication and other setup prompts shown on your device.

Cellular activation depends on your carrier and how your service is arranged. Follow the instructions shown during setup or provided by your carrier; the steps are not the same for every cellular plan.

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Choose how to move your data

The right method depends on whether you have an old device or backup, whether you need to use the new iPhone right away, and whether you can keep devices together and powered during the transfer.

Method What to expect Best fit
Quick Start with iCloud download Apps and data download in the background, so you can begin using the iPhone while the download continues. You want to start using the new iPhone before all your content has finished downloading.
Quick Start direct transfer Data moves directly between devices. You need to wait for the transfer to finish on both devices before using them. You have your current iPhone or iPad available and can leave the devices near each other and connected to power.
Wired transfer Apple supports transferring data with a wired connection. You want to use a wired migration option. Check Apple’s instructions for the connection and devices you have.
Restore from backup You can restore from an iCloud backup or a computer backup. You have an appropriate backup and prefer to set up from it.

Apple’s guidance does not establish one method as universally fastest. If the Quick Start prompt disappears, restart both devices and try again. A new iPhone enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business cannot use Quick Start to transfer data from the current device.

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Personalize the Home Screen

Change the icon and widget appearance

  1. Touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until the icons jiggle.
  2. Tap Customize.
  3. Choose an available icon size or appearance. Options documented by Apple include small or large icons and light, dark, clear, or tinted appearances.

Add a widget

  1. Touch and hold the Home Screen background.
  2. Tap Edit, then Add Widget.
  3. Choose a widget and follow the onscreen steps to add it.

Customize the Lock Screen

  1. Touch and hold the Lock Screen.
  2. Add a new Lock Screen or choose one to customize.
  3. Choose a wallpaper, adjust the clock, add widgets, or replace the available controls.

You can create multiple Lock Screens and link one to a Focus. Available choices depend on the wallpaper and iPhone model.

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Set up Control Center and sounds

Arrange Control Center

Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right edge on an iPhone with Face ID, or swiping up from the bottom on an iPhone with a Home button. Tap Add a Control to choose from the available controls.

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Choose sounds and haptics

Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics to adjust sounds for calls, messages, calendar alerts, and notifications. You can also assign tones to specific people from Contacts.

Adjust accessibility and display settings

Accessibility settings are part of making an iPhone work for you, whether or not you changed them during initial setup. Open Settings > Accessibility to explore options for vision, mobility, hearing, speech, and cognitive needs. Apple also provides display and text controls; choose the options that suit your needs.

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Review app tracking permissions

To control whether apps may ask to track your activity across other companies’ apps and websites, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track. This setting addresses those app tracking requests; it does not control every form of data sharing or tracking.

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