I’m in the iPhone Upgrade Programme and each year I upgrade my iPhone. Each year I spend far too long in the Apple Store transferring data from my old phone to my new one.

I wasted 90mins in the Apple store today. My idea was to setup the new phone, restore from iCloud, and transfer over my eSims. There was a zero-day update. I tried to update the new phone but after more than 30mins I gave up waiting for it to apply. Next I tried to restore my iCloud backup, again, it looked like it would take about an hour to complete.

The Smarter Way

So here’s what I recommend (and what I’m writing down to remind myself next year):

  1. Set up the new iPhone as a new phone while your old one is functional. During setup you’ll be prompted to transfer any eSIMs — do this step right away.
  2. Skip everything else. Don’t worry about apps, updates, or backups in the store. Get through the setup screens as quickly as possible until you reach the home screen.
  3. Hand back the old device and leave. Once you’re home, you’ll have all the time you need to update iOS and restore from iCloud without the pressure of store time limits.

Why This Works

The eSIM transfer is the only time-sensitive step you can’t do later. Everything else — updates, backups, tweaks — is better handled at home, on your Wi-Fi, and without the Apple Store stress.