Prepare Before You Switch to Make Phone Upgrades Easy

If a brand-new smartphone has caught your eye, don’t leap into an upgrade without taking a few important precautions. After all, you store a lot of important information on your smartphone, and you don’t want to lose any of it during the excitement of a switch.

Luckily, the answer to the question “how can I upgrade my phone?” is a lot easier than it used to be. That’s because we now can store most of our digital possessions in the cloud, meaning our data is saved over the Internet to services like iCloud or Google Photos rather than being stored exclusively on our phone. In addition, you can find some key apps that will help you almost seamlessly switch from one device to another. Here’s what you need to know.

Unless you’re planning on completely starting over, chances are you’re going to want to take everything on your old phone, from browser settings to contacts, along with you. The built-in backup tools in Android and iOS now let you save almost everything you need to the cloud or to a computer. These tools capture and save a lot of your phone’s important contents, including photos and videos, call history, and browser settings, so you can simply retrieve them on your new phone.

Make sure you have this feature set up and working properly. If you’re currently using an Android smartphone, go to Settings, then System, then Backup. On iOS, go to Settings, then tap your Apple ID name, then iCloud. You can also make a backup through iTunes by connecting your iPhone to your computer.

For some items, you won’t need to do anything at all. If you’re letting Apple or Google manage your emails, contacts, and calendars, all of that will automatically show up on your new phone as soon as you sign in to your account. Make sure that your accounts are “synced” so that your Apple ID or Google account has the most up-to-date data.

If you’re an Android user who hasn’t been diligent about using cloud storage, don’t worry—there’s an app for that! If you’re moving from one Samsung model to another, Samsung Smart Switch will help you seamlessly transfer your items from one phone to another, including items like music and apps that you’ve downloaded. Another option is to back up everything to your SIM card and use it to move the data manually from one phone to another.

The process can get a little trickier if you’re making the switch between Android and iOS. Your Android backups won’t work on your new iPhone, and your iCloud or iTunes backups won’t be compatible with your shiny new Android handset. In these cases, you’ll need to install Apple’s Move to iOS app to migrate from an Android smartphone to an iPhone or use Google Drive to back up your iPhone data for transfer to an Android smartphone.

By planning ahead and making sure your important data is backed up properly, it’s possible to enjoy the features and benefits of a smartphone upgrade right away—and with everything you need right where you want it to be!

52 Thoughts on "Prepare Before You Switch to Make Phone Upgrades Easy"

  1. Walt says

    I am a fairly new user of the CC network as of June 2018 and have a family plan where my wife and I purchased our first smart phones (galaxy J7 phones) and neither of us received the “Presidential Alert” today as of 5:45 pm EST.

    Why not?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for asking, Walt. While most phones should have received the test message, there were some that did not. The test is designed to assess the operational readiness of the infrastructure and determine if improvements whether needed. We’re happy to address any concerns you may have at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you taking the time to comment, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  2. David A Waites says

    Did not receive presidential alert today! Why! Is there something we need to add to our phones to make this happen?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for reaching out to us, David. While most phones received the alert, some may not have. You can learn more about the alerts and how they work here. If we can address any other questions or concerns you may have, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thanks again, and we hope you have a great day!

  3. Suellen Schellenbach says

    I was curious as to what year I started with Consumer Cellular. Is there a way to find out when this occurr

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Suellen. We can provide that information to you if you call us at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you posting, and we look forward to talking with you!

  4. Virginia benton says

    How can I set up voice mail so can leave message?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Virginia. To set up voicemail on your phone, just press and hold the “1” key on your device. You’ll then be walked through the process, so you’ll just need to follow the prompts. We even have a video that will go through the process with you here. If you run into any issues, please give us a call at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to assist you. Thanks again for reaching out to us, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  5. Ryan Michaelis says

    How do I check to see if I’m eligible for an upgrade for a new phone?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for asking, Ryan! We’re happy to take a look at your account and review the options with you at 888-345-5509. Our lineup includes so many great options, we’re sure to find the perfect device for your needs and your budget. We appreciate you posting, and we look forward to speaking with you soon!

  6. Connie peace says

    I am at this moment with Sprint. Does CC work with that network?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Connie! We use the GSM network, and offer service on two of the nation’s largest networks. If you like, we can tell you more about our service at 888-345-5509, so feel free to give us a call at your convenience. We appreciate you taking the time to post, and we hope to speak with you soon!

  7. Barbara W. Frick says

    I am seriously considering switching to Consumer Cellular and upgrading my “flip phone” to a smart phone. I don’t use a lot of data and don’t need all the “bells and whistles”. What price(s) are your smartphones?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Barbara! We offer a variety of smartphones that are easy to use and that are quite affordable. A good option is the new Motorola Moto E5 Play, which offers a great camera, large screen and a simple-to-use interface. You can learn more about it here! We’re also happy to talk to you about your needs and make a recommendation. Just give us a call at 888-345-5509. We appreciate you posting, and we hope to speak with you soon!

  8. Alan GibsonI says

    Can its sim be used in any gps phone as I require active gps

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thanks for posting, Alan. Each of our smartphones includes a GPS feature, and you can view the full lineup here. If you’re looking to use our SIM card with a phone you already have, please keep in mind that our SIM cards are designed to work with fully unlocked GSM phones. If you have any questions about our lineup or our SIM card, please call us at 888-345-5509 and we will be happy to assist you. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a lovely day!

      • Ethen says

        If you have a phone can you upgrade to the newest phone every year or how does it work.

        • That’s a great question, thanks Ethen! You can upgrade your phone at any time, however, if there is an EasyPay agreement attached to a phone we do recommend paying that off before upgrading to the new model.

          • Vincent Jones says

            do You still have to pay off the old phone before you upgrade or can you turn the old phone in and stop the payments and switch to the new one?

          • Great question, Vincent. We would recommend paying the phone off since we do not have a trade-in program that would let you trade a phone that you are paying off in and then purchase a new one. This way, you are not paying off multiple phones at once if it is not needed.

  9. Barb says

    I have an iPhone6. Looking to leave Sprint. Phone is mine. In no contract! Just want to downsize/save money. I’m unlimited text n talk. Can I join CC!? And keep my phone!?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for taking the time to learn more about us, Barb! In many cases, fully unlocked GSM phones can be used with our service, such as those used previously with AT&T or T-Mobile. To see how easy it is, check out this video here. You can always try our SIM card with your device to see if it will work with our service. Just pickup one of our SIM cards at your local Target, or we can help you over the phone at 888-345-5509. As for our plans, we offer unlimited talk and text messaging starting at just $25 each month. You can view our full list of plans here. And of course, if you have any questions or would like to get started, just give us a call and we’ll be ready to assist you. We appreciate you posting, and we hope you have a wonderful day!

  10. Marsha for Richard Seronick says

    How do I put the “easy mode” app on my Samsung J3?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We’re happy to help you with that, Marsha. Go ahead and tap your Settings app, then select Display, then Easy Mode. Tap Easy Mode to enable to feature, and tap done to confirm. It’s that’s easy! We’re here to help with any questions you may have at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a great day!

  11. Lucinda Rodriguez says

    Could you send me information on other phones and prices.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Absolutely, Lucinda! We’ll be sending you our brochure that details all of the options to you via mail. If you have any questions, we’re happy to address them at 888-345-5509. You can also view our plans here, and our full device lineup here on our website. Thank you for posting today!

  12. Ruby says

    Can u use any smart phones and swich to consumer cellar

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Ruby! Most unlocked GSM phones can be used with our SIM card, so it’s easy to make the switch. You can see how simple it is to use here in this video. Our SIM cards can be found on our website, or at a local Target store. We’re also happy to help you over the phone at 888-345-5509 if you like. Thank you for taking the time to post today!

  13. Doris Boyer-Cummings says

    go back to your login page. every time I go to pay my bill, I can’t logon. I have had you for years, don’t make me change my service because of your log on page. Or at least put it back at the top of your page. It’s like you’re so busy trying to push the phones you’ve forgotten about customers that just want to pay their bill. thank you.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for your feedback, Doris. We’ve passed this on to our website team. If we can help you pay your bill or manage your account, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thanks again, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  14. Bhing says

    I wish Consumer Cellular will offer unlimited texting internationally and international call plan option. This would be the best services for me.

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      We appreciate your feedback, Bhing. At this time, we don’t offer unlimited international calling or messaging, but if that changes in the future, we’ll be sure to let our customers know here on the blog. If we can answer any questions you may have, please don’t hesitate to call us at 888-345-5509. Thank you for posting, and we hope you have a lovely day!

  15. Robin says

    I bought a Samsung phone from you. It does not work. It is under warranty, but your rep I chatted with offered only offensively simple suggestions like “make sure your wifi connection is working.” I am not new to cell phones, Samsung, the internet, or wifi, so I don’t appreciate being spoken to like I’m an idiot. Why don’t you honor warranties?

    • Ashley at Consumer Cellular says

      Thank you for posting, Robin. We’re happy to review the warranty process with you if you call us at 888-345-5509. There are a few troubleshooting steps that we’ll need to complete with you in order to move forward. We appreciate you taking the time to reach out to us, and we hope to speak with you soon!

  16. Mary says

    I use Consumer Cellular and I am considering an upgrade. Currently I have an iPhone. I want to upgrade to another iPhone. How do I keep my same phone number without losing service? If I order a phone from Consumer Cellular when will the number change from one device to the other?

    • Hi Mary, thanks for your post. The new number won’t be active on the new device until it’s activated. Until that time, the old phone with your number will remain active and working. When ordering a new phone to make sure it keeps your existing number, you can give us a call to place the order at 888-548-6490 or you can also go online to your account here and select the upgrade option to upgrade the device.

  17. Debbi says

    I have an account with you already. I have a iPhone 5. I just bought a iPhone 7 from target. How do I switch out the phone and keep my number?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Debbi, you can swap the SIM card from your iPhone 5 into the iPhone 7 that you purchased and that will allow you to keep your number. I also recommend calling us at 888-345-5509 or chatting with us here so that we can make sure your account reflects the phone that’s in use.

  18. Amber says

    I brought my own phone to Consumer Cellular. If I want an iphone, do I have to pay it in full? Is it possible to trade in my own phone for a different phone?

    • Hi Amber, thanks for your questions! We don’t have a trade-in program for phones to purchase a new one. But your account may be eligible for our EasyPay option which would allow for you to make a down payment and then pay the phone off in installments. If you have any questions or would like assistance with this, give us a call at 888-548-6490 or chat with us here and we’d be happy.

  19. joe melia says

    i am a consumer cellular customer i have the J3 it works slower than when new and sometimes does not respond properly. i am considering a new phone what do you recommend. i us just basic features .

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Hi Joe, we definitely understand the importance of having a phone that’s working for you. The Samsung Galaxy A01 is the phone we currently have that’s most comparable to your Samsung Galaxy J3. You can check it our here.

  20. Ellis says

    I have an iPhone 7, but I want to trade it in for an older iPhone SE. Would a downgrade be free since the phone I have now has a higher value than the phone that I want to switch it out for.

  21. Alan says

    How do I switch my iPhone important information to your phone

    • Hi Alan, thanks for your question! It will depend on the phone you’re switching over to. If you’re going to another iPhone, you can use your Apple Cloud to move the information to the new phone. If you’re switching to an Android phone, I’d recommend making sure your information is backed up to a Gmail account at one point, or you can also use a third-party app to help transfer that information as well.

  22. Bryan says

    Will my Samsung s10e, that I got from Consumer Cellular, be able to update to Android 12 anytime soon?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Bryan. Software updates are sent through by the manufacturer, not us. If an update is available, then you can check in the settings of your phone. If not, then you should get a notification if one becomes available.

  23. Mariann Bellotti says

    Before upgrading can i keep my same number interested in SIM card What’sAPP texting and pictures use to take to Target doesn’t have the service does WalMart

  24. Kaycee Morgan says

    Do you guys offer an upgrade program? I have had my iPhone 11 for just under a year now and I was wondering if it’s possible to upgrade to an iPhone 13?

    • Nicole at Consumer Cellular says

      Great question, Kaycee. We don’t have a trade-in program available, but if your iPhone 11 has been fully paid and unlocked, you can sell it.

  25. Cheryl says

    My husband and I bought new phones from you. Not happy..we even had a cc rep at target set them up. All we get is ads and junk. Not happy. Of we upgrade to a new phone will we still get all the junk that we did not have without old phone