I just had the opportunity to upgrade my iPhone to the next level. I was comfortable choosing the 5c model. I have no ill will toward Androids, Samsung and the many other devices now competing successfully in the cellular marketplace. Competition is a very good thing for business and personal consumers alike.
That said, as a user, I’m accustomed to Apple’s iPhone – for better and for worse. It is still a fairly user-friendly platform with more than enough features and tools to keep me busy. However, my purpose is not to write a consumer review of the device itself. The purpose here is to help you migrate your smartphone data as quickly and easily as possible.
Data Migration
My staff and I have accumulated thousands of hours providing cellular phone migrations for many clients’ data over various phone, network and data technologies. Make sure you double-check these tasks before migration, and you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration.
Back Up Your Phone Data
This sounds simple, but many people neglect to do this because they’re too excited to use their new device, too lazy, or they just don’t know how to do it. There are no guarantees your data will be on your smartphone after you attempt the transfer, so make sure you create a second file of contacts, calendar events, etc. you can refer to in case difficulty arises.
Keep Your Old Cell Phone
If you are changing service providers or devices, keep the old device intact while you initiate services on the new device. By the third or fourth day of using the new device, you may decide the new device or service provider were a big mistake, and in that instance, it’s always good to have the old device still around. Don’t cancel the old contract until you’re satisfied with your new cellular service. It’s worth paying for a few more days to keep peace of mind.
Plan Migration for a Weekend
It’s less stressful to try out new technology during off hours. When I’m in a rush at the office, mistakes usually happen. Who needs the aggravation? All the major carriers provide support on the weekends too. Take advantage of this as you may also find better support from your carrier Saturday morning as opposed to a Wednesday afternoon. There’s no rushing and you can do everything patiently and diligently assuring a better outcome. In short, plan your cellular phone migrations during off-peak hours.
Prepare a Checklist
You will be amazed at how many items you take for granted on your current smartphone. Think of all the apps you normally use. You will need a checklist just to ensure your favorite ones work on the new device. You may have to transfer data from specific apps as well. This takes time! (Again, this is another reason to migrate on the weekend.) You should test for: voicemail, inbound and outbound calling, outbound caller ID, inbound caller ID, text messaging, personal voicemail greeting, pass codes, address book, sync calendars and email.
Ensure Data Security
Services that monitor your usage and provide you with remote security in the event you lose your phone are ideal. There are apps available for nearly any device. You can shut the device down via a web application and you can pinpoint where it’s located in the event that it gets lost or stolen. Of course, test this service during your next migration so you’re familiar with how the tool works. Don’t wait for an emergency to learn the tool. That’s too stressful.
Configure Email
This can be the most challenging and time-consuming transition item of all. Whether you utilize an IMAP, POP3, Gmail or any other type of email platform, be sure to review the settings in your old device first. Logically, you would think your new device should work perfectly if you input the exact same information in your new device. However, in some cases, that isn’t always the outcome. You may have to check your incoming mail and SMTP server settings several times before your email is working properly. If you still have difficulties, check with your email support for additional help.
Take the time to incorporate these steps the next time you upgrade and you’ll be sure to have a better experience with your new device.
Telecom Services by Ram Communications:
- Telecom Expense Management Services
- Wireless Expense Management Services
- Business Phone Services in Chicago
- Business VoIP Phone Services
See Also:
How Can I Ensure Telecom Privacy on a Managed Network?
Telecom Disaster Recovery