How to Activate Your Replacement iPhone

Co-authored by Aydin Yildiz

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to activate an iPhone that you've acquired to replace a previous iPhone by using a Wi-Fi or cellular connection, or by connecting it with a USB cable to a computer with iTunes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Wi-Fi or Cellular Connection

1
Install the SIM card in your iPhone. If you bought a new iPhone directly from a carrier, they will usually install the SIM card for you. If not, you'll need to do so.
- The SIM card must be activated by your carrier.
- If you're using the same carrier and both iPhones use SIM cards of the same size, you may be able to transfer the SIM card from your old device to your new one.
2
Power on your iPhone. Do so by holding down the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

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3
Follow the on-screen prompts. The setup assistant will guide you through the process.
4
Select a language. To do so, tap the language you prefer to use on your device.
5
Select a country or region. Do so by tapping the country or region in which you'll use your device.
6
Tap a connection option. Tap a Wi-Fi network for which you have the password or tap Use Cellular Connection to use cellular data to activate your iPhone.
- If you select Wi-Fi, you may be prompted to enter the network password.
- Using cellular data could result in extra charges on.
- Alternatively, you can choose to connect to iTunes on your desktop with a USB cable by tapping Connect to iTunes.
7
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
8
Choose a Location Services setting. Your device uses Location Services for Maps, Find My iPhone, and other apps that use your location.
- Tap Enable Location Services to allow apps on your device use your location.
- Tap Disable Location Services to deny the use of your location.
9
Create a passcode. Type a passcode into the provided spaces.
- If you'd like to create a password different from the four- or six-digit default, tap Passcode Options at the bottom of the screen.
10
Re-enter your passcode. Do so to confirm it.
11
Select how you'd like to set up your iPhone. You can either:
- Tap Restore from iCloud Backup to add the settings and apps from a previous iCloud backup to your replacement iPhone; or
- Tap Set Up as New iPhone to start from the device's factory settings.
12
Enter your Apple ID and password. Do so in the labeled fields.
13
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. Doing so displays Apple's "Terms and Conditions."
- Scroll down to read them.
14
Tap Agree. It's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- If prompted, tap a backup. Choose the one with the most recent date and time.
- Your device will begin downloading the backup from iCloud. After it's restored, your settings, apps, and data will be reinstalled.
- When the Lock screen is displayed, your phone has successfully been activated and set up.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using iTunes

1
Install the SIM card in your iPhone. If you bought a new iPhone directly from a carrier, they will usually install the SIM card for you. If not, you'll need to do so.
- The SIM card must be activated by your carrier.
- If you're using the same carrier and both iPhones use SIM cards of the same size, you may be able to transfer the SIM card from your old device to your new one.
2
Power on your iPhone. Do so by holding down the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
3
Follow the on-screen prompts. The setup assistant will guide you through the process.
4
Select a language. To do so, tap the language you prefer to use on your device.
5
Select a country or region. Do so by tapping the country or region in which you'll use your device.
6
Tap Connect to iTunes. This will be displayed beneath any available wireless networks.
7
Connect your iPhone to your computer. Use the USB cable that came with your device to plug the USB end into your computer and the other end into your iPhone's charging port.
8
Open iTunes on your computer. Do so if it doesn't launch automatically when your device is connected.
9
Click on your iPhone. An icon for your iPhone will appear at the top of the screen once iTunes recognizes it.
- Make sure you're running the most recent version of iTunes. To check, click on Help in the upper-left corner, then click on Check for Updates. If prompted, click on Download iTunes.
10
Select a set up option. You can either:
- Click on Restore from iTunes Backup to add the settings and apps from a previous iTunes backup to your replacement iPhone; or
- Click on Set Up as New iPhone to start from the device's factory settings.
11
Click on Get Started. This starts the activation process.
12
Click on Sync. Doing so synchronizes your iPhone with your iTunes library.
- An internet connection is required.
13
Enter your Apple ID and password on your iPhone. Do so in the labeled fields.
14
Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. Doing so displays Apple's "Terms and Conditions."
- Scroll down to read them.
15
Tap Agree. It's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
- If prompted, tap a backup. Choose the one with the most recent date and time.
- Your device will begin downloading the backup from iCloud. After it's restored, your settings, apps, and data will be reinstalled.
- When the Lock screen is displayed, your phone has successfully been activated and set up.

Community Q&A

Question

What do I do if my iPhone 6 Plus keeps asking me whether I want to restore things from iTunes backup over and over?

Community Answer

Either restore from the iCloud backup, or erase the iCloud backup and only store backups locally (on your Mac or PC). If there is nothing to restore from, the prompt will stop showing up.
Question

What can I use if I don't have a SIM card tool?

Community Answer

Paper clips, push pins, or some types of wire work just fine. Personally, I think paper clips work the best. But just to be clear, you have to untwist one part so it's at a 90 degree angle to the "handle" (which is the rest of the swirly bit of the paperclip) and they work just as well as the ones that come with the phones. Make sure not to use anything too thin or flimsy because you don't want it to snap and get stuck in the hole; then you have to figure out how to remove it.
Question

Where do I get the SIM removal tool?

Community Answer

You can go to any Apple store and ask to use the one they have. Or you can use a straightened paperclip, earring, needle, etc.