felicitation , you ’ve braved the melody , legal transfer wait times , or in - store negotiation to snag yourself a mark - newiPhone 4S. But before you get to playing with your new gimmick , you ’ll in all probability want to set it up . Thanks to iOS 5 ’s footfall - by - step energizing appendage , Apple ’s made it pretty simple to get started ; but just in case you need some excess help , we ’ve put together a comprehensive guide for activating your new iPhone , transferring data point from your old phone , and some suggestions for exploring your 4S ’s new features .

If you’re upgrading from an older iPhone

You ’re moving on up to the late and majuscule in the iOS world , and to do so , you ’re provide your honest-to-god gimmick behind . But before you send off it off on its last ocean trip , you have to make up one’s mind if you need to transfer its apps , data , and setting to your 4S. If you do , you ’ll need to make a computer backup ( via iTunes or , if you ’re go iOS 5 , via iCloud ) of your information .

ascendence - click your gadget in iTunes to bring up the Back Up pick .

Make a support using iTunes : If you ’re running iOS 4 or earlier , an iTunes backup is the way to go . To upgrade your backup ( or to make a Modern one ) tie your old machine to the computer you normally synchronize it with via USB , open iTunes , pick out the machine , and bid the Sync button . you may also create a backup by ascendence - clicking on the gimmick in the iTunes Source List and take Back Up from the drop - down menu .

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Control-click your device in iTunes to bring up the Back Up option.

Make a backup using iCloud : If you ’re run iOS 5 on your erstwhile gimmick with an iCloud account , you ’re still able-bodied to make an iTunes backup , but you could also take advantage of iCloud Backups to hold open your data . Your gadget will automatically make an iCloud backup once a day while locked , plug in , and connect to a Wi - Fi electronic web , but you may manually force a musical accompaniment whenever you ’re on Wi - Fi by opening the options app on your twist . voyage to iCloud - > Storage & Backup , and make certain the iCloud Backup switch is toggle on . From there , you just have to rap on Back Up Now to originate the process . ( You should note that iCloud backups can sometimes take importantly longer than iTunes support , so it may not be the good option if you ’re in a hurriedness to set up your new phone . )

If you’re upgrading from another smartphone

Moving from an Android , BlackBerry , or Windows 7 smartphone to the iPhone 4S ? Depending on how you ’ve place your information up , it should be comparatively painless to change it to your fresh gimmick .

ring armor , contacts , and calendar : If you ’re using a Gmail story or other POP or IMAP - based account for mail on your smartphone , it ’s already syncing to a central server , and you should be able to add that business relationship to your new iPhone with few issues . Apple ’s iOS has automatic setup for those using Microsoft Exchange , Gmail , Yahoo , Aol , or Hotmail ; you ’ll also be able to manually set up a POP or IMAP account for mail , LDAP or CardDAV for middleman , or CalDAV for calendar .

Music , television , and photos : Your newfangled iPhone use iTunes to sync any local music , TV , movies , and photos from your computer to the gimmick . If you ’ve been syncing that info with your smartphone , it ’s easy enough to interchange that over to sync with your Apple gadget — you just have to know where the content is settle . To synchronise any music or video you have on your calculator , add it to iTunes ; to sync your exposure , bring them to iPhoto or Aperture ( on a Mac ) or place them in your Pictures folder ( on a personal computer ) .

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If you ’ve buy content through your smartphone that has n’t been copy to your electronic computer ( say , if you ’re usingAmazon Cloud Drive ) , you should be able to download it to your screen background organisation , or , at the very least , install an app on the iPhone ( like the Kindle app for Word purchase ) that let you get at the data .

Apps and miscellany : Unfortunately , you ca n’t port any Windows or Android apps from your old gimmick to your iPhone . On the top side , you may be able to find parallel versions of those apps on Apple ’s App Store ( for instance , if you ’re usingDropboxon your smartphone , you may download the company ’s iOS app and continue to access your Dropbox datum ) . If you have apps with valuable selective information you do n’t desire to lose ( banker’s bill apps , to - do lists , etc ) , you may poke around to see if there ’s any way of exporting that information ; otherwise , you ’ll be out of chance .

SMS and MMS logs , while not transferrable , are in theory rescuable , count on what sort of smartphone you own , but it want a lot of legwork on your end . You wo n’t be capable to add them to your new iPhone , however ; you ’ll just be redeem them to your electronic computer . There are a variety of different programs available for export messages from your smartphones — SMS Backup & Restorefor Android seems to be one popular option . That said , as I have n’t used any of these programs , I ca n’t personally urge any , but you’re able to search Google to play up more options .

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If you’re upgrading from a feature phone

Yes , it ’s finally meter to fling that Razr aside for something a little more full - featured . But what about your liaison and your photo ? If you ’re on a GSM - establish phone , it ’s easy enough to deliver the first ; for the 2nd , you ’ll need Bluetooth support or a connection cable system for your equipment .

you may transfer your liaison one of two means . If your old gadget employ a micro - SIM wit , you could copy all your contacts to its SIM ; once you ’ve place up your iPhone 4S , you could simulate those contacts by swapping out your iPhone ’s carte with your former micro - SIM lineup and head to preferences - > Mail , Contacts , Calendars - > Import SIM Contacts . Once the meaning has completed , boot out your old SIM and put the one that amount with the 4S back in its tray . ( If you ’re apprehensive about doing this yourself , you could always direct down to your nearest Apple Store — any employee should be capable to do it for you . )

If your earpiece has a regular SIM card , but comes with a USB cable system for connect it to your data processor , you may be capable to channelise your contact ( and your photos ) by export them through software program . ( This , obviously , count on your telephone set ; train its manual or Google for specific transfer information . )

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Set Me Up: To begin the activation process, slide the switch to the right.

Begin the activation process

In past eld , to spark an iPhone ( or any other iOS gadget ) , you would have to tether it to your Mac or PC and launching iTunes ; not so with the iPhone 4S. Instead , you ’ll be capable to set up things up directly on the equipment — no computing equipment need ever be involved .

Set Me Up : To start the activation process , slide the switch to the right .

Once you ’ve unboxed your iPhone , wrick it on by pressing the On / Off switching . You ’ll be greeted with a welcome CRT screen displaying the message “ Slide to limit up ” in a variety of different languages . ( If you ask quick approach to your equipment ’s IMEI or ICCID number without setting up the phone — useful for developer and business client — you’re able to tap the selective information button locate straightaway above the luger . )

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Choose Your Own: You can set up your new iPhone 4S as a new phone, or restore it from a backup.

To begin the activation process , slide the electric switch to the right , where you ’re asked to clean your language , country , and if you ’d like to enable Location Services . This admit Apple apps ( and third - party apps ) to access your location via Wi - Fi net and your Global Positioning System ( Global Positioning System ) location . ( you’re able to become this on or off from the configurations app at any percentage point . )

Your iPhone will see for any Wi - Fi networks in the country for you to connect to ; choose the Wi - Fi web of your choice to move onward , or determine up your twist using 3 G by tap the Next release . From here , you may set up your iPhone 4S as a stigma - new phone or , if you ’re upgrade from an old iPhone , you may repair that data from an iCloud or iTunes backup .

Restoring old data on a new phone

Choose Your Own : you may set up your new iPhone 4S as a new phone , or restore it from a backup .

If you ’re advance from an old iOS machine , you ’ve hopefully made a relief of that information , either via iCloud or iTunes . select one of these choice to copy that data to your new iPhone .

Restore from iCloud patronage : If you have an iCloud write up and have backed up a former iPhone incarnation using its Backup feature , you may use this backup to reconstruct your 4S ( though you ’ll need to be on a Wi - Fi internet to do so ) . To reinstate your phone , sign into your account , agree to Apple ’s terms and weather condition , then pick out which reliever file you ’d care to use , and tap the gentle Restore button in the top right corner of the screen . ( Depending on the speed of your Wi - Fi connection , this process can take anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours . )

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Email Identification: Your Apple ID is an email address: one you already use, or a new email you create on the spot.

Restore from iTunes backup : Tap Restore From iTunes Backup , and you ’ll be bring to the Connect to iTunes screen . Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes ; after clack on your machine in the source list , you ’ll see the Set Up Your iPhone filmdom , which necessitate if you ’d wish to put it up as a raw iPhone , or doctor from a specific backup . Choose the correct backup , and get through the Continue button to carry on . This physical process is significantly faster than an iCloud restore , as you ’re transfer information over USB , rather than via Wi - Fi .

Once you pick out either choice , your gadget will spark off and begin the restore process .

Setting up as a brand-new iPhone

Email Identification : Your Apple ID is an email address : one you already apply , or a new email you create on the spot .

If you ’re moving over from another smartphone , feature of speech sound , or if this is your first - ever mobile , you wo n’t have a relief and will have to set your iPhone 4S up as a new phone . To do so , the first thing you need to decide is whether to supply an Apple ID , or create one , if you do n’t have one . You use your Apple ID to buy euphony , apps , book of account from the iBookstore , and connect it with iCloud ( if you want to ) .

What ’s an Apple ID ? : If you ’ve ever purchased something from the iTunes Store , you ’ll have sign on up for an Apple ID — it ’s usually your primary email address . Your login data for Apple ’s MobileMe or iCloud service should also work out when signing in .

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Send to the Cloud: If you want to keep your iPhone 4S in sync with your computer and other iOS devices, back it up remotely, and find it when it’s been lost, you can enable iCloud.

utilize your current Apple ID : Already have an Apple ID ? Tap the Sign In With An Apple ID clit and figure your username ( normally your email address ) and watchword . Apple will then spend a few mo linking your equipment to your Apple ID .

Sign up for a new Apple ID : If you do n’t have an Apple ID , it ’s well-fixed enough to create one by tip the Create A Free Apple ID button . You ’ll require to enter your natal day , name , your email address ( or make a new iCloud e-mail savoir-faire ) , a password , a security measure interrogative sentence ( in case you forget your password ) , and whether you ’d like to experience email update from Apple .

No Apple ID for me : If you ’d rather not set up an Apple ID , you could tap the Skip This Step link in the low-spirited right quoin . you may always tot up or create one from the preferences app later , but note that you wo n’t be able to buy anything on the iTunes Store or prepare up iCloud until you do .

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App Hunt: Search for interesting third-party apps via the App Store.

Send to the Cloud : If you require to keep your iPhone 4S in sync with your electronic computer and other iOS devices , back it up remotely , and find it when it ’s been lost , you’re able to enable iCloud .

If you ’ve chosen to prepare up or register an Apple ID , you’re able to also enable iCloud on your gadget . iCloud is an umbrella terminus for Apple ’s collecting of sync services , and allows you to synchronize your photos , apps , contacts , calendars , and mail across multiple equipment . ( you may show more about iCloud in our Getting Started with iCloud primer . )

prefer to lay out up iCloud , and you ’ll first be necessitate whether you ’d like to enable iCloud backing for your machine . If you do so , you could have your gadget back up all essential setting to your iCloud account ; if you ever need to reestablish , you could do so over Wi - Fi without an additional computer . you may also elect to have your gimmick back up to your computer using iTunes . to boot , you ’ll be asked whether you ’d like to opt - in to iCloud’sFind My iPhoneservice . This will enable location monitoring for your gadget , earmark you to find it using your Apple ID and the Find My iPhone app , should it go missing .

Next , you ’ll be ask if you want to take advantage of Siri , Apple ’s unexampled personal voice assistant . you may toggle Siri on or off from this initial frame-up screen , but you may always change your preferences from the preferences app at a later date .

Once you cease the setup process , you ’ll be asked if you ’d like to send Apple anon. diagnostics and usage data ( similar to a background crash report ) . After that , your iPhone will be all place and quick for you to start out using .

Some quick setup tips

Now that your twist is up and run , here are a few quick pointers .

Tweak your configurations : Most of the underlie system information for your new iPhone — net configurations , Mail , sound , message , restrictions , wallpaper , and more — is kept in the configurations app . As such , it ’s a good stead to start when you ’re first getting familiarise with your twist .

App Hunt : Search for interesting third - company apps via the App Store .

determine up iTunes sync : If you did n’t repair from an older iOS support , you wo n’t have any music , picture , podcasts , photos , or books on your iPhone . you could repair that by connecting it with your iTunes library : Just plug your twist into your computer via its included USB cable . ( Once you ’ve completed this initial sync , you’re able to also set up wireless local syncing;check out our guidefor more information . )

Explore the App Store : Your iPhone comes with a gang of nerveless ramp up - in apps , but you may want to give outside the sandpit for more interesting menu . The App Store , which you may access on your machine or via iTunes on your reckoner , features more than 500,000 downloadable apps . To research the store on your iPhone , tap the risque App Store icon on your home screen . The shop is divided into five part : Featured ( Apple ’s especial selection ) , Categories ( all iPhone apps , classify by recording label ) , Top 25 ( showcasing the top - purchased and downloaded iPhone apps ) , Search , and Updates ( any third - political party updates and bandage will show up here for you to download ) . boast and Top 25 are both great position to start expect for recommended apps , and you could search the intact App Store by tapping on the Search tab key .

Talk to Siri : If you chose to adjust up Siri on your iPhone 4S during the energizing procedure , you ’re just one press off from having your first conversation . Sirican help you book appointment , ascertain restaurants , attend up the weather , and occasionally whip outsnarky quips about robotic AI . To start , adjure and concur your abode button ; the Siri port will appear , along with a few hint musical phrase to get rifle .

What to do with an old device

Now that you ’ve supervise to transfer your old entropy , set up your new iPhone 4S , and start using it , it ’s time to envision out what you ’d care to do with your old equipment . If you ’re concerned in selling , recycling , or pass it along to a friend or family unit phallus , Macworldcontributor Joel Mathis scald upa W. C. Handy guidethat contains the steps you ’ll need . But what if you ’re concerned in keep it around ?

Turn your iPhone into an iPod touch : No , your old iPhone wo n’t make yell or hop on a 3 G web without a datum plan , but you’re able to keep using it as a Wi - Fi only iOS gimmick . To do so , you ’ll just need to keep the earphone ’s old SIM card ( or a chintzy SIM card from the same service provide you originally used to spark off the phone with ) inside it . From there , you may fix it to factory options , and set it up as a brand newfangled machine .

iPhone 4S family