The setup wizard rushes you through choices that affect your phone for years. Here is what to do properly, in order.
During setup
- Connect to Wi-Fi before restoring so you do not burn mobile data.
- Read the privacy prompts instead of tapping accept — usage data sharing and personalised ads are usually optional.
- Set a strong screen lock — a six-digit PIN minimum. Add fingerprint or face unlock on top for convenience, not instead.
Immediately after setup
Install all updates
Check Settings, System, System update, and the Play Store. A new phone often ships with software months old, including unpatched security fixes.
Remove the bloatware
Go to Settings, Apps and work through the list. Uninstall what you can, disable what you cannot — especially pre-installed games, shopping and promotional apps you did not choose.
Turn off promotional notifications
Many manufacturers push recommendations and ads through system apps. Disabling these is one of the biggest differences between a phone that feels clean and one that feels like an advertising channel.
Review permissions and Accessibility
Open Settings, Privacy, Permission manager and revoke anything that does not need access. Set location to while using the app wherever possible — it improves battery noticeably. Then check Settings, Accessibility and confirm nothing unexpected has access; this permission is powerful and is behind most Android fraud.
Configure backups now, not later
- Turn on system backup: Settings, Google, Backup.
- Enable photo backup and confirm which folders are included.
- Set WhatsApp chat backup frequency.
- Set up Find My Device.
Doing this on day one means you are protected before you have anything to lose.
Battery settings worth adjusting
- Adaptive battery on.
- Optimised charging on, if available.
- Adaptive brightness on, screen timeout to 30 seconds.
- Leave refresh rate on adaptive, or 60Hz for maximum battery life.
Before it goes in your pocket
Fit a screen protector and case — most damage happens in the first weeks. Note your IMEI by dialling star-hash-06-hash and store it somewhere separate; you need it to report a theft.
