Setting up your iPhone
First time using your refurbished iPhone? Here’s how to set it up, transfer your stuff across, and get on your network.
First switch-on
Hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. iOS will walk you through language, Wi-Fi, location services, and (eventually) Apple ID sign-in. The first boot can take a few minutes — that’s normal.
Plug it in before you start setup. Some iPhones arrive at low charge after testing.
Moving your data from your old iPhone
The smoothest way is Quick Start — works straight from your old iPhone if both are running iOS 12.4 or later.
- Turn on the new iPhone and place it next to your old one (both unlocked).
- A Quick Start panel appears on your old phone — tap Continue.
- Hold the new phone over the old phone’s camera and follow the on-screen animation.
- Choose Transfer from iPhone to move everything across the local network. This is the fastest option and doesn’t need iCloud space.
If your old phone isn’t available, restore from an iCloud backup instead — pick Restore from iCloud Backup during setup.
Signing in to Apple ID
Your refurbished iPhone has been fully wiped — it’s not linked to anyone else’s Apple ID. Sign in with your own account during setup, or skip and add it later in Settings → Apple ID.
SIM and eSIM
iPhone 14 onwards (US-only originally — but the model we sold you may differ) supports eSIM. Most UK iPhones still take a physical nano-SIM. Pop your existing SIM into the tray on the side.
For eSIM activation, contact your network — they’ll send you a QR code to scan in Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM.
Network unlocking
Every iPhone we sell is unlocked. Pop in any UK SIM and it’ll work. No carrier calls, no codes, no faff.
If your iPhone is asking for a network unlock code, something’s wrong — email us with your order number and we’ll sort it.
Setting up Face ID or Touch ID
Setup will offer to register Face ID (Face ID iPhones) or Touch ID (older models). Hold the phone 25–50cm from your face and slowly rotate your head, following the on-screen circle. Add a second face later from Settings → Face ID & Passcode.
For more detail, the advice centre has iPhone setup guides for every recent model.
