Checkup

Draft NOINDEX expansion 2026-08-10; overall scores unpublished

Published by By SecurityChecklist

Reviewed Independent reviewer role open

Experts policy

New Phone Setup Security Checklist

Updates and MFA before app theater: SecurityChecklist keeps this draft free-first and claim-safe. A new phone is a recovery hub. Secure email and cloud accounts during setup. This guide stays free-first; we invent no product scores or unverified prices. Overall scores stay unpublished (N/Pub).

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  • Guide · Free-first · Draft NOINDEX
N/Pub

Priority checklist

  1. Install pending OS updates before adding accounts
  2. Enable Face ID, Touch ID, or strong passcode
  3. Sign into email with MFA ready
  4. Review app permissions during install
  5. Enable Find My or Android equivalent
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Checklist

  1. 1

    Update before you load accounts

    Free

    OS updates patch issues found since the phone shipped. Connect to trusted Wi-Fi and update first.

    • Install system updates
    • Restart once after major update
    • Decline random setup helper apps
  2. 2

    Lock the device

    Free

    Biometrics plus a strong passcode reduce casual access.

    • Enable biometrics or long passcode
    • Short auto-lock delay
    • Do not share PINs with strangers for setup help
  3. 3

    Recover email with MFA

    Free

    Email unlocks everything else. Use authenticator MFA, not SMS-only if you can avoid it.

    • Sign into email from official app
    • Confirm MFA prompts look normal
    • Review trusted devices list
  4. 4

    Skip security app bundles on day one

    Optional paid

    Finish updates, lock screen, and MFA before installing cleaner or antivirus bundles from ads.

    • Use official app stores
    • Decline cleaner upsells
    • Buy tools only for named leftovers

What this checklist does not cover

  • Preinstalled carrier bloat you cannot remove
  • Account compromise before you receive the phone
  • Invented new-phone malware rates

Sources

  • Mobile device setup hygiene, General iOS/Android setup practices; no invented setup malware rates
  • Overall scores unpublished (N/Pub), No invented lab scores, detection rates, or aggregate ratings on Batch39/40/41 drafts
  • Security Checklist methodology, How guides are structured before scores publish, /methodology/

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