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How to Activate an Upgraded Cellular iPhone - Knowledgebase / Phones & Conferencing / Mobile Devices - OIT Service Center

How to Activate an Upgraded Cellular iPhone

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To Activate an Upgraded Phone


Please remember to run an iCloud Backup of your current phone so your information can be transferred over.

Backup iPhone

  1. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

  2. Turn on iCloud Backup. iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone daily when the iPhone is connected to power, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi. ...

  3. To perform a manual backup, tap BackUp Now.

Upgraded Phone

  1. Power up device

  2. Select Language

  3. Select United States

  4. Appearance - select how you want the phone to display - continue

  5. Choose a Wifi Network

    1. Enter your shibboleth log in (Brown secured network only) then click trust
  6. Data & Privacy, select continue

  7. Quick Start - set up without another device (or bring your old device near the new phone)

  8. Or you can transfer Your Apps & Data using your latest iCloud backup 
    1. Select from iCloud Backup

    2. Sign in with your iCloud login credentials

    3. You should receive a code to your old phone

  9. When you come to the screen that asks for “Remote Management” enter your Microsoft account credentials which are:

    1. shortid@ad.brown.edu and then your shibboleth password
  10. Set up Face ID or select set up later

  11. Create a Passcode

    1. Reconfirm Passcode
  12. Enter Apple ID and password or create one if needed

  13. Agree to the terms and conditions

  14. Set Up iPhone - Set Up for Myself

  15. Set up Cellular

    1. Click transfer from nearby iPhone

  16. Once complete, confirm all your information has moved over the new device.

  17. Email telecom@brown.edu to have them activate the new device after you have confirmed your restore from iCloud is complete.

  18. If your restore has completed successfully, follow the steps below to return your old phone.

Return old phone


Wipe all content and settings from the old iPhone when you confirm your information moved to the new phone correctly.


  1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone. If you're erasing your iPhone because you're replacing it with a new iPhone that you have on hand, you can use extra free storage in iCloud to move your apps and data to the new device.

  2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

  3. Once the device is wiped, return the phone to OIT Telecom Services.  

    1. Box 1885, attn: Robin Carillo, with your name and number on it so we can mark it returned.

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Contact the OIT Service Center

Phone: 401-863-4357

Email: help@brown.edu

Location: Page Robinson Hall - 69 Brown St., Room 510

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https://it.brown.edu/services/oit-service-center

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