Questions
Frequently asked questions
Here are the questions we are asked most often: about this reference and its rules, about switching and choosing a phone, and about protecting your data. If your question is not answered here, take a look at the guides and the troubleshooting section, where it may be covered in more detail.
A good question about your phone starts not with "which button do I press" but with "what do I want to keep".
About this reference
Is this reference connected to the former Windows Phone site?
No. The domain used to host a fan site about Windows Phone, then unrelated advertising. Wsphone is a new independent project that continues neither.
Why do you not name models and apps?
We want our advice to work on any device and not turn into advertising. So we describe features and approaches, not products.
Can I find apps and files here?
No, we do not distribute anything. Only install apps from your platform's official store.
Who writes the content?
The texts are written by the reference's editorial team, based on the official help centres of system developers and general digital security recommendations.
Switching and choosing a phone
Can I move from one system to another without losing anything?
Almost everything transfers: contacts, photos, calendar, most accounts. Chat history in some messaging apps and in-app purchases are trickier, so look into them in advance.
How do I choose a new phone if you do not recommend models?
Look at how many years the system will get security updates, whether there is enough storage for your photos, how easy it is to move your data, and whether you like how the phone feels in your hand.
What should I do with my old phone?
Reset it and decide: give it to family, recycle it, or keep it for household jobs without personal accounts. The main thing is not to keep your data on it.
Can I use a phone that no longer gets updates?
It will still turn on, but using it for banking, email and messaging is risky. For example, support for Windows 10 Mobile ended in December 2019, and those devices no longer receive fixes.
Security and data
Where can I find my phone's IMEI?
Dial *#06#: on most phones the number appears on the screen. It is also shown in settings and on the box.
I lost my phone. What should I do first?
Try to locate it with the finder feature from another device, have your carrier block the SIM card, and change the passwords for your email and bank.
Can you help me remove a lock or get full access to the system?
No. Such actions put your data and your phone's protection at risk, and with someone else's device they are also illegal. We do not publish such instructions.
How often should I make a backup?
The easiest way is to turn on automatic backup and check its date every few months. Before a system update, a repair or a move to a new phone, make a backup manually.
Related reading
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: preparing to switch phones, moving contacts and photos, two-factor codes, resetting the old device. The article catalogue lives here too.
- Security
Screen lock and account protection, app permissions, what to do if your phone is lost or stolen, and what the IMEI number is for.
- Comparisons
Cloud or local backup, PIN or biometrics, update the system or replace the phone: an honest look at the pros and the limits.
What we relied on
- Official help centres of mobile operating system developers
- Microsoft — product lifecycle (Windows 10 Mobile)
Dates and definitions were checked against the official help materials of operating system developers at the time of writing. Mobile systems are updated regularly, so menu names and steps on your device may change over time.