Moving from Android or iPhone to Windows Phone
So you've taken the plunge and decided to try a completely new kind
of smartphone – well done! We've designed Windows Phone so that it's
easy to dive straight in, but some things might seem a bit different at
first. We'll cover some basics here, and if you need more, the guide to getting started is a good place to begin. For more in-depth tips, have a look at Windows Phone tips and tricks.
Note
This topic is about Windows Phone 8.1. If your phone is running
Windows Phone 8, some options and icons may look a little different, and
some features may not be available. Check to see which software version you have and find out if an update is available.
What can I bring along?
You should be able to transfer most of your important stuff
(contacts, calendars, music, docs and photos) to your Windows Phone.
Have a look at one of these topics on how to get your stuff from your old phone:
What's so different?
The Start screen. You can pin just about anything to your Windows Phone Start screen and customise the colour, size and location of your Live Tiles, so the information you care about is up to date and right where you need it. A quick swipe to the left takes you to a view of all your apps.
Sense and save. Fine-tune your phone experience with the built-in Sense and Saver apps: Data Sense, for monitoring your data usage; WiFi Sense, to stay connected to free wireless Internet and save time entering WiFi passwords; Battery Saver, so you'll never be surprised by a dead battery; and Storage Sense, to see what's taking up space on your phone.
Built-in goodness. Windows Phone has many of the same apps you used on your old phone. But it's also got a lot of great things built in. To name just a few: your action centre keeps your vital settings and notifications just a swipe away, no matter what you're doing on your phone; Kid's Corner is a place on your phone where your child can play with the stuff you choose; and Microsoft Office Mobile is your office on the go.
The world’s most personal smartphone
Windows Phone is reinvented to make the innovative affordable – with a device to suit every budget.
Each Windows Phone is as unique as you are and reflects the things you care about most.
Personalisation
You can rearrange your Start screen Tiles, adjust their size and change your phone’s accent colour whenever you want.Live Tiles
Pin Live Tiles to your Start screen to get real-time updates of your friends’ Facebook posts, breaking news, tweets and more.Start background (New)
Pick a favourite photo to shine through certain Tiles. Another way your Windows Phone reflects your personality.Efficiency (New)
With an intuitive keyboard, longer-lasting battery, intelligent storage and more, your Windows Phone is optimised to work smarter.Word Flow keyboard (New)
The world’s fastest smartphone keyboard uses shape writing, which lets you glide your finger over the screen to type.*Action centre (New)
In one swipe, check notifications like email and texts. See four quick actions and easily switch them on and off.
Camera features
On every Windows Phone you can capture, edit and share beautiful photos and videos instantly.Burst mode (New)
Capture multiple photos with one press of the camera button, so you can get that perfect action shot.Lens apps
With Lens apps built into your camera, you can add great filters and special effects to your photos.Your people in one place
It’s easier than ever to stay connected to the people you care about most.People Hub
Your contacts are linked together from your social networks and address books. So call, text and more from one convenient place.Rooms
Invite people to a room on your phone and then share photos, messages, calendars, notes and more.
Apps + games
Windows Phone features select apps that send real-time updates to Live Tiles on your Start screen. And it’s the only phone with Xbox built in.Windows Phone Store
Find the apps you love on your Windows Phone. Many apps are free, and you can try most paid apps before you buy.*Games
Stay connected to gaming achievements, friends and multiplayer action with Xbox Live across your phone, PC and console.*Bing
More than just search, Bing can find cinema times, directions and more.*
Office Hub
Create, edit and share Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents. Then sync them automatically to OneDrive.Communication
Messaging
Attach photos, voice notes, your location and more to your text messages.
Internet Explorer 11
Go ahead – open multiple tabs, surf privately and pin your favourite websites to your Start screen.
OneDrive
OneDrive is free storage in the cloud, so your photos, home videos and Office documents go wherever you go.*
Skype
The perfect companion to help you stay connected on the move. Upgrade a normal phone call to a Skype video call with just a tap.
Dual SIM (New)
Get two lines on one phone, making it easier to balance your work and personal life.*
NFC
Tap your phone against another NFC-capable device to share photos, web pages, music, contacts and more.
Device search (New)
If it’s on your Windows Phone – emails, messages, contacts – you can find it quickly through Bing search.
Driving Mode
Get from point A to point B with fewer distractions from your phone.
Kid's Corner
Choose the apps and features you want your children to see.
