We all get a new computer or phone at some point. And when we do, there’s a screen that pops up: “Restore from backup?” One tap, and your whole digital life is right back where you left it. Easy, fast, familiar.
But what most people don’t realize is that restoring from backup doesn’t just bring back your apps. It reactivates years of old permissions, forgotten vulnerabilities, and tracking infrastructure that follows you from one device to the next.
It’s not a fresh start. It’s a rerun of your entire surveillance footprint.
Why you shouldn’t migrate everything
When you restore from a backup, you’re not just getting your apps and data—you’re reintroducing all your digital clutter. Here’s what comes with it:
- App bloat
Those one-off apps you installed become permanent squatters. Even if you’ve forgotten them, they could still be harvesting all your activities in the background, sending your data out to third parties. - Attack surface
Every piece of software has vulnerabilities, and the more apps you install, the higher your security risk. Rather than transferring everything over, use this moment to think carefully about which apps are truly worth the added exposure. - Accounts and tracking
Your Apple ID, Google account, or other login credentials build up a massive behavioral profile on you. A new device can also help you sever those old data pipelines. By starting fresh with a new account, you make it far harder for data brokers to link your future activity to the massive profile built under your old ID. - Ghost data
Resetting from scratch also clears out “ghost data”: old settings, hidden config files, and leftover profiles you might not even realize you’re lugging around. Restoring from a backup can drag in outdated privacy defaults or security practices that no longer make sense. Plus, even uninstalled apps can leave behind bits of data—like login tokens or lingering preferences. Starting fresh ensures you’re adopting the newest, most secure configurations and leaving all that digital baggage behind. - Habit traps
Sometimes we keep using apps just because they auto-restore, not because they actually serve us. Starting fresh is like a mini “reset”—you can ditch old routines and make room for better, more privacy-focused tools. Maybe there’s an app you’ve been curious to try but never got around to because your usual go-tos were already at your fingertips. A clean slate finally gives you that push to explore new options and live intentionally. - Mental bandwidth
Clutter weighs us down—physically, mentally, and digitally. Fewer icons, fewer updates, fewer random notifications equals more headspace for the apps and tasks that truly matter.
Instead of dragging all that over, why not start with a clean slate?
7 smart moves when starting fresh
Here are seven clear, privacy-focused steps to help you make the most of your fresh start when setting up a new device:
-
- Start with essentials
Install just the critical apps you truly can’t live without. Leave everything else off until you discover a real need for it. - Use a browser
Skip invasive native apps where you can. A privacy-friendly browser often demands fewer permissions and leaks less of your data. - Pack light
Think carefully about what needs to be on your phone 24/7. Not every app has to follow you everywhere—some can stay on a secondary device. - Try privacy-focused alternatives
While adding new apps, consider switching to more secure, privacy-respecting services. It’s a perfect time to level up your toolkit. - Set up new accounts
If you’re able, create fresh IDs instead of reusing old ones clogged with data exhaust. This cuts the thread linking your activity to outdated profiles. There might be costs associated with purchasing some new apps again, so decide if this is the right choice for you. - Check permissions
Pay attention to each permission request—location, contacts, camera—and limit or deny wherever possible. Don’t dish out unnecessary access. - Be selective with backups
Only migrate the essentials. Export contacts separately, store photos in a secure cloud, and keep old voice memos on a local drive if needed. Bringing less forward keeps your new device clutter-free.
- Start with essentials
Takeaways
Reclaiming your privacy isn’t about being perfect. It’s about making intentional choices. One of the easiest but most impactful things you can do is say no to restoring from backup.
This single decision sets the tone for your entire digital footprint. It gives you a clean slate. And it lets you rebuild on your terms.
Start with a handful of tools. Skip the bloat. Be picky about what gets installed and who gets your data.
It’s not about inconvenience—it’s about control. The digital world is filled with people trying to make decisions for you. Starting fresh is a way to take that power back.
Yours in privacy,
Naomi
