Phone OS to be uninstalled/reinstalled, maybe replaced. How to make sure EVERYTHING transfers over?

[MichaelBanning]

So I saw this thread (http://forums.windowscentral.com/wi...-i-back-up-my-broken-one-restore-new-one.html) but I want to make sure I don't forget anything.

What steps should I take both BEFORE and AFTER they re-set and/or replace my phone?
I'll re-sync music on my own so that's fine.
I'll take screenshots of my screen so I remember how I had it set up.
I'll make sure I go into settings and use the "backup now" feature for apps and settings. my backup for texts is already on and I guess automatic since there's no "backup now" button for texts?
MY MEMORY CARD - I have most everything (music/apps/maps/documents) saved to that - will everything transfer over nicely to the new phone once I put it in and turn it on and sign in to my windows account? Do I have to do anything before/after they re-os my phone and/or replace my phone?
SIM CARD - same question as memory card - should I do anything special before and/or after the transition?

Anything else I'm forgetting?

Any help is GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

 

[MichaelBanning]

Ok I'm an ***** and probably should have posted this in the 8.1 forum not the 8 forum. Can someone move it please?

Either way, your help is appreciated. But my 1520 has Cyan.

 

[PepperdotNet]

Music (and video) on your own - that's really your only option.
Home screen layout should be preserved, if you make a settings backup before and restore it, but screenshots would be helpful if something goes wrong.
Memory card - I have never tested that scenario as my primary phone doesn't have the capability (L1020).
SIM card - nothing special there, other than what I have noticed on having to setup visual voicemail again anytime it has been swapped to another device.
If you are using Preview for Developers and the replacement has a lower build number, you'll want to set it up as new, don't bother with all the logging on and syncing, install the PfD app, get it upgraded, then do a device reset before starting from restoring your backup.
I think that about covers it.

 

[MichaelBanning]

I'm going through this process now. If anyone has any last minute suggestions/recommendations on how to ensure everything from my old 1520 gets successfully transferred to my new 1520, I'd GREATLY appreciate it.

 

[MichaelBanning]

Ok so I'm finished for the most part. A couple of questions/frustrations/thoughts below - any insight would be awesome!

-First f*** Google and them ending Google Sync capabilities. That said, setting it up the alternative way was surprisingly easy and with seemingly the same result.

-Unless I did something wrong, there's NO POINT to trying to transfer apps to a new phone via the sd card. I was unable to change the settings on the new phone for what will be saved to the sd card until I deleted "another phone's apps" meaning I had to delete and reinstall ALL the apps on my SD card anyway. Is there some way to get a new phone to recognize the apps on a memory card as "yours"?

-DO I SERIOUSLY HAVE TO MANUALL RE-ENTER ALL THE WIFI NETWORKS AND PASSWORDS I HAD ON MY OLD PHONE?!?!?!?! Seriously, is there an easier way to do this?