Getting a new iPhone? Here's your upgrade checklist

HOW TO

Your iPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus upgrade checklist

So you want to upgrade to one of those shiny new iPhones? Let us help you prepare.

Now that Apple's iPhone 8, Getting a new iPhone and iPhone X are officially coming on September 22 (or early November for the iPhone X) , it is time to start preparing your current phone in anticipation of upgrading (if you absolutely must be on the bleeding edge of tech, of course).

Here are five tasks that should be on your upgrade check list:

Create an encrypted backup

Using iCloud Backup is super-convenient due to the fact that you don't have to do a single thing. Each night while you're sleeping and your phone is charging, iOSand iCloud work together to make sure it's backed up.

Restoring is just as easy: You enter your Apple ID during initial setup, then wait while iCloud restores settings and reinstalls apps.

But iCloud Backup falls short in one aspect of the process -- it doesn't restore all of your account passwords. So after restoring your device from an iCloud Backup, you will spend the next 30 minutes entering passwords in iOS settings and various apps.

Now Playing: iPhone 7 packed with new features

However, if you use iTunes to back up your iOS device with the box labeled "Encrypt iPhone Backup" checked, that backup will copy all passwords and information stored on your iOS device. In the end, you save yourself the headache of entering passwords -- if you can even remember all of them, that is.

You can find instructions for the process here.

What's the cheapest carrier for your Getting a new iPhone?

You've heard of being "house-poor"? That's when you spend all your money on a house and then can't afford to furnish it.

If you're planning to order a new iPhone 8($699.00 at Apple), iPhone 8 Plus or iPhone X, you'll probably end up feeling a little "phone-poor." After that big expense, can you afford to "furnish" the phone with actual service?

You can if you're willing to switch carriers. Let's take a look at some dirt-cheap plans for your pricey new precious