ApplePatent applicationPhones & computersInterest 4/10

Apple patents phone setup using short-range link to another device

Patent drawing from the official filing.

Apple has filed a patent for a method to activate a new device by connecting it to an existing one via a short-range link like Bluetooth. The system uses this connection to turn on the new device and automatically copy settings from the old one.

Why it mattersThis could make setting up a new phone or tablet faster by automatically transferring your preferences from a device you already own.

In the filing’s own words

A user equipment (UE) configured to receive, via user input, a selection of a short range communication connection to a further device to activate the UE, activate the UE using the short range communication connection and transfer settings from the further device to the UE via the short range communication connection.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An apparatus of a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive, via user input, a selection of a short range communication connection to a further device to activate the UE; activate the UE using the short range communication connection; and transfer settings from the further device to the UE via the short range communication connection.

Facts

Company: Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title: Cellular Onboarding Using a Short Range Communication Connection
Publication number: US20260333004A1
Application number: 19108835
Filed: Sep 6, 2023
Published: Oct 22, 2026
Inventors: 5
Claims: 18

Classified under

H04W 4/50 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/72469 Electricity & electronicsH04W 4/14 Electricity & electronicsH04W 8/183 Electricity & electronicsH04W 8/205 Electricity & electronicsH04M 1/72412 Electricity & electronics

Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.