The fastest way to transfer everything is to use iCloud or a Mac or Windows computer
You have three main routes to move your photos, contacts, messages, apps, and settings to a new iPhone. The fastest is iCloud, which backs up and restores over Wi-Fi without needing a computer. The second is a Mac or Windows PC, which gives you more control and works offline. The third is direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer, which works if both phones are in front of you and you have Wi-Fi. All three preserve your data intact — the choice depends on what you have available and how much time you want to spend.
Start by making sure your old iPhone is fully charged and connected to Wi-Fi. Then decide which method fits your situation. If you have an iCloud account and both phones can reach Wi-Fi, iCloud is usually fastest. If you have a computer nearby, that route gives you a backup you can keep. If you want to transfer right now without waiting for uploads, direct transfer works but takes longer.
Key Takeaways
- iCloud transfer works over Wi-Fi and requires no computer, but both phones must be on the same Wi-Fi network and you need enough iCloud storage for your data.
- Computer transfer (Mac or Windows) creates a backup file you can keep, works offline, and is the most reliable route if your iCloud storage is full.
- Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer uses a temporary connection between the two phones and works without a computer, but takes the longest of the three methods.
- All three methods preserve your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings — the difference is speed and what equipment you need.
Using iCloud to transfer your data
iCloud transfer works if you have an Apple ID, both phones can reach the same Wi-Fi network, and you have enough iCloud storage. On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and check how much storage you are using. If your data is larger than your free iCloud storage (usually 5 GB), you will need to buy more storage or use a different transfer method. iCloud storage plans cost $0.99 per month for 50 GB, $2.99 for 200 GB, or $9.99 for 2 TB.
On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn on "Back Up Now". Wait for the backup to finish — this can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. You will see a progress bar and a timestamp when it completes. Once the backup is done, turn off your old iPhone or set it aside.
On your new iPhone, turn it on and follow the setup screens. When you reach "Apps & Data", tap "Restore from iCloud Backup". Sign in with the same Apple ID you used on the old phone, select your backup from the list, and tap "Restore". Your new iPhone will read your data over Wi-Fi. This can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed. Keep the phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi until the restore finishes.
Using a Mac or Windows computer to transfer data
Computer transfer creates a backup file on your computer that you can keep as a safety copy. This method works even if your iCloud storage is full, and it is faster than iCloud if you have a fast USB cable connection. You will need a Mac with macOS 10.15 or later, or a Windows PC with iTunes or the Apple Devices app installed.
On your old iPhone, plug it into your computer with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes or the Apple Devices app and click your iPhone when it appears. Click "Back Up Now" or "Back This iPhone Up". The backup will save to your computer — on a Mac it goes to ~/Library/process Support/MobileSync/Backup, and on Windows it goes to a folder inside your user profile. Wait for the backup to finish.
On your new iPhone, plug it into the same computer. In Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), click "Restore Backup" and select the backup you just created. The computer will restore your data to the new phone. This usually takes 15 to 45 minutes. Keep the phone plugged in until the restore finishes and the phone restarts.
Transferring data directly between two iPhones
Direct transfer works if you have both iPhones in front of you, both are charged, and both can reach Wi-Fi. This method does not require a computer or iCloud storage, but it is slower than the other two routes because the phones transfer data over a temporary connection. It works on iPhone XS and later models running iOS 12.4 or later.
Turn on your new iPhone and hold it next to your old iPhone. Your old iPhone will show a setup screen asking if you want to transfer data. Tap "Continue". On your old iPhone, follow the on-screen prompts to scan a code shown on the new iPhone using the camera. If the camera does not work, tap "Enter Manually" and type the code by hand. Once the phones connect, your old iPhone will begin transferring your data to the new one.
Keep both phones close together, plugged in, and on Wi-Fi during the transfer. Do not use either phone or move them far apart. The transfer can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. When it finishes, your new iPhone will restart and show your home screen with all your data restored.
What gets transferred and what does not
All three methods transfer your photos, videos, contacts, calendars, notes, messages, email accounts, app data, home screen layout, and settings. Your apps themselves are downloaded fresh from the App Store during restore, so you do not need to reinstall them manually. Your Apple ID, passwords, and payment methods transfer too.
Some things do not transfer: health data from the Health app (you can export this separately), activity data from the Watch app, and some third-party app data if the app does not support iCloud backup. Voicemail does not transfer — you will need to re-record your voicemail greeting on the new phone. If you use a carrier-specific service like Visual Voicemail, contact your carrier to transfer that separately.
Troubleshooting common transfer problems
If your backup is larger than your iCloud storage and you cannot buy more, use the computer method instead. If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping during transfer, move both phones closer to your router or restart your router. If the transfer stalls halfway through, force-restart your new iPhone by pressing and holding the volume up button, then volume down, then holding the side button until the Apple logo appears. Plug it back in and try the restore again.
If you see an error message about your Apple ID, make sure you are using the same Apple ID on both phones. If you are transferring to a phone that was previously set up, you may need to erase it first — go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then start the transfer process again. If direct transfer between phones keeps failing, switch to iCloud or computer transfer instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?
If the screen works but the phone does not charge, plug it in and try iCloud or computer transfer. If the screen is broken but the phone still powers on, you can still use iCloud or computer transfer — you just cannot see what is happening on the old phone. If the phone will not power on at all, you can only restore from a backup you made before it broke.
Do I need to keep my old iPhone after the transfer?
No. Once the transfer finishes and you confirm everything is on your new phone, you can erase the old one. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes all your data from the old phone. You can then sell it, recycle it, or give it away.
What if I do not remember my Apple ID password?
Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and enter your Apple ID email. Apple will send you a link to reset your password. You need the correct password to sign in during the transfer process, so reset it before you start.
Can I transfer data to an iPhone with a different storage size?
Yes. You can transfer to a phone with less storage, but the restore will fail if your data is larger than the new phone's available space. Check how much data you are transferring (Settings > General > iPhone Storage on your old phone) and make sure the new phone has enough free space after the restore.
How long does the transfer usually take?
iCloud transfer typically takes 30 minutes to an hour for a typical backup, but can take several hours if you have a lot of photos or video. Computer transfer is usually faster — 15 to 45 minutes. Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer is the slowest, often taking an hour or more. All three depend on how much data you have and your internet or Wi-Fi speed.