The fastest way to transfer everything is to use iCloud or a Mac or Windows computer

You have three main routes to move your data, photos, apps, and settings from an old iPhone to a new one. iCloud backs up and restores over the internet and works from anywhere. A Mac or Windows computer with iTunes or Finder lets you copy everything through a cable connection, which is faster if you have a lot of data. Direct transfer between two iPhones uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and requires both phones to be nearby and charged.

Which route you choose depends on whether you have a computer available, how much time you have, and whether your old phone still turns on. If your old phone is broken or won't power up, iCloud is your only option — as long as you remember your Apple ID password and had backups turned on before the phone stopped working.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud transfer works over the internet and requires your Apple ID password and a Wi-Fi connection on both phones.
  • Mac or Windows transfer through a cable is faster for large amounts of data but requires a computer with iTunes (Windows) or Finder (Mac).
  • Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is the simplest method if both phones are working and nearby.
  • Your old iPhone must be powered on and unlocked for direct transfer or computer transfer to work.

Using iCloud to transfer data wirelessly

iCloud works by backing up your old iPhone to Apple's servers, then downloading that backup onto your new phone. You need your Apple ID password, a Wi-Fi connection on both phones, and enough iCloud storage space for your backup. If you have more than 5 GB of data, you may need to pay for extra iCloud storage (Apple offers 50 GB, 200 GB, and 2 TB plans) or delete old photos and videos from your old phone first.

On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn it on. Tap Back Up Now and wait for the backup to finish — this can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Your phone will show a progress bar. Do not unplug or close the app until it says the backup is complete.

On your new iPhone, during the setup process, you will see a screen that says Apps & Data. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple ID, and choose the backup from your old phone. The transfer will begin automatically. Your phone will read all your data, apps, photos, messages, and settings. This can take several hours if you have a lot of data, so plug in your new phone and leave it on Wi-Fi until the process finishes.

Transferring data directly between two iPhones

If both your old and new iPhones are powered on and you are in the same room, you can transfer data directly without a computer or iCloud account. This method uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and is often the fastest for small to medium amounts of data.

During setup of your new iPhone, when you reach the Quick Start screen, hold your old iPhone nearby. Your new phone will detect the old one and ask if you want to use it to set up the new phone. Tap Continue on both phones. Your new iPhone will display an animation; point your old iPhone's camera at it to scan the code. Then enter your old iPhone's passcode on the new phone.

Choose whether to transfer your Apple ID, iCloud settings, and data. The phones will then transfer your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and other data over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Keep both phones close together and plugged in during this process. Transfer time depends on how much data you have — it can range from 15 minutes to several hours. Do not move the phones far apart or turn either one off until the progress bar reaches 100 percent.

Using a Mac or Windows computer to transfer data

A computer transfer is the fastest option if you have a large amount of data and a fast USB cable. On a Mac, you use the Finder app. On Windows, you use iTunes (or the newer Apple Devices app on Windows 11). Both methods require your old iPhone to be plugged into the computer with a USB cable.

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or newer, plug in your old iPhone, open Finder, and click your phone's name in the sidebar. Click General, then Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish. Then plug in your new iPhone, click its name, and choose Restore from Backup. Select the backup from your old phone and enter your Apple ID password. The transfer will begin.

On Windows with iTunes, plug in your old iPhone, open iTunes, click the phone icon, and select Back Up Now. After the backup finishes, unplug the old phone and plug in the new one. Click the phone icon again and choose Restore Backup. Select the backup and enter your Apple ID password. On Windows 11, the process is similar but uses the Apple Devices app instead of iTunes.

Computer transfer is faster than iCloud because data moves through the USB cable instead of over the internet. A full backup and restore can take 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much data you have and how fast your computer is. Keep both phones plugged in and do not unplug them until the process shows it is complete.

What data transfers and what does not

All three methods transfer your photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, app data, and home screen layout. Your Apple ID, iCloud settings, and Wi-Fi passwords also transfer. Health data, banking information, and passwords stored in Keychain transfer as well.

Some things do not transfer: apps you deleted from the App Store (they will not reinstall automatically), voicemails (these stay on your old carrier's servers), and some app data from apps that do not use iCloud. Text messages and iMessages transfer, but SMS messages from before your backup may not appear if they were very old. If you use a carrier-specific service like visual voicemail, you may need to set that up again on your new phone.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If your transfer stops or fails partway through, the most common cause is a lost Wi-Fi connection or a low battery on either phone. Plug both phones in, make sure you are on a strong Wi-Fi network, and try again. If you are using iCloud, check that you have enough storage space by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage.

If your old iPhone will not turn on or you do not remember your Apple ID password, you cannot use iCloud or direct transfer. Your only option is to set up the new phone as new and manually add your accounts. You can still recover some data if you have a computer backup from before the old phone stopped working.

If apps do not reinstall after transfer, go to the App Store on your new phone, tap your profile icon, and select Purchased. You will see all apps you have ever bought or downloaded. Tap the cloud icon next to each app to reinstall it. This can take a while if you have many apps, so do it on Wi-Fi and while your phone is plugged in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?

If your old phone will not turn on or the screen is shattered but the phone still powers on, you can use iCloud if you had backups turned on before it broke. If the phone is completely dead and you have no iCloud backup, you will need to set up your new phone as new and manually sign into your accounts. Some data may be lost.

How long does a full transfer take?

Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer usually takes 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much data you have. iCloud transfer can take several hours because it depends on your internet speed. Computer transfer through a cable is typically the fastest, taking 30 minutes to 2 hours for a full backup and restore.

Do I need to keep my old iPhone after the transfer?

No. Once the transfer is complete and you have verified that all your data is on the new phone, you can erase your old iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes all your personal data from the old phone before you sell it or recycle it.

What if I want to transfer only some apps and photos, not everything?

All three transfer methods move everything. If you want to be selective, set up your new phone as new, then manually read only the apps you want from the App Store and add only the photos you want by connecting to your computer or using iCloud Photos. This takes longer but gives you more control.

Can I transfer data from an Android phone to an iPhone?

No. The methods described here work only between iPhones. To move data from Android to iPhone, you need to use Apple's Move to iOS app on the Android phone, which transfers contacts, messages, photos, and some app data. This is a separate process from iPhone-to-iPhone transfer.