How to Move Everything to a New iPhone

The fastest way to transfer your data to a new iPhone

The fastest way to move everything to a new iPhone is to use iCloud or Quick Start, both of which copy your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings automatically. Quick Start works when you have both phones in hand and takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have. iCloud works if you don't have your old phone anymore — you sign in to your Apple ID on the new phone and choose to restore from a backup.

If you want to transfer data without using Apple's cloud services, you can also plug both phones into a computer and use Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows) to copy everything directly. This method is slower but keeps your data on your computer instead of in the cloud.

Key Takeaways

Quick Start is the fastest method if you have both phones: hold them near each other, scan a code, and the new phone copies everything while you wait.
iCloud backup works if your old phone is gone — sign in to your Apple ID on the new phone and restore from your most recent backup.
Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) lets you transfer data through a computer cable instead of the cloud.
Your photos, messages, contacts, apps, and settings all transfer the same way — you don't need to move them separately.
Before you start, make sure your old iPhone is backed up and plugged in, and that both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Using Quick Start to transfer data between two iPhones

Quick Start is the method Apple designed for the moment you unbox a new iPhone. Turn on the new phone and hold it next to your old iPhone. Your old phone will show a setup screen asking if you want to transfer data — tap "Continue" and a camera will appear on the old phone's screen.

Point your old iPhone's camera at the animation that appears on the new phone's screen. The phones will connect automatically. You'll then enter your Apple ID password on the new phone, and it will begin copying your data. The process takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how many apps and photos you have.

During the transfer, keep both phones plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi network. Don't use either phone until the transfer finishes — if you interrupt it, you may have to start over. When it's done, the new phone will restart and you'll be able to use it normally.

Restoring from an iCloud backup if you don't have your old phone

If your old iPhone is lost, broken, or already sold, you can restore everything from an iCloud backup instead. Turn on your new iPhone and go through the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup."

Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Your new phone will show a list of available backups — choose the most recent one. The phone will then read your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings from iCloud. This can take several hours if you have a lot of data, so plug in your phone and leave it on Wi-Fi.

Your backup must have been created before you stopped using your old phone. If you're not sure whether a backup exists, you can check on any device by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups and looking for your old phone's name in the list.

Transferring data through a Mac or Windows computer

If you prefer not to use iCloud, you can connect both iPhones to a computer and transfer data directly. On a Mac, plug in your old iPhone and open Finder. Click the phone's name in the sidebar, then click "General" and make sure "Sync with this Mac using Wi-Fi" is unchecked. Click "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup to finish.

Then plug in your new iPhone, click its name in Finder, and click "Restore Backup." Choose the backup you just created from your old phone. Finder will copy everything to the new phone. The process takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

On Windows, the steps are the same but you use iTunes instead of Finder. Plug in your old iPhone, click the phone icon in iTunes, click "Back Up Now," and wait. Then plug in the new phone, click its name, and click "Restore Backup." Choose the backup from your old phone and let iTunes finish the transfer.

What gets transferred and what doesn't

All three methods — Quick Start, iCloud, and computer backup — transfer the same things: your apps, photos, messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, home automation settings, and your home screen layout. Your Apple ID, passwords, and Wi-Fi networks also transfer automatically.

A few things do not transfer: your phone number (that stays with your carrier and SIM card), your voicemail settings (you may need to set those up again), and any data from apps that don't back up to iCloud. Most major apps like Gmail, Instagram, and Spotify back up their data, but some smaller or older apps may not. You can check whether an app backs up by opening Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos and scrolling down to see which apps are enabled for iCloud backup.

Preparing your old iPhone before you transfer

Before you start any transfer method, make sure your old iPhone has a recent backup. On your old phone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Backup and tap "Back Up Now." Wait for the backup to finish — it may take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have.

Plug your old phone into power and make sure it's on Wi-Fi. If you're using Quick Start, you don't need to do anything else — just have it nearby when you set up the new phone. If you're using iCloud or a computer backup, you can do the backup now and then set up the new phone whenever you're ready.

If you're selling or giving away your old iPhone after the transfer, you'll want to erase it completely. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes all your data and prepares the phone for the next owner. Don't do this until you've confirmed that the new phone has everything you need.

Troubleshooting a failed or slow transfer

If Quick Start stops working partway through, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and that neither one is running out of battery. If the connection keeps dropping, move the phones closer together or try moving to a different room with stronger Wi-Fi.

If an iCloud restore is taking longer than a few hours, check your Wi-Fi connection by opening Safari and loading a website. If the internet is slow, the restore will be slow too. You can also check how much data is being restored by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups and tapping the backup name — this shows you the size of the backup and what's included.

If some apps or data didn't transfer, check whether they were included in the backup. Open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and scroll down to see which apps are backed up. If an app is turned off, you'll need to read it again from the App Store and sign in to restore its data. Some apps store data only on the phone itself and don't back up to iCloud — in those cases, you may lose that data if you don't transfer it manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is turned off?

No, your old iPhone must be turned on and unlocked to use Quick Start. If the phone is off or broken, use iCloud or a computer backup instead. Both methods work as long as you have your Apple ID password and a backup exists.

Will my text messages and iMessages transfer?

Yes, all text messages and iMessages transfer with Quick Start, iCloud, or computer backup. They appear in the Messages app on your new phone in the same order and with the same conversation threads as before.

Do I need to read my apps again or do they transfer automatically?

Apps transfer automatically during the backup restore process. The App Store downloads them to your new phone in the background, and they'll be ready to use when the transfer finishes. This can take a while if you have many apps, so leave your phone plugged in and on Wi-Fi.

What if I don't remember my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com on any device and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will send you a link to reset your password. You'll need this password to sign in on your new iPhone and restore your backup, so reset it before you start the transfer.

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, use the "Move to iOS" app, which you can read from the Google Play Store on your Android phone. It transfers contacts, messages, photos, and some app data, but not all Android apps have iPhone versions.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.