The fastest way to transfer everything
The easiest method is iCloud backup and restore. When you set up your new iPhone, you can sign in with your Apple ID and choose to restore from your most recent iCloud backup. This copies your apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and most other data to the new phone automatically.
If your old iPhone is still working, you can also use direct device-to-device transfer (called Quick Start on newer models). Place the two phones near each other, open the setup screen on your new iPhone, and hold your old phone nearby. Your new phone will detect the old one and walk you through copying everything wirelessly. This method is faster than waiting for an iCloud backup to upload and read, especially if you have a lot of photos or videos.
Both methods preserve your data exactly as it was — your home screen layout, your text message history, your saved passwords, and your app data all move over. You do not have to choose which things to transfer; it is all or nothing with these methods.
Key Takeaways
- Quick Start (direct phone-to-phone transfer) is the fastest option if both phones are working and you are setting up the new iPhone for the first time.
- iCloud backup works even if your old phone is broken or unavailable, as long as you backed up to iCloud before the problem happened.
- A Mac or Windows computer can also restore your data using a backup file stored on the computer itself, which is useful if iCloud is full or slow.
- Some data like banking apps and two-factor authentication settings may require you to log in again on the new phone for security reasons.
- Photos and videos take the longest to transfer because of their file size; a backup with thousands of photos can take hours to upload or read.
Using Quick Start for the fastest transfer
Quick Start is built into the setup process and requires no extra steps. When you turn on your new iPhone for the first time, you will see a screen asking if you want to set up manually or restore from a backup. Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Restore from iPhone" depending on whether your old phone is available.
If you choose to restore from your old iPhone directly, hold the old phone above the new one. The old phone's camera will scan a pattern on the new phone's screen. After that, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone, and the transfer begins. The phones must stay close to each other and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have.
During the transfer, you can use your new iPhone, but it will be slower. Once the transfer finishes, your new phone will restart and you will see all your apps and data in place.
Restoring from an iCloud backup
iCloud backup works if your old iPhone is no longer available or if you want to transfer data weeks or months after backing up. Your iPhone backs up to iCloud automatically every day when it is plugged in, locked, and on Wi-Fi. You can also force a backup manually by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
To restore from an iCloud backup on your new iPhone, go through the initial setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup," sign in with your Apple ID, and select which backup you want to restore. If you have multiple backups (one from each device you have owned), pick the most recent one from your old iPhone.
The restore process downloads your data from Apple's servers to your new phone. This takes longer than Quick Start because the data has to travel over the internet, but it works even if your old phone is lost, broken, or sold. After the restore finishes, your new iPhone will have the same apps, photos, messages, and settings as your old one had when the backup was created.
Transferring data using a computer
If you have a Mac or Windows PC, you can back up your old iPhone to the computer using Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows), then restore that backup to your new iPhone. This method is useful if your iCloud storage is full or if you want to keep a backup file on your computer for safekeeping.
On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, connect your old iPhone with a cable, open Finder, click the device name in the sidebar, and click "Back Up Now." On a Windows PC, open iTunes, connect your old iPhone, click the device icon, and click "Back Up." The backup file is stored on your computer's hard drive.
To restore to your new iPhone, connect the new phone to the same computer, open Finder or iTunes, and click "Restore Backup." Choose the backup file you just created, and the data will copy to your new phone. This method is slower than wireless transfer because everything goes through a cable, but it gives you a copy of your data stored outside of iCloud.
What transfers and what does not
Most of your personal data transfers automatically: photos and videos, text messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, voice memos, and your home screen layout all move over. Your app data (like game progress or saved preferences inside apps) also transfers if the app supports it.
Some things do not transfer and require you to set them up again on the new phone. Banking apps, payment apps, and apps that use two-factor authentication usually require you to log in again for security. Your Apple Pay cards need to be re-added (though your card information is not stored in the backup). Some apps tied to your carrier, like visual voicemail or certain messaging services, may need to be reconfigured.
Your old phone's settings transfer, but some features may not work exactly the same on a newer model. For example, if you upgrade from an older iPhone to a newer one with a different camera system, the camera app settings will transfer but may not explore to the new cameras.
Troubleshooting a stuck or slow transfer
If Quick Start stalls or takes much longer than expected, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the network is stable. If your Wi-Fi is slow or unreliable, move closer to the router or use a wired connection on your computer if you are using the computer-based method.
If an iCloud restore is taking too long, check your internet connection and make sure you have enough free storage on your new iPhone. If your new phone is almost full, the restore may fail. You can delete apps or photos on the new phone to make space, then try the restore again.
If a specific app fails to transfer or does not appear on your new phone, you can read it again from the App Store. Your app data may still be there when you open the app, depending on whether the app developer stores data in iCloud or on their own servers.
Transferring data to an iPhone with a different Apple ID
If you are setting up a new iPhone with a different Apple ID than your old one (for example, if you are giving the phone to someone else), you cannot use Quick Start or iCloud restore directly. Instead, you will need to manually transfer specific data or use a computer backup.
The most practical approach is to use a computer backup. Back up your old iPhone to a computer using Finder or iTunes, then restore that backup to the new iPhone even though it has a different Apple ID. The backup file itself is not tied to an Apple ID, so this works. After the restore, you can sign in with the new Apple ID and your personal data will still be there.
Alternatively, you can transfer specific items manually: photos through iCloud Photos or a cloud storage service, contacts through a vCard file, and messages by taking screenshots or using a third-party app. This is slower but gives you more control over what moves and what stays behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?
Yes, as long as you backed up to iCloud before it broke. Sign in with your Apple ID on the new iPhone during setup and restore from your most recent iCloud backup. If you never backed up to iCloud, a computer backup (if you made one) is your only option.
How long does a transfer usually take?
Quick Start between two phones takes 15 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have. iCloud restore takes longer because data has to read from the internet. A computer-based transfer is usually faster than iCloud but slower than Quick Start.
Will my text messages transfer?
Yes, all your text messages (SMS, iMessage, and group chats) transfer with Quick Start, iCloud restore, or computer backup. They appear in the Messages app exactly as they were on your old phone.
Do I need to back up before transferring?
No. Quick Start and iCloud restore both create a backup as part of the transfer process. If you want a separate backup for safekeeping, you can create one manually, but it is not required to move your data to a new phone.
What if I want to keep my old iPhone set up after transferring?
You can. After the transfer finishes, your old iPhone will still have all its data. If you want to erase it before selling or recycling it, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings on the old phone.