How to Move Your Data to a New Phone

The fastest way depends on what phone you're switching from and to

Moving data to a new phone usually takes between 15 minutes and an hour, depending on how much you have and which method you use. The easiest routes are built into the phones themselves: if you're switching from iPhone to iPhone, use Quick Start. If you're going from Android to Android, use Google's setup wizard. If you're crossing between systems — iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone — you'll need a different approach for each type of data.

The key is that photos, contacts, messages, and apps move through different channels. Some transfer automatically during setup. Others require you to sign into accounts. A few need a computer or a third-party tool. Knowing which method works for each type of data saves you from discovering halfway through that your text messages didn't come over.

Key Takeaways

iPhone to iPhone: use Quick Start during setup, which transfers almost everything wirelessly in one process.
Android to Android: use Google's setup wizard or sign into your Google account on the new phone to restore contacts, photos, and apps automatically.
iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone: photos and contacts move through Google Photos and Google Contacts, but text messages and some app data require manual steps or third-party tools.
Back up your old phone before you start, so you have a copy if something goes wrong during the transfer.
Apps reinstall on their own if you sign into the same accounts, but some app data (like game progress) may not transfer unless the app itself supports it.

iPhone to iPhone: using Quick Start

Quick Start is the built-in method Apple designed for this exact situation. Turn on your new iPhone and hold it next to your old one. Your old phone will show a setup screen; tap "Set Up New iPhone" and point your old phone's camera at the animation on the new phone's screen. This pairs the phones wirelessly.

After pairing, your old iPhone will ask which data to transfer. You can move everything — contacts, messages, photos, app data, settings, and more — or pick and choose. The transfer happens over Wi-Fi and usually takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Your old phone stays plugged in during this time.

If Quick Start doesn't work (older iPhones, or the phones are too far apart), you can restore from an iCloud backup instead. Sign into iCloud on your new iPhone with the same Apple ID, and it will read your backup automatically during setup.

Android to Android: using Google's setup wizard

When you turn on a new Android phone, the setup wizard asks you to sign into your Google account. Use the same Google account you used on your old phone. The phone will then restore your contacts, calendar, Gmail, photos (if you use Google Photos), and most of your apps automatically.

This process happens in the background over the next few hours as the phone downloads your data. You don't have to wait for it to finish before using the phone. Some app data — like your position in a game or your notes in a notes app — transfers if the app developer built that feature in. Others don't.

If you want to move text messages, you'll need a separate step. On your old phone, go to Messages settings and look for an option to back up to Google. On your new phone, the Messages app will offer to restore from that backup during setup. Not all Android phones have this feature; it depends on the manufacturer and which version of Android you're running.

iPhone to Android: what transfers and what doesn't

Contacts and photos are straightforward. Before you switch, make sure your iPhone contacts are saved to iCloud (go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn on Contacts). On your new Android phone, sign into your Google account and add your iCloud account as a secondary account in Settings > Accounts. Your iPhone contacts will sync to Google Contacts automatically.

For photos, use Google Photos on your iPhone before you switch. Turn on backup and sync in the Google Photos app settings. Once you sign into the same Google account on your Android phone, all those photos will appear in Google Photos there too.

Text messages don't have a direct path. You can use a third-party tool like Samsung Smart Switch (if your new phone is a Samsung) or a service like MobileTrans, but these cost money and require a computer. Many people straightforward accept that old text messages stay on the iPhone and start fresh on Android. If you need to keep them, take screenshots of important conversations before you switch.

Apps reinstall when you sign into your Google account, but app data varies. Some apps (like Gmail or Spotify) sync automatically because they store your data in the cloud. Others (like games or banking apps) may not transfer your progress or settings. Check the apps you use most to see if they mention data transfer in their settings.

Android to iPhone: what transfers and what doesn't

Apple offers a tool called Move to iOS, which you can read from the Google Play Store on your Android phone. Open it, tap "Continue," and follow the prompts to create a temporary Wi-Fi network between your phones. This transfers contacts, calendar events, photos, and some app data to your new iPhone.

The catch is that Move to iOS only works during initial iPhone setup. If you've already set up your new iPhone, you'll need to erase it and start over to use Move to iOS. For that reason, many people skip it and transfer data manually instead.

The manual route: sign into your Google account on your new iPhone in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Contacts and Calendars. This syncs your contacts and calendar. Use Google Photos to transfer photos the same way you would from iPhone to Android. For text messages, there's no built-in option; you'll need a third-party tool or screenshots.

Using a computer if wireless transfer doesn't work

If your phones won't connect wirelessly or you're dealing with an older phone, you can transfer data through a computer. On a Mac or Windows PC, plug in your old phone and use the phone's backup software (iTunes for older iPhones, or the phone manufacturer's tool for Android). Create a backup file.

Then plug in your new phone and restore from that backup. This method is slower than wireless transfer and requires a computer, but it works when other methods fail. It's also useful if you want to keep a backup file on your computer for safekeeping.

What to do before you start the transfer

Back up your old phone first. For iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now." For Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Backup and make sure backup is turned on. This creates a copy of your data in case something goes wrong during the transfer.

Make sure both phones are charged to at least 50 percent battery. Plug them in if you can. Check that you know your passwords for important accounts — Gmail, Apple ID, iCloud, or any other service you use. You'll need to sign in on the new phone, and if you get the password wrong, the transfer will stall.

If you're switching carriers or phone numbers, update your number in any two-factor authentication apps before you switch. Some apps (like banking apps) use your phone number to verify your identity, and if they're still looking for your old number, you won't be able to sign in on the new phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my text messages transfer automatically?

Only if you're staying within the same system — iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, text messages don't transfer automatically. You can use a paid third-party tool, take screenshots of important conversations, or accept that old messages stay on the old phone.

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

Go to the account recovery page on a computer before you start the transfer. For Google, visit accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. For Apple, go to iforgot.apple.com. You'll need to verify your identity using a recovery email or phone number. This can take a few minutes to an hour, so do it before you open your new phone.

Can I transfer data if my old phone is broken?

If the screen works but the phone won't turn on, you may be able to charge it and power it on long enough to start a transfer. If the screen is broken but the phone powers on, you can sometimes use a computer to back it up. If the phone is completely dead, you can only restore from a backup you made before it broke. This is why regular backups matter.

How long does the transfer usually take?

Wireless transfers (Quick Start for iPhone, Google setup wizard for Android) usually take 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Transfers over a computer can take longer. Keep both phones plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi network during the process.

Will my apps reinstall automatically on the new phone?

Yes, if you sign into the same accounts. When you sign into your Google account on Android or your Apple ID on iPhone, the phone automatically reinstalls the apps you had before. This happens in the background over a few hours. Some app data syncs too, but it depends on whether the app developer built that feature in.

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.