The fastest way to transfer everything is to use iCloud or your Mac or PC

You have three main routes: iCloud (wireless, works anywhere), a computer with iTunes or Finder (faster for large amounts of data), or direct transfer between iPhones (the newest method, requires both phones present). Which one you pick depends on how much data you have, whether you have a computer nearby, and whether your old phone still turns on.

iCloud is the simplest if you have a stable internet connection and time to wait. A computer transfer is faster if you have hundreds of gigabytes of photos or videos. Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer works only if both phones are in working order and you're standing in front of them.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backs up your entire phone wirelessly and restores it to your new iPhone, but the process takes time and requires a strong internet connection.
  • Using a Mac with Finder or a Windows PC with iTunes transfers data faster and gives you more control over what gets copied.
  • Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer using Quick Start works only if both phones power on and are in the same room.
  • Your photos, messages, contacts, and app data all transfer, but some apps may need to be re-downloaded from the App Store.
  • If your old phone won't turn on, iCloud is your only option — a computer can't back up a dead phone.

Using iCloud to transfer your data

iCloud backs up your entire phone to Apple's servers, then restores it to your new iPhone. Start by signing into iCloud on your old phone (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud), then go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now". Wait for the backup to finish — this can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

On your new iPhone, turn it on and follow the setup screens. When you reach "Apps & Data", choose "Restore from iCloud Backup", then sign in with your Apple ID. Select the backup you just created and let it restore. Your phone will download your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings in the background over the next few hours — you can use the phone while this happens, but it will be slower.

iCloud works even if your old phone is broken or lost, as long as you remember your Apple ID password. The downside is speed: if you have 100 GB of data, expect the backup and restore to take several hours.

Transferring data using a Mac or Windows PC

A computer transfer is faster than iCloud and gives you the option to back up only certain types of data. On a Mac running Monterey or later, plug your old iPhone into the Mac with a USB cable, open Finder, click the iPhone in the sidebar, and click "Back Up Now". On a Windows PC, download iTunes from the Microsoft Store, plug in your iPhone, and click the device icon, then "Back Up".

Once the backup is complete, unplug the old phone and plug in the new one. On the Mac, click "Restore Backup" and choose the backup you just made. On Windows, do the same in iTunes. The phone will restart and restore all your data — this usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much data you have.

A computer backup is useful if you want to keep a copy of your data on your hard drive, or if your internet connection is too slow for iCloud. It's also faster than iCloud for large backups. The trade-off is that you need a computer and a USB cable.

Direct transfer between two iPhones using Quick Start

If both your old and new iPhones are powered on and working, you can transfer data directly from one to the other without a computer or iCloud. Turn on your new iPhone and hold it next to your old one. Your old phone will show a "Quick Start" screen — tap "Continue". Point your new phone's camera at the animation on the old phone's screen to pair them.

When prompted, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone. Choose whether to transfer your data from iCloud or directly from the old phone — direct transfer is faster if you have a lot of data. The two phones will stay close together while data transfers, which can take 30 minutes to an hour.

Quick Start is the fastest method if both phones work and you're standing in front of them. It's also the most straightforward because you don't have to remember passwords or navigate menus. The downside is that it requires both phones to be present and in working order.

What transfers and what doesn't

All three methods transfer your photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, and app data. Your home screen layout, wallpaper, and system settings also transfer. However, apps themselves do not transfer — instead, your new phone will automatically download them from the App Store in the background. This means you need an internet connection after the transfer is complete.

Some apps may not restore their data if you haven't used them in a long time or if the developer has removed them from the App Store. Banking apps, authenticator apps, and apps that store passwords often require you to sign in again for security reasons, even though the app data transferred. Check your most-used apps after the transfer to make sure they're working correctly.

Troubleshooting a stuck or slow transfer

If your transfer is taking longer than expected, check your internet connection. iCloud and app downloads require a strong, stable connection — if you're on weak Wi-Fi, move closer to your router or switch to a wired connection on your computer. Restart both phones if the transfer stalls completely: turn them off, wait 10 seconds, and turn them back on.

If you're using a computer and the backup won't start, try unplugging the USB cable, waiting 30 seconds, and plugging it back in. Make sure your computer's operating system is up to date — an old version of macOS or Windows can cause compatibility problems. If you're still stuck, try iCloud instead, which doesn't depend on a USB connection.

Transferring data if your old phone won't turn on

If your old iPhone is dead or won't power on, you cannot use Quick Start or a computer backup. Your only option is iCloud, but only if you remember your Apple ID password and you previously turned on iCloud Backup on that phone. On your new iPhone, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" during setup and sign in with the same Apple ID.

If you don't remember your Apple ID password, you can reset it through the Apple ID website before setting up your new phone. If you never turned on iCloud Backup on your old phone, your data is not backed up anywhere and cannot be recovered. This is why turning on iCloud Backup as soon as you get a new phone is important — it protects you if your phone is lost, stolen, or damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to erase my old iPhone after transferring data?

No, but it's a good idea for privacy. If you're selling or giving away your old phone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes everything and prevents someone else from accessing your data. If you're keeping it as a backup, you can leave it as is.

Will my text messages and iMessage conversations transfer?

Yes, all three transfer methods move your entire message history, including iMessages, SMS texts, and group chats. However, very old messages may not transfer if you've deleted them or if they've been archived. Messages stored in the cloud (iCloud+) transfer automatically.

What if I want to transfer only some of my data, not everything?

A computer backup gives you the most control — you can choose to back up only photos, contacts, or other specific types of data. iCloud and Quick Start transfer everything. If you want to move only a few things like photos or contacts, you can also use the Photos app or Contacts app to sync specific items through iCloud after the main transfer is done.

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 Apple's "Move to iOS" app on the Android phone, which transfers photos, contacts, messages, and some app data. Some data like notes and reminders may need to be moved manually or through third-party apps.

How much storage space do I need on my new iPhone?

Your new iPhone needs at least as much free storage as the total amount of data you're transferring. If your old phone has 64 GB of data and your new phone has 128 GB of storage, you need at least 64 GB free. Check your storage before you start: on your old phone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see the total.