The fastest way to move your data is to use iCloud or a direct device-to-device transfer

You have three main paths to move your photos, messages, apps, settings, and passwords to a new iPhone. The quickest is direct transfer, which moves data straight from your old phone to your new one while they sit next to each other — it takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much you have. The second is iCloud backup, which uploads everything to Apple's servers from your old phone, then downloads it to your new one — this works even if your old phone is broken or you're doing the transfer days later. The third is a computer backup using a Mac or Windows PC, which is slower but gives you a copy you can keep.

Direct transfer works only if your old iPhone still turns on and you have both phones in the same room. iCloud backup works from anywhere and at any time, but requires an active iCloud account and enough storage space. A computer backup is the most reliable if you want a permanent local copy, but it requires a cable and takes the longest.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct device-to-device transfer is the fastest method and requires only that both phones are powered on and near each other.
  • iCloud backup works even if your old phone is damaged or unavailable, as long as you backed it up before the problem happened.
  • You need enough iCloud storage for a backup — most people get 5 GB free, and larger backups may require a paid plan.
  • Apps and app data transfer automatically, but some apps (especially banking or security apps) may require you to log in again on the new phone.
  • Your phone number and carrier settings do not transfer; your new phone will use whatever SIM card or plan you put in it.

How to do a direct device-to-device transfer

Turn on your new iPhone and hold it next to your old one. Your old phone will detect the new one and show a prompt asking if you want to transfer data. Tap "Continue" on the old phone, then hold it up to your new phone's camera so they can communicate. You'll be asked to enter your Apple ID password on the new phone — use the same Apple ID you use on your old phone.

The transfer will begin immediately. Your new phone will download your apps, photos, messages, contacts, calendar events, and settings. Do not unplug either phone or move them far apart during this process. Depending on how much data you have, this can take 30 minutes to several hours. Once it finishes, your new phone will restart and be ready to use.

If your old phone won't turn on or you can't use direct transfer for any reason, skip to the iCloud method instead.

How to restore from an iCloud backup

On your old iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap "iCloud." Scroll down and tap "iCloud Backup." Make sure the toggle is on (it will be blue), then tap "Back Up Now." Your phone will upload everything to iCloud — this can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed and how much data you have. You'll see a progress bar. Wait until it says "Back up completed."

On your new iPhone, turn it on and follow the setup screens. When you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, tap "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with your Apple ID, then choose the backup you just created (it will show today's date). Your new phone will download everything from iCloud and restart when it's done.

If you don't have enough free iCloud storage, you'll see a message saying the backup is too large. Apple gives you 5 GB free; anything beyond that requires a paid plan. You can check how much storage you're using in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. If you need more space temporarily, you can buy extra storage for one month, complete the backup and transfer, then downgrade back to the free plan.

How to back up and restore using a computer

Connect your old iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC using a USB cable. Open Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows). Click your phone's name in the sidebar, then click "Back Up Now." Your computer will create a full backup file that includes everything on your phone. This takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

Once the backup is complete, disconnect your old phone and connect your new one. In Finder or iTunes, click your new phone's name, then click "Restore Backup." Choose the backup file you just created, then click "Restore." Your new phone will restart and download everything from that backup file.

A computer backup is useful if you want to keep a permanent copy of your phone's data on your computer, separate from iCloud. It's also the most reliable method if you're concerned about losing data, because the backup file sits on your computer where you control it.

What transfers and what doesn't

Photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendar events, reminders, notes, voice memos, and most settings transfer with any method. Your apps transfer too, but some apps (especially banking, email, and security apps) will ask you to log in again on the new phone — this is normal and a security feature. Saved passwords and Wi-Fi networks transfer if you use iCloud Keychain, which is on by default.

Your phone number, carrier plan, and SIM card do not transfer. Your new phone will use whatever SIM card you put in it or whatever carrier plan you set up. If you're switching carriers, contact your new carrier before you transfer your data — they'll help you move your phone number. If you're keeping the same carrier, your new phone will automatically connect to your account once you insert the SIM card or activate it on your carrier's network.

Some older apps may not transfer if they're no longer available in the App Store. If an app doesn't appear on your new phone after the transfer, you can search for it in the App Store and download it manually. Your data for that app may or may not be there, depending on whether the app developer stored it in iCloud.

Troubleshooting a stuck or slow transfer

If a direct device-to-device transfer stalls or gets stuck, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and have good signal. If it keeps failing, use iCloud backup instead — it's more reliable if your internet connection is unstable.

If an iCloud backup is taking too long, check your internet speed. A slow connection can make the backup take several hours. You can also try backing up over a faster Wi-Fi network, like at a coffee shop or library. If you're running out of iCloud storage, delete old backups from Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, then try backing up again.

If your new phone says "Backup could not be restored," make sure you're using the same Apple ID on both phones. If you're using a different Apple ID on the new phone, you'll need to start over with that Apple ID or use a computer backup instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?

If it won't turn on, you can't use direct transfer. If you backed it up to iCloud before it broke, you can restore from that backup on your new phone. If you never backed it up, that data is lost. Going forward, turn on iCloud Backup in Settings so your phone backs up automatically every night when it's plugged in and on Wi-Fi.

Do I need to erase my old phone after transferring?

No, but you should. Before you sell, trade in, or recycle your old phone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes all your personal data so the next person can't access it. If you're keeping the old phone, you can leave it as is or erase it if you want a fresh start.

Will my text messages transfer?

Yes, all your text messages (SMS, iMessage, and group chats) transfer with any method. If you use iMessage, make sure you're signed into the same Apple ID on your new phone so your messages sync properly.

What if I'm switching from Android to iPhone?

The methods described here work only for iPhone-to-iPhone transfers. To move data from Android, use Apple's "Move to iOS" app on your Android phone, which transfers photos, contacts, messages, and some app data. Some Android data (like text message threads) may not transfer perfectly, and you'll need to download your apps again from the App Store.

Can I transfer to multiple new iPhones?

You can restore the same iCloud backup to multiple phones, but they'll all have identical data. If you want each phone to be separate, restore the backup to the first phone, then set up the others as new phones without restoring a backup.