The fastest way to move everything to a new iPhone
The quickest method is Quick Start, Apple's built-in tool that transfers your apps, photos, messages, settings, and passwords in one go. Turn on your new iPhone, hold it next to your old one, and follow the on-screen prompts. Both phones need to be unlocked and within a few inches of each other. The transfer happens over a secure connection and usually takes 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on how much data you have.
If Quick Start doesn't work — because your old phone is broken, too far away, or running an older iOS version — you have two backup options: restoring from an iCloud backup or restoring from a computer backup. Both methods move your data to the new phone, but they work differently and take different amounts of time.
Key Takeaways
- Quick Start is the easiest method if both phones work and you're in the same room — it transfers everything wirelessly without needing a computer or backup file.
- iCloud backup works if your old phone is broken or unavailable, as long as you backed up to iCloud before the problem happened.
- Computer backup (using a Mac or Windows PC) is the most reliable option if you want to keep a copy of your data on your computer as well.
- You need your Apple ID password and, if your old phone had a passcode, you'll need that too to complete any transfer method.
- Transferring data does not move your phone number or carrier account — you handle that separately with your wireless provider.
Using Quick Start for a wireless transfer
Quick Start is the method most people should use because it's the fastest and requires nothing but the two phones. Power on your new iPhone and place it next to your old one. Your old phone will detect the new one and show a setup screen. Look at the animation on the new phone's screen, then hold your old phone above it and center the animation in the viewfinder. This confirms you're transferring to the right device.
After the animation scans, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone. The old phone will then transfer your data over a secure wireless connection. You can set up Face ID or Touch ID on the new phone while the transfer happens in the background. The process typically takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on your data size and internet speed. Keep both phones plugged in and close to each other until it finishes.
Quick Start transfers apps, app data, photos, messages, contacts, calendar events, mail accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, and most settings. It does not transfer your SIM card information or carrier account — your wireless provider handles that separately. If you have a physical SIM card in your old phone, you'll need to move it to the new phone or contact your carrier to activate an eSIM on the new device.
Restoring from an iCloud backup when the old phone isn't available
If your old iPhone is broken, lost, or too old to use Quick Start, you can restore from an iCloud backup instead. This works only if you backed up to iCloud before the problem happened. During setup on your new iPhone, you'll see a screen that says "Apps & Data." Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup," then sign in with your Apple ID and select which backup to restore. The phone will download your data from iCloud and set everything up.
Restoring from iCloud takes longer than Quick Start because it downloads data over the internet rather than transferring it directly. A large backup might take several hours. Your new phone needs a strong Wi-Fi connection and should stay plugged in. Once the restore finishes, your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings will be on the new phone.
The catch is that iCloud backups are only as recent as your last backup. If you didn't back up your old phone in the days before it broke, you'll lose recent photos, messages, or other data. You can check when your old phone last backed up by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup on any device where you're signed in with that Apple ID.
Using a computer backup for the most control
If you have a Mac or Windows PC, you can back up your old iPhone using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), then restore that backup to your new phone. Connect your old iPhone to the computer, open Finder or iTunes, and click "Back Up Now." The computer creates an encrypted backup file on your hard drive. This method is slower than Quick Start but gives you a copy of your data stored locally on your computer.
To restore to your new iPhone, connect it to the same computer, open Finder or iTunes, and choose "Restore from Backup." Select the backup file you just created, enter your backup password if you set one, and the computer will transfer everything to the new phone. This process can take an hour or more depending on your data size and how fast your computer and USB connection are.
A computer backup is useful if you want to keep a permanent copy of your phone's data on your computer, or if you don't have reliable internet for an iCloud restore. It's also the most reliable method if you're transferring between very old and very new iPhone models, because it doesn't depend on both phones being able to communicate with each other.
What data transfers and what doesn't
All three methods — Quick Start, iCloud, and computer backup — transfer the same core data: your apps, app data, photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendar events, mail accounts, notes, reminders, and most settings. They also transfer your saved Wi-Fi passwords and your Apple ID sign-in information.
What does not transfer: your phone number, your carrier account, your SIM card, your voicemail greeting, and any data stored only on your carrier's servers. You handle these separately by contacting your wireless provider. They can move your number to the new phone or set up an eSIM. Some apps that use biometric security (like banking apps) may require you to sign in again on the new phone for security reasons, even though your login information transferred.
Troubleshooting when a transfer gets stuck
If Quick Start stalls or fails, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network and have good signal. If the old phone's screen keeps going dark, adjust its auto-lock setting to "Never" before starting the transfer again.
If an iCloud restore fails partway through, check your internet connection and make sure you have enough storage space on the new phone. You can see how much space the backup needs before you start the restore. If the backup is larger than your new phone's storage, you may need to delete some data from the backup before restoring, or restore only specific apps and data instead of everything.
If a computer backup won't restore, make sure you're using the same Apple ID on the new phone that you used to create the backup. Also check that your backup file isn't corrupted by trying to back up the old phone again to a new file, then restoring from that new file instead.
Moving data selectively if you don't want everything
If you don't want to transfer everything — for example, if you're selling your old phone and want to start fresh — you can restore the new iPhone as a new device instead of from a backup. During setup, choose "Don't Transfer Apps & Data" or "Set Up as New iPhone." You can then manually download the apps you want from the App Store and sign into your accounts one by one.
You can also restore from a backup and then delete specific apps or data afterward. This is useful if the backup includes old apps you no longer use or photos you don't need on the new phone. Deleting data after the transfer doesn't affect your backup file, so you can always restore it again later if you change your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Wi-Fi to transfer data between iPhones?
Quick Start uses a direct connection between the two phones and doesn't require Wi-Fi, though both phones need cellular signal or Wi-Fi to download apps and media during the transfer. iCloud and computer backups require Wi-Fi or a wired connection to work.
Can I transfer data if my old iPhone won't turn on?
If your old phone won't power on, you can't use Quick Start or a computer backup. Your only option is iCloud restore, which works only if you backed up to iCloud before the phone stopped working. If you never backed up, the data on that phone is not recoverable through these methods.
How long does it take to transfer everything?
Quick Start usually takes 30 minutes to a few hours. iCloud restore takes longer — often several hours for a large backup — because it downloads over the internet. Computer backup speed depends on your USB connection and hard drive speed, typically one to three hours.
Will my text messages and photos transfer?
Yes, all three methods transfer your text messages, iMessages, photos, and videos. They transfer everything stored in your iPhone's storage and synced to your Apple ID, with the exception of data stored only on your carrier's servers (like some voicemail).
What if I forget my Apple ID password during the transfer?
You'll need your Apple ID password to complete any transfer method. If you don't remember it, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and reset it before starting the transfer. You can't proceed without it.