The fastest way to move everything to a new iPhone

The quickest method is Quick Start, Apple's built-in transfer tool. Turn on your new iPhone next to your old one, hold them close together, and follow the on-screen prompts on both devices. Your new phone will scan a code from the old one and begin copying your data — apps, photos, messages, settings, passwords, and more — over Wi-Fi. This takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have, and you need both phones powered on and nearby during the process.

If Quick Start doesn't work or you prefer a different method, you have two other solid options: restoring from an iCloud backup (if you've backed up before) or using a Mac or Windows computer with Finder or iTunes. Each route gets you to the same place, but the path differs based on what you have available and how much time you want to spend.

Key Takeaways

  • Quick Start transfers everything wirelessly between two iPhones in one session and is the fastest option for most people.
  • An iCloud backup restore works if you've already backed up your old phone and have Wi-Fi on your new one, but takes longer than Quick Start.
  • A computer transfer via Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) gives you the most control and works even if your old phone is damaged.
  • You need your Apple ID password and, if your old phone has Face ID or Touch ID, you'll need to authenticate the transfer on that device.
  • After transfer, check that your photos, messages, and apps arrived correctly — a few apps sometimes need to be reinstalled manually.

Quick Start: The easiest path for most people

Quick Start is designed to move everything in one go. Power on your new iPhone and place it next to your old one. Your old iPhone will detect the new one and show a setup screen. Look at the animation on the new phone's screen with your old phone's camera — this is how they authenticate each other. Then enter your Apple ID password on the new phone to begin the transfer.

During this process, your new iPhone downloads your apps from the App Store, restores your photos and videos, and syncs your messages, contacts, calendar, and settings. Keep both phones plugged in or with good battery, and stay on the same Wi-Fi network. The transfer can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Once it finishes, your new phone will restart and you're done — no computer needed.

Quick Start works best if your old iPhone is still working. If the screen is cracked or the device won't power on, use an iCloud backup or computer transfer instead.

Restoring from an iCloud backup

This method works if you've previously backed up your old iPhone to iCloud. 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. Your new phone will download everything from that backup over Wi-Fi.

The downside is speed — iCloud restores are slower than Quick Start, especially if you have a lot of data. The upside is flexibility: you don't need your old phone present, and you can restore an old backup even weeks or months after you stopped using that device. This is useful if your old phone is lost, broken, or already sold.

Before you start, make sure your old iPhone has a recent backup. On the old phone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now." Wait for it to finish, then proceed with the restore on your new phone.

Transferring via a Mac or Windows computer

If you have a Mac with macOS Monterey or newer, connect your old iPhone with a USB cable, open Finder, and click your phone's name in the sidebar. Click "General," then "Transfer or Reset." Choose "Transfer" and follow the prompts. Your Mac will create an encrypted backup of your old phone and restore it to your new one.

On Windows, the process is similar but uses iTunes instead. Connect your old iPhone, open iTunes, click the device icon, select "Summary," and click "Back Up Now." Once that finishes, connect your new iPhone, click its icon, and choose "Restore Backup." Select the backup you just created and let iTunes restore it.

This method gives you the most control and works even if your old phone has hardware damage, as long as it still powers on and connects to the computer. It's also faster than iCloud for large amounts of data, since the transfer happens over USB rather than over the internet.

What gets transferred and what doesn't

All three methods transfer the same core items: your photos and videos, messages and call history, contacts, calendar events, reminders, notes, health data, home automation settings, and your Apple ID login. Your apps download from the App Store, so you'll have the same apps installed, though some may need to be set up again (like banking apps or social media accounts).

A few things do not transfer: your old phone's activation lock settings (the new phone gets its own), any data stored only on your SIM card, and some app-specific data if the app developer doesn't use iCloud sync. Passwords and payment methods stored in your keychain do transfer, but you may need to re-enter passwords for some accounts the first time you use them.

After the transfer completes, spend 10 minutes checking that your most important apps and photos are there. If an app didn't transfer, you can download it again from the App Store for free if you originally bought it.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed transfer

If Quick Start stalls, make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and have good signal. Move them closer together and try again. If one phone loses power during transfer, plug it in and restart the process — you won't lose data, but you'll have to start over.

If an iCloud restore fails partway through, check your internet connection and make sure you have enough storage space on your new phone. You can also try signing out of iCloud on the new phone, restarting it, and starting the restore again.

If a computer transfer won't start, try a different USB cable and a different USB port on your computer. On Mac, make sure Finder is up to date. On Windows, make sure iTunes is the latest version. If your old phone shows a "Trust This Computer" prompt, tap "Trust" before proceeding.

Transferring specific data manually

If you only need to move a few things rather than everything, you can transfer them individually. Photos sync through iCloud Photos if you turn it on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos. Messages sync through iCloud if you enable it in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages. Contacts and calendar sync through your Apple ID or through a Gmail account if you use one.

For data from third-party apps like banking or social media, most apps let you sign in with your existing account on the new phone, and your data will appear once you log in. Some apps store data only locally on the phone and won't transfer — in those cases, check the app's settings to see if there's an export or backup option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need Wi-Fi to transfer between iPhones?

Quick Start and iCloud restores both need Wi-Fi. A computer transfer uses a USB cable instead, so you don't need Wi-Fi for that method. All three methods need internet access at some point to download apps and verify your Apple ID.

Can I use my old iPhone while the transfer is happening?

During Quick Start, both phones are busy and you shouldn't use them. Once Quick Start finishes, your old phone is free to use again. For iCloud restores and computer transfers, your old phone can be used normally — only the new phone is tied up during the restore.

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

You'll need it to complete any transfer method. Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device, enter your Apple ID email, and follow the steps to reset your password. You can also use your phone number if you've set up two-factor authentication.

Will my text messages transfer if I use a different phone number?

Yes. Messages are tied to your Apple ID and iCloud account, not your phone number. They'll transfer to your new phone regardless of whether you keep the same number or switch to a new one.

How long does a transfer usually take?

Quick Start typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. iCloud restores can take 1 to 4 hours depending on your internet speed and how much data you have. Computer transfers are usually faster, often 30 minutes to 1 hour. Larger phones with more photos and apps take longer in all cases.