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

When you set up a new iPhone, Apple gives you two main paths: iCloud (which backs up your data to Apple's servers and restores it to the new phone) or direct transfer (which moves data straight from your old phone to your new one over Wi-Fi). Direct transfer is usually faster if both phones are in front of you. iCloud is better if you're setting up the new phone days or weeks later, or if your old phone is damaged.

Both methods transfer your apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and passwords. The choice mostly comes down to timing and whether you have your old phone available right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct transfer (phone-to-phone) takes 30 minutes to a few hours and requires both phones, a Wi-Fi connection, and enough battery on both devices.
  • iCloud transfer works even if your old phone is gone, but requires you to have backed up your data before and takes time to download everything on the new phone.
  • Apps download automatically during setup if you sign in with the same Apple ID, but large apps may take hours depending on your internet speed.
  • Text messages, photos, and call history transfer with either method, but only if they were backed up or synced to iCloud on your old phone.
  • You can start using your new phone immediately while apps and data are still downloading in the background.

Direct transfer from phone to phone

This method moves data straight from your old iPhone to your new one. Hold your old phone next to your new phone. Turn on the new phone and follow the setup screens until you see "Quick Start." Your old phone will show a prompt to help set up the new device. Tap "Continue" on the old phone, then hold it above the new phone's camera until a viewfinder appears on the old phone. This pairs the two devices.

After pairing, the new phone asks you to enter your Apple ID password. Once you do, it begins downloading your data from iCloud and transferring information directly from the old phone. This includes your home screen layout, accessibility settings, Face ID or Touch ID setup, and payment methods. The transfer can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed.

Keep both phones plugged in and near each other during this process. Do not use either phone until the transfer finishes. Once it's done, your new phone will restart and you can begin using it. Apps will continue downloading in the background.

Using iCloud to restore your data

If your old phone is no longer available or you're setting up your new phone much later, use an iCloud backup. First, make sure your old phone backed up to iCloud. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and check that "iCloud Backup" is turned on. If it is, your data was backed up the last time your old phone was plugged in, locked, and on Wi-Fi.

On your new iPhone, go through setup until you reach "Apps & Data." Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and sign in with your Apple ID. Select the backup from your old phone (it will show the device name and date). The new phone downloads your photos, messages, contacts, calendars, reminders, and app data. This can take several hours if you have a lot of data.

Your apps do not download automatically with iCloud restore. Instead, the App Store queues them to download once setup is complete. You can manually download apps sooner by opening the App Store and going to your profile, then tapping "Purchased" to find and download them. Apps will install in the background while you use your phone.

What transfers and what does not

Photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendars, reminders, notes, and voice memos all transfer if they were backed up to iCloud or synced to your Apple ID. Your home screen layout, wallpaper, accessibility settings, and Wi-Fi passwords transfer too. Payment methods and Apple Pay cards transfer if they were saved to your Apple ID.

Some things do not transfer: apps you sideloaded (installed outside the App Store), banking apps that require re-authentication, and some third-party apps that store data locally rather than in iCloud. You will need to sign back into these apps manually on your new phone. Text messages transfer only if iCloud+ is turned on or if you use direct transfer. iMessage and FaceTime settings transfer automatically.

Voicemails do not transfer unless your carrier backs them up. Contact your carrier to see if they offer voicemail backup. Health data and activity rings transfer if you have an Apple Watch paired with your old phone — the watch will automatically pair with your new phone during setup.

Troubleshooting a slow or stuck transfer

If your transfer stalls, check your Wi-Fi connection. Move both phones closer to your router or restart your Wi-Fi by turning it off and back on in Settings. If the transfer is taking longer than expected, it is usually because your internet is slow or you have a very large amount of data. Transfers of 100 GB or more can take many hours.

If direct transfer fails partway through, you can start over. Restart both phones and begin Quick Start again. Your new phone will not lose what it already downloaded. If iCloud restore fails, restart your new phone and try again from "Apps & Data." You can also erase the new phone and start setup from scratch if nothing else works — go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

If you see an error about your Apple ID, make sure you are using the correct password. If you forgot your password, use another device to reset it at iforgot.apple.com before trying the transfer again. Two-factor authentication can also block transfers if you do not approve the sign-in on your old phone — check your old phone for a prompt asking you to allow the new device.

Transferring data after setup is complete

If you already set up your new phone without transferring data, you can still add information later. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to wipe the phone, then set it up again and choose to restore from iCloud or use Quick Start. This erases everything on the new phone and starts fresh, so only do this if you have not added important data to the new phone yet.

Alternatively, you can manually transfer specific items. Photos sync automatically if you turn on iCloud Photos in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos. Messages sync if you turn on iCloud Messages in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages. Contacts, calendars, and reminders sync if you are signed into the same iCloud account. This method is slower than a full transfer but works if you only need certain data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?

Yes, if your old phone backed up to iCloud before it broke. Set up your new phone and choose "Restore from iCloud Backup." If your old phone never backed up, you cannot recover that data. Going forward, turn on iCloud Backup in Settings so your data is saved even if your phone is lost or damaged.

Do I need to use the same Apple ID on both phones?

Yes. Direct transfer and iCloud restore both require signing in with the same Apple ID. If you want to use a different Apple ID on your new phone, you can change it after setup is complete, but you will lose access to iCloud data tied to the old ID.

Will my text messages transfer?

Text messages transfer with direct transfer or iCloud restore only if iCloud Messages is turned on. If it is not, only your most recent messages may transfer. To turn it on, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages on both phones before transferring.

How long does it take for apps to download after transfer?

Apps download in the background after setup. Small apps take minutes, but large apps like games or video editors can take 30 minutes to an hour each, depending on your internet speed. You can use your phone while apps download. Manually downloading apps from the App Store speeds up the process.

What if I want to keep my old phone and use both at the same time?

You can use both phones with the same Apple ID, but iCloud will sync changes across both devices. If you edit a contact on one phone, it updates on the other. To avoid confusion, consider using a different Apple ID on one of the phones, or turn off iCloud sync for specific apps in Settings on one device.