The fastest way to move everything to a new iPhone

The quickest method is Quick Start, Apple's built-in tool that copies your entire phone during setup. Hold your new iPhone next to your old one, follow the on-screen prompts, and everything transfers over Wi-Fi — apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and more. The process takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. You do not need a computer, and you do not need to know your Apple ID password beforehand (though you will need it to verify your identity partway through).

If Quick Start does not work — your old phone is too old, or you do not have both phones at the same time — you have two backup routes: iCloud or a computer. Both restore from a backup file you created earlier, so the choice depends on whether you already have one and which method feels simpler to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Quick Start transfers everything wirelessly during setup and is the fastest option if you have both phones together.
  • iCloud backup works if you have an older iPhone or cannot use Quick Start, but requires enough storage space and a strong Wi-Fi connection.
  • A computer backup via a Mac or Windows PC gives you a copy stored locally and works even if iCloud storage is full.
  • Messages, photos, and app data only transfer if they were backed up before you started; new data created after backup begins will not move over.
  • Your new iPhone must be erased and set up as new for any transfer method to work — you cannot merge data into an already-configured phone.

Using Quick Start to transfer everything at once

Quick Start is the method to use if you have both iPhones in hand. Turn 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. Point your old iPhone's camera at the animation on the new phone's screen to pair them. Your old phone then sends your Apple ID, settings, and a list of what to transfer to the new phone.

You will be asked to enter your old phone's passcode on the new phone, then your Apple ID password. After that, the new iPhone downloads your apps, photos, messages, and settings over Wi-Fi. Do not unplug either phone or move out of range during this time. The transfer can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on your data size and Wi-Fi speed. Once it finishes, your new phone is ready to use with everything from your old one.

Quick Start works between any two iPhones running iOS 12.4 or later. If your old phone is very old or runs an older iOS version, you will need to use iCloud or a computer instead.

Transferring via iCloud if you do not have both phones

iCloud backup is useful if your old iPhone is not available, or if you want to set up your new phone at a different time. First, make sure your old iPhone has a recent backup in iCloud. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now". This creates a snapshot of your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings stored in your iCloud account. The backup size depends on your data; if you have a lot of photos or videos, it may take a while.

When you set up your new iPhone, you will see a screen asking how you want to restore. Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and sign in with your Apple ID. Select the backup you just created, and your new phone will download everything from it. This process requires a strong Wi-Fi connection and enough iCloud storage space. If your backup is larger than your available iCloud storage (you get 5 GB free, then must pay for more), the restore will fail partway through.

One limitation: iCloud backup only includes data that was on your phone when the backup ran. If you created new messages, took new photos, or installed new apps after backing up, those will not be on your new phone. For this reason, create your backup as close to setup time as possible.

Using a Mac or Windows PC to back up and restore

A computer backup gives you a local copy of your data that does not count against your iCloud storage. Connect your old iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your phone in the sidebar, then click "Back Up Now". On Windows, open iTunes, select your phone, and click "Back Up Now". The backup file stores everything — apps, photos, messages, settings — on your computer's hard drive.

When you are ready to set up your new iPhone, connect it to the same computer. During setup, choose "Restore from Backup" and select the backup file you created. Your new phone will download everything from that file. This method works even if your iCloud storage is full, and it is often faster than iCloud if you have a fast USB connection.

The trade-off is that you need a computer and a USB cable, and you need to remember where you saved the backup. If you lose the computer or the hard drive fails, you lose that backup. iCloud backups stay in your account as long as you keep paying for storage, so they are more permanent.

What transfers and what does not

All three methods — Quick Start, iCloud, and computer backup — transfer the same types of data: your apps and their settings, photos and videos, messages and call history, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, and your home screen layout. Your Apple ID, Wi-Fi passwords, and payment methods also transfer.

Some things do not transfer no matter which method you use. Passwords stored in your keychain will not move over (you will need to re-enter them the first time you use each app or website). Text message attachments sometimes fail to transfer if they are very old. Apps that are no longer in the App Store cannot be restored and will need to be downloaded again if they become available. Banking apps and some security apps may require you to log in again for safety reasons.

Data created after your backup started will not be on your new phone. If you back up on Monday and then take photos on Tuesday before setting up your new phone, those Tuesday photos will not transfer. For this reason, back up as close to setup time as you can, and avoid using your old phone between backup and transfer.

Troubleshooting when transfer fails or stalls

If Quick Start gets stuck, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the network is stable. If your Wi-Fi keeps dropping, move closer to the router or use a wired connection on your computer if you are using a computer backup instead.

If an iCloud restore fails partway through, check how much iCloud storage you have left. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage and see the total used. If you are over your limit, delete old backups or buy more storage, then start the restore again. You may need to erase your new phone and start setup over.

If a computer backup is slow or stalls, try a different USB cable or USB port. Some cables are data-only and do not charge; make sure you are using one that transfers data. Restart both the phone and the computer, then try again. If the computer backup file is corrupted, you will need to create a new backup and restore from that instead.

Transferring specific data types manually if automatic transfer fails

If you cannot use any of the three main methods, you can move some data manually. Photos can be uploaded to iCloud Photos, Google Photos, or another cloud service on your old phone, then downloaded on your new phone. Messages can be forwarded or screenshot. Contacts can be exported as a file and imported on the new phone. This is slower and more error-prone than automatic transfer, but it works if nothing else does.

For apps, you will need to download them again from the App Store on your new phone. Your app data (saved games, settings, login info) will not transfer unless the app developer stores it in the cloud. Some apps like games and productivity tools do this automatically; others do not. Check each app's settings on your old phone to see if it offers cloud sync, and enable it before you switch phones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data to an iPhone that already has data on it?

No. Your new iPhone must be erased and set up as new for any transfer method to work. You cannot merge data into a phone that is already configured. If your new phone already has data, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then start setup over.

How long does Quick Start take?

Quick Start usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, but can take several hours if you have a lot of data or a slow Wi-Fi connection. Do not interrupt it or move out of range. The time depends on your data size and network speed, not on the iPhone models themselves.

What if I do not have my Apple ID password?

You will need it during Quick Start or iCloud restore to verify your identity. If you forgot it, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and reset it before you start the transfer. You can also use your phone number or recovery key if you set those up in your Apple ID settings.

Will my text messages transfer if I use iCloud?

Yes, if they were backed up before you started the restore. Messages are included in iCloud backups by default. However, very old messages sometimes fail to transfer if the backup file is large. If some messages are missing after restore, they may not have been in the backup.

Can I transfer data between an iPhone and an Android phone?

Not directly with these methods. Apple's tools only work between iPhones. To move from Android to iPhone, use Google's "Move to iOS" app on your Android phone, which transfers contacts, messages, photos, and some app data. Apps themselves must be downloaded again from the App Store.