Use iCloud to back up your old phone, then restore to your new one

The fastest way to move all your data from one iPhone to another is to back up your old phone to iCloud, then restore that backup on your new phone. This copies your apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and passwords in one process. You need an Apple ID, an active iCloud account with enough storage space, and a Wi-Fi connection on both phones.

The whole process takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Most of the time your new phone is just sitting there waiting — you do not have to do anything while the transfer happens.

Key Takeaways

  • Back up your old iPhone to iCloud by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now.
  • During setup of your new iPhone, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and sign in with the same Apple ID you used on the old phone.
  • iCloud backs up most things automatically, but photos in your camera roll only transfer if you have iCloud Photos turned on.
  • Free iCloud storage is 5 GB, which may not be enough if you have many photos or apps — you can buy more storage or delete old backups first.
  • The transfer works over Wi-Fi only, so stay connected to the same network until the restore finishes completely.

Back up your old iPhone before you do anything else

Open Settings on your old iPhone. Tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. Toggle the switch to turn it on if it is not already on — the switch will be green when it is active.

Tap Back Up Now. Your phone will start uploading your data to iCloud. You will see a progress bar. Do not unplug your phone or turn off Wi-Fi until it says "Back up completed" at the top of the screen. This can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

If you see a message that says your iCloud storage is full, you have two choices: buy more iCloud storage (which costs money), or delete old backups you no longer need. To delete old backups, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, then tap the backup you want to remove and tap Delete Backup.

Set up your new iPhone and choose restore from backup

Turn on your new iPhone. Follow the on-screen prompts until you reach the screen that says "Apps & Data." Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone.

Choose the backup you just created from the list. If you have multiple backups, the most recent one will be at the top. Tap it to start the restore. Your new phone will download all your data from iCloud — this is the longest part of the process and can take 30 minutes to several hours.

Keep your new phone plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi the entire time. Do not try to use the phone or switch networks. When the restore finishes, your new phone will restart and you will see your old phone's home screen, apps, and settings.

What gets transferred and what does not

iCloud backup copies your apps, app data, messages, contacts, calendars, reminders, notes, health data, home screen layout, and system settings. It also copies your passwords and Wi-Fi networks, so you do not have to re-enter them on the new phone.

Photos and videos in your camera roll only transfer if you have iCloud Photos turned on. If you use iCloud Photos, all your photos sync automatically and will appear on your new phone. If you do not have iCloud Photos on, your camera roll will not be in the backup.

Some things never transfer through iCloud backup: your SIM card information, Apple Pay cards (you have to add them again), and any data from apps that do not support iCloud backup. Most major apps do support it, but some older or less common apps may not. You can re-download those apps from the App Store on your new phone and they will usually remember your login.

Check your storage space before you start

Free iCloud storage is 5 GB. If you have a lot of photos, videos, or apps, your backup might be larger than that. Before you back up, check how much space your backup will take.

On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Tap the backup labeled with your phone's name. At the bottom you will see the total size. If it is larger than 5 GB and you do not want to pay for more storage, you can delete old backups or turn off backup for apps you do not need to restore.

If you decide to buy more iCloud storage, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan. Apple offers 50 GB, 200 GB, and 2 TB plans. The extra storage costs money per month, but you can cancel anytime.

Troubleshoot if the backup or restore gets stuck

If your backup is taking longer than expected, make sure you are still connected to Wi-Fi and your phone is plugged in. A weak Wi-Fi signal or a dropped connection will pause the backup. Move closer to your router or restart your Wi-Fi.

If the restore on your new phone gets stuck, force restart it by quickly pressing and releasing the Volume Up button, then quickly pressing and releasing the Volume Down button, then pressing and holding the Side button until you see the Apple logo. This usually takes about 10 seconds. Your new phone will restart and the restore will continue from where it left off.

If you see an error message during backup or restore, write down the exact error code and restart both phones. Then try the backup or restore again. If the same error appears twice, your iCloud account or internet connection may have a problem — try using a different Wi-Fi network or contact Apple Support.

Alternative: Transfer data without a backup if iCloud is full

If your iCloud storage is full and you do not want to buy more, you can transfer data directly from your old phone to your new phone using Wi-Fi without creating a backup. During setup of your new iPhone, choose "Transfer Directly from iPhone" instead of "Restore from iCloud Backup." Hold your old phone next to your new phone and follow the prompts.

This method transfers most of the same data as an iCloud backup, but it is slower because the phones are talking to each other directly instead of using iCloud's servers. It also requires both phones to be close together and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your old phone's battery dies during the transfer, you will have to start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use iCloud backup if I do not have Wi-Fi at home?

You can back up over cellular data, but it is much slower and may use a lot of your monthly data. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and toggle "Back Up Over Cellular" on. Most people should stick with Wi-Fi backups because they are faster and do not eat into your phone plan.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

You cannot restore from an iCloud backup without signing in with your Apple ID. Go to iforgot.apple.com to reset your password before you set up your new phone. You will need access to your recovery email or phone number. If you cannot recover your account, you will have to set up your new phone without a backup and manually add your data back.

Will my text messages transfer through iCloud backup?

Yes, if you have iCloud Messages turned on. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on your old phone and make sure the toggle next to Messages is green. If it is off, your text messages will not be in the backup. You can turn it on, wait for the messages to sync to iCloud, then back up again.

How long does a restore from iCloud backup usually take?

Most restores take 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. A backup that is 10 GB or smaller usually finishes in under an hour. Larger backups or slower Wi-Fi connections can take several hours. Your phone will show a progress bar so you can see how much is left.

Can I use my new iPhone while it is restoring from iCloud?

No. Your new phone needs to stay connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in until the restore finishes completely. If you try to use the phone or switch networks, the restore will pause or fail. Wait until you see the home screen and all your apps appear before you start using the phone.