The fastest way to transfer everything is iCloud or a direct iPhone-to-iPhone connection

You have three main routes to move your photos, messages, contacts, apps, and settings to a new iPhone: iCloud backup, a direct connection between phones using Quick Start, or a computer backup through a Mac or Windows PC. Quick Start (the direct phone-to-phone method) is the fastest for most people and requires nothing but the two phones and your Apple ID password. iCloud works if you have enough storage space and a stable internet connection. A computer backup is slower but gives you the most control and works even if your old phone is damaged.

The method you choose depends on whether your old phone still works, how much data you have, and whether you want to set up your new phone from scratch or restore everything exactly as it was. All three methods preserve your data — none of them erase anything permanently — so you can try one route and switch to another if it stalls.

Key Takeaways

  • Quick Start transfers data directly from your old iPhone to your new one in 15 to 30 minutes and requires only the two phones and your Apple ID password.
  • iCloud backup works over the internet and is useful if your old phone is broken or far away, but you need enough iCloud storage space (often requires a paid plan) and a strong WiFi connection.
  • A computer backup through a Mac or Windows PC gives you a copy of everything on your computer and is the most reliable method if your old phone is damaged or won't turn on.
  • Your Apple ID password is required for all three methods, and you should have it before you start.
  • Apps and app data transfer automatically with all three methods, but some apps may need to be re-downloaded if they were deleted from the App Store.

Quick Start: transferring directly between iPhones

Quick Start is the built-in method Apple designed for this exact task. Turn on your new iPhone and hold it next to your old iPhone. Your old phone will show a setup screen asking if you want to use Quick Start; tap "Continue" and follow the on-screen prompts. The new phone will display an animation; point your old phone's camera at it to confirm the connection. Then enter your Apple ID password on the new phone.

The transfer begins immediately and runs in the background while you set up Face ID or Touch ID and other settings. Data moves over a direct connection between the phones, so you do not need the internet, though both phones should be plugged in or have strong battery. The process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have. You can use your new phone while the transfer runs, but avoid unplugging either phone or moving them far apart until it finishes.

If Quick Start fails or stalls, force-quit the setup by pressing the power button and volume button together on the new phone, then swipe to power off. Restart both phones and try again. If it fails a second time, switch to iCloud or computer backup instead.

iCloud backup: transferring over the internet

iCloud backup works if your old iPhone is still powered on and connected to WiFi. Open Settings on your old phone, tap your name at the top, then tap "iCloud" and "Backup." Tap "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup to complete — this can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. You will see a timestamp showing when the backup finished.

On your new iPhone, go through the initial setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup," sign in with your Apple ID, and select the backup you just created. The new phone will download your data over WiFi. This process is slower than Quick Start — often 30 minutes to several hours — and requires a strong, stable internet connection. If your WiFi drops, the restore may pause or restart from the beginning.

iCloud backups include everything except some system settings and your Apple ID password (which you enter manually). However, iCloud storage is limited: a free account includes only 5 GB, and most people need a paid plan (50 GB, 200 GB, or 2 TB per month) to back up a full phone. Check how much storage you are using before you start: open Settings, tap your name, tap "iCloud," and look at the storage bar at the top.

Computer backup: using a Mac or Windows PC

Plug your old iPhone into a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your phone's name in the sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes or the Windows Device Recovery Tool. Click "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup to complete. This creates an encrypted copy of your phone on your computer that includes everything: photos, messages, app data, settings, and even your saved WiFi passwords.

To restore to your new iPhone, plug it in to the same computer, open Finder or iTunes, click the new phone's name, and select "Restore from Backup." Choose the backup you just created and enter your Apple ID password. The restore process takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. Unlike iCloud, a computer backup does not require internet and does not count against any storage limit — it just takes up space on your hard drive.

A computer backup is also the only method that works if your old phone will not turn on or is severely damaged. As long as the phone powers on briefly and connects to the computer, you can back it up. This makes it the safest option if you are concerned about losing data.

What transfers and what does not

All three methods transfer your photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, and app data. Your home screen layout, wallpapers, and system settings (like notification preferences and accessibility settings) also transfer. Passwords stored in iCloud Keychain transfer automatically, and you can choose whether to transfer WiFi passwords.

Apps themselves transfer, but a few do not: if an app was removed from the App Store, it will not restore, and you will need to find an alternative. Some apps may need to be re-downloaded even if they transfer, especially if they are large. Banking apps and apps that require two-factor authentication may ask you to log in again on the new phone for security reasons.

One thing that does not transfer is your Apple ID password — you must enter it manually on the new phone. Your old phone's data remains on that phone until you erase it yourself, so nothing is deleted from your old device during any transfer method.

Troubleshooting a stalled or failed transfer

If Quick Start stalls or shows an error, the most common cause is a weak connection between the phones or an unstable WiFi network. Move both phones closer together, make sure WiFi is on, and try again. If the animation fails to appear on the new phone, restart both phones and start over from the beginning.

If an iCloud restore stalls, check your WiFi connection by opening Safari and loading a website. If the internet is slow, move closer to the router or wait for network traffic to decrease. You can also pause the restore, disconnect from WiFi, and switch to a computer backup instead — iCloud will not interfere with a computer restore.

If a computer backup fails to complete, make sure the USB cable is firmly connected and try a different USB port on your computer. If the phone disconnects repeatedly, the cable may be damaged; try a different cable. Restart both the phone and computer, then try the backup again.

Erasing your old iPhone after the transfer

Once your new iPhone is set up and you have confirmed that all your data arrived, you can erase your old phone. Open Settings, tap "General," scroll to the bottom, and tap "Reset." Choose "Erase All Content and Settings" and enter your Apple ID password. This removes all data from the old phone and prepares it for sale, donation, or recycling.

Do not erase your old phone until you have used your new phone for at least a day and confirmed that everything you need is there. If you discover a missing photo or message after erasing, you cannot recover it from the old phone. If you plan to sell or give away the old phone, erasing it is essential for privacy — a factory reset removes your personal data so the next owner cannot access it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone won't turn on?

Only if you have a computer backup from before it stopped working. If the phone will not turn on at all, you cannot use Quick Start or iCloud. If it turns on briefly or connects to a computer, you can create a new computer backup and restore it to your new phone. Otherwise, you will need to set up your new phone from scratch and restore what you can from iCloud if you had a backup running.

How much iCloud storage do I need?

Check your current usage by opening Settings, tapping your name, then "iCloud," and looking at the storage bar. Most people with a full iPhone need 50 GB or 200 GB per month. The free 5 GB plan is rarely enough unless your phone is mostly apps and messages with few photos or videos. You can buy a larger plan for the month of your transfer, then downgrade afterward.

Will my text messages and iMessages transfer?

Yes, all three methods transfer both SMS text messages and iMessages. However, iMessages are tied to your Apple ID and phone number, so make sure you sign in with the same Apple ID on your new phone. If you use a different Apple ID, iMessages may not sync properly.

Do I need to be on the same WiFi network for Quick Start?

No. Quick Start uses a direct connection between the phones and does not require WiFi at all. However, both phones should have good battery or be plugged in, and you should not move them far apart during the transfer. WiFi is only needed for iCloud backups and restores.

What happens to my old phone's data after I transfer it?

Nothing happens automatically. Your data stays on the old phone until you erase it manually. All three transfer methods copy your data to the new phone without removing it from the old one. You must open Settings, tap "General," scroll down, and tap "Reset," then choose "Erase All Content and Settings" if you want to remove everything from the old phone.