The fastest way is iCloud, and it works while you set up the new phone

When you turn on a new iPhone for the first time, it asks if you want to restore from an iCloud backup. If you say yes and sign in with your Apple ID, the phone downloads your apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and passwords automatically. This takes anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed, but you don't have to do anything else — the phone handles it in the background while you use it.

This method works best if your old iPhone is still working and you've been backing up to iCloud regularly. You don't need both phones connected to each other. Your old phone can stay in your pocket or at home.

If you've never turned on iCloud backup before, or if your old phone is broken and won't turn on, you have other options covered below. But if your old phone works and you have an iCloud backup, the restore-during-setup path is the simplest.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backup during setup is the fastest method and requires only your Apple ID and internet connection.
  • If your old phone is broken or won't turn on, you can still transfer data using a Mac or Windows computer with iTunes or Finder.
  • Direct phone-to-phone transfer using the Quick Start feature lets you move data without a computer or waiting for a backup to upload.
  • Some data like text messages, call history, and voicemail transfer automatically; other things like banking apps may need to be set up again.
  • Your old phone's data stays on the old phone — transferring makes a copy, it doesn't erase the original.

Using Quick Start to transfer directly between phones

Quick Start is the fastest method if both phones are in your hands right now. Place your old iPhone next to your new one, turn on the new phone, and when it asks "Quick Start?", hold the old phone above it. A camera viewfinder appears on the old phone — point it at the animation on the new phone's screen. The phones connect wirelessly and begin transferring your data directly, without uploading to iCloud first.

Quick Start copies your Apple ID, passwords, Face ID or Touch ID settings, home screen layout, and app data. It also starts downloading your apps from the App Store in the background. The whole process takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many apps you have. You'll need both phones charged or plugged in, and both need to be on the same Wi-Fi network.

After Quick Start finishes, your new phone is ready to use. Your old phone is unchanged — all your data is still there. If something didn't transfer, you can always restore from iCloud backup afterward.

Transferring from a computer if your old phone won't turn on

If your old iPhone is broken, won't charge, or won't turn on, you can restore from a backup file stored on a Mac or Windows computer. Connect your new iPhone to the computer with a USB cable. On a Mac running Monterey or newer, open Finder and click your phone in the sidebar. On Windows or older Mac, open iTunes. Click "Restore Backup" and choose the backup file from your old phone.

The computer must have a backup file from your old phone already saved on it. If you've never backed up to the computer before, this won't work — you'll need to use iCloud or another method instead. Backup files are usually stored automatically if you've ever connected your old phone to this computer and synced.

This method takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on backup size. Your new phone will restart several times during the process. Don't disconnect the USB cable until it finishes.

What transfers and what doesn't

Text messages, call history, voicemail, contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, notes, reminders, and most app data transfer automatically through any of these methods. Your home screen layout, Wi-Fi passwords, and Face ID or Touch ID settings also come over.

Some things don't transfer and need to be set up again on the new phone. Banking apps, payment apps, and apps that use two-factor authentication usually require you to sign in again for security reasons. Your phone's cellular plan doesn't transfer — you'll need to contact your carrier to activate the new phone on your account. iMessage and FaceTime need to be reactivated with your phone number and Apple ID. Some apps from the App Store may not be available anymore if they've been removed, but most reinstall automatically.

Voicemail transcripts and some older text message attachments sometimes don't transfer completely, depending on how old they are and which backup method you use. If something important didn't come over, check your old phone — the data is still there.

Setting up your carrier and phone number

Your phone number and cellular service don't transfer automatically. After your data finishes transferring, contact your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or whoever you use) and tell them you have a new phone. They'll activate your number on the new device, which usually takes a few minutes to an hour. Some carriers let you do this through their app or website; others require a phone call.

If you're switching carriers, you'll need to port your number to the new carrier before you set up the new phone. This process is separate from the data transfer and can take a day or two.

Until your carrier activates the new phone, you won't be able to make calls or send texts, but Wi-Fi calling and messaging apps like iMessage and WhatsApp will still work if you're connected to Wi-Fi.

Checking what's missing after the transfer

After your new phone finishes transferring data, spend a few minutes checking that everything arrived. Open your most-used apps and make sure your data is there — check your email, messages, photos, and any apps where you store important information. If an app didn't transfer, you can download it again from the App Store.

Some apps need you to sign in again. If you see a login screen in an app you use regularly, sign in with your username and password. Your passwords may have transferred from iCloud Keychain, so try using your saved password first.

If you notice something important didn't transfer, don't panic — it's still on your old phone. You can manually copy it over, or restore from iCloud backup again if you need to. Your old phone's data doesn't disappear just because you transferred to a new one.

Erasing your old phone safely

Once you've confirmed everything is on your new phone and working, you can erase your old one. This step is optional — you can keep the old phone as a backup — but it's a good security practice if you're selling it, giving it away, or recycling it.

On your old iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset. Choose "Erase All Content and Settings." The phone will ask for your Apple ID password to confirm. This wipes everything and returns the phone to factory settings. It takes 5 to 15 minutes.

If your old phone won't turn on or respond, you can erase it remotely using Find My iPhone on iCloud.com, but you'll need to know your Apple ID password. After erasing, the phone is safe to sell or recycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both phones to transfer data?

No. If you use iCloud backup or a computer backup, you only need the new phone. Quick Start requires both phones in your hands, but iCloud and computer methods work if your old phone is already gone or broken.

Will my text messages transfer?

Yes, text messages transfer through iCloud backup, Quick Start, and computer backup. Very old messages (more than a few years) sometimes don't transfer completely, but recent messages almost always do. Check your Messages app after the transfer finishes.

What if I forgot my Apple ID password?

You'll need to reset it before you can restore from iCloud backup or use Quick Start. Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and follow the steps to reset your password. You'll need access to your recovery email or phone number.

Can I transfer data to an iPhone I already set up?

Yes, but it's more complicated. You can restore from iCloud backup by going to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset, and choosing "Erase All Content and Settings," then restoring during setup. Or you can manually download apps and sign into accounts. It's easier to restore during initial setup if possible.

How long does the transfer take?

Quick Start usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. iCloud backup during setup takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have. Computer backup takes 20 minutes to an hour. The exact time depends on your internet speed and how many apps and photos you have.