The fastest way to transfer everything is to use iCloud or a Mac or PC
You have three main paths to move your photos, contacts, messages, apps, and settings to a new iPhone: iCloud (wireless, works anywhere), a computer with iTunes or Finder (faster for large amounts of data), or direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer (the newest method, requires both phones present). Which one you pick depends on whether you have a computer handy, how much data you're moving, and whether your old phone still works.
The iCloud method is the most common because it requires nothing but your Apple ID and a Wi-Fi connection. A computer backup is faster if you have a lot of photos or videos. Direct phone-to-phone transfer is the simplest if both devices are in front of you and you want to watch the process happen.
Key Takeaways
- iCloud backs up your data wirelessly and restores it to your new phone over Wi-Fi, and works even if your old phone is broken or far away.
- A computer backup using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) is faster for large libraries and gives you a copy saved on your computer as well.
- Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer using Quick Start works only if both phones are powered on and nearby, but requires no computer or iCloud setup.
- Your Apple ID password and two-factor authentication code are required for any method, so have those ready before you start.
- Apps and app data transfer automatically, but some apps may need you to sign in again after the transfer completes.
Using iCloud to transfer your data
Start on your old iPhone. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap "iCloud Backup." Make sure the toggle is on (it should be blue), then tap "Back Up Now." The backup will take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed. You'll see a progress bar and a timestamp when it finishes.
On your new iPhone, turn it on and follow the setup screens. When you reach "Apps & Data," tap "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with your Apple ID and password. You'll be asked to enter your two-factor authentication code—this is a six-digit code sent to a trusted device or phone number you set up with Apple. Select the backup you just created (it will show the date and time), and tap "Restore." Your phone will download your data in the background while you finish setup. This can take several hours if you have a lot of photos or videos, but you can use your phone while it's happening.
One thing to know: iCloud Backup does not back up everything. It skips photos and videos already in iCloud Photos, data stored in other cloud services (like Google Drive), and some app data if the app developer chose not to support it. If you use iCloud Photos, your photos will appear on your new phone automatically once you sign in with the same Apple ID.
Using a Mac or PC to back up and restore
Connect your old iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. On a Mac running Monterey or newer, open Finder and click your phone's name in the sidebar. On a Mac running Big Sur or older, or on any Windows PC, open iTunes. Click the phone icon when it appears, then click "Back Up Now." The backup will take several minutes to an hour. When it finishes, you'll see the backup date and size listed on the screen.
Disconnect your old phone and connect your new iPhone. In Finder or iTunes, click the phone icon, then click "Restore Backup." Select the backup you just created and enter your Apple ID password. Your phone will restore the data and restart. This method is faster than iCloud for large amounts of data because the transfer happens over the USB cable instead of Wi-Fi.
A computer backup also creates a copy of your data saved on your computer itself, which is useful if you ever need to restore again or if something goes wrong. If you have a very large photo library or video collection, this is the fastest way to move everything.
Direct iPhone-to-iPhone transfer using Quick Start
If both your old and new iPhones are powered on and you have them both in front of you, you can use Quick Start. Turn on your new iPhone and hold it next to your old one. Your old phone should show a setup screen asking if you want to use Quick Start to set up your new iPhone. Tap "Continue" on the old phone.
Your old phone will display an animated pattern. Hold your new phone's camera over that pattern until the animation completes. Your new phone will then ask you to enter your old phone's passcode, then your Apple ID password and two-factor code. After that, your new phone will begin downloading your data directly from your old phone over a local wireless connection. This is faster than iCloud because both phones are on the same network.
Quick Start transfers everything: apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and even your home screen layout. The transfer can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. You can use your new phone while the transfer is happening in the background, but keep both phones close and connected to Wi-Fi.
What happens to your apps and passwords
Your apps transfer automatically with any of these methods, but they download fresh from the App Store rather than copying the old files. This means the transfer takes longer if you have many apps, but it also means you always get the latest version. Some apps may ask you to sign in again after the transfer—this is normal and a security feature. Have your usernames and passwords ready, or use the password manager built into your iPhone if you've saved them there.
Passwords you've saved in Safari or in your keychain transfer automatically and are encrypted during the backup process. Two-factor authentication codes stored in the Authenticator app or in Safari also transfer. If you use a third-party password manager like 1Password or Bitwarden, you'll need to sign in to that app separately on your new phone.
Transferring specific data if you don't want everything
If you only want to move certain things—like just your photos, or just your contacts—you have options. Photos can be moved by signing into iCloud Photos on both phones with the same Apple ID; they'll sync automatically. Contacts, calendars, and reminders sync through iCloud as well if you turn on those toggles in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
Messages can be transferred through iCloud if you turn on "Messages in iCloud" in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages. This syncs your entire message history to your new phone. If you don't want to use iCloud, you can export individual conversations through the Messages app, though this is more manual.
For other data like notes, reminders, or health information, iCloud is usually the simplest path. Each of these apps has an iCloud toggle in Settings that you can turn on to sync that specific type of data.
Troubleshooting common transfer problems
If your transfer stalls or stops, the most common cause is a weak Wi-Fi connection. Move both phones closer to your router and try again. If you're using iCloud, you can also check the progress in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup on your new phone.
If you see an error about your Apple ID or two-factor authentication, make sure you're entering your password correctly and that you have access to the phone number or email address where your two-factor code is sent. If you've lost access to that number or email, you'll need to update your recovery information in Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security before you start the transfer.
If some apps don't appear on your new phone after the transfer, they may have been deleted from the App Store or may not be compatible with your new phone's iOS version. You can search for them in the App Store and download them manually. If an app is there but won't download, check that you have enough storage space on your new phone and that you're signed in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?
Yes, if you have an iCloud backup. As long as you backed up your old phone before it broke, you can restore that backup to your new phone using your Apple ID. You won't be able to use Quick Start or a computer backup if the old phone won't turn on, but iCloud will work.
How long does the transfer take?
It depends on how much data you have and which method you use. Quick Start and computer backups are usually faster (30 minutes to a few hours), while iCloud can take several hours because it works over Wi-Fi. The transfer happens in the background, so you can use your new phone while it's happening.
Do I need to keep my old phone during the transfer?
Not if you use iCloud. You only need your old phone present if you're using Quick Start or a computer backup. After the transfer finishes, you can turn off your old phone or give it away.
Will my text messages transfer?
Yes, if you use iCloud Backup or a computer backup. Messages are included in both methods. If you use Quick Start, messages transfer as well. Text messages, iMessages, and group chats all move over.
What if I don't want to transfer everything?
You can turn off specific iCloud toggles before you back up. For example, if you don't want your photos to transfer, turn off iCloud Photos in Settings before you back up. You can also choose not to restore certain data types during the restore process, though this option is limited.