The fastest way is iCloud backup during setup

When you turn on a new iPhone for the first time, it asks whether you want to restore from a backup. If you have an iCloud backup from your old phone, choose that option and sign in with your Apple ID. The new phone will download your apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and most other data automatically. This takes anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

This method works even if your old iPhone is broken or lost, as long as you backed it up before the problem happened. You do not need the old phone present. The catch is that iCloud only stores 5 GB free; if you have more than that, you either pay for more storage or use a different method.

Before you start, make sure your old iPhone has backed up recently. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now". Wait for it to finish, then power off the old phone so nothing new gets added to the backup.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backup during new phone setup is the simplest method and works even if your old phone is damaged or unavailable.
  • You need an active iCloud backup on your old phone and enough storage space, or you must pay for additional iCloud storage.
  • A direct phone-to-phone transfer using a cable or Wi-Fi works without iCloud and is faster for large amounts of data.
  • Some data like banking apps, Face ID settings, and Apple Pay cards do not transfer and must be set up again on the new phone.

Direct phone-to-phone transfer with a cable or Wi-Fi

You can move data directly from your old iPhone to your new one without using iCloud. During setup on the new phone, when it asks how you want to transfer data, choose "Transfer from iPhone". Hold the old phone near the new one. The new phone will show a setup animation; point your old phone's camera at it to start the connection.

Once connected, the new phone asks you to enter your Apple ID password on the old phone. Then it begins copying everything: apps, photos, messages, contacts, health data, and settings. This happens over Wi-Fi and takes time proportional to how much data you have, but it does not require iCloud storage space. If the connection drops, you can restart the process.

This method is useful if you have more than 5 GB of data and do not want to pay for extra iCloud storage. It also works if your iCloud backup is old or incomplete. The downside is that both phones must be present and powered on, and the transfer can take an hour or more for large backups.

Using a computer with Finder or iTunes

On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, you can connect your old iPhone with a cable, open Finder, select the phone, and click "Back Up Now". This creates a backup file on your computer. Then connect the new iPhone, select it in Finder, and choose "Restore from Backup". Pick the backup you just made and the transfer begins.

On a Windows PC or older Mac, use iTunes instead of Finder. The steps are the same: connect the old phone, back it up, then connect the new phone and restore from that backup. This method does not require iCloud storage and works offline, which can be faster than Wi-Fi transfer if your internet is slow.

The trade-off is that you need a computer and a USB cable, and the backup file takes up space on your hard drive. This method is most useful if you have unreliable internet or a very large backup that would take hours over Wi-Fi.

What does not transfer and what you need to set up again

Some things never transfer, no matter which method you use. Face ID and Touch ID settings do not move because they are tied to your phone's hardware. You will need to set them up again on the new phone by going to Settings > Face ID (or Touch ID) > Set Up Face ID (or Add a Fingerprint).

Apple Pay cards do not transfer for security reasons. You must add them again to Wallet on the new phone. Banking apps and other apps that use two-factor authentication may require you to log in again. Some apps store data locally and may not sync if they were not backed up through iCloud or the app's own backup system.

Cellular plan information does not transfer. Contact your carrier to activate the new phone on your account, or use eSIM if your carrier and phones support it. Home app configurations, HomeKit scenes, and home hub settings may need adjustment because they are tied to your home setup, not your phone.

Troubleshooting a stuck or slow transfer

If the transfer stalls during phone-to-phone setup, disconnect both phones and restart them. Make sure both are on the same Wi-Fi network and that the network is stable. Try again from the beginning. If it keeps failing, use iCloud backup or computer backup instead.

If iCloud backup is taking too long, check your internet speed. A backup of 50 GB over slow internet can take many hours. You can continue using the new phone while the backup completes in the background, but apps and photos may not appear until the backup finishes. If you need your data immediately, use phone-to-phone transfer or computer backup instead.

If you see a message that the backup is corrupted or incomplete, try creating a new backup on the old phone before restoring. Delete the old backup from iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups) and back up again. This sometimes fixes corruption issues.

Transferring data from Android to iPhone

If you are switching from Android, the process is different. During iPhone setup, choose "Transfer from Android" instead of "Transfer from iPhone". The new iPhone will show a code. On your Android phone, download the "Move to iOS" app from Google Play, open it, and enter the code.

The app will copy your contacts, calendar events, photos, videos, text messages, mail accounts, and some app data. It does not transfer Android apps themselves; you must download the iOS versions from the App Store. The transfer happens over Wi-Fi and can take 30 minutes to an hour.

Some data like notes, voice memos, and app-specific settings may not transfer. After the transfer completes, go through your apps and log in again where needed. This method is the official way to switch from Android and is simpler than trying to manually copy files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?

Yes, if you have an iCloud backup. During setup on the new phone, sign in with your Apple ID and restore from the most recent backup. You do not need the old phone present. If you do not have a backup, you cannot recover data from a broken phone.

How much does extra iCloud storage cost?

Apple offers 50 GB for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99 per month, and 2 TB for $9.99 per month. You can buy storage through Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan. The cost varies by region.

Will my text messages and iMessages transfer?

Yes, both transfer through any method: iCloud backup, phone-to-phone transfer, or computer backup. They appear in the Messages app on the new phone exactly as they were on the old one, including conversation history and attachments.

Do I need to back up before transferring?

No, but it is a good idea. If something goes wrong during transfer, a backup on your old phone or computer is your safety net. If you are using iCloud backup or phone-to-phone transfer, you do not need a separate backup first, but having one does not hurt.

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

Not during setup. Restore and transfer only work on a new or erased iPhone. If your new phone already has data, erase it first: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Then start the setup process over and choose your transfer method.