The fastest way to transfer everything is iCloud or a wired connection to your old phone

You have three main routes to move your photos, contacts, messages, apps, and settings to a new iPhone. iCloud backs up your old phone wirelessly and restores it on the new one — this takes the longest but requires no cables. A wired transfer using a USB-C or Lightning cable connects your phones directly and is usually fastest. Mac or Windows migration uses a computer as the middleman if you prefer not to rely on iCloud or if your old phone won't turn on.

The method you choose depends on whether your old phone still works, whether you have a computer handy, and how much time you have. All three preserve your data in the same way — the difference is speed and what equipment you need.

Key Takeaways

  • A direct wired transfer between your old and new iPhone is usually the fastest option and works even if your old phone's battery is nearly dead.
  • iCloud backup works wirelessly but takes longer and requires both phones to be on Wi-Fi and plugged in during the process.
  • If your old phone won't turn on, you can still recover data through iCloud if you remember your Apple ID password, or through a Mac or Windows computer if you have a recent backup file.
  • Apps and app data transfer automatically, but you may need to sign into some apps again after the transfer completes.
  • Text messages, photos, and contacts transfer completely, but third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram require separate steps to preserve chat history.

Direct phone-to-phone transfer with a cable

Plug your new iPhone into power. Turn it on and follow the setup screens until you reach "Quick Start." On your old iPhone, open Control Center (swipe down from the top-right corner), tap "Quick Start," and hold it near your new phone. Your old phone will show a setup animation — keep it steady until the animation finishes on both screens.

When prompted, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone. The phones will then transfer your data directly over a temporary connection. This process can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. Keep both phones plugged in and close to each other, and do not use either phone until the transfer is complete.

This method works best if your old phone has enough battery to stay on during the transfer. If the battery is very low, plug the old phone in as well. If your old phone won't turn on at all, skip to the iCloud or computer method below.

Backup and restore through iCloud

On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Tap "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup to finish — this can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on your data and internet speed. Make sure your phone stays on Wi-Fi and plugged in until the backup completes.

On your new iPhone, follow the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup," sign in with your Apple ID, and choose the backup you just created. The phone will download your data over Wi-Fi. This step takes longer than a wired transfer — often 1 to 3 hours — so plug in your new phone and stay on a strong Wi-Fi network.

iCloud backup includes everything: photos, messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, app data, and home screen layout. However, if you have not backed up recently, you will lose any data created since the last backup. Check the backup date in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup to see when your last backup ran.

Transfer using a Mac or Windows computer

Connect your old iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your phone in the sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes or the Windows File Explorer. Click "Back Up Now" or let the computer create an automatic backup. This backup file stays on your computer.

Disconnect your old phone and connect your new iPhone. On a Mac, click "Restore Backup" in Finder. On Windows, click "Restore" in iTunes. Choose the backup file you just created and enter your Apple ID password. The computer will transfer all your data to the new phone — this usually takes 30 minutes to an hour.

This method is useful if your old phone is broken or won't turn on but you have a backup file on your computer from a previous sync. It is also a good choice if you want to keep a backup file on your computer separate from iCloud. However, you need a computer and a compatible cable, which not everyone has available.

What transfers and what does not

Your new iPhone will receive all of your photos, videos, contacts, text messages, calendar events, notes, reminders, voice memos, and app data. Your home screen layout, wallpaper, and system settings transfer as well. Paid apps you own will be available to download again for free on the new phone.

Third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Facebook Messenger do not transfer their chat history automatically. Before you transfer, open each messaging app on your old phone and look for a "backup" or "export" option in settings. Some apps back up to iCloud or Google Drive, and you can restore from there on the new phone. Others require you to export a file and email it to yourself.

Passwords stored in your keychain transfer, but you may need to sign into some apps again after the transfer. Your Apple ID, iCloud account, and any linked email accounts will be set up automatically. However, apps that use two-factor authentication may ask you to verify your identity the first time you open them on the new phone.

If your old phone will not turn on

If your old phone is completely dead or broken, you have two options. First, try an iCloud restore if you remember your Apple ID password and have backed up recently. On your new iPhone, go through setup until you reach "Apps & Data," tap "Restore from iCloud Backup," and sign in. This will recover everything that was in your last backup, even if your old phone is gone.

Second, if you have a Mac or Windows computer with a backup file from your old phone, connect your new iPhone and restore from that file using Finder or iTunes. This works even if your old phone is completely broken, as long as you synced it to the computer at some point in the past.

If you have no backup and no computer file, you will lose the data that was on your old phone. Going forward, turn on iCloud Backup on your new phone so that future data is protected. You can also enable iCloud Photos to back up your camera roll continuously.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If the transfer stalls or stops, disconnect both phones and start over. Make sure both phones are plugged in, on the same Wi-Fi network, and within a few feet of each other. If you are using a wired transfer, try a different USB cable — some cables are damaged or designed for charging only and will not transfer data.

If you see an error message during iCloud restore, check that you are signed in with the correct Apple ID and that you have enough storage space on your new phone. iCloud backups can be several gigabytes in size. If your new phone is nearly full, delete photos or apps to make room, then try the restore again.

If an app does not transfer or crashes after transfer, try deleting it from your new phone and downloading it fresh from the App Store. Sometimes an old version of an app stored in your backup is not compatible with your new phone's iOS version. A fresh download will install the current version instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is locked with a passcode?

Yes. During a wired transfer, you will need to unlock your old phone once to authorize the connection. For iCloud restore, you only need your Apple ID password, not your old phone's passcode. If you have forgotten your passcode and cannot unlock the old phone, you will need to erase it first, which means you cannot use a wired transfer — use iCloud restore instead if you have a recent backup.

How long does a full transfer take?

A wired transfer usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours. iCloud backup and restore can take 1 to 4 hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Computer-based transfer is similar to wired transfer, usually 30 minutes to 2 hours. Keep your phone plugged in and do not interrupt the process.

Will my text messages transfer?

Yes, all SMS and iMessage text messages transfer through any of the three methods. However, if you use WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, or another third-party messaging app, you must back up those chats separately before transferring. Check each app's settings for a backup or export option.

Do I need to sign into my Apple ID again on the new phone?

No, your Apple ID transfers automatically during the setup process. However, you may need to sign into individual apps, especially those that use two-factor authentication. You will also need to set up Face ID or Touch ID on your new phone, which is a separate step from the data transfer.

What if I want to keep my old phone as a backup?

You can keep your old phone, but it will not automatically stay in sync with your new phone. If you want both phones to have the same data, you will need to manually update them or use iCloud to sync certain items like contacts and calendar. Most people erase their old phone after a successful transfer to free up storage or prepare it for sale or recycling.