The fastest way to transfer everything is to use iCloud or a direct device-to-device transfer
You have three main paths to move your photos, messages, contacts, apps, and settings to a new iPhone: iCloud backup, direct transfer from your old phone, or a computer backup through a Mac or Windows PC. iCloud and direct transfer are the simplest for most people because they require no cables or computer. Direct transfer is fastest if both phones are in front of you right now. iCloud is best if you're setting up the new phone days or weeks later, or if your old phone is damaged.
Each method takes a different amount of time and works best in different situations. The choice depends on whether your old phone still works, whether you have enough iCloud storage space, and how soon you need the new phone ready to use.
Key Takeaways
- Direct transfer between two iPhones is the fastest option and requires both phones to be present and powered on.
- iCloud backup stores your data in the cloud and lets you restore to a new phone later, even if your old phone is broken or unavailable.
- A computer backup through iTunes or Finder gives you a local copy of everything and works if iCloud storage is full or unreliable.
- Photos, messages, contacts, and app data all transfer, but some apps may need to be reinstalled from the App Store after the transfer completes.
- The transfer process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.
Direct transfer: iPhone to iPhone while both phones are present
This is the fastest method if you have both phones in your hands right now. Place your old iPhone next to your new one, power on the new phone, and hold it close to the old one. A setup screen will appear on the new phone asking if you want to transfer data. Tap "Transfer from iPhone," then scan the animation on the old phone's screen with the new phone's camera. You'll be asked to enter your Apple ID password and any Face ID or Touch ID information.
The transfer begins immediately and runs in the background while you continue setting up the new phone. You can use the new phone during the transfer, though it will be slower. The entire process typically takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi signal strength. Both phones must stay on the same Wi-Fi network and stay relatively close to each other until the transfer finishes.
This method transfers everything: photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, health data, home automation settings, and app data. Apps themselves download from the App Store in the background after the transfer completes, so you won't have all your apps immediately available, but your data inside those apps will be there when they finish installing.
iCloud backup: Best if your old phone is damaged or unavailable
iCloud backup stores a copy of your iPhone data on Apple's servers. To create a backup, go to Settings on your old iPhone, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup. Turn on "iCloud Backup" and tap "Back Up Now." The backup runs in the background and can take 15 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Your phone must stay plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi while the backup completes.
Once the backup is done, set up your new iPhone normally. When you reach the "Apps & Data" screen during setup, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with your Apple ID, select the backup you just created, and the new phone will download everything from iCloud. This process can take 1 to 4 hours depending on your internet speed and the size of your backup. You can use the new phone while it restores, though it will be slower until the restore finishes.
iCloud backup works even if your old phone is broken, lost, or no longer in your possession — as long as you remember your Apple ID password. The downside is that iCloud storage is limited: you get 5 GB free, and anything beyond that requires a paid plan. If your backup is larger than your available storage, you'll need to buy more space or use a different transfer method.
Computer backup: Using a Mac or Windows PC
Connect your old iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer with a USB cable. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or newer, open Finder and select your iPhone from the sidebar. On a Windows PC or older Mac, open iTunes. Click "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup to complete. This creates a local copy of your data on your computer rather than in the cloud.
To restore to your new iPhone, connect the new phone to the same computer, open Finder or iTunes, and click "Restore Backup." Select the backup you just created and enter your Apple ID password. The restore process takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how much data you have. Your new phone will restart several times during the process — this is normal.
Computer backup is useful if you don't have enough iCloud storage, if your internet connection is slow or unreliable, or if you want to keep a local copy of everything on your computer. The downside is that you need a computer and a USB cable, and the backup only works if you restore to a phone connected to that same computer.
What transfers and what doesn't
Photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, home automation settings, and app data all transfer with any method. Your home screen layout, wallpaper, and notification settings transfer too. Passwords and payment information stored in iCloud Keychain transfer automatically.
Apps themselves do not transfer directly — they download fresh from the App Store after the transfer completes. This means you'll see app icons on your new phone, but the apps are still installing in the background. Some apps may take several hours to finish downloading if you have many apps installed. App data (your saved games, preferences, login information within the app) transfers with the app, so you don't lose your progress.
Some things never transfer: your phone number (that comes from your carrier), your SIM card information, and any data from apps that don't support iCloud backup. A few older or specialized apps may not transfer their data even if the app itself downloads. You can check which apps support iCloud backup by opening Settings, tapping your name, selecting iCloud, and scrolling through the list of apps shown.
Troubleshooting common transfer problems
If the transfer stops or fails, the most common cause is a weak Wi-Fi connection. Move both phones closer to your router and try again. If you're using direct transfer and the animation won't scan, make sure both phones have a clear view of each other and that the lighting is good — the camera needs to see the animation clearly.
If iCloud backup won't start, check that you have enough iCloud storage space. Go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, and look at the storage meter at the top. If you're out of space, delete old backups or buy more storage. If a backup is stuck, turn off Wi-Fi, wait 30 seconds, turn it back on, and try again.
If apps won't download after the transfer, check that you're signed into the App Store with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. Go to Settings, tap your name, and verify you're logged in. If an app still won't download, try deleting it from your home screen and downloading it again manually from the App Store.
How long each method takes
Transfer time varies based on how much data you have and your internet speed. Direct transfer is usually the fastest because both phones communicate directly over Wi-Fi. iCloud and computer backups depend more on your upload and download speeds, so they can take longer if you have a slow connection.
The table below shows typical timing for each method. Your actual time may be shorter or longer depending on the size of your data, the strength of your Wi-Fi signal, and how many apps you have installed. If you're transferring more than 50 GB of data, plan for the longer end of these ranges.
| Transfer Method | Setup Time | Total Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct iPhone to iPhone | 5 minutes | 30 minutes to 2 hours | Both phones present, fastest option |
| iCloud Backup | 10 minutes to create backup | 1 to 4 hours to restore | Old phone broken or unavailable |
| Computer Backup | 5 minutes | 30 minutes to 2 hours | Limited iCloud storage or slow internet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data if my old iPhone won't turn on?
Yes, if you have an iCloud backup. As long as you remember your Apple ID password, you can restore from that backup to your new phone even if the old phone is completely broken. If you don't have an iCloud backup and the old phone won't turn on, you cannot recover that data.
Will my text messages and iMessages transfer?
Yes, all text messages and iMessages transfer with any method. They appear in the Messages app on your new phone exactly as they were on the old phone, including photos and videos sent in conversations.
Do I need to do anything with my old iPhone after the transfer?
You should sign out of your Apple ID on the old phone before you sell it or give it away. Go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down, and tap "Sign Out." This removes your data from the old phone and prevents someone else from accessing your accounts.
What if the transfer is taking too long?
Check your Wi-Fi connection — a weak signal is the most common cause of slow transfers. Move closer to your router, restart your router, or try a different Wi-Fi network. If you're using direct transfer, make sure both phones stay close to each other and that neither phone goes to sleep.
Can I transfer to an iPhone with a different storage size?
Yes, you can transfer to an iPhone with less storage, but only if your data fits. If your old phone has 256 GB of data and your new phone has 128 GB, the transfer will fail. Delete photos, videos, or apps from your old phone first to make the data smaller than your new phone's storage capacity.