What happens when you transfer to a new iPhone
When you move to a new iPhone, you can bring over your photos, messages, contacts, apps, and settings from your old phone without starting from scratch. Apple gives you three main routes: iCloud backup (wireless, works from anywhere), direct transfer (fast, phone-to-phone), or Mac or Windows computer (if you have one and prefer it). Each method copies the same data — the difference is how long it takes and what you need to do it.
The fastest and most common method for most people is direct transfer, which moves everything in 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have. iCloud backup is slower but requires nothing but your Apple ID and a Wi-Fi connection. Computer transfer is useful if you already back up that way or if your internet is unreliable.
Key Takeaways
- Direct transfer between two iPhones is the fastest method and works by holding the phones near each other during setup.
- iCloud backup requires your Apple ID password and enough iCloud storage for your data, and restores wirelessly during new phone setup.
- You need to know your Apple ID and password for any transfer method, because the new phone will ask for it during setup.
- Apps download fresh from the App Store during transfer, so you do not need to manually reinstall them.
- Some data like banking app settings and two-factor authentication codes may not transfer and will need to be set up again on the new phone.
Direct transfer between two iPhones
Direct transfer is the fastest option if you have both phones in your hands. Turn on your new iPhone and hold it near your old iPhone. Your old phone will show a setup screen asking if you want to transfer to the new device. Tap "Continue" and follow the prompts — the phones communicate wirelessly and copy your data directly without using iCloud or a computer.
This method takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. Keep both phones plugged in and close to each other during the transfer. Do not use either phone or move them far apart until the transfer finishes. Once it completes, your new phone will restart and you will be ready to use it.
Direct transfer works best if your old iPhone is running iOS 12.4 or newer and your new phone is running the latest iOS version. If your old phone is much older, you may need to use iCloud backup instead.
Using iCloud backup to restore your data
iCloud backup stores a copy of your phone in Apple's cloud storage. To use it, make sure your old iPhone has backed up recently: go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and check the date under "Last Backup." If it is old, tap "Back Up Now" and wait for it to finish.
On your new iPhone, turn it on and follow the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup," sign in with your Apple ID, and select the backup from your old phone. The restore starts immediately and continues in the background even after you start using the phone. Depending on how much data you have, this can take a few hours to complete fully.
iCloud backup requires enough storage space for your data. If your backup is larger than your iCloud plan allows, you will need to buy more storage (Apple charges a monthly fee) or delete old photos and videos from your old phone before backing up. You can check how much iCloud storage you use in Settings under your name, then iCloud, then Manage Storage.
Transferring via Mac or Windows computer
If you use a Mac or Windows PC to back up your iPhone, you can restore from that computer to your new phone. Connect your old iPhone to the computer, open Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows), and create a backup if you have not done so recently. Then disconnect the old phone and connect your new iPhone.
On your new phone, follow the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data," then choose "Restore from Mac/PC." Select the backup from your old phone and the restore begins. This method is useful if your internet is slow or unreliable, because the data transfers over the cable instead of wirelessly.
Computer transfer requires the same Apple ID and password as the other methods. If your backup is encrypted (which you can set in Finder or iTunes), you will need the password you created for that backup as well.
What you need before you start
Before transferring to your new iPhone, gather these things: your Apple ID (the email address you use for iCloud and the App Store), your Apple ID password, and your Wi-Fi network name and password if you are using iCloud backup or direct transfer. You will enter these during setup on the new phone.
If you use two-factor authentication on your Apple ID (which you should), have a trusted device nearby — Apple will send a code to it during setup. If you do not have a trusted device, you can use your phone number instead, but the process takes longer.
Make sure your old iPhone has enough battery to complete the transfer, or plug it in. Your new iPhone should also be plugged in, especially for direct transfer or iCloud restore.
Data that does not transfer automatically
Most of your data moves over, but some things do not. Banking apps, investment apps, and some security apps do not transfer their login information or settings for safety reasons — you will need to open them on your new phone and sign in again. Authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator) do not transfer either, so you should save your backup codes before switching phones.
Health data, Home automation settings, and some game progress may not transfer depending on how the app was built. Messages in some third-party apps (like WhatsApp or Telegram) may not transfer unless you use that app's own backup feature first. Check the apps you use most to see if they have their own backup or transfer process.
Voicemail does not transfer — you will need to listen to and save any important voicemails from your old phone before switching. Text messages and iMessage conversations do transfer with all three methods.
Troubleshooting common transfer problems
If direct transfer stalls or fails, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and that Wi-Fi is working. If it fails a second time, use iCloud backup instead — it is more reliable over longer transfers.
If iCloud restore is very slow, check your Wi-Fi speed by running a speed test on another device. If your internet is under 5 Mbps, the restore may take many hours. You can continue using your new phone while the restore happens in the background, but some apps and data will not be available until the restore finishes.
If you forget your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and follow the recovery steps. You will need access to your recovery email or phone number. This can take 15 minutes to an hour, so do it before you start the transfer if possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer to an iPhone if I do not have my old phone anymore?
Yes. If you have an iCloud backup from your old phone, you can restore it to a new iPhone using just your Apple ID and password. Go to Settings on the new phone, tap your name, then iCloud, then Manage Storage to see your backups. If you do not have a backup, you will need to set up the new phone from scratch and manually reinstall your apps.
Will my text messages and photos transfer?
Yes, both transfer with all three methods. Text messages, iMessage conversations, and photos in your Camera Roll all copy over. Photos in third-party apps like Google Photos or Dropbox do not transfer — they stay in those apps and you access them the same way on your new phone.
How long does transfer usually take?
Direct transfer typically takes 30 minutes to a few hours. iCloud restore takes longer — usually a few hours to overnight depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. Computer transfer is usually faster than iCloud, taking 30 minutes to an hour.
Do I need to erase my old iPhone after transferring?
No, but you should. Before selling or giving away your old phone, go to Settings, tap General, then Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings. This removes all your data and prevents someone else from accessing your accounts. If you are keeping the old phone, erasing it is optional.
What if I want to transfer only some apps, not everything?
You cannot selectively transfer during setup — all three methods copy everything or nothing. After the transfer finishes, you can delete any apps you do not want from your new phone. The next time you back up, those apps will not be included in future backups.