How to Transfer Your Data From One iPhone to Another

The fastest way to move everything to a new iPhone

The quickest method is Quick Start, which transfers your entire setup—apps, photos, messages, contacts, passwords, and settings—wirelessly between two iPhones in the same room. You hold your old iPhone next to your new one, scan a code with the new phone's camera, and let the transfer run. It takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed.

If Quick Start doesn't work or you prefer a different method, you have two other options: restoring from an iCloud backup (which requires your Apple ID and internet) or restoring from a computer backup using a Mac or Windows PC with iTunes or Finder. All three methods move your data completely—the choice depends on what hardware you have available and whether you want to set up the phone right now or later.

Key Takeaways

Quick Start is the fastest option if both phones are nearby; it transfers everything wirelessly without needing a computer.
iCloud backup works if you have your Apple ID password and a Wi-Fi connection, but requires enough iCloud storage space for your data.
Computer backup via Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) is the most reliable method if you have a USB cable and want a local copy of your data.
Your old iPhone must be running iOS 12.4 or later for Quick Start; older phones require iCloud or computer backup.
You can start using your new iPhone immediately after transfer completes; you do not need to wait for apps to download.

Using Quick Start for a wireless transfer

Turn on your new iPhone and place it next to your old one. On the new phone, you will see a setup screen asking if you want to set up as new or restore from backup. Tap Restore from iPhone or Quick Start (the wording varies by iOS version). Your old iPhone will prompt you to hold it above the new one to scan a code.

Once the code scans, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone. The old iPhone will then transfer your data over Wi-Fi. Do not move the phones far apart or put either one to sleep during this process. Depending on your data size and Wi-Fi speed, this can take 30 minutes to several hours. Your new phone will show a progress bar; when it reaches 100%, the transfer is complete and you can unplug and use the phone normally.

Quick Start requires both phones to be on iOS 12.4 or later. If your old iPhone is older than that, or if Quick Start fails to connect, use iCloud or computer backup instead.

Restoring from an iCloud backup

If you have already backed up your old iPhone to iCloud, you can restore that backup to your new phone without needing the old phone present. During setup on the new iPhone, choose Restore from iCloud Backup when prompted. Sign in with your Apple ID and password, then select which backup you want to restore (iCloud shows the date and size of each one).

The restore process downloads your backup over Wi-Fi and installs everything on the new phone. This takes longer than Quick Start because it is downloading from Apple's servers rather than transferring locally. You need enough iCloud storage space to hold your backup; if your backup is larger than your available iCloud space, you will need to buy more storage or delete old backups first.

One limitation: iCloud backup only works if you remember your Apple ID password. If you do not have it, you will need to reset it through Apple's website before you can proceed. Also, iCloud backup does not transfer your old phone's health data or home automation settings in some cases, though most personal data transfers fine.

Backing up and restoring via a computer

Connect your old iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable. On a Mac running Monterey or later, open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. On Windows or older Mac, open iTunes. Click Back Up Now to create a local backup on your computer. This backup includes everything except health data and some home automation settings.

Once the backup finishes, disconnect the old phone and connect your new iPhone. In Finder or iTunes, click Restore Backup and select the backup you just created. The computer will restore all your data to the new phone. This method is the most reliable if you want a permanent copy of your data stored locally, and it does not depend on iCloud storage space or internet speed.

Computer backup is also the only option if you do not have an Apple ID or cannot remember your password. You can restore the backup without signing in to Apple ID first, though you will need to sign in eventually to use iCloud features and the App Store.

What transfers and what does not

All three methods transfer your apps, photos, videos, messages, contacts, calendars, notes, reminders, email accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, and most settings. They also transfer your home screen layout, Face ID or Touch ID settings, and your Apple Pay cards.

Health data, home automation scenes, and some app-specific settings may not transfer, depending on the app. Voicemail does not transfer; you will need to re-record your voicemail greeting on the new phone. Your old phone's SIM card does not transfer either—your carrier will activate the new phone's SIM separately, or you can use eSIM if your carrier and phone support it.

Troubleshooting a stuck or failed transfer

If Quick Start stalls or fails, force-restart both phones by holding down the power button and volume button together until you see the power-off slider, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds, turn both phones back on, and try Quick Start again. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and that you are not too far from your router.

If iCloud backup fails, check that you have enough iCloud storage space and that your internet connection is stable. Disconnect and reconnect to Wi-Fi, then try restoring again. If the backup itself is corrupted, you may need to create a new backup on your old phone and try restoring that instead.

For computer backup, make sure your USB cable is working (try a different cable if available) and that your computer recognizes the phone. On Windows, reinstall iTunes or update it to the latest version. If the backup file is corrupted, delete it from your computer and create a new backup before restoring.

Keeping your old iPhone after the transfer

After you transfer to your new iPhone, your old phone still has all its data on it. You can erase it to sell, trade in, or recycle it. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes all your personal data and returns the phone to factory condition. Do this only after you have confirmed the transfer to your new phone was successful.

If you want to keep using your old iPhone as a backup or secondary device, you do not need to erase it. Just make sure you turn off Find My iPhone on the old phone if you are giving it to someone else, or they will not be able to use it without your Apple ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken or won't turn on?

If your old phone will not turn on, you cannot use Quick Start or computer backup. Your only option is iCloud backup, which requires that you backed up your old phone before it broke. If you did not have iCloud backup enabled, you may not be able to recover your data. Going forward, enable iCloud backup in Settings so your data is always current.

Do I need Wi-Fi for Quick Start?

Yes, both phones need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network for Quick Start to work. If you do not have Wi-Fi available, use iCloud backup or computer backup instead. Computer backup does not require Wi-Fi at all—just a USB cable.

How long does the transfer take?

Quick Start typically takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed. iCloud backup takes longer because it downloads from Apple's servers. Computer backup is usually the fastest because data transfers locally over USB. You can use your new phone while apps are still downloading in the background.

Will my text messages transfer?

Yes, all three methods transfer your text messages, iMessage conversations, and group chats. This includes photos and videos sent in messages. SMS and MMS messages transfer completely.

What if I do not remember my Apple ID password?

You can reset your Apple ID password at iforgot.apple.com before starting the transfer. If you use computer backup, you can restore without signing in to Apple ID first, though you will need to sign in eventually. Quick Start and iCloud backup both require your Apple ID password upfront.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.