The fastest way: use iCloud or a direct device transfer

The easiest path is to let your iPhones talk to each other directly, or to restore from an iCloud backup. Both methods move your photos, messages, contacts, app data, and settings without you having to pick and choose. Direct transfer (called Quick Start) works if you have both phones in your hands at the same time. iCloud backup works if your old phone is already gone or if you prefer to set up later.

Direct transfer is fastest — it takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. You hold the new phone next to the old one, scan a code that appears on the new phone's screen with the old phone's camera, and the transfer begins automatically. You stay connected to Wi-Fi the whole time. This method requires both phones to be on and charged.

iCloud backup is slower but more flexible. You back up your old phone to iCloud (which happens automatically if you have iCloud turned on), then sign into the same Apple ID on the new phone and restore from that backup. The restore can take several hours, and you need enough iCloud storage space — most people get 5 GB free, which covers messages and photos but not large app libraries. If you need more space, Apple charges for additional storage by the month.

Key Takeaways

  • Quick Start (direct phone-to-phone transfer) is the fastest method and requires both phones present, taking 15 minutes to an hour.
  • iCloud backup works if you do not have both phones at once, but requires enough storage space and takes several hours to restore.
  • Your Apple ID, passwords, and two-factor authentication settings must be ready before you start, or the transfer will stall.
  • Apps and app data transfer automatically, but some apps may need you to sign in again after the transfer completes.
  • Text messages, photos, and contacts transfer completely, but iMessages may take a few minutes to sync after setup.

What you need before you start

Have your Apple ID and password ready on both phones. Your Apple ID is the email address you use to sign into iCloud, the App Store, and other Apple services. If you do not remember your password, you can reset it on Apple's website before you begin — do not wait until the transfer is halfway done.

If you use two-factor authentication (a security code that arrives by text or in an app), make sure you can receive those codes on your new phone. If your old phone is the only device that receives codes, you will get locked out during setup. Test this by signing out of your Apple ID on a computer and signing back in — you should receive a code on your new phone.

Make sure your old phone has enough battery to complete the transfer, or plug it in. If it dies halfway through, you will have to start over. Your new phone should also be charged or plugged in.

Step-by-step: Quick Start (direct transfer)

Turn on your new iPhone. When you see the "Quick Start" screen, hold your old iPhone next to it. The old phone's camera will open and scan a code on the new phone's screen. If the camera does not open automatically, tap "Use Manual Code" on the old phone and type the code shown on the new phone.

When prompted, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone. The phones will then transfer your data directly over Wi-Fi. Do not move the phones far apart or put them to sleep — keep them close and awake until the transfer finishes. You will see a progress bar on the new phone.

When the transfer is done, the new phone will ask you to set up Face ID or Touch ID, choose privacy settings, and sign into apps. Some apps will ask you to sign in again even though your login was transferred — this is normal and a security measure. You can skip these sign-ins and do them later.

Step-by-step: iCloud backup and restore

On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup. Turn on "iCloud Backup" if it is not already on, then tap "Back Up Now". The backup will run in the background and may take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have. You can check progress by going back to the same screen — it will show the date and time of your last backup.

On your new iPhone, turn it on and follow the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data". Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup", then sign in with your Apple ID. Choose the backup you just created (it will be labeled with today's date), and the new phone will download your data. This can take several hours. Keep the phone plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi — do not interrupt it.

After the restore finishes, the new phone will ask you to set up Face ID, Touch ID, and other features. Some apps will ask you to sign in again. This is normal.

What transfers and what does not

Your photos, videos, messages (including iMessages and SMS), contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, and app data all transfer completely. Your home screen layout, wallpaper, and notification settings transfer too. Passwords stored in iCloud Keychain (your saved Wi-Fi passwords and credit card information) transfer automatically if you are signed into iCloud on both phones.

Apps transfer, but some require you to sign in again after the transfer. This is especially true for banking apps, email apps, and social media apps — they do this for security. You will not lose the app or its data; you just need to enter your password again.

Some things do not transfer: your carrier settings (your phone plan and cellular data settings), your Apple Watch pairing, and any data stored only on your old phone's storage (not in iCloud). If you use an Apple Watch, you will need to pair it to the new phone separately after the transfer.

Troubleshooting if the transfer stalls or fails

If Quick Start stops responding, 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 10 seconds, then turn both phones back on and try again.

If iCloud backup restore is stuck, check your Wi-Fi connection. Move closer to your router or restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If the progress bar has not moved in 30 minutes, force-restart the new phone and try restoring again — iCloud will resume from where it left off.

If you see an error message about iCloud storage being full, you do not have enough space to restore your backup. You can buy more iCloud storage through Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Change Storage Plan, or you can delete old backups from your old phone to make room. After you free up space, try the restore again.

After the transfer: what to check

Sign into your email apps and any apps that require a password. Check that iMessages are syncing — open Messages and look for your recent conversations. It may take a few minutes for all messages to appear. If messages are missing, go to Settings > Messages and make sure "iMessage" is turned on.

Check that your photos are there by opening the Photos app. If you use iCloud Photos, your photos may still be downloading in the background — you will see a small cloud icon next to photos that have not downloaded yet. This is normal and will finish on its own.

Test a phone call and send a text message to make sure cellular and messaging work. If you use an Apple Watch, pair it to the new phone by opening the Watch app and tapping "Start Pairing".

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is broken?

Yes, if you have an iCloud backup. As long as you backed up to iCloud before the phone broke, you can restore that backup to your new phone by signing in with your Apple ID. You do not need the old phone itself. If you never backed up to iCloud, you will lose data that was not synced to iCloud (like some photos or messages).

Will my text messages transfer?

Yes. SMS text messages and iMessages both transfer through Quick Start or iCloud backup. If you use an Android phone as your old phone, text messages will not transfer — you will need to use a third-party app or manually export them.

Do I need to erase my old phone after the transfer?

You do not have to, but it is a good idea for security. Before you erase it, make sure the transfer to your new phone is completely done and you have tested that everything works. To erase, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This removes all your data from the old phone.

What if I do not remember my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and enter your Apple ID email. Apple will send you a link to reset your password. Do this before you start the transfer — you will need the password during setup.

Can I transfer to an iPhone with a different storage size?

Yes. You can transfer from a 256 GB phone to a 128 GB phone or vice versa, as long as your data fits on the new phone. If your data is larger than the new phone's storage, the transfer will fail. You can delete apps or photos from your old phone before transferring to make room.