The fastest way is to use iCloud or a direct phone-to-phone transfer

You have three main paths to move your data, apps, photos, and settings to a new iPhone. The quickest is direct transfer, which moves everything wirelessly between the old phone and new one while they sit next to each other — this takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have. The second option is iCloud backup, which uploads your old phone's data to Apple's servers, then downloads it onto the new phone — this is slower but works if your old phone is broken or far away. The third is Mac or Windows backup, which uses a computer to copy everything; this is the most reliable for large amounts of data but requires a cable and a computer nearby.

Direct transfer works only if both phones turn on and have enough battery. iCloud backup requires an internet connection and enough storage space in your iCloud account (you get 5 GB free; larger backups need a paid plan). Computer backup works even if your old phone won't charge, as long as it powers on briefly.

Key Takeaways

  • Direct transfer between two iPhones sitting side by side is the fastest method and requires no computer or extra storage.
  • iCloud backup works when your old phone is broken or unavailable, but uploads and downloads take longer and may require paid storage.
  • Computer backup via Mac or Windows is most reliable for large amounts of data and works even if your old phone has battery problems.
  • Your Apple ID and password are required for any transfer method, and your new phone must have iOS 12.4 or later.
  • Apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings all transfer, but some apps may need to be re-downloaded from the App Store.

How to use direct transfer between two iPhones

Turn on your new iPhone and place it next to your old one. When the setup screen appears on the new phone, tap "Transfer Directly" or "Migrate from iPhone" (the exact wording depends on your iOS version). Hold your old phone above the new one and point the camera at the animation that appears on the new phone's screen — this pairs the two devices.

When prompted, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone. Then choose which data to transfer: you can move everything or uncheck items you want to leave behind. The transfer begins and runs in the background; you can use the new phone while it completes, though it will be slower. Larger transfers (50 GB or more) may take several hours.

Once the transfer finishes, your old phone will ask whether to erase it. You can do this now or wait and erase it later from Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Do not unplug either phone or move them far apart until the transfer shows complete on both screens.

How to use iCloud backup if your old phone is unavailable

On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now." Wait for the backup to finish — you will see a timestamp showing when it completed. This can take 15 minutes to an hour depending on your data size and internet speed. If your old phone is broken and will not turn on, skip this step; if you backed up before it broke, that backup is already in iCloud.

Turn on your new iPhone and go through the setup screens. When you reach "Apps & Data," tap "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with your Apple ID and password, then select the backup you want to restore. The phone will download your data, apps, photos, and settings — this takes longer than direct transfer, often 1 to 3 hours for large backups. Your phone will restart during this process; do not turn it off.

Check your iCloud storage before starting: go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. If your backup is larger than your available space, you will need to buy more storage (50 GB for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99 per month, or 2 TB for $9.99 per month) or delete old backups from other devices.

How to use a Mac or Windows computer to transfer data

Connect your old iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your phone's name in the sidebar; on Windows, open iTunes or the Devices app. Click "Back Up Now" or "Create Backup." Wait for the backup to finish — the status bar shows progress. This backup stores on your computer's hard drive, not in iCloud.

Disconnect the old phone and connect your new iPhone. On a Mac, click "Restore Backup" in Finder; on Windows, click "Restore" in iTunes. Select the backup you just created and enter your Apple ID password. The restore process takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on data size. Your new phone will restart; do not disconnect it until the process shows complete.

This method is most reliable for people with very large photo libraries, many apps, or old phones that are slow or have battery issues. It also works offline — you do not need internet during the backup or restore, only to download apps afterward.

What transfers and what does not

All three methods move your contacts, calendar events, reminders, notes, messages (SMS and iMessage), photos, videos, voice memos, health data, and home automation settings. Your email accounts, Wi-Fi passwords, and app data transfer too. Settings like wallpaper, notification preferences, and accessibility options come over as well.

Apps themselves transfer, but some require you to re-download them from the App Store — this happens when an app is no longer available or when the developer has removed it. Downloaded music, movies, and TV shows do not transfer; you can re-download them from your iTunes library if you have a subscription or purchased them. iCloud Photos, if you use it, syncs automatically once you sign in with your Apple ID on the new phone.

Banking apps, two-factor authentication codes, and some security settings may need to be set up again on the new phone for safety reasons. Your old phone's data remains on it until you erase it; transferring does not automatically delete the old phone.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If direct transfer fails or gets stuck, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are on the same Wi-Fi network and have at least 50% battery. If the pairing animation does not appear, move the phones closer together and make sure nothing is blocking the camera lens on the old phone.

If iCloud backup is taking too long, check your internet connection — a slow or unstable connection will pause the backup. You can check progress in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. If the backup keeps failing, try backing up over a wired connection using a computer instead.

If some apps do not appear on your new phone after transfer, they may have been deleted from the App Store or are incompatible with your new phone's iOS version. Go to the App Store, tap your profile icon, scroll to "Purchased," and look for the app there — you can re-download it if it is still available. If an app shows "Unavailable," the developer has removed it and you cannot restore it.

Erasing your old iPhone safely

Once your transfer is complete and you have confirmed everything arrived on the new phone, erase the old one. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple ID password and device passcode when prompted. The phone will erase all data and restart — this takes 5 to 15 minutes.

Erasing removes your personal data but does not remove the iOS operating system itself. After erasing, the phone shows the setup screen again, as if it were brand new. You can then sell it, give it away, or recycle it. Do not skip this step if you are selling or giving away the phone — erasing prevents the next owner from accessing your photos, messages, or financial information.

If you plan to keep the old phone as a backup, you do not have to erase it. Just make sure you turn off Find My iPhone first: go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and toggle it off. This prevents the phone from being locked to your account if it is lost.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

If it will not power on at all, no. But if it turns on briefly before the battery dies, you can plug it into power and try iCloud backup or computer backup. If you have an older backup already in iCloud, you can restore from that even if the old phone is completely dead.

Do I need Wi-Fi for direct transfer?

Yes, both phones must be on the same Wi-Fi network for direct transfer to work. If you do not have Wi-Fi, use iCloud backup or computer backup instead. Direct transfer does not use cellular data.

Will my text messages transfer?

Yes, both SMS and iMessage transfer with all three methods. Older messages may not transfer if they were deleted from your old phone, but recent conversations will come over.

What if I do not remember my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and follow the steps to reset it. You will need access to your recovery email or phone number. Do this before starting the transfer, because you will need the password during setup.

Can I transfer to an Android phone instead?

No, these methods work only between iPhones. To move to Android, use Google's "Switch to Android" app, which is available on the App Store and handles the transfer differently.