The fastest way to transfer everything is to use your phone's built-in transfer tool during setup

When you turn on a new phone for the first time, both Apple and Google offer automatic transfer options that move your contacts, photos, messages, apps, and settings from your old device. For iPhones, this is called Quick Start. For Android phones, it's called Setup Wizard or Google Setup. Both work by holding your old phone next to your new one and following the on-screen prompts — no cables or computers needed.

The process takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have. Your old phone stays on during the transfer, so charge both devices fully before you start. If you're switching between iPhone and Android, the built-in tools won't work; you'll need to use a third-party app like Samsung Smart Switch (if moving to a Samsung Android phone) or Move to iOS (if moving from Android to iPhone).

Key Takeaways

  • Quick Start (iPhone) and Setup Wizard (Android) transfer everything automatically when you set up your new phone, and both devices must be charged and nearby.
  • Your phone number stays with your carrier and transfers automatically when you activate your new phone on their network — you do not need to do anything extra.
  • If you're switching between iPhone and Android, use Move to iOS or Samsung Smart Switch instead of the standard setup tool.
  • Back up your old phone to iCloud (iPhone) or Google Drive (Android) before transferring, so you have a copy if something goes wrong.
  • Apps download fresh from the App Store or Google Play during transfer, so you'll need your passwords for accounts that don't auto-sign-in.

How your phone number moves to the new device

Your phone number belongs to your carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or whoever you pay each month — not to your phone. When you activate a new phone on your carrier's network, your number moves automatically. You don't need to call anyone or fill out a form.

The activation happens when you turn on the new phone and connect to your carrier's network for the first time. Your carrier recognizes the new device's hardware ID and transfers your account to it. If you're keeping the same carrier, this is invisible — your number just works. If you're switching carriers, you'll need to port your number, which takes a phone call or a visit to the new carrier's store, but the process is the same whether you have a new phone or not.

Transferring contacts, photos, and messages

The built-in transfer tools copy everything: your contact list, text messages, photos, videos, email accounts, and app data. During Quick Start or Setup Wizard, you'll be asked to sign in with your Apple ID (iPhone) or Google account (Android). This is the same account you used on your old phone, and it tells the new phone where to find your backed-up data.

If you didn't back up your old phone before getting the new one, you can still transfer manually. For contacts, you can export them as a file from your old phone and import them into your new one. For photos and messages, this is slower — you may need to use a computer or a cloud service like Google Photos or iCloud. The built-in transfer is faster because it pulls from backups that already exist in the cloud.

What to do if you're switching from iPhone to Android or vice versa

If your old phone is an iPhone and your new phone is Android, use the Move to iOS app. Download it from the Google Play Store on your Android phone, open it, and follow the prompts. It will ask you to sign in with your Apple ID and then transfer your contacts, calendar, photos, and some app data. Text messages and call history do not transfer — these are stored differently on each system and are not compatible.

If your old phone is Android and your new phone is an iPhone, the process is similar but reversed. During iPhone setup, you'll see an option to "Migrate Data from Android." Tap it, then open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone. The two phones will connect and transfer your data. Again, text messages and call history stay on your old phone.

Apps themselves do not transfer between systems because iPhone apps and Android apps are different programs. Your new phone will download fresh copies of the apps you had, but you'll need to sign back into each one. If an app you used on your old phone doesn't exist on the new system, you'll need to find an alternative or do without it.

Backing up before you transfer

Before you start the transfer, back up your old phone. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now." On Android, go to Settings > Google > Manage Your Google Account > Backup and make sure "Backup to Google Drive" is turned on. These backups live in the cloud, so if something goes wrong during the transfer, you can restore from them.

Backups take a few minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. They use your Wi-Fi connection, so make sure you're on a network you trust. Once the backup is complete, you can start the transfer to your new phone with confidence.

Signing back into apps and accounts

During transfer, your email accounts, social media logins, and other saved passwords may or may not come through, depending on how each app stores them. Some apps use your phone's built-in password manager and transfer automatically. Others require you to sign in again manually.

Have your passwords ready before you start, or use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to look them up quickly. Two-factor authentication (the codes sent to your phone or email when you log in) may be triggered during this process — that's normal and a sign the transfer is working correctly. If an app asks for a two-factor code and you don't receive it, wait a minute and try again, or use a backup code if the app gave you one when you first set up two-factor authentication.

Troubleshooting a transfer that stalls or fails

If the transfer stops halfway through, both phones will usually ask if you want to try again. Before you do, make sure both phones are plugged in, on the same Wi-Fi network, and within a few feet of each other. Restart both phones and try the transfer again from the beginning.

If the transfer fails repeatedly, try transferring over a wired connection instead. On iPhone, you can use a USB cable and a computer running Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) to transfer data. On Android, you can use a USB cable to transfer files directly to your computer, then move them to your new phone. This is slower but more reliable if wireless transfer keeps failing.

If you've already set up your new phone and the transfer didn't complete, you can still restore from your backup. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then set up the phone again and choose "Restore from iCloud Backup." On Android, during setup, choose "Restore from Backup" and sign in with your Google account. This will pull everything from your most recent backup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my text messages if I switch from iPhone to Android?

Text messages do not transfer between iPhone and Android because the two systems store them in incompatible formats. Your old messages stay on your old phone. If you need to keep them, take screenshots or export them to a file before you switch. Some third-party apps claim to transfer messages, but they are unreliable and often require payment.

What happens to my apps when I transfer to a new phone?

Apps download fresh from the App Store or Google Play during transfer. You'll need to sign back into most of them. If an app is no longer available in the store, you won't be able to download it again on your new phone. Check before you transfer whether the apps you use are still available on your new phone's system.

Can I transfer data from an old phone to a new one if the old phone is broken?

If your old phone won't turn on, you can't use the built-in transfer tool. Your best option is to restore from a backup if you made one before the phone broke. If you didn't back up, you may be able to recover some data through your carrier or through a data recovery service, but this is expensive and not always successful.

How long does a phone transfer usually take?

A transfer takes 15 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have. Large photo libraries and many apps take longer. Keep both phones plugged in and on Wi-Fi during the transfer — don't use them for anything else until it's done.

Do I need to do anything special to transfer my phone number?

No. Your phone number is tied to your carrier's account, not to your phone. When you activate your new phone on your carrier's network, your number moves automatically. If you're switching carriers, you'll need to port your number, but that's a separate process from transferring your data.