To set up new iPhone from an old one: back up the old iPhone, charge both, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, then place them side by side. Quick Start pops up on the old phone and copies your settings and data across. Move your phone number when asked, set up Face ID, and keep both phones plugged in until the transfer finishes.
No old iPhone? Tap Set Up Without Another Device and restore from iCloud, or choose From Android if you’re switching.
A new iPhone takes about as long as your data to set up. The screens themselves are quick. What saves you hours later is doing things in the right order: back up first, transfer second, and wipe the old phone last. These steps follow Apple’s support documentation for current iPhones, so menu names match what Apple publishes. Find more in our iPhone guides.
Before you start: what to have ready
Apple suggests having these on hand before you turn the new phone on:
- Wi-Fi name and password, or cellular service from your carrier. Apple notes cellular isn’t required to set up iPhone 14 and later models.
- Your Apple Account email or phone number and password. You can create an account during setup if you don’t have one.
- Your old iPhone or a recent backup of it.
- A debit or credit card, only if you want to add it to Apple Pay during setup.
- Chargers for both phones. Apple says to keep them plugged in until migration is complete.
- Your two-factor codes. If you use an authenticator app, check that it backs up or can move to a new phone before you erase anything.
Back up the old iPhone first
Even if you plan to copy phone to phone, a fresh backup is your safety net. Apple’s iPhone User Guide has a tip for people without enough iCloud space: on the old iPhone, go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone, tap Get Started and follow the prompts. Apple says iCloud then gives you enough free storage for a temporary backup for up to three weeks from your iPhone purchase.
How to set up new iPhone with Quick Start
Quick Start is the easiest route if your old phone is an iPhone or iPad. Apple says the old device needs iOS 11, iPadOS 13 or later, and both should be updated to the latest version first.
- On the old iPhone, make sure Wi-Fi is connected and Bluetooth is on. Unlock it and go to the Home Screen.
- Press and hold the new iPhone’s side button until the Apple logo appears. Apple’s setup flow may first ask you to choose text and icon size: Default, Medium or Large.
- Place the new iPhone next to the old one. Follow the Quick Start prompt that appears on the old phone.
- Connect the new iPhone to Wi-Fi or your cellular network. You may need to activate cellular service here.
- Set up Face ID or Touch ID, and a passcode. Apple suggests a six-digit passcode.
- Choose how to move your data: download it from iCloud in the background, or transfer it directly from the old iPhone.
- Keep both phones close together and plugged in until the transfer is done. Apple says transfer times vary with your network and how much data you have.
Quick Start doesn’t work if the new iPhone is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business. For a work phone, ask your IT admin.
Direct transfer or iCloud?
A direct transfer copies everything from the old phone and you wait until it’s done before using the new one. Download from iCloud lets you start using the new iPhone sooner while apps and data download in the background. If your last iCloud backup is old, the direct route is safer.
Move your phone number and eSIM
During setup, you may be asked to transfer your phone number. Apple says that when the plan on your new iPhone activates, your previous SIM stops working, so finish the transfer before you leave the store or hand back the old phone.
- eSIM Quick Transfer works when your carrier supports it. Apple lists the requirements: both iPhones signed in to the same Apple Account, the old iPhone unlocked, Bluetooth on, and iOS 18.4 or later on both.
- After setup, go to Settings → Cellular → Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM, then tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone and confirm on the old phone.
- Bought from a carrier? They may have assigned an eSIM already. Apple says to turn the iPhone on and follow the onscreen steps to activate it.
- Still no service? Contact your carrier. They can push the eSIM to your new phone.
Setting up without your old iPhone
Lost, broken or traded in already? Tap Set Up Without Another Device. On the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, Apple offers several choices: restore from an iCloud backup, restore from a backup on your computer, or move data from an Android phone. Pick iCloud, sign in with your Apple Account, and choose the newest backup.
Switching from Android? Choose From Android on that screen and use Apple’s Move to iOS app. Going the other way? Our guide to setting up a new Android phone covers it.
Finish setup: the screens worth reading
After the transfer, Apple’s setup flow walks through a few more screens. Don’t skip them all:
- Apple Account: sign in so iCloud, the App Store and Find My work.
- Automatic updates: turn them on. Security fixes arrive this way.
- Siri, appearance (Light, Dark or Auto), and Screen Time. You can change any of these later in Settings.
- Apple Intelligence, if your model supports it.
- Setting up a phone for a child? Setup asks whether the iPhone is for you or for a child. Choosing the child option links it to Family Sharing controls.
After setup: a 10-minute security check
- Open the App Store and update every app. Some apps restore as icons and download in the background.
- Sign in to your banking and two-factor apps and confirm they work before you wipe the old phone.
- Add passkeys to your main accounts. They’re harder to phish than passwords.
- Turn on spam call and text filtering. Our guides to blocking spam calls and stopping spam texts show the settings.
- Check Wi-Fi passwords came across. If a guest needs your network, share it with a Wi-Fi QR code.
Don’t erase your old iPhone until you’ve used the new one for a day or two and confirmed photos, messages and two-factor codes are all there.
If setup doesn’t work
- Quick Start doesn’t appear: check that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are on and the old phone is unlocked on its Home Screen. Update the old phone if it’s behind, then try again.
- New iPhone won’t turn on: charge it for a while. Apple’s guide says the battery may simply need charging.
- Transfer is slow: that’s normal for large photo libraries. Keep both phones on power and close together.
- Not enough iCloud storage to back up: use the temporary backup option in Transfer or Reset iPhone described above.
- No cellular service after transfer: restart the iPhone, then contact your carrier to activate the eSIM.
Related guide: How to Move From Android to iPhone Without Losing Your Photos or Texts.
FAQ
How long does it take to set up new iPhone?
The setup screens take a few minutes. The data transfer is what varies: Apple says it depends on your network and how much data you’re moving.
Can I set up a new iPhone without the old one?
Yes. Tap Set Up Without Another Device and restore from your latest iCloud backup or a computer backup.
Do I need Wi-Fi to set up an iPhone?
You need Wi-Fi or cellular data. Apple notes cellular data isn’t required to set up iPhone 14 and later models, but Wi-Fi is the simplest choice for big transfers.
When does my old iPhone stop working on my number?
Apple says that when the cellular plan on your new iPhone activates, it deactivates your previous SIM.
Can I use Quick Start after I’ve finished setup?
Quick Start is part of the setup screens, so it’s easiest to use it the first time you turn the new iPhone on. Apple’s setup pages describe it only as a setup option.
