The easiest way to transfer data to new iPhone is Quick Start: put your old iPhone next to the new one, turn the new one on and follow the prompts. You can copy everything straight across or let it download from iCloud. If your old phone is lost or broken, restore from an iCloud or computer backup during setup instead.
A few things need a step of their own: your eSIM, Apple Pay cards, some app logins (banking and authenticator apps especially) and WhatsApp chats. They are all covered below.
This guide is for moving from one iPhone to another. Coming from Android? Use our guide to moving from Android to iPhone instead. For the settings to change once you’re in, see how to set up a new iPhone. More guides live in our iPhone section.
Before you start: a 5-minute checklist
Doing these first prevents most failed or half-finished transfers.
- Make a fresh backup of your old iPhone. Apple says to have a backup before you start, even if you plan to use Quick Start. Go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now and stay on Wi-Fi until it finishes.
- Know your Apple Account password. You will be asked for it, sometimes more than once.
- Plug both phones in. Quick Start needs both devices connected to power for the whole transfer.
- Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the old iPhone.
- Don’t erase the old phone yet. Keep it until you’ve checked that your eSIM, authenticator codes and chats work on the new one.
Short on iCloud space for that backup? Apple says people buying a new device may qualify for temporary iCloud storage to help with the move. If not, our guide to fixing a full iCloud shows what to clear, or you can back up to a computer instead (Method 3).
How to transfer data to new iPhone: pick your method
Apple offers four ways. They all bring over your apps, photos, messages and settings. The difference is what you need on hand and how soon you can use the new phone.
| Method | Best when | You need | Use the new phone right away? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Start, download from iCloud | Old iPhone is with you and your Wi-Fi is good | Both phones nearby, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on | Yes. Apps and data download in the background |
| Quick Start, direct from iPhone | You want everything copied phone-to-phone | Both phones nearby and plugged in | No. Wait until both phones finish |
| Cable (wired transfer) | You’d rather connect the phones directly | The right cable or adapter (see below) | No. Wait until both phones finish |
| iCloud backup | Old phone is lost, broken or elsewhere | A recent iCloud backup and Wi-Fi | Mostly. Content keeps downloading for hours or days |
| Computer backup | You back up to a Mac or PC | The computer with your backup and a cable | After the restore finishes |
Method 1: Quick Start (old iPhone next to you)
Your old iPhone needs iOS 11 or later, which almost any iPhone still in use has. Keep the two phones close together the whole time.
- On your old iPhone, turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, unlock it and go to the Home Screen.
- Turn on the new iPhone and set it next to the old one. A Quick Start card appears on the old phone offering to set up the new one with your Apple Account. Tap Continue.
- An animation appears on the new iPhone. Hold the old iPhone over it so the animation sits inside the camera viewfinder.
- Enter your old iPhone’s passcode on the new iPhone when asked.
- Connect the new iPhone to Wi-Fi or cellular, and activate cellular service if prompted. This is where your eSIM can move across (see the eSIM section below).
- Set up Face ID.
- On the Transfer Your Data screen, choose Download from iCloud or Transfer from iPhone.
- Keep both phones close and plugged in until the transfer finishes.
Pick Download from iCloud if you want to start using the new phone sooner: apps and data download in the background. Pick the direct option if your iCloud backup is old or incomplete, but expect both phones to be busy until it’s done.
Using a cable instead
You can run the same transfer over a cable. Connect the phones, turn both on and follow the onscreen steps. Apple lists the cable you need:
- iPhone 15 or later to iPhone 15 or later: a USB-C charge cable.
- iPhone 14 or earlier to iPhone 15 or later: a USB-C to Lightning cable.
- iPhone 14 or earlier to iPhone 14 or earlier: a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter powered by a 12W or higher power adapter, plus a Lightning to USB cable.
Method 2: Restore from an iCloud backup
Use this if your old iPhone isn’t nearby. If the new iPhone is already set up, you first have to erase it in Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.
- Turn on the new iPhone and follow the setup screens until you’re asked how to transfer your apps and data.
- Choose From iCloud Backup and sign in with your Apple Account.
- Pick a backup. Check the date and size so you get the most recent one.
- Sign in again if asked, so your apps and purchases can come back. You can skip this and do it later.
- Stay on Wi-Fi until the progress bar finishes. Apple says this can take a few minutes to an hour.
- Finish setup. Photos, music and apps keep downloading in the background for hours or even days, so leave the phone on Wi-Fi and power when you can.
Method 3: Restore from a computer backup
This works with the Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on a Windows PC.
- On the new iPhone, go through setup until the Apps & Data screen, then choose Restore from Mac or PC.
- Connect the iPhone to the computer that holds your backup and open the Finder, Apple Devices or iTunes.
- Select your iPhone, then choose Restore Backup. Pick the backup with the right date and size.
- If the backup is encrypted, enter its password.
- Wait for the restore to finish, then keep the iPhone on Wi-Fi and power so iCloud content can download.
Use an encrypted computer backup if you can. Apple says an unencrypted backup won’t bring over your Health and Activity data, and encrypted backups also keep saved passwords.
What doesn’t transfer automatically (and how to fix it)
Your eSIM and phone number
Many carriers support eSIM Quick Transfer. Both iPhones need iOS 18.4 or later, the same Apple Account, Bluetooth turned on and the old phone unlocked. During setup, follow the prompt to transfer your SIM. If you skipped it, go to Settings → Cellular → Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM → Transfer From Nearby iPhone, then confirm on the old phone. The old SIM stops working once the new one activates. If your carrier doesn’t support this, contact the carrier; it can activate the eSIM another way, such as a QR code or its app.
Apple Pay cards
Cards in Wallet have to be added again. Go to Settings → Wallet & Apple Pay, add each card and wait for your bank to verify it. Apple may offer Previous Cards so you can pick ones you used before instead of typing them in.
App logins, banking and authenticator apps
Apps reinstall, but many banking, health and work apps make you sign in and verify again on a new device. That’s normal. The one to plan for is your authenticator app, because losing its codes can lock you out of accounts.
- Google Authenticator: sign in to your Google Account in the app on the new iPhone and your codes sync. If you use it without an account, open it on the old phone and tap Menu → Transfer codes → Export codes, then on the new phone tap Transfer codes → Import codes and scan the QR code.
- Other authenticator apps: check the app’s own help for its transfer option before you erase the old phone.
- Accounts with passkeys are easier to move between devices. See how to set up passkeys.
WhatsApp chats
WhatsApp has its own Chat Transfer for iPhone to iPhone. Both phones need the latest iOS and WhatsApp, the same phone number, Wi-Fi and power, and the new phone must not be registered on WhatsApp yet. On the old iPhone, open WhatsApp and tap your profile picture → Chats → Transfer Chats to iPhone → Start. On the new iPhone, verify your number and follow the prompts to scan the QR code. Keep both phones unlocked with WhatsApp open until you see Transfer completed. If you use WhatsApp’s iCloud chat backup instead, restore with the same phone number and the same iCloud account.
Apple Watch and Bluetooth accessories
Apple says backing up your iPhone also backs up your Apple Watch. After you restore, open the Apple Watch app on the new iPhone with the watch unlocked and on your wrist. If it asks you to Start Pairing instead, unpair the watch and set it up again. Headphones, car systems and other accessories usually need pairing again in Settings → Bluetooth.
After the transfer: check before you erase the old phone
- Open Mail and let your messages download. Check Contacts and Calendar.
- Open your most-used apps and allow notifications where asked.
- Make a test call and send a text to confirm the eSIM works.
- Sign in to your authenticator app and check a few codes.
- Re-add Apple Pay cards and make a small purchase.
- Review your subscriptions so nothing is billed twice.
When everything checks out, follow our guide to wiping your phone before selling or trading it in so the next owner gets a clean phone and none of your data.
If the transfer gets stuck
- Keep the phones right next to each other, plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Restart both phones and start Quick Start again.
- Switch methods. If wireless keeps failing, try a cable, or restore from an iCloud backup.
- Quick Start isn’t available for devices managed through Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager. If your phone is from work or school, ask the IT team.
FAQ
How long does it take to transfer data to a new iPhone?
It depends on how much data you have and your network. A direct transfer can take a while and you can’t use either phone until it ends. With Download from iCloud you can use the new phone sooner while content keeps downloading.
Do I need iCloud storage to move to a new iPhone?
No. Quick Start’s direct transfer and the cable method copy phone to phone, and a computer backup also works. You only need iCloud space for the iCloud backup methods.
Will my text messages and photos transfer?
Yes. All the methods bring over messages, photos, apps and settings. Things like Apple Pay cards, some app sign-ins and WhatsApp chats need the extra steps above.
Can I transfer my eSIM without calling my carrier?
Often, yes. If your carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer and both iPhones run iOS 18.4 or later, you can move it during setup or from Settings → Cellular. Otherwise, your carrier activates it for you.
Should I erase my old iPhone right away?
Not until you’ve confirmed calls, authenticator codes, Apple Pay and chats work on the new one. Then erase it properly before you sell or trade it in.
Sources
- Transfer data from your previous iOS or iPadOS device to your new iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)
- Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)
- Use iCloud to transfer data to your new iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)
- Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup (Apple Support)
- Use the Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes to transfer data to your new iPhone (Apple Support)
- Use a wired connection to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad (Apple Support)
- Set up eSIM on iPhone (Apple Support)
- Finish setting up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch (Apple Support)
- Pair your Apple Watch with a new iPhone (Apple Support)
- Get verification codes with Google Authenticator (Google Account Help)
- How to transfer your chat history (WhatsApp Help Center)
