How to Transfer Everything From One iPhone to Another

The easiest way to transfer everything from one iPhone to another is Quick Start. Turn on the new iPhone next to the old one, follow the prompts, and choose to transfer directly or download from iCloud. If you no longer have the old iPhone, restore from an iCloud backup or from a backup on your Mac or PC during setup.

All three methods run during the setup screens of the new iPhone. Below are the steps for each, what you need, what Apple says does not come across on its own, and what to do with the old iPhone afterwards. Every detail is linked to the Apple Support page it comes from.

Pick a method

Method	You need	Best when
Quick Start	Old iPhone that still works, both phones nearby	You have both phones in your hands
iCloud backup	A recent iCloud backup, Wi-Fi, your Apple Account	The old iPhone is lost, broken or already wiped
Computer backup	The Mac or PC that holds the backup	You back up to a computer, or want Health data kept (see below)

Apple does not publish transfer times. Its Quick Start page says only that times vary with network conditions and the amount of data. Plan for a quiet stretch and keep both phones plugged in.

Before you start

• Update both iPhones. Apple’s Quick Start page says the other device needs iOS 11 or later, and recommends both are on the latest version.
• Back up the old iPhone. Even if you plan to use Quick Start, a fresh backup is your safety net. Apple’s page on backing up says iCloud backup needs a Wi-Fi connection and no computer.
• Know your Apple Account password. Apple says that when you sign in during setup, you might be asked for a verification code from your previous device. Do this while the old phone is still with you.

Method 1: Quick Start (both phones in hand)

Apple’s steps:

1. On the old iPhone, connect to Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, unlock it and stay on the Home Screen.
2. Turn on the new iPhone and put it near the old one. Follow the prompts. If the prompt to set up the new device disappears from the old one, Apple says to restart both.
3. Connect the new iPhone to Wi-Fi or its cellular network. You may be asked to activate cellular service.
4. Set up Face ID or Touch ID.
5. Choose how to transfer your data.
6. Keep both phones near each other and plugged in until the migration finishes.

The choice in step 5 matters.

• Download from iCloud. Apps and data download in the background, so you can start using the new iPhone right away. Apple’s iCloud transfer page notes that this route needs iOS 17.2 or later on the old device. Keep the new iPhone on Wi-Fi and plugged in afterwards so photos, music and apps stored in iCloud can finish downloading.
• Transfer directly from the old iPhone. You wait until the transfer finishes on both phones before using either one.

If the new iPhone is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business, Quick Start cannot be used.

Method 2: Restore from an iCloud backup (no old iPhone needed)

Use this when the old iPhone is gone or you cannot use Quick Start. Per Apple’s page:

1. Turn on the new iPhone and go through setup until the Wi-Fi screen. Join a network.
2. On the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
3. Sign in with your Apple Account.
4. Choose a backup. Check its date and size to be sure it is the right one.
5. If you bought iTunes or App Store content with more than one Apple Account, sign in to each. Apple lets you skip this step with “Don’t have an Apple Account or forgot it.”
6. Stay connected until the restore finishes, then finish setup.

If you already set up the new iPhone, you have to erase it first, which deletes everything on it. On iOS 15 or later, that is Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Apple’s restore page warns that setting a device up as new creates iCloud backups that replace your saved ones.

Method 3: Restore from a Mac or PC backup

This works if you have the computer you used to back up the old iPhone. Apple’s steps:

1. Turn on the new iPhone and go through setup until Apps & Data, then tap Restore from Mac or PC.
2. Connect the new iPhone to the computer.
3. Open Finder (Mac), the Apple Devices app (PC) or iTunes, and select your iPhone. You may be asked to trust it.
4. Click Restore Backup and pick a backup. Check its date and size.
5. If the backup is encrypted, enter its password.
6. Wait for the restore to finish before you disconnect.

Apple says Health and Activity data from the iPhone or Apple Watch does not transfer if the backup is not encrypted. Its backup page adds that Keychain data also needs an encrypted backup, and that encrypted backups are off by default. If you restore from a computer, encrypt the backup first and write down the password, because you cannot use an encrypted backup without it.

What does not come across on its own

Apple documents a handful of things you will still do by hand:

• Face ID or Touch ID. It is a setup step on the new iPhone. You scan it again.
• Verification code. Signing in can prompt a code sent to your previous device.
• eSIM. Apple says you might be asked to activate your eSIM during setup. Apple’s setup pages do not say your plan moves on its own, so confirm with your carrier if cellular does not activate.
• Apple Watch. Apple’s iCloud page says to restore your Watch from a backup and pair it with the new iPhone.
• Data that lives in iCloud, not in the backup. An iCloud backup leaves out data that already syncs to iCloud, such as iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive, Notes and Messages in iCloud, plus app data stored in iCloud Drive. It comes back when you sign in with the same Apple Account, but it downloads over time and needs Wi-Fi.

Apple’s pages do not say how each third-party app behaves after a transfer. Open the apps you rely on, such as banking or two-factor apps, while the old iPhone is still intact.

If you keep photos in a vault app

Photos in the Hidden album follow your iCloud Photos library to the new iPhone. A vault app is different, because its files sit in the app’s own storage, so whether they arrive depends on that app’s backup. The guide to moving a photo vault to a new iPhone has the checklist. Do that before you wipe anything.

What to do with the old iPhone

Wait until the new iPhone has your photos, messages and apps and iCloud downloads have finished. Then Apple’s guide to selling, giving away or trading in an iPhone says to transfer first, then remove your data:

1. If an Apple Watch is still paired with the old iPhone, unpair it.
2. Go to Settings, tap your name, scroll down and tap Sign Out, and follow the prompts.
3. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings and confirm.
4. If it uses an eSIM, choose to erase the eSIM profile when asked. Apple notes that erasing also removes any cards you added for Apple Pay and turns off Find My and Activation Lock.

Do not delete photos or files by hand while signed in to iCloud. Apple warns that this removes them everywhere, including on your new iPhone.

Keeping private files through the move

Forevault is our vault app for iPhone. Files are encrypted on the device with AES-256-GCM, and the vault opens with a pattern on a 5×5 grid, a passcode or a password, with Face ID as an option. You can keep separate vaults for different patterns, and the lock screen does not list them. There is a 12-word recovery phrase and an encrypted backup to your own iCloud, which you can check with “Test a restore”. Export to Photos or Files is always free. There is no account and no data collected. The free tier holds 100 photos, 10 videos and 3 vaults, and there is no calculator disguise. It protects against someone holding your phone, not forensic analysis. Download Forevault on the App Store.

Frequently asked questions

How do I transfer everything from my old iPhone to my new iPhone?

Use Quick Start. Put the two phones next to each other during setup, follow the prompts and pick either a direct transfer or a download from iCloud. Keep both plugged in until it finishes.

How long does it take to transfer an iPhone to an iPhone?

Apple does not give a time. It says transfer times vary with network conditions and how much data you have. A direct transfer keeps both phones busy until it ends. The iCloud option lets you start using the new iPhone while content downloads.

Can I transfer data to a new iPhone without the old one?

Yes. On the Apps & Data screen during setup, choose Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Mac or PC. You need a recent backup and your Apple Account password.

Does Health data transfer to a new iPhone?

From a computer backup, only if the backup is encrypted. Apple says Health and Activity data will not transfer from an unencrypted backup.

When should I erase my old iPhone?

After you have confirmed that the new iPhone has your photos, messages and apps. Apple’s order is to transfer first, then sign out and erase.