The fastest way: use iCloud or your Mac to transfer everything at once
When you turn on a new iPhone, Apple walks you through a setup screen that asks where your data should come from. If you choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Restore from Mac," the phone downloads your apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings automatically — you don't move files one by one. This takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed, but it's the method most people should use.
To make this work, your old iPhone must have created a backup in the last few days. If it hasn't, you'll need to create one before you start the transfer. On your old phone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, then tap "Back Up Now." Wait for it to finish — you'll see a checkmark and a timestamp when it's done.
When your new phone arrives, plug it in, turn it on, and follow the on-screen prompts. When you reach "Apps & Data," tap "Restore from iCloud Backup," then sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. Choose the most recent backup and let it restore. Your phone will download everything in the background even after you start using it.
Key Takeaways
- iCloud Backup or Mac restore transfers everything at once — apps, photos, messages, contacts, and settings — without plugging cables together.
- Your old iPhone must have a recent backup saved to iCloud before you start, which you can create manually in Settings if needed.
- During setup on your new phone, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" and sign in with the same Apple ID to pull everything down automatically.
- If you don't have a backup or want to transfer only specific data, you can use a Mac, a Windows PC, or move items manually through Messages, Mail, and Photos.
- Some data like banking apps and two-factor authentication codes won't transfer — you'll need to sign back into those apps on your new phone.
What gets transferred and what doesn't
When you restore from a backup, your new iPhone receives: all your apps and their data, photos and videos, messages and call history, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, home automation settings, and your home screen layout. Your Apple ID, Wi-Fi passwords, and Bluetooth pairings also transfer.
Some things do not transfer, and you'll need to set them up again on your new phone. Banking apps, payment apps like Venmo or PayPal, and apps that use two-factor authentication codes (like authenticator apps) will ask you to sign in fresh. Health and fitness apps sometimes require you to re-enter personal information. iCloud Keychain (your saved passwords) transfers, but you may need to re-enter passwords for some older apps.
If you use Face ID or Touch ID, your biometric data does not transfer — you'll set up Face ID or Touch ID from scratch on your new phone during setup. Your Apple Watch, if you have one, will need to be re-paired to your new iPhone.
Using a Mac to transfer data without iCloud
If you don't want to use iCloud or your backup is too old, you can connect both phones to a Mac and transfer directly. Plug your old iPhone into the Mac with a USB cable, open Finder, and click your phone's name in the sidebar. Click "General," then look for a "Restore from Backup" option — this creates a fresh backup on your Mac.
Then plug in your new iPhone, open Finder again, and during setup choose "Restore from this backup." Select the backup you just created and let it restore. This method works the same way as iCloud but keeps your backup on your computer instead of in the cloud. It's useful if you have limited iCloud storage or want a local copy of your data.
Transferring data on a Windows PC
Windows computers can't use Finder, but you can use iTunes (on older Windows versions) or the Apple Devices app (on Windows 11) to back up and restore. Plug your old iPhone into your Windows PC with a USB cable, open iTunes or the Apple Devices app, and click your phone's name. Select "Back Up Now" and wait for the backup to finish.
When your new iPhone arrives, plug it in, open iTunes or the Apple Devices app again, and during setup choose "Restore from this backup." Select the backup you created and let it restore. Like the Mac method, this keeps your backup on your computer rather than in iCloud.
Moving specific data without a full restore
If you only want to transfer certain things — like messages, photos, or contacts — you can move them individually without restoring a full backup. Photos can be moved through iCloud Photos: turn on iCloud Photos on your old phone in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Photos, then turn it on again on your new phone and your photos will sync automatically.
Messages can be transferred through iCloud as well if you turn on iCloud+ and enable "Messages in iCloud" on both phones. Contacts sync through iCloud if you have "Contacts" turned on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. For other data like notes or reminders, the same iCloud sync method works — just make sure the setting is on for both phones.
If you don't use iCloud, you can export contacts as a file from your old phone and email them to yourself, then import them on your new phone. This is slower than a full backup but works if you only need a few types of data.
Troubleshooting when a transfer gets stuck
If your restore stops partway through, check your internet connection first — a weak or interrupted Wi-Fi signal is the most common reason. Move closer to your router or switch to a different network if possible. If you're using cellular data, switch to Wi-Fi instead.
If the restore fails completely, force-restart your new iPhone by pressing and holding the power button and volume down button together until you see the Apple logo, then let it restart. When setup appears again, try restoring from the same backup. If it fails a second time, create a new backup on your old phone and try again.
If your old phone is damaged or lost and you don't have a recent backup, you can still set up your new phone from scratch and sign into your apps individually. Your photos, messages, and contacts stored in iCloud will sync automatically once you sign in with your Apple ID, even without a backup file.
Erasing your old iPhone after the transfer
Once your new phone is set up and working, you should erase your old iPhone to protect your data. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset, then tap "Erase All Content and Settings." You'll be asked to enter your Apple ID password — this is a security step that prevents someone else from reusing the phone without your permission.
The erase process takes a few minutes and removes everything from your old phone. After it's done, you can sell it, trade it in, or give it away. If you're trading it in to Apple or a carrier, they may handle the erase for you, but it's safer to do it yourself first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data if my old iPhone won't turn on?
If your old phone is completely dead, you can only restore from a backup you created before it stopped working. If you have an iCloud backup, you can restore it to your new phone during setup. If you don't have a backup, you'll lose data that wasn't synced to iCloud, but your contacts, photos, and messages stored in iCloud will still be there once you sign in.
How long does a full restore take?
A restore from iCloud usually takes 30 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed. A restore from a Mac or Windows backup is usually faster because the data transfers locally instead of through the internet. Your phone will be usable before the restore finishes — apps and photos download in the background.
Will my text messages transfer if I switch from iPhone to Android?
iCloud backups only work between iPhones. If you're switching to Android, you'll need to use a third-party app or service to move your messages. Google has a tool called "Switch to Android" that can transfer some data, but text messages are often lost in the switch. Contact your new phone's manufacturer for their recommended transfer method.
Do I need the same Apple ID on my new phone?
Yes, you need to sign in with the same Apple ID that created the backup you're restoring from. If you use a different Apple ID, the restore won't work. You can change your Apple ID on your new phone after the restore is complete if you want to use a different account going forward.
What if I don't remember my iCloud password?
Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and enter your Apple ID email address. Apple will send you a link to reset your password. You'll need access to a recovery email or phone number associated with your account. Once you've reset your password, you can use it to sign in during setup on your new iPhone.