The fastest way: use iCloud or a wired connection

When you turn on a new iPhone, Apple gives you two straightforward paths. The first is iCloud, which copies your photos, messages, contacts, settings, and most apps from your old phone to the new one over Wi-Fi — no cable needed. The second is a wired transfer using a USB cable, which is faster and works even if your Wi-Fi is slow or unreliable.

Both methods start the same way: power on your new iPhone and follow the setup screens. When you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, you'll see the option to restore from iCloud or to transfer directly from your old device. If you choose iCloud, you'll need your Apple ID password. If you choose the wired method, plug your old iPhone into the new one using a USB-C to Lightning cable (or Lightning to Lightning if both phones are older models), and the transfer begins automatically.

The wired transfer usually finishes in 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how much data you have. iCloud transfer can take several hours because it depends on your internet speed, and your old phone needs to stay powered on and connected to Wi-Fi the whole time.

Key Takeaways

  • A wired transfer using a USB cable is the fastest and most reliable method, finishing in under an hour for most people.
  • iCloud transfer works without a cable but requires both phones to stay connected to Wi-Fi and can take several hours.
  • During any transfer, keep both phones plugged in and do not interrupt the process, or you may lose data.
  • Apps read automatically after transfer, but you may need to sign back into some of them with your passwords.
  • Text messages, photos, and contacts transfer completely, but some third-party apps may not carry over their settings.

What transfers and what doesn't

Nearly everything moves over: your photos and videos, text messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, and home automation settings. Your Apple ID, passwords stored in Keychain, and Wi-Fi networks you've connected to also transfer. All your apps reinstall automatically, though some may take a few minutes to read depending on their size.

A few things do not transfer. Two-factor authentication codes for your bank or email accounts will not move — you'll need to set those up again on the new phone. Some apps that rely on device-specific hardware, like certain fitness trackers, may need to be reconnected. Game progress sometimes stays in the cloud and sometimes doesn't, depending on whether the game developer uses iCloud or their own system. Banking apps usually require you to sign in again for security reasons.

If you use a password manager like 1Password or Dashlane, those passwords transfer only if the app itself transfers — the passwords stored inside it come with it. Passwords in Keychain (Apple's built-in password manager) transfer automatically.

Preparing your old iPhone before you transfer

Before you start, make sure your old iPhone is fully charged and connected to Wi-Fi. Check that you know your Apple ID password — you'll need it during setup. If you've forgotten it, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and reset it before you begin the transfer.

Update your old iPhone to the latest iOS version available for that model. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any updates. This reduces the chance of transfer errors. You don't need to delete anything or clear space — the transfer works even if your old phone is nearly full.

If you're transferring to a phone with a different size or type of SIM card, contact your carrier ahead of time. They can send you a new SIM or eSIM (a digital SIM that doesn't require a physical card). You can set up it on the new phone during setup.

Step-by-step for a wired transfer

Plug your old iPhone into your new iPhone using a USB-C to Lightning cable. The new phone will recognize the old one and show a setup screen. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. The transfer begins automatically and shows a progress bar — do not unplug either phone or put them to sleep until it finishes.

Once the transfer is complete, your new iPhone will restart. You'll be asked to set up Face ID or Touch ID, choose a passcode, and connect to Wi-Fi. Your apps will begin downloading in the background — this can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how many you have. You can use your phone while this happens.

After setup, open Settings and check that your Apple ID is signed in under your name at the top of the screen. Go through your most-used apps and sign back in if needed — your passwords from Keychain should fill in automatically, but some apps require manual sign-in for security.

Step-by-step for an iCloud transfer

On your new iPhone, go through the initial setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with your Apple ID and choose the backup you want to restore — usually the most recent one with today's date. The phone will read your data over Wi-Fi.

This process can take several hours, so plug in your new phone and keep your old phone powered on and connected to Wi-Fi nearby. Do not put either phone to sleep. You can use your new phone while the restore happens, though it may be slower than usual.

When the restore finishes, your new phone will restart. Apps will read in the background. Check Settings to confirm your Apple ID is signed in, and sign back into any apps that require it.

Troubleshooting common transfer problems

If the transfer stops or fails, the most common cause is a Wi-Fi disconnection or a phone running out of battery. Plug both phones in, make sure they're on the same Wi-Fi network, and try again. If you're using a wired transfer and it fails, unplug the cable, restart both phones, and reconnect.

If an app doesn't transfer, it may have been removed from the App Store or may not be compatible with your new phone's iOS version. You can search for it in the App Store and reinstall it manually. If you're missing photos or messages, check that the backup you restored from actually contained them — go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and look at the backup date and size.

If you see a message that says your backup is too large for iCloud, it means your backup is bigger than your available iCloud storage. You can buy more storage (50 GB for $0.99 per month, 200 GB for $2.99 per month, or 2 TB for $9.99 per month), or you can use a wired transfer instead, which doesn't require iCloud storage.

After the transfer: what to check

Once everything is on your new phone, spend 10 minutes checking that the important things came through. Open your photos and scroll back a few months to confirm they're there. Check your messages with someone you text regularly. Open your email and make sure your accounts are still set up. Try making a call and sending a text to confirm those work.

Go through your home screen and look for any apps with a small cloud icon — that means they're still downloading. Wait for those to finish before you rely on them. If you use banking apps, health apps, or fitness trackers, open each one and confirm you're still signed in.

Keep your old iPhone powered on for at least a day after the transfer, in case you realize you need something from it. After that, you can erase it if you plan to sell it or recycle it. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, which removes everything and prepares it for a new owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer if my old iPhone is broken or won't turn on?

If your old phone won't power on, you cannot do a wired transfer. Your only option is iCloud — if you have a recent backup, you can restore it to the new phone. If you don't have a backup, contact Apple Support or your carrier to see if they can recover your data.

What if I don't remember my Apple ID password?

Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and follow the steps to reset it. You'll need access to the email address or phone number associated with your Apple ID. Reset it before you start the transfer, because you'll need the password during setup.

Do I need to erase my old iPhone before I transfer?

No. The transfer copies data from your old phone to your new one — it doesn't remove anything from the old phone. You can erase the old phone after the transfer is complete if you want to, but it's not necessary for the transfer to work.

Will my text messages and iMessages transfer?

Yes, both SMS text messages and iMessages transfer completely, including photos and videos inside conversations. They'll appear in the Messages app on your new phone exactly as they were on the old one.

What if some of my apps don't show up on the new phone?

Apps that have been removed from the App Store or are no longer compatible with your new phone's iOS version won't transfer. You can search for them in the App Store and reinstall them manually. If an app is truly gone, the developer has stopped supporting it.