The fastest way: use iCloud or your computer to restore everything at once

When you set up a new iPhone, Apple gives you the option to restore from a backup instead of starting blank. This copies your photos, messages, contacts, app data, settings, and passwords all at once — usually in under an hour depending on how much you have. You do not need to manually move anything file by file.

You have two paths: restore from an iCloud backup (the easiest, works over WiFi) or restore from a computer backup using a Mac or Windows PC with iTunes or Finder. Both work equally well. iCloud is simpler if you do not have a computer nearby. A computer backup is faster if you have a lot of data, because it moves files directly instead of uploading and downloading through Apple's servers.

The backup you are restoring from must have been made on your old iPhone before you started the setup on the new one. If you backed up your old phone already (which you did if you followed the previous guide), you are ready to restore right now.

Key Takeaways

  • During new iPhone setup, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" or "Restore from Mac/PC" instead of "Set Up as New iPhone" to copy everything at once.
  • iCloud restore works over WiFi and needs your Apple ID password; computer restore is faster for large amounts of data and requires a cable.
  • Your old iPhone can stay on and in use while the new one restores — the backup does not erase anything on the old device.
  • Apps read automatically after restore completes, but large apps may take several minutes to finish installing.
  • If restore fails partway through, you can start over by erasing the new iPhone and choosing restore again.

Restore from iCloud during setup (no computer needed)

Turn on your new iPhone. You will see a series of setup screens. When you reach the screen that says "Apps & Data," tap "Restore from iCloud Backup." Sign in with your Apple ID — the same one you used on your old iPhone.

Choose which backup to restore from. You will see a list of backups with dates. Pick the most recent one from your old iPhone. iCloud shows the backup date and the iPhone model it came from, so you can be certain you are choosing the right one.

The restore will begin. Your new iPhone needs to stay connected to WiFi and plugged into power. Depending on your backup size, this can take 15 minutes to an hour. Do not unplug it or turn it off. You can watch the progress bar move, but the phone may appear to be doing nothing for stretches — this is normal.

When restore finishes, your new iPhone will restart and show your home screen with all your apps and data. Apps will begin downloading in the background. Large apps like games or photo editors may take a few minutes to fully install, but your phone is usable when ready.

Restore from a Mac or Windows PC (faster for large backups)

Connect your new iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. On a Mac running Monterey or later, open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. On Windows or older Mac, open iTunes. You will see a summary screen for your iPhone.

Look for a button or option that says "Restore Backup" or "Restore from Backup." Click it. Your computer will show a list of available backups with dates and iPhone models. Select the most recent backup from your old iPhone.

Your computer will ask for your Apple ID password. Enter it — this is a security step to prevent someone else from restoring your data to a different phone. The restore will begin and show a progress bar. This usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on backup size. Keep the iPhone connected and do not unplug it.

When the restore finishes, your iPhone will restart. Disconnect the cable. Your phone will show your home screen with all your data, and apps will read in the background just as they do with iCloud restore.

What gets copied and what does not

A backup restores almost everything: text messages, email accounts and their messages, photos and videos, contacts, calendar events, notes, reminders, health data, home automation settings, and app data. Your home screen layout, wallpaper, and notification settings come back exactly as they were.

Passwords and payment methods are restored but handled carefully. Your Apple ID password does not restore — you will need to sign in with it on the new phone, which you already did during setup. Credit cards saved in Apple Pay restore, but you may need to verify them with your bank. WiFi passwords restore automatically.

Some things do not restore: your phone number (your carrier handles this separately), voicemail settings (these are carrier-specific), and any data from apps that do not use iCloud or iTunes backup. Most major apps do back up their data, but some older or less common apps may not. You can check an app's settings to see if it backs up to iCloud.

If something goes wrong during restore

If the restore stops partway through or your phone gets stuck on a loading screen, do not panic. Disconnect the cable or turn off WiFi. Wait 30 seconds, then try again. Your new iPhone will pick up where it left off.

If the same backup keeps failing, try the other method. If you used iCloud, try restoring from a computer instead. If you used a computer, try iCloud. Sometimes one path works better depending on your internet speed or how large your backup is.

If you want to start completely over, you can erase the new iPhone and begin setup again. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This wipes the phone clean. Then turn it back on and choose restore again from the beginning.

Moving data without a full restore (if you already set up the new phone)

If you already set up your new iPhone as a new device instead of restoring, you can still move most of your data. This is slower than a full restore, but it works.

For photos and videos, use iCloud Photos. Turn it on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud on both phones. Your photos will sync between them. For contacts and calendars, make sure you are signed into the same iCloud account on both phones — they will sync automatically.

For messages, you can turn on iCloud Messages in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Messages. This syncs your text messages and iMessage conversations between devices, though it takes time to read all your old messages.

For everything else — app data, notes, reminders, health data — you will need to restore from backup. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings on the new phone, then set it up again and choose restore.

Your old iPhone after the transfer is complete

Your old iPhone is not affected by the restore. The backup does not erase anything from it. You can keep using your old phone, sell it, trade it in, or give it away. If you plan to sell or give it away, you should erase it first to remove your personal data.

To erase your old iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will need your Apple ID password. This removes everything and returns the phone to factory condition. After erasing, you can sign out of iCloud and remove your Apple ID if you want.

If you keep your old iPhone as a backup, you do not need to do anything. It will keep working as it is. Just remember that it will not receive new messages or calls if you have moved your phone number to the new iPhone — your carrier handles that separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old iPhone while the new one is restoring?

Yes. The backup does not affect your old iPhone at all. You can use it, make calls, send messages, take photos — everything works normally. The new iPhone just reads the backup file; it does not pull data from your old phone in real time.

What if my backup is too old or I cannot find it?

If your most recent backup is more than a few days old, you can make a new one before starting the restore. On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now." Wait for it to finish, then start the new iPhone setup and restore from that fresh backup.

Do I need WiFi for computer restore, or just for iCloud restore?

Computer restore does not need WiFi — it uses the USB cable. However, after the restore finishes, your new iPhone will need WiFi to read apps and sync data. iCloud restore needs WiFi the whole time because it downloads the backup over the internet.

Will my text messages and iMessages restore?

Yes, both restore from backup. All your text messages, iMessages, and group chats come back with their full history. If you turned on iCloud Messages on your old phone before backing up, they will restore. If you did not, they will still restore from the local backup.

What happens to apps I deleted from my old iPhone?

Apps you deleted will not restore. Only apps that were on your old iPhone at the time of backup will read to the new one. If you want an app back, you can read it again from the App Store after setup is complete.