The fastest way: use iCloud or a computer to copy everything at once

When you turn on a new iPhone, Apple gives you the option to restore from a backup — either one stored in iCloud (Apple's cloud storage) or one on a Mac or Windows computer. This copies your apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and passwords all at once, so you do not have to set up each thing separately. The backup includes almost everything except your Apple Pay cards and some banking apps, which you will need to set up again for security reasons.

The easiest route is iCloud if your old phone still works and you have enough storage space. If your old phone is broken or you do not have iCloud space, a computer backup works just as well and takes about the same time — usually 15 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

You can also transfer without a backup by signing into your Apple ID on the new phone and letting it read your apps and data over time, but this is slower and leaves gaps. A full backup is worth the 20 minutes it takes.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backup copies everything automatically if you have enough storage space, and you restore it by signing in during setup on the new phone.
  • A computer backup (Mac or Windows) works the same way and does not require iCloud space, though it takes a few minutes to set up.
  • The backup process happens in the background on your old phone and does not interrupt normal use.
  • After restoring, your new phone will look and work exactly like your old one, including all your apps, photos, and settings.
  • Some apps like banking and Apple Pay need to be set up again on the new phone for security, even though the backup restores everything else.

How to back up to iCloud before you switch

Open Settings on your old iPhone, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. Turn on iCloud Backup if it is not already on, then tap Back Up Now. The backup will run in the background — you can use your phone normally while it happens. It usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on how much data you have and your internet speed.

If you see a message that you do not have enough iCloud space, you have two choices. You can pay for more storage (50 GB costs about $0.99 per month), or you can use a computer backup instead, which does not count against your iCloud limit. If you choose to pay, Apple will let you start the backup right away.

Once the backup finishes, your old phone is ready. You can now set up the new phone.

How to back up to a computer instead

Plug your old iPhone into a Mac or Windows computer with a USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and click your phone's name in the sidebar. On Windows, open iTunes (or the Apple Devices app if you have Windows 11). Click your phone's name when it appears.

Click Back Up Now (Mac) or Back Up (Windows). The backup will take 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have. You can unplug the phone once the backup finishes — do not unplug it while the backup is running, or it may not complete.

Keep the computer plugged in and nearby. You will need it to restore the backup to your new phone, so do not shut it down or disconnect it until that step is done.

How to restore your backup to the new iPhone

Turn on the new iPhone and follow the setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." You will see three options: Restore from iCloud, Restore from Mac or PC, or Set Up as New iPhone.

If you backed up to iCloud, tap Restore from iCloud, then sign in with your Apple ID. The phone will read your backup and restore everything. This takes 15 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed and how much data you have. You can use the phone while it restores, though it will be slower than usual.

If you backed up to a computer, tap Restore from Mac or PC. Plug the computer into power and keep it nearby. The phone will connect to the computer and pull the backup over the cable. This is faster than iCloud — usually 10 to 20 minutes — and does not depend on your internet speed.

Once the restore finishes, the new phone will ask you to sign into your Apple ID and set up Face ID or Touch ID. After that, your phone is ready to use and will look exactly like your old one.

What to do if your old phone is broken or lost

If your old phone no longer works, you can still restore from an iCloud backup as long as you remember your Apple ID password. Turn on the new phone, go through setup, and choose Restore from iCloud. Sign in and select the backup from your old phone. The new phone will read and restore everything.

If you do not remember your Apple ID password, go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer and follow the steps to reset it. You will need access to a recovery email or phone number linked to your account. Once you reset the password, you can sign in on the new phone and restore the backup.

If you never set up iCloud backup on your old phone and it is now broken, you cannot restore a backup. In this case, you will need to set up the new phone as new and manually read your apps from the App Store. Your photos and messages will be gone unless you backed them up separately to another service like Google Photos or a computer.

Apps and settings that need to be set up again

Most apps restore automatically, but a few require you to sign in again for security. Banking apps, payment apps like Apple Pay, and apps that store passwords usually ask you to log in when you first open them on the new phone. This is normal — the backup does not copy passwords for these apps on purpose, so you have to enter them yourself.

Apple Pay cards do not restore from backup. You will need to add them again by opening Wallet, tapping the plus sign, and following the steps to add each card. This usually takes a minute per card.

Some apps tied to your phone number, like two-factor authentication apps, may not work until you update them with your new phone number. If you switched phone numbers, contact your carrier first to make sure the new number is active, then open each app and update the phone number in settings.

How to move photos, messages, or other data separately

If you want to move only certain things instead of everything, you have options. Photos can be moved by opening the Photos app on your old phone, selecting the ones you want, tapping Share, and emailing them to yourself or uploading them to Google Photos or iCloud. Messages can be forwarded or screenshotted, though there is no built-in way to export an entire conversation.

Contacts restore automatically from iCloud or a computer backup, but if you need to move just a few, open Contacts on your old phone, tap the contact, tap Share Contact, and email it to yourself. On the new phone, open the email and tap the contact file to add it.

For most people, a full backup is simpler and faster than moving things one by one. Use selective transfer only if you are intentionally leaving some data behind — for example, if you want a fresh start and do not want to restore old messages or photos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data from an iPhone to an Android phone?

No, iCloud backups only work with iPhones. If you are switching to Android, you will need to move data manually. Google has a tool called Switch to Android that can move some contacts and photos, but messages and app data do not transfer. You will need to set up most things from scratch on the Android phone.

What happens to my old iPhone after I restore the new one?

Your old iPhone will still have all its data. The backup does not delete anything from the old phone — it just copies everything to the new one. If you want to erase the old phone before selling or recycling it, go to Settings, tap General, tap Transfer or Reset, and tap Erase All Content and Settings. This removes everything and cannot be undone.

Do I need WiFi to restore from iCloud?

Yes, you need a WiFi connection to read the backup from iCloud. A computer backup uses the USB cable instead, so it does not need WiFi. If you do not have WiFi available, use a computer backup or wait until you are somewhere with WiFi before setting up the new phone.

Can I restore a backup from an iPhone that is much older?

Yes, you can restore a backup from any iPhone to a newer model. The backup includes everything from the old phone, and the new phone will work with it. However, you cannot restore a backup from a newer iPhone to an older one — the older phone does not have the software to handle it.

How much storage space do I need on my new iPhone?

Your new iPhone needs at least as much free storage as the size of your backup. If your backup is 50 GB, you need a phone with at least 50 GB free. Most new iPhones come with 128 GB or more, which is usually enough. If you are not sure how big your backup is, go to Settings on your old phone, tap your name, tap iCloud, and look at the storage bar at the top.