How to Move Everything from Your Old iPhone to iPhone 18 Pro

For most people, the easiest way to move data from a working old iPhone to iPhone 18 Pro is Apple’s Quick Start. Put the phones near each other, keep Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on, connect them to power, and follow the setup prompts. Choose a direct transfer to wait for the move to finish before using the new phone, or choose an iCloud download to start using it while apps and data continue downloading.

Choose the transfer method that fits your situation

For direct transfer, Apple’s Quick Start instructions say, “Transfer times can vary based on factors such as network conditions and the amount of data being transferred.” Apple gives no fixed duration, so keep both phones connected to power and close together until the transfer completes.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 512GB, eSIM, Deep Blue- Unlocked (Renewed)	$1,091.59	Buy on Amazon
2		Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Cosmic Orange- Unlocked (Renewed)	$974.90	Buy on Amazon
3		Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Deep Blue- Unlocked (Renewed)	$980.09	Buy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Prepare both iPhones

• Have your credentials ready. You may need the old iPhone’s passcode and your Apple Account password during setup.
• Check the old iPhone. For Quick Start, connect it to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth. Apple’s Quick Start guidance lists iOS 11 as the minimum for automatic setup and iOS 12.4 for direct device-to-device transfer. Install available updates beforehand if practical.
• Keep a backup as a fallback. Check that a recent iCloud or computer backup is available, especially if the old phone is unreliable. Apple says eligible customers setting up a newly purchased iPhone may receive temporary iCloud storage to complete a backup.
• Plan for cellular service. SIM and eSIM transfer steps vary by carrier, plan, and region. Apple advises transferring the SIM or eSIM as applicable and contacting the carrier if a different SIM is required.
• Check whether the new phone is managed. Quick Start cannot transfer data from an old device to an iPhone managed by Apple School Manager or Apple Business; ask the organization’s administrator for the approved process.

Method 1: Transfer directly with Quick Start

1. Turn on iPhone 18 Pro and place it near the old iPhone. Make sure the old phone is connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth is on.
2. Follow the Quick Start prompt on the old iPhone. If it disappears, Apple recommends restarting both devices and trying again.
3. Connect iPhone 18 Pro to Wi-Fi or cellular when prompted. Follow the setup screens, scan the animation shown on the new phone with the old one, and enter the old iPhone’s passcode on the new phone when asked.
4. Set up Face ID, then select the option to transfer data directly from the old iPhone when the transfer choices appear.
5. Keep both phones close together and connected to power until the migration finishes. The old iPhone remains occupied during the transfer.

Method 2: Start with Quick Start and download from iCloud

1. Begin Quick Start with the old iPhone nearby and follow the setup prompts through the data-transfer choice.
2. Select the option to download from iCloud and sign in to your Apple Account if prompted.
3. Leave iPhone 18 Pro connected to Wi-Fi and power so apps, photos, and other cloud content can continue downloading after setup.

This option requires an available iCloud backup and Apple Account access. It lets you begin using the new phone while downloads continue, rather than waiting for a direct phone-to-phone transfer to finish.

Method 3: Restore an iCloud backup without the old iPhone

1. On the new iPhone’s setup screens, connect to Wi-Fi and choose the option to restore from an iCloud backup.
2. Sign in to the Apple Account associated with the backup.
3. Check the backup’s date and size, select the appropriate one, and keep the phone connected to Wi-Fi while it restores.

If iPhone 18 Pro has already been set up, Apple’s documented backup-restore process requires erasing it first. Erasing removes the data currently on the new phone, so save anything you need before proceeding.

#1 Best Overall

Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 512GB, eSIM, Deep Blue- Unlocked (Renewed)

• This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
• Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
• When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
• The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
• Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

$1,091.59

Buy on Amazon

Method 4: Restore a computer backup

1. On a supported Mac, open Finder. On Windows, use Apple Devices; iTunes applies to the legacy configurations covered by Apple’s instructions.
2. Connect iPhone 18 Pro to the computer and select the phone in the relevant app.
3. Choose Restore Backup, select a backup by date, and enter its password if it is encrypted.
4. Keep the iPhone connected after it restarts until synchronization finishes.

As with an iCloud backup, Apple’s documented process requires erasing a new iPhone that has already been configured before restoring a saved computer backup. Save any new-phone data you want to keep before erasing it.

Do you need a cable?

Not necessarily. Quick Start, iCloud downloads, and computer-backup restores do not automatically require buying a new cable. iPhone 18 Pro has a USB-C connector, and Apple identifies the included cable as a USB-C charge cable. For a wired transfer from a Lightning iPhone, Apple specifies a USB-C-to-Lightning cable. Check the old phone’s connector and the cables you already own before getting anything else; requirements depend on the devices and method you choose.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 512GB, eSIM, Deep Blue- Unlocked (Renewed)

Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.; Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

$1,091.59

Bestseller No. 2

Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Cosmic Orange- Unlocked (Renewed)

Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.; Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

$974.90

Bestseller No. 3

Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Deep Blue- Unlocked (Renewed)

Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.; Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

$980.09

Rank #3

Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Deep Blue- Unlocked (Renewed)

• Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
• Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

$980.09

Buy on Amazon

Rank #2

Apple iPhone 17 Pro, US Version, 256GB, eSIM, Cosmic Orange- Unlocked (Renewed)

• This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
• Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
• When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
• The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
• Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.

$974.90

Buy on Amazon

Check the new iPhone before letting go of the old one

• Open important apps and confirm that they contain the expected data. Follow an app’s instructions if it asks you to sign in or authenticate again; a transfer does not guarantee every app or authentication state will carry over.
• Check photos, messages, contacts, and files that matter to you.
• Test calls and mobile data. If cellular service is missing, contact your carrier about SIM or eSIM activation.
• If you use an Apple Watch, check its pairing with the new iPhone. Apple notes that you may need to restore the Watch from a backup and pair it with the new phone.
• Keep the old iPhone and its backup until you have verified the new phone and are confident the move is complete.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.