To move data from an old iPhone to your iPhone 18 Pro, use Apple’s Quick Start when the old phone is available: connect it to Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, place it beside the new phone, and follow the setup prompts. Choose a direct transfer to keep the phones occupied until it finishes, or choose an iCloud download to start using the new phone while apps and data download in the background. If you cannot use the old iPhone, restore from an iCloud or computer backup instead.
Before you start
- Have your old iPhone or a usable backup, and know the password for your Apple Account.
- Connect the old iPhone to Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, unlock it, and leave it on its Home Screen. Connect the new iPhone to power and have Wi-Fi credentials available.
- Plan to keep both phones plugged in during migration. A direct transfer occupies both devices, and Apple says transfer time depends on network conditions and the amount of data being moved.
- If you need to make a fresh iCloud backup first, on the old iPhone go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. Apple says a new iPhone purchaser may be eligible for temporary iCloud storage for a transfer, subject to its terms.
Setup requires an internet connection. The new iPhone can connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, and you may be asked to activate cellular service. If you use Apple Pay, have any payment details you need available for setup.
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Choose the transfer method that fits
| Method | Use it when | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start direct transfer | Your old iPhone is available and you want to transfer from it directly. | Both phones remain occupied until the transfer finishes. Keep them near each other and plugged in; timing varies with network conditions and data volume. |
| Quick Start with iCloud download | Your old iPhone is nearby, but you want to start using the new phone sooner. | Apps and data download in the background. You need iCloud access and a network connection. |
| Restore from iCloud backup | You cannot use the old iPhone but have a suitable iCloud backup. | Sign in to your Apple Account, connect to Wi-Fi, and choose the backup by checking its date and size. Some content continues downloading after setup. |
| Restore from computer backup | You have a local backup on a Mac or Windows computer. | Use the computer that holds the backup. An encrypted backup requires its password. |
Set up with Quick Start and transfer directly
- Turn on the iPhone 18 Pro and place it near your old iPhone. The old phone should be unlocked, connected to Wi-Fi, and have Bluetooth turned on.
- Follow the Quick Start instructions that appear on the old iPhone. If the setup prompt disappears, Apple advises restarting both phones and trying again.
- Connect the new iPhone to Wi-Fi or cellular when prompted. Activate cellular service if requested, then follow the prompts to set up Face ID and other security options.
- When asked how to transfer data, choose the direct transfer option. Keep both phones close together and connected to power until the transfer completes.
Apple says Quick Start cannot transfer from the current device when the new iPhone is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business. If the iPhone is managed by an organization, follow its setup process. Apple also documents wired device-to-device migration, but the appropriate cable combination depends on the specific phone pair; check Apple’s instructions for your devices before relying on a cable method.
Use Quick Start with an iCloud download
If you want to begin using the iPhone 18 Pro while content is still arriving, start Quick Start with the old iPhone nearby and choose the iCloud download option when prompted. Apps and data can download in the background, so the new phone may be usable sooner than with a direct transfer. Apple’s instructions specify iOS 17.2 or later on the old device for this nearby-device iCloud path; network access and iCloud availability are required.
#1 Best Overall
- 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%.
Restore when your old iPhone is unavailable
Restore from an iCloud backup
- Turn on the iPhone 18 Pro and proceed through setup until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
- Choose Restore from iCloud Backup and sign in with the Apple Account used for the backup.
- Review the available backups and select the intended one by checking its date and size.
- Keep the new iPhone connected to Wi-Fi and power while it restores. Photos, music, apps, and other content may continue downloading after the initial restoration.
If the iPhone 18 Pro has already been set up, Apple’s documented iCloud restore process requires erasing it and restarting setup. Erasing removes data on the new phone, so save anything you have added to it before taking that step.
Restore from a computer backup
Connect the iPhone 18 Pro to the computer holding the backup. Use Finder on a Mac with macOS 10.15 or later; use Apple Devices on Windows or iTunes where applicable, including on older Macs. Select the iPhone and choose the option to restore the backup. If the backup is encrypted, enter its password when asked.
Rank #2
- 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%.
Finish setup and verify important data
Complete the Apple Account and security prompts. Signing in gives access to services including the App Store, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime, and Apple Books. Once setup is complete, check the essentials:
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- Turn on Find My iPhone at Settings > [your name] > Find My.
- Review the data categories syncing to iCloud and confirm that important photos, messages, and files are present.
- Open important third-party apps and follow any sign-in, verification, or account-recovery prompts they show.
Do not assume every third-party app or payment card will transfer without further action; requirements can vary by app, account, carrier, and payment method. Verify what matters before trading in, erasing, or giving away the old iPhone.
Rank #3
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
What is specific to iPhone 18 Pro?
Apple announced iPhone 18 Pro on September 9, 2026, and said availability began September 18, 2026. The setup and transfer directions above are Apple’s general iPhone instructions; the cited support guidance does not describe a separate iPhone 18 Pro-only migration process. Cellular activation and eSIM availability can vary by carrier and region.
Apple’s September 2026 announcement says iPhone 18 Pro can reach up to 50% charge in around 15 minutes by wire or around 30 minutes wirelessly. These are Apple test figures from July 2026 using preproduction iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max hardware and software; actual times vary with adapter, settings, use, and environment. For the described wired fast-charging setup, Apple specifies a 60W-capable USB-C cable and a USB PD 3.1-or-better adapter with Adjustable Voltage Supply, sold separately. Fast-charging details do not change the data-transfer steps.
Quick Recap
Apple instructions
- Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad
- Set up your iPhone or iPad
- Transfer data from your previous iOS or iPadOS device to your new iPhone or iPad
- Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup
- Apple devices and Windows
- Apple introduces iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max
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