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How to Transfer Data and Set Up a New iPhone

Choose the right way to move your data: Quick Start from an old iPhone, an iCloud or computer backup, or Apple’s Move to iOS app for Android.
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To move data to a new iPhone, use Quick Start if your old iPhone is available, restore an iCloud or computer backup if it is not, or use Apple’s Move to iOS app when switching from Android. Choose the transfer method before setup: restoring a backup or using Move to iOS after setup generally means erasing the new iPhone and starting again.

Before you start

Have your old iPhone or its backup ready, make sure you can sign in to your Apple Account, and know how to connect to Wi-Fi. Apple recommends checking whether the old iPhone needs an iOS update and checking or making an iCloud backup before you begin.

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  • On the old iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud and iCloud Backup to check the backup status or start a backup.
  • Consider how cellular service will move to the new phone. Setup may offer activation on the device; the available process depends on the iPhone model and carrier. Contact your carrier if you need a different SIM or help with eSIM activation.
  • If you recently bought a new iPhone and lack enough iCloud storage for a transfer backup, Apple says you may be eligible for temporary iCloud storage for up to three weeks. Check the offer and terms shown on your device.

Choose the transfer method

Situation Best-fit option What to consider
Old iPhone is available and working Quick Start Choose direct transfer or download from iCloud; direct migration keeps the old phone occupied until it finishes.
You have an iCloud backup or prefer cloud restore Restore from iCloud Keep the new iPhone connected to Wi-Fi while restore and downloads continue.
You have a Mac or PC containing a backup Restore from computer An encrypted backup is needed to carry over Health and Activity data.
You are moving from Android Move to iOS Use the app during the new iPhone’s initial setup.

Transfer from an old iPhone with Quick Start

Quick Start uses a nearby iPhone or iPad to begin automatic setup. Apple says the nearby device should run iOS 11 or later, or a supported iPadOS version. For a full wireless data transfer between iPhones, both phones need iOS 12.4 or later.

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  1. Turn on the new iPhone and place it near the old iPhone. Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled on the old phone.
  2. Follow the on-screen Quick Start prompts. When asked, choose to transfer directly from the old iPhone or download from iCloud.
  3. For direct transfer, keep the phones close together and connected to power until it completes. The old iPhone cannot be used normally during migration.
  4. For iCloud download, you can begin using the new iPhone while apps and data continue downloading in the background.

Apple also describes wired migration as an option, but the cable and connector requirements depend on the devices. Follow Apple’s instructions for your specific iPhone models rather than assuming a particular cable will work. Transfer time varies with network conditions and the amount of data being transferred; Apple does not give a universal time estimate.

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Restore from an iCloud backup

Choose this route if an appropriate backup is available and you do not want to transfer directly from the old phone. During the new iPhone’s setup, select the option to restore from an iCloud backup, sign in to your Apple Account, and choose a backup by checking its date and size. Stay connected to Wi-Fi while the phone restores and downloads cloud content.

If the new iPhone has already completed setup, Apple’s backup-restore flow generally requires erasing it first. Erasing removes the new phone’s current contents, so save anything you want to keep before proceeding. Then return to the setup screens and select the iCloud restore option.

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Restore from a Mac or PC backup

Use Finder on supported Mac versions, Apple Devices on Windows, or iTunes in supported older configurations. Connect the new iPhone to the computer that contains the backup, open the relevant app, select the iPhone, and choose the restore option. Pick the backup by date and size; enter its password if prompted.

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Use an encrypted computer backup if you need Health and Activity data from your iPhone or Apple Watch. Apple says that information does not transfer from an unencrypted computer backup.

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Move data from Android

Use Apple’s Move to iOS app as part of the new iPhone’s initial setup. On the iPhone’s transfer screen, choose From Android, then follow the instructions on both devices.

If you have already finished setting up the iPhone, you must erase it and begin setup again to use Move to iOS. Alternatively, transfer content manually without restarting setup.

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Finish setting up the new iPhone

After the transfer choice, work through the remaining setup screens. The exact prompts can vary by device and carrier.

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  • Activate cellular service if prompted, and connect to Wi-Fi.
  • Sign in to your Apple Account.
  • Set up Face ID or Touch ID when offered.
  • Review Find My and choose the iCloud settings you want.
  • If restoring from iCloud, leave the iPhone connected to Wi-Fi and power when possible so photos, apps, music, and other cloud content can continue downloading.

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