For most iPhone-to-iPhone upgrades, use Apple’s Quick Start: keep both phones nearby, connected to power, and follow the setup prompts to transfer directly or download from iCloud. To reduce the risk of losing anything important, make a fresh backup first, let syncing and downloads finish, then check the new iPhone before erasing or trading in the old one. No transfer method guarantees that every third-party app or account will move over identically.
Choose the transfer method that fits your situation
| Method | Best fit | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start, direct transfer | Your old iPhone is available and both phones can stay close together. | Wi-Fi and Bluetooth help start the process. Keep both phones nearby and connected to power until the transfer finishes; the time varies with network conditions and the amount of data. |
| Quick Start, download from iCloud | You prefer an iCloud-based setup and can keep the new iPhone online. | You can use the new phone while apps and cloud content continue downloading. |
| Restore from iCloud Backup | Your old phone is unavailable, or you want to restore a particular backup. | Check the backup’s date and size, sign in to your Apple Account, and stay on Wi-Fi while content downloads. |
| Restore from a Mac or PC | You have a suitable computer backup. | Use Finder or Apple Devices on current systems, or iTunes in older or applicable Windows setups. An encrypted backup is required to transfer Health and Activity data, and its password is needed to restore it. |
| Move to iOS | Your previous phone is Android. | Use it during initial iPhone setup. Apple says music, books, and PDFs must be moved manually. |
| Wired transfer | You prefer a cable and both iPhone models support a compatible connection. | Apple documents wired transfer, but there is no universal cable specified here. Check compatibility for both devices before buying a cable. |
Quick Start is not available for transferring from the current iPhone when the new device is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business. For carrier activation, SIM or eSIM support, and device-specific cable compatibility, check with your carrier or the relevant device information; procedures can vary.
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Prepare the old iPhone before you begin
- Check that it works and unlocks. Install an available update if practical, and make sure you can unlock the phone.
- Confirm your Apple Account details. You may need to sign in during setup or restore.
- Make a fresh iCloud backup. On the old iPhone, go to Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. If your iCloud account lacks space, check whether temporary storage is offered for your new-device transfer rather than assuming it is available.
- Keep the old phone available. Do not erase or hand it over until you have checked the new iPhone and any important apps.
Transfer from another iPhone with Quick Start
- Connect the old iPhone to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth. Plug both phones into power if possible.
- Turn on the new iPhone and place it beside the old one. Follow the on-screen setup prompts.
- Choose a direct transfer from the old iPhone, or choose the iCloud option if you would rather download data from iCloud.
- For a direct transfer, keep both phones close together and connected to power until it completes. Apple says transfer time depends on network conditions and the amount of data being moved; there is no standard duration to rely on.
- For the iCloud option, keep the new phone connected to Wi-Fi and power. Apps and other cloud content may continue downloading after the initial setup.
If the Quick Start prompt disappears, Apple advises restarting both devices and trying again. Quick Start setup guidance: Apple Support: Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad.
Restore from an iCloud backup
Use this route if the old iPhone is unavailable or you want to restore a saved backup. Start at the new iPhone’s setup screen, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the prompts to restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in to your Apple Account and choose the intended backup by checking its date and size. If setup asks for newer software, follow the on-screen update process.
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Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and power after setup. Photos, apps, and other cloud content can take additional time to appear, depending on how much information needs to download. Apple’s restore instructions are at Apple Support: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup.
Restore a computer backup—and preserve Health data
Connect the new iPhone to the Mac or PC that holds the backup. Use Finder or Apple Devices on current systems, or iTunes in older or applicable Windows setups. Select the device and the intended backup, then enter the backup password if prompted.
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If Health and Activity information matters, the computer backup must be encrypted. Apple states that Health and Activity data will not transfer from an unencrypted computer backup, and an encrypted backup cannot be restored without its password. Apple’s instructions: Apple Support: Use the Finder, Apple Devices or iTunes to transfer data from your previous iOS device to your new iPhone or iPad.
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Move data from Android with Move to iOS
Start Move to iOS while the new iPhone is at its initial setup screens. Follow the iPhone’s prompts to connect the devices and select content to transfer. Keep both phones powered, and leave Move to iOS on screen on the Android phone until the iPhone’s progress bar finishes. Apple warns that switching to another app or answering a call on Android before completion can interrupt the transfer. Music, books, and PDFs need to be moved manually. See Apple Support: Move from Android to iPhone or iPad.
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If the new iPhone has already been set up, using Move to iOS may require erasing it and starting setup again, or you can move content manually. Erasing deletes data currently stored on the new iPhone, so save anything you need from it first.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why something may seem missing after transfer
Some content is still downloading
A completed setup does not necessarily mean every app or cloud-stored item is already visible. Keep the new iPhone connected to Wi-Fi and power, then check again after downloads have had time to finish.
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iCloud sync and iCloud Backup are different
Apple distinguishes information that syncs with iCloud from information stored in an iCloud Backup. Data already syncing through iCloud is stored there rather than duplicated in the backup; other device data and settings are backed up. Whether photos or messages are in the backup depends on whether iCloud Photos or Messages in iCloud is enabled. App data coverage also depends on the app and whether it stores information in iCloud Drive. See Apple Support: What does iCloud back up?.
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An app may need its own sign-in or recovery steps
Some third-party apps require you to sign in again or complete separate recovery steps. The transfer guidance does not guarantee how every app handles its records, passwords, or account access. Check the app itself for any recovery requirements that matter to you.
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Verify the new iPhone before erasing the old one
Check the information that would be difficult to replace, directly on the new phone. For example, review recent photos and videos, message history, contacts, notes, files, and access to password, authenticator, and banking apps. Also check any app-specific records you rely on. Keep the old iPhone until those checks pass; transfer and recovery behavior can differ between apps.
If you already set up the new iPhone
Restoring a backup or using Move to iOS may require erasing the new phone and returning to the initial setup screens. Erasure removes the content currently on that phone, so save anything important from it before proceeding. If you do not want to erase it, use the available manual transfer or sync options for the content you still need.
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