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What to prepare before you start
Quick Start uses both iPhones for several minutes, so begin when you will not need either device. The transfer duration depends on the amount of data and network conditions. A large photo or video library, many installed apps and a busy or slow wireless connection can make the process substantially longer than the initial estimate.
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- Update the old iPhone if an update is available.
- Make a current backup before beginning. An iCloud backup gives you a recovery point if the migration is interrupted.
- Check that the iPhone 18 Pro has enough available storage for the old phone’s content.
- Have the Apple Account password and the old iPhone’s device passcode available.
- Connect the old iPhone to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth.
- Turn on the iPhone 18 Pro, place it beside the old iPhone and connect both phones to power.
Check the old phone’s storage before starting. If it is nearly full, review the amount of content that must fit on the iPhone 18 Pro rather than assuming every item will transfer successfully. Keep the phones physically close throughout setup; moving one to another room can interrupt the wireless handoff.
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If you are using iCloud rather than a direct device transfer, Apple says iCloud+ plans in the United States start at $0.99 per month in its 2026 statement; pricing and availability can change. Choose an iCloud option only when the backup you need is current enough to restore the information you expect.
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Transfer everything with Apple Quick Start
Start the wireless migration
- Turn on the iPhone 18 Pro and leave it next to the old iPhone.
- Wait for the Quick Start prompt to appear on the old iPhone, then follow the onscreen instructions.
- Use the old iPhone to authenticate when prompted, including entering its device passcode.
- When asked how to move your content, select Transfer from iPhone for a direct device-to-device copy, or Download from iCloud to begin using the new phone while apps and other content continue downloading.
- Keep both iPhones close together, connected to power and undisturbed until the selected process finishes.
Apple’s Quick Start guidance, dated July 20, 2026, says the direct transfer occupies both devices until it is complete. You cannot use the direct-transfer route as a background task while relying on the old phone. The displayed time can change as the network and data load change.
Do not repeatedly cancel and restart the process just because the progress indicator appears to pause. Leave both devices connected to power and nearby while the transfer is working. If setup does fail, the current backup gives you another route instead of forcing you to erase the old phone prematurely.
Choose between direct transfer and iCloud download
| Option | How it works | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer from iPhone | Copies content directly from the nearby old iPhone to the iPhone 18 Pro. | Both phones must remain together and powered until the copy completes; the old phone is occupied during the migration. |
| Download from iCloud | Restores the new iPhone from the newest iCloud backup, then downloads apps and data in the background. | The iPhone 18 Pro can become usable sooner, but some apps or files may still be downloading after setup. |
Use direct transfer when the old iPhone is available and you want a single device-to-device migration. It is also the clearest choice when you want the new phone to reflect the old one before you begin testing it. Choose iCloud when you need to start using the new phone sooner or when the old phone cannot stay available for the full copy.
An iCloud restore is not the same as an instant, complete download. The iPhone 18 Pro may open to the Home Screen while apps, photos or other content continue arriving. Keep it on Wi-Fi and power until the downloads finish, and do not treat the first appearance of the Home Screen as proof that every item is ready.
Use a cable when wireless transfer is impractical
Apple also documents a wired migration route. Connect the phones with a compatible USB-C data cable after checking the connector on each device and confirming that the cable supports data, not only charging. Apple’s cited guidance does not establish one universal cable specification for every configuration, so verify compatibility before buying or connecting a cable.
A wired connection can be useful when Wi-Fi is slow or unstable. It does not remove the need to keep the phones powered and follow the Quick Start instructions shown on screen. A cable that only supplies power will not perform the data migration, so do not assume that any charging lead is suitable. If the cable is not recognized, return to the wireless Quick Start or iCloud route rather than erasing the old phone.
If the old iPhone is unavailable
During setup, restore the newest available iCloud backup. The iPhone 18 Pro can be used while apps and content continue downloading, although the final availability of individual items depends on the backup and the network connection.
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This is the appropriate fallback when the old phone is lost, damaged, already returned or otherwise unavailable. You still need the Apple Account credentials used for the backup. After setup, check the same data and authentication items listed below; a restored backup should not be considered verified until you have opened the apps and tested the services you need.
Move your phone number with eSIM Quick Transfer
When the iPhone 18 Pro asks about cellular service during setup, choose the option to transfer the physical SIM or eSIM from the nearby iPhone. Follow the prompts on both devices. If the carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer, Apple says you do not need to call the carrier. Once the new plan activates, the previous SIM is deactivated.
Activation is separate from copying photos and apps. You can finish the data migration and still need to complete a carrier webpage, verification code or additional prompt. Do not assume that seeing the cellular plan listed means calls and messages are working; place a test call, send an SMS and check mobile data before retiring the old phone.
Requirements for eSIM Quick Transfer
| Requirement | What to check |
|---|---|
| Apple Account | Both iPhones are signed in to the same Apple Account. |
| Old-phone access | The old iPhone is unlocked and you know its device passcode. |
| Proximity and Bluetooth | The phones are near each other and Bluetooth is turned on. |
| Software | Both iPhones run iOS 18.4 or later, the minimum version Apple lists for this feature in its 2026 support information. |
| Carrier | Your carrier and plan support eSIM Quick Transfer in your country or region. |
Every condition matters. A compatible iPhone cannot force a carrier to offer Quick Transfer, and a supported carrier may limit the feature by plan or country. If the option is absent, check those conditions before repeatedly restarting setup.
Apple’s 2026 support information also says that iOS 26 or later can transfer more than one phone number to the new iPhone. Each number still has to meet the carrier and plan requirements. Review every line after activation, especially if the old phone had personal, work or travel numbers.
Transfer an eSIM after the iPhone 18 Pro is set up
- On the iPhone 18 Pro, open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data).
- Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- Choose the plan to transfer from another iPhone. If no number appears, select Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
- Confirm the transfer on the old iPhone, or enter the verification code displayed on the new iPhone.
- Wait for activation and test a call, SMS message and mobile-data connection.
If a banner named Finish Setting Up Your Carrier’s Cellular Plan appears, open it and complete the carrier’s webpage instructions. Carrier screens and required verification differ by country and plan.
Keep the old phone available until the new line has completed activation. During the handoff, the old line may stop working once the new plan activates. That is expected, but it means you should not begin the transfer while you are waiting for an important call or text on the old device.
When eSIM Quick Transfer is not available
A missing transfer option usually means the carrier, plan, region or source device does not support Apple’s Quick Transfer process. Use the activation method supplied by the carrier instead:
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- Carrier activation: Some plans are assigned to the iPhone when it is purchased or prepared for shipment.
- QR code: Scan the carrier’s eSIM QR code when the iPhone asks how to add a plan.
- Activation link: Open the carrier’s link on the iPhone 18 Pro and follow its verification steps.
- Carrier app: Install or open the carrier’s official app and select its eSIM activation or device-change workflow.
- Manual entry: Enter the SM-DP+ address and activation information supplied by the carrier when iOS presents those fields.
- Carrier-assisted transfer: Contact the carrier when moving from Android or another non-Apple phone, or when none of the self-service methods is offered.
Carrier instructions vary by country, plan and device. AT&T, for example, publishes a specific iPhone 18 Pro flow that asks you to place the new phone next to the old one and continue on the transferring device; follow your carrier’s current instructions rather than assuming another carrier uses the same screens.
Do not use a QR code or activation detail from an unverified source. The carrier controls the eSIM credentials, and an incorrect or already-used code may require a replacement from the carrier. If an activation link opens a carrier webpage, complete the identity or account checks it requests and then return to Cellular settings to confirm the plan was added.
Important physical-SIM limitation
Apple’s cited iPhone 18 Pro store page describes the models sold in that market as eSIM-only, with no physical SIM tray. You therefore cannot plan to remove a plastic SIM card from the old phone and insert it into those models. Regional configurations can differ, so verify the exact market model before relying on a physical SIM.
This limitation affects the cellular step, not the data migration. Your photos, messages, settings and apps can still move with Quick Start or an iCloud restore. The number itself must be activated through eSIM on an eSIM-only configuration.
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Troubleshoot the transfer
Quick Start does not appear
- Confirm the old iPhone is unlocked, connected to Wi-Fi and has Bluetooth enabled.
- Turn on the iPhone 18 Pro and place it immediately beside the old iPhone.
- Check that both phones have adequate power and that the old iPhone is running the latest practical iOS update.
- If you still cannot start Quick Start, use the newest iCloud backup during setup.
Also make sure you are looking at the old iPhone for the prompt. The new phone shows the setup screens, while the old phone is normally where Quick Start asks you to authenticate and approve the move. If the prompt disappears, keeping the devices together and returning to the setup flow is safer than erasing the old phone.
The direct copy is taking a long time
Do not separate the phones or disconnect their power while the transfer is running. Apple says duration varies with network conditions and the quantity of data. A large photo or video library, many apps and a slow wireless environment can all extend the process.
Direct transfer cannot be used as a background task. If you need access to the new phone while content continues downloading, canceling a direct transfer and choosing Download from iCloud during setup is the route Apple provides, assuming a suitable backup exists.
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The eSIM option is missing
- Verify that both iPhones use the same Apple Account, have Bluetooth enabled, are nearby and meet the iOS 18.4-or-later requirement.
- Check whether the carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer for your specific plan and region.
- Use the carrier’s QR code, link, app or manual activation details if Quick Transfer is not offered.
- For an Android or other non-Apple source phone, contact the carrier unless it explicitly supports Apple’s newer cross-platform transfer process.
If the carrier says the line is eligible but the iPhone still shows no option, look for the Set Up Cellular, Add eSIM or Transfer From Nearby iPhone choices under Cellular settings after setup. A carrier may also require you to finish an online activation page before the line appears.
The new phone has service but not every number
Open Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data) and confirm that every required line appears. With iOS 26 or later, Apple says more than one number can be transferred, but each line must still be eligible with the carrier. Complete any Finish Setting Up Your Carrier’s Cellular Plan banner before treating activation as complete.
Check the iPhone 18 Pro before erasing the old phone
Keep the old iPhone intact until every item you rely on has been tested. Use this checklist:
- Photos and videos open, and the expected library is present.
- Messages, contacts, notes and files are available.
- Required apps have installed and can sign in.
- Your password manager unlocks and your two-factor-authentication apps generate working codes.
- Calls, SMS and mobile data work on the iPhone 18 Pro.
- Every required phone number is listed under Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data.
- Apple Watch, headphones and other accessories reconnect.
- Banking apps, transit passes and authentication credentials open and pass their security checks.
- A fresh backup of the new phone exists.
- Recovery methods and sign-in details have been tested, not merely copied.
Two-factor authentication deserves special attention. Some authenticator apps transfer their accounts, while others require an in-app export, a backup code or a fresh enrollment. Test a real sign-in before erasing the old phone, because the old device may still be the only working approval method.
Only after these checks should you erase the old iPhone, remove it from your Apple Account and prepare it for trade-in or sale. If any item is missing, leave the old device untouched and correct the migration or activation first.
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| Decision | Best choice | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Old iPhone available and you can wait | Quick Start > Transfer from iPhone | Both devices remain occupied until the direct copy finishes. |
| Need to use the new phone sooner | Quick Start > Download from iCloud | The phone becomes usable earlier, while apps and data continue downloading. |
| Wireless connection is unreliable | Apple’s wired migration route | Requires a compatible USB-C data cable; Apple’s cited passage does not specify one universal cable standard. |
| Carrier supports Apple’s process | eSIM Quick Transfer | Fast self-service, but it depends on carrier, plan, region and iOS requirements. |
| Quick Transfer is unavailable | Carrier QR code, activation link, app or manual entry | Instructions and verification differ by carrier. |
| Source phone is Android or another non-Apple device | Carrier-assisted activation unless cross-platform transfer is explicitly supported | Apple-to-Apple Quick Transfer may not be available. |
The data route and the cellular route can be chosen independently. For example, you can use direct Quick Start for content and then use a carrier QR code for the eSIM, or restore from iCloud and complete eSIM activation later from Cellular settings. Separating those decisions can make troubleshooting easier.
The safe handover sequence
The least risky order is: back up the old iPhone, run Quick Start, activate the eSIM, test data and authentication, create a fresh backup of the iPhone 18 Pro, and only then erase or trade in the old device. This preserves a recovery path for photos, messages, sign-in codes and cellular service if any part of setup needs to be corrected.
Apple lists up to 36 hours of video playback for the eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro under its stated pre-production test conditions, but battery endurance does not change the transfer requirements: keep both phones powered during migration and activation. The practical safeguard is the same regardless of battery rating—do not surrender, erase or ship the old iPhone until the new one has passed the complete checklist.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer data and the eSIM at the same time?
Yes. Quick Start can move the iPhone’s content during setup, and the cellular step can offer eSIM Quick Transfer. Data migration and carrier activation are separate processes, so verify calls, SMS, mobile data and every required number afterward.
What iOS version is required for eSIM Quick Transfer?
Apple’s 2026 support information lists iOS 18.4 or later on both iPhones, along with the same Apple Account, Bluetooth, nearby devices, an unlocked old phone and a participating carrier.
Can I use a physical SIM card in an iPhone 18 Pro?
Apple describes the models sold in the cited market as eSIM-only, without a physical SIM tray. Regional versions can differ, so check the exact model and market before relying on a plastic SIM.
What if my carrier does not support eSIM Quick Transfer?
Use the carrier’s assigned activation, QR code, activation link, official app or manual SM-DP+ details. If none is offered—or you are moving from Android—contact the carrier for an assisted transfer.
Can I use my old iPhone while Transfer from iPhone is running?
No. Apple says direct transfer occupies both devices until it finishes. Choose Download from iCloud instead if you need to start using the new phone while content continues downloading.
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No. Confirm photos, messages, files, apps, password and authentication tools, calls, SMS, mobile data, accessories and every phone number. Make a fresh backup of the new phone before erasing or trading in the old one.
Can iOS transfer more than one phone number?
Apple says iOS 26 or later can transfer more than one number, but each line must be eligible under the carrier’s plan and regional rules. Check every line under Cellular or Mobile Data.
Why is an eSIM transfer banner still showing after activation?
Open Finish Setting Up Your Carrier’s Cellular Plan and complete the carrier webpage steps. Carrier verification and screens vary by country, plan and device.
The Bottom Line
Back up the old iPhone, use Quick Start for the data, and keep both devices powered and nearby until the selected transfer finishes. Use eSIM Quick Transfer only when your carrier and iOS versions support it; otherwise follow the carrier’s QR, link, app, manual or assisted process. Test every line, authentication method and essential file before erasing the old phone.
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