Here’s the quickest, safest way to get all your photos, contacts, apps, and settings onto your new iPhone. Pick the method you like—Quick Start is easiest:
Update/charge both phones and place them side‑by‑side.
Turn on the new phone; tap Continue on the old one and follow the prompts to scan the animation and choose Transfer from iPhone.
Leave them alone until the onscreen “Transfer Complete” message appears (usually 10–30 min).
If Wi‑Fi is poor or you
prefer iCloud/computer backup, see the alternative steps below. After
everything shows up on the new phone, sign in to your apps, move your
SIM/eSIM if prompted, and then erase the old phone (Settings ▸ General ▸
Transfer or Reset iPhone ▸ Erase All Content and Settings).
more details
Update & charge both iPhones (≥ 50 % battery or keep them on power).
Have Wi‑Fi and your Apple‑ID password handy.
Pick a transfer method:
Quick Start (fastest; phone‑to‑phone).
iCloud backup / restore.
Computer (Finder/iTunes) backup / restore.
Optional clean‑ups now: unpair Apple Watch, turn off two‑factor logins you no longer use, clear storage you don’t need.
Turn on the new iPhone and place it next to the old one.
On the old iPhone, tap Continue in the Set Up New iPhone pop‑up and confirm your Apple‑ID.
Scan the swirling “blue cloud” on the new phone with the old phone’s camera.
Follow on‑screen steps to set a passcode and choose “Transfer from iPhone.”
Keep the phones beside each other, on Wi‑Fi (or connect with the appropriate cable) until Transfer Complete appears.
Back up the old phone
Connect to Wi‑Fi.
Go to Settings ▸ [Your Name] ▸ iCloud ▸ iCloud Backup ▸ Back Up Now. Wait until the time stamp updates to today.
Restore on the new phone
Turn it on, choose language/region, connect to Wi‑Fi.
When you reach Apps & Data, tap Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in, and pick the backup you just made.
Connect old iPhone to the computer.
In Finder (macOS Monterey + ) or iTunes (Windows/older macOS) choose the phone, check Encrypt local backup, and click Back Up Now.
Connect new iPhone and click Restore from this backup, then select that latest backup.
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Sign in to iCloud, Messages, FaceTime, and the App Store | Re‑enables your services. |
| Move or activate your SIM/eSIM when prompted | Keeps phone service working. |
| Re‑add Apple Pay cards & banking apps | Security requires fresh activation. |
| Open a few key apps (Photos, Messages, Mail) to be sure everything is there | Verifies a good transfer. |
Settings ▸ [Name] ▸ Sign Out.
Settings ▸ General ▸ Transfer or Reset iPhone ▸ Erase All Content and Settings.
Not enough iCloud space? Temporarily upgrade or switch to computer backup.
Slow transfer? Keep both phones on chargers and near the Wi‑Fi router.
Stuck SIM? Ask your carrier to convert to eSIM during setup.
Apple Watch missing? Re‑pair it to the new iPhone from the Watch app (the watch keeps its own backup).