Upgrading to a new iPhone is an exciting experience—whether you’re switching for better performance, enhanced camera features, or simply to stay up to date. But before you start exploring your shiny new device, there’s one critical step to complete: transferring your data.
Everything from your contacts and photos to apps, messages, and even settings can be transferred smoothly with the right approach. Thankfully, Apple provides multiple methods to help you move data from your old iPhone to a new one—securely, wirelessly, and with minimal effort.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through how to transfer data to a new iPhone, step-by-step, covering all official methods available in 2025. Whether you’re upgrading from an older model or switching devices for the first time, you’ll find a method that fits your needs perfectly.
📦 What Data Can Be Transferred?
Before we dive in, let’s clarify what exactly gets transferred when you move to a new iPhone:
- Contacts
- Messages (SMS, MMS, iMessage)
- Photos and videos
- Apps and app data
- Call history
- Email accounts
- Notes, calendars, reminders
- Safari bookmarks and browsing history
- Settings and preferences
- Wallet and Apple Pay info
- Health data
- Wi-Fi passwords
- Screen layouts and folders
- Apple Watch data (if paired)
Almost everything is moved—except for things tied to other accounts (like third-party app logins or cloud-based media that hasn’t been downloaded yet).
✅ Method 1: Quick Start – The Easiest Way to Transfer iPhone to iPhone
Quick Start is Apple’s easiest and most recommended method. It requires both iPhones to be present, and it uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to transfer data directly.
📲 Requirements:
- Both the old and new iPhone
- iOS 12.4 or later on the old iPhone
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled
- Devices fully charged or plugged in
🔹 Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Turn on the New iPhone
Place your new iPhone near your old one. The old iPhone will show a Quick Start screen asking if you want to set up the new device.
Step 2: Tap Continue
A blue animation will appear on the new iPhone. Scan it with your old iPhone’s camera.
Step 3: Authenticate and Set Up
- Enter your old iPhone passcode on the new device.
- Set up Face ID or Touch ID as prompted.
Step 4: Choose “Transfer from iPhone”
You’ll be given two options:
- Transfer data directly from iPhone (recommended)
- Download from iCloud
Choose Transfer from iPhone to start a device-to-device transfer.
Step 5: Keep Devices Close
Both devices must remain close and plugged in until the transfer is complete. Time depends on the amount of data being moved.
🔐 What Makes Quick Start Ideal:
- Transfers everything exactly as is, including screen layout.
- Doesn’t require iCloud backup beforehand.
- Fast and wireless, with no cables or extra apps.
☁️ Method 2: Transfer Using iCloud Backup
If your old phone is no longer available, or you prefer cloud backup, this method works great.
📲 Requirements:
- A recent iCloud backup from your old iPhone
- Enough free iCloud storage
- Wi-Fi access
🔹 Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Back Up Your Old iPhone to iCloud
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Tap Back Up Now.
Wait until the backup completes before continuing.
Step 2: Turn on Your New iPhone
- Begin the standard setup process.
- When prompted, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup.”
Step 3: Sign in to iCloud
- Enter your Apple ID and password.
- Select the most recent backup.
Step 4: Wait for the Restore
- Depending on your internet speed, restoring can take some time.
- Once done, your data, apps, and settings will begin to appear.
- Some app data will continue to download in the background.
☁️ iCloud Transfer Pros:
- No need to have both iPhones at the same time.
- Wireless and simple.
- Works even if the old iPhone is lost or broken (as long as a backup exists).
💻 Method 3: Use iTunes or Finder (Wired Transfer)
This method is best if you prefer using a computer or if Wi-Fi isn’t reliable.
🖥 What You Need:
- A Mac or Windows PC
- A USB-to-Lightning cable
- iTunes (for Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier)
- Finder (for macOS Catalina or later)
🔹 Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Back Up Old iPhone to Computer
- Connect your old iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes or Finder.
- Click on your iPhone icon.
- Select Back Up Now. Choose “Encrypt backup” for health and password data.
Wait for backup to complete.
Step 2: Set Up New iPhone
- Turn on the new device and follow the setup prompts.
- On the Apps & Data screen, select Restore from Mac or PC.
Step 3: Connect and Restore
- Connect the new iPhone to the same computer.
- Open iTunes or Finder.
- Select your device and click Restore Backup.
- Choose the most recent backup and wait for the process to finish.
🖥 Benefits of Using a Computer:
- No need for Wi-Fi.
- Safe offline option.
- Encrypted backups preserve more sensitive data.
🧠 Additional Methods (Manual Transfer or Cloud Services)
If your iPhones aren’t both available or you need selective data, try these:
✅ Use iCloud Drive
Transfer specific documents, notes, or photos manually via iCloud Drive.
- Upload files from old iPhone to iCloud Drive.
- Download them from iCloud on your new iPhone.
✅ Use AirDrop (if both devices are accessible)
For one-off items like photos or documents:
- Open the file on your old iPhone.
- Tap Share > AirDrop.
- Choose your new iPhone.
- Accept on the new device.
✅ Transfer Apps & Data via App-Specific Cloud Backups
Apps like WhatsApp, Google Drive, or Notes often use their own cloud backup. Simply log into the same account on your new iPhone to restore data.
🔄 Transferring Data from Android to iPhone?
If you’re switching from Android, use Apple’s Move to iOS app (covered in a separate article). It allows wireless data transfer between Android and iPhone during setup.
🧽 What to Do After the Transfer
Once data transfer is complete, take time to:
🔐 Enable Security
- Set up Face ID, Touch ID, and Passcode
- Check for two-factor authentication
📱 Check App Logins
- Some apps may require you to log in again.
- Restore data in apps that use cloud backup (e.g., WhatsApp, Google Drive).
💳 Reconnect Apple Pay
- Go to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay
- Add your cards and re-verify if necessary.
⌚ Re-Pair Apple Watch
- If you had an Apple Watch, set it up again.
- If your backup was encrypted or done via Quick Start, the Watch will reconnect automatically.
☁️ Set Up iCloud Backups on New iPhone
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
- Turn it ON to back up regularly and avoid future data loss.
🧩 What Doesn’t Transfer Automatically
While Apple’s transfer methods are thorough, here are things you’ll need to check or set up again manually:
- Face ID or Touch ID (must be set up fresh)
- Bluetooth pairings
- VPN configurations
- Apple Pay cards
- Login info for third-party apps
- Licenses or subscriptions in some apps
🛠 Common Issues and Troubleshooting
❓ Transfer Taking Too Long?
- Ensure both devices are fully charged.
- Keep devices near each other.
- Restart both iPhones and retry if stuck.
❓ Data Didn’t Appear?
- Verify the correct backup was used.
- Double-check cloud sync is enabled for apps like Photos, Notes, or Contacts.
❓ Apps Missing?
- Re-download them from the App Store.
- Sign in to cloud services within those apps to restore content.
🤔 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I transfer data after setup is complete?
Yes—but not with Quick Start. You’ll need to use iCloud Drive, AirDrop, or manually restore apps and files.
Q2: Do I need a SIM card to transfer?
No. But having a SIM during setup helps with verifying your Apple ID and restoring Messages/SMS content properly.
Q3: Can I transfer just contacts or photos?
Yes. Use AirDrop, iCloud, or iTunes/Finder to move specific items.
Q4: Does Apple charge for transferring data?
No. All official Apple transfer methods are free.
Q5: What if I lost my old iPhone?
If you had iCloud Backup turned on, you can restore from your last backup during setup. If not, unfortunately, direct transfer won’t be possible.
🎯 Final Thoughts – Enjoy Your New iPhone with All Your Data
Upgrading to a new iPhone should be exciting—not stressful. Thanks to Apple’s built-in tools like Quick Start, iCloud Backup, and Finder/iTunes, transferring your data is faster and more reliable than ever.
So whether you’re carrying years of memories or just the essentials, you can rest assured your digital life will move with you—securely and completely.
Now that your transfer is complete, your iPhone is set up just the way you like it. Enjoy exploring, customizing, and getting the most out of your new device!
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