How to Move Your Data and Service to a New iPhone

What happens when you switch iPhones

Moving to a new iPhone means transferring your data (photos, contacts, messages, apps) and moving your phone service from the old device to the new one. Apple provides built-in tools to copy everything at once, and your carrier handles the service transfer separately. Most people can complete both steps in under an hour, though the data transfer itself may take longer depending on how much you have stored.

The process differs slightly depending on whether your old phone still works, whether you have a backup already saved, and which iPhone models you own. The fastest route is usually the direct phone-to-phone transfer while both devices are powered on and nearby.

Key Takeaways

Apple's Quick Start feature copies everything from your old iPhone to your new one over Wi-Fi when both phones are in the same room and powered on.
If your old phone is broken or unavailable, you can restore from an iCloud backup or iTunes backup saved on a computer instead.
Your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) handles moving your phone number and service to the new device, usually by scanning a QR code or calling their support line.
Data transfer can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed; do not unplug either phone during this time.
After transfer completes, you should sign out of your old phone's iCloud account to prevent confusion and security issues.

Direct transfer from old iPhone to new iPhone

This is the fastest method if your old iPhone still powers on and you have both phones available. Turn on your new iPhone and hold it near your old iPhone. Your old phone will detect the new one and show a setup screen. Tap Continue on the old phone, then hold it above the new phone's camera to scan the animation that appears on the new screen.

When prompted, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone. Choose whether to transfer from your old iPhone or restore from iCloud backup — select the old iPhone option. The new phone will then copy your apps, photos, messages, contacts, settings, and other data over Wi-Fi. This process requires both phones to stay powered on and within Wi-Fi range. Depending on your data volume and internet speed, transfer can take 30 minutes to several hours. Do not unplug, restart, or move either phone away until the progress bar completes.

Once transfer finishes, your new iPhone will restart and be ready to use. Your old iPhone will show a setup screen. Before you set it aside, sign out of your iCloud account on the old phone by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. This prevents your old phone from interfering with iCloud syncing on your new device.

Restoring from an iCloud backup

If your old iPhone is broken, lost, or unavailable, you can restore your data from an iCloud backup instead. This assumes you previously turned on iCloud backup on your old phone — if you never did, this option will not work. Turn on your new iPhone and proceed through the initial setup screens until you reach "Apps & Data." Choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

Sign in with your Apple ID and password. You will see a list of available backups, each labeled with the device name and date it was created. Select the backup from your old iPhone. The new phone will read and restore all your data from that backup. This process requires a stable Wi-Fi connection and can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on backup size. Your new iPhone may restart several times during restoration — this is normal.

After restoration completes, your new iPhone will contain all the data, apps, photos, and settings from the backup date. Any changes you made to your old phone after that backup date will not be present on the new device.

Restoring from an iTunes or Finder backup on your computer

If you have a backup saved on your Mac or Windows computer from iTunes or Finder, you can restore from that instead. Connect your new iPhone to your computer with a USB cable. On a Mac running Monterey or later, open Finder and click your iPhone in the sidebar. On Windows or older Mac, open iTunes. Click Restore Backup and select the backup file from your old iPhone.

Your computer will restore all data from that backup to your new iPhone. The process can take 30 minutes to an hour depending on backup size. Do not disconnect the iPhone until the progress bar completes and your computer confirms the restore is finished. After restoration, your new iPhone will contain all data from the backup date.

Transferring your phone number and service

Your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider) manages your phone number and cellular service separately from your data. After your data transfer completes, you need to tell your carrier to move your service to the new iPhone. Most carriers now offer a QR code option: turn on your new iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Transfer from Another iPhone, and scan the QR code your carrier provides (usually in their app or on their website).

If your carrier does not offer QR code transfer, call their customer service number (printed on your bill or found on their website) and tell them you have a new iPhone. They will ask for your phone number, account details, and the new phone's IMEI number. You can find the IMEI by going to Settings > General > About and looking for "IMEI." The carrier will set up your service on the new phone, which usually takes a few minutes to an hour.

Once your carrier confirms the transfer is complete, your new iPhone should show cellular signal and you should be able to make calls and send texts. Your old iPhone will lose cellular service at this point.

What to do with your old iPhone after transfer

Before you sell, trade in, or recycle your old iPhone, erase all your personal data. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. This removes all your data, apps, photos, and settings from the phone and returns it to factory condition. The process takes 5 to 15 minutes.

After erasing, your old iPhone will be ready to sell or trade in. If you are trading it in to your carrier or Apple, they will handle recycling or refurbishment. If you are selling it privately, the buyer will see a setup screen when they turn it on, just as if it were brand new.

Common problems during transfer

If your transfer stops or fails partway through, check that both phones have Wi-Fi connected and are close together. Restart both phones and try again. If one phone loses power, the transfer will pause — plug it back in and it should resume automatically.

If you see a message that iCloud backup is not available, it means your old phone never had iCloud backup turned on. In this case, use the direct phone-to-phone transfer method if your old phone still works, or restore from an iTunes backup if you have one saved on your computer.

If your new iPhone shows "Waiting for set up" after transfer, your carrier has not yet moved your service. Call your carrier's support line or use their app to complete the set up. This usually resolves within a few hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old iPhone is completely dead?

If your old phone will not power on at all, you cannot use direct transfer. You will need to restore from an iCloud backup (if you had it turned on) or from an iTunes backup on your computer. If you have neither, you will lose the data that was only on the old phone.

How long does the whole process take?

Data transfer alone can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your Wi-Fi speed. Carrier set up usually takes a few minutes to an hour. Plan for at least two to three hours total if you are doing everything at once.

Will my text messages transfer to the new iPhone?

Yes, if you use direct transfer or restore from a backup. Text messages are included in both methods. However, very old messages (older than your backup date) may not transfer if they were deleted from your old phone.

What if I do not remember my Apple ID password?

You will need it to complete the transfer. Go to iforgot.apple.com on a computer or another device and follow the steps to reset your password. You can also call Apple Support at 1-800-MY-APPLE for help recovering your account.

Can I use my old iPhone as a backup device after I switch?

Yes, but you should sign out of your iCloud account first (Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out). After signing out, you can use it as a regular device, sell it, or trade it in. Do not keep two iPhones signed into the same iCloud account, as this can cause syncing problems.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.