The fastest way depends on what phone you're switching from and to

Moving data to a new phone usually takes 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how much you have and which method you use. If you're switching between two iPhones, Apple's built-in setup process handles most of it automatically. If you're moving from Android to iPhone or vice versa, you'll use a different tool for each direction. If you're staying within Android or iPhone, you can also back up to cloud storage and restore from there. The method that works best for you depends on whether you want everything transferred at once or prefer to move specific types of data separately.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone to iPhone transfers happen during setup using either Quick Start (wireless) or iCloud backup, and take 15 to 45 minutes depending on data size.
  • Android to iPhone requires Google's Move to iOS app, which transfers contacts, messages, photos, and some app data but not all Android apps themselves.
  • iPhone to Android uses Samsung Smart Switch, Google's built-in transfer tool, or manual cloud backup depending on which Android phone you own.
  • Cloud backup (iCloud for iPhone, Google Drive for Android) works across any phone type but requires you to set up the new phone and restore afterward, adding setup time.
  • Some data like banking apps, two-factor authentication codes, and payment methods may need to be set up again on the new phone even after a full transfer.

iPhone to iPhone: Quick Start or iCloud backup

The easiest iPhone-to-iPhone transfer uses Quick Start, which happens while you're setting up your new phone. Place both phones next to each other, start the setup on the new phone, and when you see the Quick Start screen, hold your old phone over the camera. Your old phone will show a pattern; scan it with the new phone. After that, enter your Apple ID password on the new phone, and it begins copying your data wirelessly. This method transfers contacts, messages, photos, calendar events, app data, and most settings. The transfer runs in the background while you continue setting up, and it typically finishes within 30 to 45 minutes depending on how much data you have.

If Quick Start doesn't work — for example, if your old phone is too far away or won't turn on — use iCloud backup instead. On your old iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup and choose Back Up Now. This creates a snapshot of your phone stored in Apple's servers. On the new phone during setup, when you reach the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple ID, and select the backup you just created. The new phone downloads everything and sets it up. This method takes longer because it depends on your internet speed, but it's reliable if your old phone is damaged or unavailable.

Android to iPhone: Google's Move to iOS app

Google provides the Move to iOS app specifically for this direction. On your Android phone, open the Google Play Store, search for "Move to iOS," and install it. Open the app and tap Continue, then agree to the terms. On your new iPhone during setup, when you reach the Apps & Data screen, tap Move Data from Android. Your iPhone will show a code. Go back to the Move to iOS app on your Android phone, enter that code, and select what you want to transfer: contacts, message history, photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, and calendars. The app then sends this data to your iPhone over a temporary connection. The transfer usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on data size.

Move to iOS does not transfer Android apps themselves — your iPhone doesn't run Android apps, so the tool can't move them. However, if you had the same app on both platforms (like Gmail or Spotify), you'll need to read it from the App Store on your iPhone and sign in. Some app data may transfer if the app developer set that up, but most apps start fresh. Two-factor authentication apps like Google Authenticator do not transfer automatically, so you'll need to set those up again on your iPhone before you lose access to your old phone.

iPhone to Android: Samsung Smart Switch or Google's transfer tool

If you're moving to a Samsung phone, use Samsung Smart Switch. On your iPhone, read Smart Switch from the App Store. On your new Samsung phone during setup, you'll see a prompt to transfer data; tap it and choose iPhone as your source. Open Smart Switch on your iPhone, tap Send Data, and select what to transfer: contacts, calendars, messages, photos, and videos. The two phones connect wirelessly and the transfer begins. This typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. Smart Switch does not transfer iPhone apps, but it does move your contacts and media, which are the most time-consuming parts to set up manually.

If you're moving to a non-Samsung Android phone, the process varies by manufacturer. Google Pixel phones have a built-in transfer tool that appears during setup; choose iPhone as your source and follow the prompts. Other Android manufacturers may have their own apps or may direct you to use Google Drive instead. For any Android phone, you can also back up your iPhone data to iCloud, then manually read what you need (photos, contacts, calendar) and upload it to Google Drive or your new phone's equivalent. This method is slower but works with any Android device.

Using cloud backup when you can't transfer directly

Cloud backup is useful if your old phone is broken, lost, or if you're not setting up your new phone right away. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name, select iCloud, then iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now. On Android, open Settings, search for Backup, and choose your backup service (usually Google Drive or Samsung Cloud depending on your phone). The backup uploads your data to the cloud and stores it there until you need it.

To restore from cloud backup on a new phone, start the setup process and when you reach the Apps & Data or Setup Wizard screen, choose the option to restore from backup. Sign in with the account that holds your backup (Apple ID for iCloud, Google account for Google Drive), and select the backup you want. The new phone downloads and installs everything. This method works across different phone types if you're moving between platforms, but it requires you to complete the phone setup first, which adds time. Cloud backup also depends on your internet speed, so a large backup may take an hour or more to restore.

Data that usually needs to be set up again

Even after a complete transfer, some things don't move automatically and you'll need to set them up on your new phone. Banking apps and payment apps like Apple Pay or Google Pay require you to add your card information again for security reasons — the apps transfer, but not the stored payment details. Two-factor authentication apps like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy do not transfer because they're tied to your old phone's security. Before you switch phones, write down which accounts use two-factor authentication and save backup codes if the service offers them. You can then set up the authenticator app on your new phone and re-add those accounts.

Work email and corporate apps may also require you to re-authenticate on the new phone, especially if your employer uses mobile device management. Passwords stored in your phone's native password manager (iCloud Keychain on iPhone, Google Password Manager on Android) usually transfer, but third-party password managers like 1Password or Bitwarden require you to sign in again. Voicemail settings, carrier-specific services, and some messaging apps may also need reconfiguration. Before you hand off your old phone, check that you can access your email, banking, and critical accounts on the new phone.

What to do if the transfer fails or gets stuck

If Quick Start or a direct transfer stops partway through, restart both phones and try again. Make sure both phones are plugged in or have at least 50 percent battery, and that you're on a strong Wi-Fi network — transfers over cellular are slow and often fail. If the transfer keeps stopping at the same point, try the cloud backup method instead, which is more forgiving of network interruptions.

If you see an error message, check that you're using the correct Apple ID or Google account on both phones. Some transfers fail because the accounts don't match or because one phone is signed out. If you're moving from Android to iPhone and the Move to iOS app crashes, restart both phones, make sure the Android phone has at least 50 percent battery, and try again. If the problem persists, use cloud backup instead: back up your Android phone to Google Drive, then restore it manually on your iPhone by downloading your photos and contacts through Google's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data if my old phone won't turn on?

If your old phone won't power on, you cannot use Quick Start or direct transfer methods. Your only option is to restore from a cloud backup if you created one before the phone stopped working. If you didn't back up, you may be able to recover some data through your cloud accounts (photos in Google Photos or iCloud, contacts synced to Gmail or iCloud) by signing into those accounts on your new phone.

Do I need to keep my old phone during the transfer?

For Quick Start and direct transfer methods, yes — both phones need to be present and powered on. For cloud backup, no — you can back up your old phone, then restore on the new phone days or weeks later. Once the transfer is complete, you can wipe your old phone or keep it as a backup.

Will my text messages transfer?

Text messages transfer during Quick Start (iPhone to iPhone), Move to iOS (Android to iPhone), and Smart Switch (iPhone to Samsung). They do not transfer to non-Samsung Android phones using most methods. If you need your messages on a non-Samsung Android phone, take screenshots of important conversations or export them to a file before switching.

What happens to my apps after the transfer?

Apps transfer between iPhones and between Android phones, but not between platforms. When moving from Android to iPhone or iPhone to Android, the apps themselves don't move because they're built for different systems. You'll need to read the equivalent apps from the App Store or Google Play Store on your new phone. Your app data (login information, settings, saved games) may transfer if the app developer set that up, but most apps start fresh.

How much storage do I need on my new phone?

Your new phone needs at least as much free storage as the amount of data you're transferring. If your old phone has 50 GB of photos and messages, your new phone needs at least 50 GB free. Most new phones come with enough storage, but if yours is nearly full, delete photos or videos from your old phone before transferring, or move them to cloud storage first.