How-to
Move to your
new iPhone
Apple's Quick Start moves everything from your old iPhone to the new one: apps, photos, messages and settings. It takes a few minutes of setup, then time depending on how much you have. Here are Apple's steps, and when a cable is faster.
Updated 15 November 2026 ยท from Apple's support guides
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Before you start
- Update the old iPhone to the latest iOS (Quick Start needs iOS 11 or later).
- Connect it to Wi-Fi, turn on Bluetooth, and plug in both phones.
- Pick a time when you won't need the old phone for a while.
Quick Start, step by step
- Turn on the new iPhone and place it next to the unlocked old one. A Quick Start prompt appears on the old phone; follow it. If it disappears, restart both.
- Connect the new iPhone to Wi-Fi or cellular, and activate your cellular service if asked.
- Set up Face ID (or Touch ID on models that use it).
- Choose how to move your data: download from iCloud (use the new phone right away while it downloads in the background) or transfer directly from your iPhone (wait for it to finish on both phones).
- Keep both phones close together and plugged in until it's done.
Faster by cable
Apple also supports a wired transfer, useful when you have a lot of data or slow Wi-Fi:
| From | To | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 or later | iPhone 15 or later | A USB-C to USB-C cable |
| iPhone 14 or earlier | iPhone 15 or later | A USB-C to Lightning cable |
| iPhone 14 or earlier | iPhone 14 or earlier | Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter, a Lightning to USB cable, and a 12W+ power adapter for the camera adapter |
Anker USB-C to USB-C cable (100W, 2-pack) Anker USB-C to Lightning cable (MFi) Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter
After the transfer
- Open your apps once; some ask you to sign in again.
- Don't erase the old phone until you've checked your photos and messages arrived. Then follow Apple's checklist before trading it in or giving it away.
- Deciding what to do with it? See your five options.
Not sure you need the new one? Check whether your old iPhone is worth fixing.
Check my iPhoneQuestions
How do I transfer everything to my new iPhone?
Use Apple's Quick Start: turn on the new iPhone next to your unlocked old one, follow the prompt, and choose to transfer directly or download from iCloud.
Can I transfer to a new iPhone with a cable?
Yes. Between two USB-C iPhones use a USB-C to USB-C cable; from an iPhone 14 or earlier to an iPhone 15 or later use a USB-C to Lightning cable.