How to Transfer Everything to a New iPhone

Transferring everything to a new iPhone preserves your apps, photos, messages, settings, and personal data without starting from scratch. Apple provides three reliable methods to complete this process, with Quick Start being the fastest for most users.

1. Update your old iPhone to the latest iOS version. Open Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. This ensures compatibility between your old and new device. Wait for the update to complete before proceeding.
2. Back up your old iPhone. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Alternatively, connect to your computer and create a backup through Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (older macOS versions or Windows). Wait for the backup to complete.
3. Turn on your new iPhone and start Quick Start. Press and hold the power button on your new iPhone. When the setup screen appears, bring your old iPhone close to the new one. A Quick Start prompt will appear on your old device asking if you want to set up the new iPhone.
4. Authenticate the transfer using your old iPhone. Tap Continue on your old iPhone, then use its camera to scan the animation that appears on your new iPhone's screen. Enter your old iPhone's passcode when prompted on the new device.
5. Choose your data transfer method. Select either Transfer from iPhone to directly copy data wirelessly, or Download from iCloud to restore from your most recent backup. For direct transfer, both phones must remain close together and connected to power.
6. Set up Face ID or Touch ID and create your passcode. Follow the prompts to configure biometric authentication and create a six-digit passcode. You can use the same passcode as your old device or create a new one.
7. Wait for apps and data to finish transferring. Your new iPhone will display transfer progress. Apps will appear grayed out initially and become functional as they complete installation. Photos, messages, and settings transfer in the background.
8. Verify your data transfer and sign into services. Check that your photos, contacts, messages, and apps have transferred correctly. Sign back into any apps that require authentication like banking or social media apps. Update any apps that show pending updates in the App Store.