How to Transfer Data to a New iPhone? (2026 Guide)

✓ Update your old iPhone

Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Quick Start requires iOS 12.4 or later on both devices, and an outdated version is a common cause of transfers stalling midway.

✓ Check storage on both phones

Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage on your old phone. Your new iPhone needs enough free space to hold everything on your old one, so check this before you start rather than finding out halfway through.

✓ Back up your old iPhone

Even if you plan to use Quick Start, transfers sometimes drop out. If your old phone is already wiped when it happens, a backup is your only way to recover. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. This takes 10 to 20 minutes.

✓ Unpair your Apple Watch

On your old iPhone, open the Watch app, tap your Watch name, tap the (i) icon, then tap Unpair Apple Watch. Unpairing triggers an automatic Watch backup, so your health history, activity rings, and Watch settings all carry over when you pair it to the new phone. Skip this and they stay behind.

✓ Charge both phones to at least 50%

Better yet, keep both plugged in throughout. A low battery interrupting a transfer midway is one of the most common causes of incomplete transfers.

Did you know? Apple gives you free temporary iCloud storage

When you buy a new iPhone, Apple automatically gives you free unlimited temporary iCloud storage for the transfer. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Get Started on your old phone. The backup is stored for 21 days.

The short answer

You do not need a separate step to transfer apps from iPhone to iPhone. If you follow any of the 3 transfer methods in this guide (Quick Start, iCloud Backup, or computer backup), your apps and their data move across automatically. There is no need for third-party transfer tools.

✕ Transfer stuck or progress bar frozen

Do not disconnect the phones. Make sure both are plugged in. If nothing has moved for 20 minutes, force restart both phones (Volume Up, Volume Down, hold Side button until Apple logo). Place them near each other again and the transfer resumes.

✕ Quick Start prompt not appearing

Confirm Bluetooth is on (Settings > Bluetooth) and your old iPhone runs iOS 12.4 or later (Settings > General > About). Restart both phones and place them within 30cm of each other.

✕ iCloud backup fails with "not enough storage"

If you bought a new iPhone, Apple offers free temporary storage via Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Get Started. If you still run into problems, upgrade your iCloud storage at Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage, or switch to the Finder/iTunes method.

✕ Health data or saved passwords missing after transfer

iCloud Backup does not include Health data or iCloud Keychain passwords. To transfer them, create an encrypted backup via Finder or iTunes with "Encrypt local backup" ticked, then restore from it on your new phone.

The fastest way is Quick Start. Turn on your new iPhone, place it next to your old one, and tap Continue when the prompt appears. Choose "Transfer from iPhone" to move everything directly between the devices.

Use Quick Start and select "Transfer from iPhone" at the data transfer screen. Alternatively, create an encrypted backup via Finder or iTunes on your computer, then restore from it on your new iPhone during setup.

Quick Start takes 45 to 90 minutes for a 128GB iPhone. An iCloud Backup restore takes 1 to 4 hours depending on internet speed. Finder or iTunes backup and restore typically takes 20 to 60 minutes total.

Apps transfer automatically via any of the 3 main methods. Your app data moves across, and the apps themselves re-download from the App Store once the initial transfer completes.

Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Transfer From Nearby iPhone. If Quick Transfer isn't available, scan your original StarHub QR code in the StarHub app under More > eSIM QR Manager.

Health data and saved passwords require an encrypted computer backup. Purchased music outside Apple Music doesn't move via iCloud Backup. eSIMs always need to be moved manually or via Quick Transfer.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This resets the phone to the setup screen so you can start a fresh transfer.

No. Quick Start moves data directly between phones, and Finder or iTunes works entirely offline. iCloud is just one of several options available to you.