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The safest way to move to a new iPhone Pro or Pro Max is Quick Start when your old iPhone still works. Put the phones next to each other, choose either a direct device-to-device transfer or Download from iCloud, and keep both connected to power until migration finishes. If the old iPhone is unavailable, restore an iCloud or encrypted computer backup instead. Move cellular service during setup, pair your Apple Watch, then verify critical data before you erase the old phone.
Transfer time is not fixed: Apple says it depends on the amount of data and network conditions. Do not erase, trade in, or give away the old iPhone until your photos, messages, passwords, health records, authenticator apps, banking access, cellular service, and Watch activity have all been checked.
Choose the transfer method that fits your situation
Use the option that matches the phones and the backup you actually have. The setup screens may use slightly different wording by iOS release, but the choices below are Apple’s supported paths.
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| Method | Use it when | What happens | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Start: Transfer Directly from iPhone | Your old iPhone works and both phones can remain together and plugged in. | Data migrates directly from the old iPhone to the new one. | You must wait for the transfer to finish on both devices before using the new iPhone normally. Duration varies with data size and connection conditions. |
| Quick Start: Download from iCloud | You want to start using the new iPhone sooner while content continues downloading. | The new phone restores from iCloud and downloads apps and data in the background. | A reliable, recent iCloud backup and Wi-Fi are required; some content may remain unavailable until downloading completes. |
| Restore from iCloud Backup | The old iPhone is lost, damaged, unavailable, or already erased. | The new iPhone restores a selected backup by date and size. | You can restore only what exists in an available backup. |
| Restore from Mac or PC | You have a local Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes backup. | The new iPhone is restored from the dated backup on that computer. | An unencrypted backup does not include Health and Activity data. |
| Wired transfer | You have a compatible cable and supported connector combination. | The phones exchange data over a cable during setup. | Connector types and any required adapter must match both iPhone models. |
Apple’s transfer-method overview is at Apple Support’s transfer guide.
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Prepare both iPhones before setup
A few minutes of preparation prevents the most expensive mistakes, especially losing access to two-factor authentication or Health records.
Update and back up the old iPhone
- Install the latest iOS update offered for the old iPhone. Updates can improve compatibility with the new model and the eSIM transfer flow.
- Make a fresh iCloud backup, or create a fresh encrypted backup on a Mac or PC. Encryption is required for Health and Activity data to be included in a computer backup.
- Confirm the backup completed recently. On the iPhone, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and check the latest backup date. For a computer backup, note the date and device name in Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes.
- Make sure you know the password for the Apple Account used on the old phone. You may need it to activate the new iPhone and restore purchases.
- Charge both phones and have their passcodes available. Keep the old iPhone signed in and working until verification is complete.
Check space and connectivity
- Connect the old phone to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth. Quick Start uses both.
- Ensure the new iPhone has enough available storage for the content you intend to restore. If the old phone contains more local data than the new phone can hold, remove or archive content before migrating rather than discovering the limit halfway through setup.
- Have a power adapter and, if using a cable, the correct cable or adapter for the two connector types. Recent iPhone models may use USB-C, while older models may use Lightning.
Do not erase the old phone yet
The old iPhone is your fallback if a password, app, eSIM, or data category needs attention. Apple’s setup process can finish while individual apps or cloud content are still downloading, so keep the old device until the final checks pass.
Transfer directly with Quick Start
Quick Start is the best default when both iPhones are available. Apple’s current instructions are at https://support.apple.com/en-us/102659.
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- Turn on the new iPhone Pro or Pro Max and place it beside the old iPhone.
- On the old iPhone, verify that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on. If the Quick Start card does not appear, lock and unlock the old phone, bring the devices closer, and confirm Bluetooth is enabled.
- When the animation appears on the new iPhone, use the old iPhone’s camera to scan it. Enter the old iPhone’s passcode on the new phone when prompted.
- Authenticate with your Apple Account if requested. Read the terms and follow the setup prompts.
- At the transfer choice, select Transfer Directly from iPhone if you can leave both devices together. This copies data from the old phone and requires waiting for the migration to finish before normal use.
- Alternatively, select Download from iCloud if you need to start using the new phone sooner. Apps and data download in the background, so some icons may appear dimmed or show a progress indicator until their downloads finish.
- Keep both iPhones near each other and connected to power until the migration process is complete. Interrupting power or separating the devices can pause the process.
- Complete the remaining setup screens, including Face ID or Touch ID, passcode, Apple Account, location, and privacy choices.
Apple states that direct transfer requires waiting on both devices, while iCloud downloading lets you begin using the new device immediately as content arrives. Those are different trade-offs, not different levels of completeness; choose based on whether uninterrupted access during the download matters more than finishing the copy in one session.
Restore when the old iPhone is unavailable
If the old phone is lost, broken, inaccessible, or already wiped, start the new iPhone and proceed until the Apps & Data screen.
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Restore from an iCloud backup
- On Apps & Data, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Sign in with the Apple Account that made the backup.
- Review the available backups and choose the one with the correct date and size. The newest backup is usually appropriate, but select an older one if it is the last complete backup from the old phone.
- Stay connected to Wi-Fi and power while the restore runs. Large photo libraries and apps can continue downloading after the initial setup.
- Leave the new iPhone on Wi-Fi long enough for cloud content and app downloads to finish before judging whether anything is missing.
Apple’s iCloud migration instructions are at https://support.apple.com/en-gb/108344. An iCloud restore cannot recover information that was never included in the selected backup or synchronized to an Apple service.
What may still require a sign-in
Restoring a backup does not automatically grant every app a new security session. Expect to authenticate again in banking, payment, work, password-manager, and authenticator apps. Some services intentionally require device re-registration; complete that while the old phone or recovery method is still available.
Restore from a Mac or PC backup
A local backup is useful when your internet connection is limited or your dependable copy is on a computer. Use the computer that contains the backup and the same Apple Account when prompted.
- On the new iPhone’s Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from Mac or PC.
- Connect the iPhone to the computer used for the backup.
- Open Finder on a Mac running a current macOS, Apple Devices on supported Windows installations, or iTunes where Apple’s older Windows workflow is still in use.
- Select the iPhone in the app, choose Restore Backup, and select the backup with the correct date and device.
- Enter the backup password if it is encrypted, then keep the iPhone connected until the restore completes.
Use an encrypted backup if you need Health and Activity information. Apple explicitly warns: “If your backup isn’t encrypted, your Health and Activity data from your iOS device or Apple Watch won’t transfer.” The detailed computer-restore procedure is at https://support.apple.com/en-gb/120001.
Use a cable for a wired transfer
A wired connection can be an alternative when both phones support the required transfer and you have the right cable. Before starting, identify the connector on each iPhone: USB-C, Lightning, or a combination that needs an Apple-certified adapter. Choose a cable that physically connects the two devices; a charging-only or incompatible cable will not provide a data path.
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- Connect the old and new iPhones with the compatible cable and any required adapter.
- Turn on the new iPhone and begin setup. When the transfer method appears, follow the on-screen wired-transfer instructions.
- Keep the cable connected and both phones powered until setup reports completion.
- If the new phone does not detect the old one, disconnect and reconnect firmly, try another known-good data cable, and return to Quick Start or an iCloud/computer restore.
Because Apple’s supported cable combinations depend on the specific models and connectors, check the model ports before buying or borrowing a cable. Do not assume a USB-C charging lead supports every data-transfer scenario.
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Cellular migration is a separate checkpoint from copying photos and apps. During iPhone setup, look for the prompt to transfer the phone number or cellular plan.
eSIM Quick Transfer requirements
Apple lists these prerequisites for eSIM Quick Transfer:
- Both iPhones are signed in to the same Apple Account.
- The phones are near each other with Bluetooth turned on.
- Both iPhones are running iOS 18.4 or later.
- The carrier supports eSIM Quick Transfer in your country and for your plan.
If all conditions are met, accept the transfer prompt on the new iPhone and confirm on the old phone when asked. The line may stop working on the old phone after activation on the new one; test a call and cellular data before leaving setup.
If the eSIM prompt does not appear
Carrier support, plan type, country, and device eligibility can prevent the automatic option. Use the carrier’s activation workflow instead: a carrier-provided QR code, the carrier app, or manual carrier activation. Follow the carrier’s instructions rather than deleting the old eSIM first. Apple’s current eSIM guidance is at https://support.apple.com/en-gb/118669.
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Transfer an Apple Watch and preserve Health data
Apple Watch migration depends on both the iPhone backup and the Watch pairing process. Before starting, update the Watch and old iPhone, then make a fresh backup of the old iPhone. Confirm that Health data is included in iCloud or use an encrypted computer backup; an unencrypted computer backup will not carry Health and Activity data.
- Keep the Apple Watch and old iPhone charged. Apple advises that the Watch and new iPhone be at least 50% charged.
- Start setting up the new iPhone and accept the prompt to transfer the Watch when it appears.
- Allow the Watch to update if required. Keep it near the new iPhone during pairing.
- If no transfer prompt appears, open the Watch app on the new iPhone and choose the option to pair or add the existing Watch. Follow the manual pairing instructions.
- After pairing, open the Health and Activity apps and check recent workouts, rings, trends, and historical measurements.
Apple’s pairing instructions are at https://support.apple.com/en-us/104956. A Watch can appear paired while historical data is still syncing, so wait for synchronization before deciding that records are missing.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Verify the new iPhone before erasing the old one
Use this checklist after setup and again after cloud downloads have settled. Test actual functions, not just whether an icon is present.
- Photos and videos: open several recent and older items, including albums and shared libraries.
- Messages: confirm recent conversations, attachments, and iMessage activation.
- Contacts and calendars: check both data and account sync.
- Notes and files: open important notes, iCloud Drive documents, and locally stored files.
- Passwords: verify iCloud Keychain or your password manager can fill credentials.
- Authenticator apps: confirm one-time-code accounts work before retiring the old phone.
- Banking and work apps: sign in and complete any new-device approval.
- Health and Activity: inspect history, trends, and Apple Watch workouts.
- Apple Pay: add or verify payment cards; security rules may require card-issuer verification even after a backup restore.
- Cellular service: place a call, send a text, and turn off Wi-Fi briefly to test mobile data.
- Bluetooth accessories: reconnect headphones, car systems, keyboards, and other devices that did not pair automatically.
- Notifications and permissions: open essential apps once and confirm their notification, location, camera, and microphone settings.
Only after these checks pass should you sign out of the old iPhone, erase it, and remove it from your Apple Account or hand it to another person.
Troubleshoot common transfer problems
Quick Start never appears
- Unlock the old iPhone and keep it beside the new one.
- Turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on again on the old phone.
- Restart both phones, then begin setup again.
- Install available iOS updates on the old phone.
- If the new device has already been set up, erase it from Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings before returning to the setup assistant. Do this only on the new phone and only after confirming you do not need data currently stored only there.
The transfer appears stuck
Keep both devices near each other and plugged in. A large library or slow network can make progress appear uneven. Do not repeatedly restart a transfer while the progress indicator is still moving. If it truly stops, note the last visible screen, restart both phones, and use an iCloud or encrypted computer backup instead.
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There is not enough iCloud storage for a backup
Do not delete photos or messages just to make a rushed backup. Free space by removing unneeded device backups or large files only after checking what they contain, or use an encrypted computer backup as the migration source. The new iPhone can also use a direct Quick Start transfer when both phones are available.
The new iPhone is managed by an organization
Apple states that Quick Start cannot be used when the new device is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business. In that case, follow the organization’s deployment process and restore data through the method its administrator permits.
Health data is missing after a computer restore
The source backup was likely not encrypted, or the Health data was not included in the selected backup. Restore from an encrypted backup or from iCloud where Health synchronization was enabled. Do not erase the old iPhone until you have identified a backup that contains the records you need.
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Check that both phones meet the iOS 18.4-or-later requirement, use the same Apple Account, have Bluetooth enabled, and are near each other. If the carrier still does not offer Quick Transfer, use its QR-code, app, or activation process and contact the carrier if the line remains inactive.
Quick Recap
The safest order of operations
- Update the old iPhone and Watch.
- Create a fresh iCloud backup or encrypted computer backup.
- Start the new iPhone beside the old one and use Quick Start when possible.
- Choose Direct Transfer for a one-session copy or Download from iCloud for earlier access.
- Restore from iCloud or a computer when the old phone is unavailable.
- Activate the eSIM or cellular plan and test calls and data.
- Pair the Apple Watch and confirm Health and Activity history.
- Verify critical content and accounts using the checklist.
- Erase the old iPhone only after every required item works.
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