Transfer Data Directly

With Quick Start, you can set up a new iOS device quickly using information from your current device.* Then you can restore the rest of your data and content to your new device from your iCloud backup. 

If you’re setting up a new iPhone using your current iPhone—and both devices are using iOS 12.4 or later—Quick Start offers the option of using iPhone migration. This allows you to transfer all your data wirelessly from your current iPhone to your new one.

Quick Start occupies both devices, so make sure that you choose a time when you won’t need to use your current device for several minutes.

1. Turn on your new device and place it near your current device that’s using iOS 11 or later. The Quick Start screen appears on your current device and offers the option of using your Apple ID to set up your new device. Make sure that it’s the Apple ID that you want to use, then tap Continue. If you don’t see the option to continue on your current device, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on.
2. Wait for an animation to appear on your new device. Hold your current device over the new device, then center the animation in the viewfinder. Wait for a message that says Finish on New [Device]. If you can’t use your current device’s camera, tap Authenticate Manually, then follow the steps that appear. 
3. When asked, enter your current device’s passcode on your new device.
4. Follow the instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID on your new device.
5. When asked, enter your Apple ID password on your new device. If you have more than one device, you might also need to enter their passcodes.
6. Your new device offers the choice of restoring apps, data, and settings from your most recent iCloud backup, or updating your current device’s backup and then restoring. After you select a backup, you can choose whether to transfer some settings related to location, privacy, Apple Pay, and Siri. If you want to update the backup on your device, make sure that Wi-Fi is enabled on your device.
7. If you have an Apple Watch and you’re setting up a new iPhone, you’ll also be asked if you’d like to transfer your Apple Watch data and settings.

If your current iPhone and new iPhone are both using iOS 12.4 or later, you can use iPhone migration to transfer data directly from your previous device to your new one. You can do this wirelessly, or by connecting the devices together. You might choose the wired method if the wireless network that you’re using is slow or congested.

If you want to migrate your data wirelessly, keep your previous iPhone near your new one throughout the process as you follow the steps below. Make sure to keep both devices connected to power.

To migrate data using a wired connection, you’ll need the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter and a Lightning to USB Cable. Connect the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter to your current iPhone, then plug the Lightning to USB Cable in to your new your iPhone and connect the other end to the adapter. Connect the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter to power through its Lightning port with a 12W or higher power adapter, then follow the steps below.

How to use iPhone migration

After you transfer to your new iOS device, you might need to complete a few more steps to finish the process.