So you just got that shiny new iPhone? Congrats! But now comes the real task: getting all your stuff – photos, messages, apps, settings, even that weird podcast you listen to – from your old iPhone onto the new one. Figuring out how to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone can feel overwhelming. Which method is best? What if something goes wrong? Will your authenticator apps survive?

Been there, done that, got the slightly sweaty palms. I’ve helped dozens of friends and family (and messed up a transfer or two myself over the years) migrate their digital lives. Let’s cut through the confusion and find the absolute best way for YOU to move everything.

Picking Your Perfect Transfer Path

Apple gives us a few main roads to get your data from point A (old iPhone) to point B (new iPhone). Each has its sweet spot, quirks, and things to watch out for. Don't just jump in – think about your situation first.

Method 1: Direct Move (Quick Start)

This is Apple’s flagship method for transferring everything from iPhone to iPhone, and honestly, it’s often the smoothest. It happens wirelessly or using a cable, directly between the two devices. Ideal when both phones are present, functional, and running iOS 12.4 or later.

Here’s how it rolls:

• Turn on your new iPhone and place it near your old iPhone (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on!).
• The Quick Start screen pops up on the old phone – tap "Continue".
• Animations appear? Scan it with your new iPhone’s camera. Magic!
• Enter your old iPhone’s passcode on the new phone.
• Set up Face ID or Touch ID on the new device.
• The crucial step: Choose "Transfer from iPhone". This is where the real data magic begins.
• Keep them close, plugged into power if possible. Grab a coffee. This can take a while (think 20 mins to over an hour, depending on data size).

Why people love it:

• Sets up the new phone exactly like the old one – wallpaper, settings, Home Screen layout, everything.
• Transfers app login sessions (mostly!) meaning less re-logging in later.
• Works without needing a computer or tons of iCloud storage.

Gotchas to know:

• Time & Power: Massive photo libraries? Expect a long wait. Seriously, plug both phones in.
• iOS Version: Both phones need fairly recent iOS. If your old one is stuck on iOS 10, forget this route.
• Stability: Rarely, it might stall. Annoying, but usually restarting both phones fixes it.

Method 2: iCloud Backup & Restore

This is the classic "backup to the cloud, then download onto the new phone" method. Perfect if you don't have both phones at the same time, or if you want a backup safety net.

Step-by-Step:

• Backup the Old iPhone:
  • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
  • Ensure iCloud Backup is ON.
  • Tap "Back Up Now". Plug it into power and Wi-Fi! Watch it finish.
  • Verify success: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Check the latest backup size and time.
• Restore to the New iPhone:
  • Turn on new iPhone, follow setup until you hit the "Apps & Data" screen.
  • Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup".
  • Sign in with your Apple ID.
  • Pick the backup you just made.
  • Stay connected to Wi-Fi and power. This download phase also takes significant time.
  • Apps download in the background after initial restore – patience needed!

Pros:

• Works without the old phone physically present.
• Provides a backup you can reuse.
• Good if your old phone has issues (slow, but might work).

Cons & Limitations:

• iCloud Storage Limit: Got 64GB of data and only pay for 5GB free iCloud? Big problem. You’ll need to buy more storage (plans start at $0.99/month for 50GB).
• Speed: Backing up and restoring over Wi-Fi is often slower than Quick Start or Finder/iTunes. Rural internet? Brace yourself.
• App Redownloads: Apps aren't *in* the backup, just the list. They download fresh from the App Store, which can be slow and requires Apple ID passwords again.

Method 3: Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows PC)

The OG method. Using a computer is often the fastest and most reliable way, especially for huge data sets. It bypasses Wi-Fi limitations entirely.

How it works:

• Backup Old iPhone to Computer:
  • Connect old iPhone to Mac/PC with a USB cable (Lightning or USB-C).
  • Mac (macOS Catalina 10.15+): Open Finder, select your iPhone under Locations.
  • PC / Older Mac: Open iTunes, click the tiny phone icon near top left.
  • Under "Backups," choose "This computer".
  • Critical: Check "Encrypt local backup". Without this, Health data, saved passwords, Wi-Fi settings WON'T transfer!
  • Create a strong password you won't forget and write it down securely. Tap "Back Up Now". Wait.
• Restore Backup to New iPhone:
  • Connect *new* iPhone to the *same computer*.
  • Open Finder/iTunes, select the new iPhone.
  • Click "Restore Backup...".
  • Choose the backup you just made (look at date/time).
  • If encrypted, enter the password.
  • Wait for the restore to complete. Disconnect only when Finder/iTunes says it's okay.
  • New iPhone will restart and begin downloading apps over Wi-Fi.

Why it rocks:

• Speed Champ: USB is WAY faster than Wi-Fi for large backups/restores.
• Complete & Encrypted: Captures almost everything securely.
• Local Control: Doesn't rely on iCloud storage or internet speeds.

Watch outs:

• Password Hell: Forget that encryption password? Kiss that backup goodbye. It’s worthless. Happened to a friend – brutal.
• Computer Dependency: Need access to the computer you backed up to for restore.
• Software Updates: Keep Finder/iTunes updated. Old versions can cause glitches.

What Exactly Gets Transferred? (The Nitty-Gritty)

When you aim to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone, it's helpful to know what "everything" usually covers across these methods:

See gaps? Yeah, it’s never truly 100% "everything" in the absolute sense. Music not bought from Apple is a classic pain point.

Transferring When Things Aren't Perfect

Life isn't always two working phones side-by-side. Let's tackle trickier scenarios for how to transfer everything from your old iPhone to your new iPhone.

Old iPhone Broken, But Screen Works?

If the screen responds and you can unlock it, you *might* squeeze out a backup.

• iCloud Backup: Try initiating it manually (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now). Hope it finishes.
• Computer Backup: Connect to Mac/PC. Can you trust it? If the phone is glitching, backups can fail silently. Check backup size/time carefully afterward.
• Quick Start: Unlikely to work smoothly if the old phone is flaky.

Old iPhone Totally Dead (Won't Turn On)?

This is rough. Your best shot is restoring a *previous* iCloud or computer backup you made BEFORE it died. If you didn't have backups... data recovery services exist, but they're expensive and not guaranteed (think $300+). A harsh lesson in backing up regularly.

Moving from Android? (Sneaking this in!)

While this guide focuses on iPhone to iPhone, folks searching how to transfer everything from iphone to iphone sometimes actually mean *from* Android. Quick Start won’t help. Apple's "Move to iOS" app (on Google Play) handles contacts, messages, photos, mail accounts, calendars, and some free apps. Paid apps need repurchasing. It works okay, but manage expectations – it’s not as seamless as iPhone-to-iPhone.

Beyond the Basics: Pro Tips & Gotchas

Okay, you picked a method. Here’s the stuff the manuals skip, the stuff I’ve learned the hard way:

• Storage Check FIRST: Before starting ANY transfer, check the storage on your *new* iPhone (Settings > General > iPhone Storage). Is it larger than your old phone's *used* space? If not, you WILL hit a wall during restore. Delete stuff off the old phone or get a bigger new iPhone. Seriously, do this.
• iOS Updates are Mandatory: Always, always update both phones to the latest iOS version *before* starting the transfer. Old iOS + new iOS = potential glitch city. I skipped this once... spent hours troubleshooting a failed Quick Start that updating would have fixed instantly.
• Two-Factor Authenticators (Authy, Google, MS): Apps like Google Authenticator often won't transfer seamlessly. You MUST set them up fresh on the new device, using backup codes or re-linking accounts. Plan for this – it can lock you out of accounts temporarily if unprepared. Use authenticator apps that sync via cloud (like Authy or 1Password) if possible!
• Carrier Settings & eSIM: If using eSIM, contact your carrier *before* transferring. Sometimes the eSIM profile needs reprovisioning on the new device. Physical SIM? Pop it into the new phone after restoring.
• "Other" Storage Monster: If your old iPhone has a huge "Other" storage category (Settings > General > iPhone Storage), backups can fail or take forever. Try clearing Safari cache/history, deleting old messages/attachments, or offloading unused apps before backing up.
• After Transfer: The App Download Wait: Especially with iCloud or Quick Start, after the main restore, apps download one by one. This takes ages and drains battery. Keep the new phone plugged in and on strong Wi-Fi overnight. Apps requiring logins will need attention.

Burn Those Bridges (Safely!): Wiping the Old iPhone

Your stuff is safely on the new phone? Awesome! Don't forget the crucial last step: wiping the old one.

DO NOT: Just throw it in a drawer or sell it as-is. Bad idea.

DO:

• Turn off Find My iPhone (Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone > Off). Input your Apple ID password. This is essential.
• Sign out of iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out). Sign out of iTunes & App Store too (Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Sign Out).
• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Confirm.
• If asked, choose to remove the eSIM profile (if applicable).

Now it's safe to recycle, trade-in, sell, or give away. Peace of mind is worth the 5 minutes.

Your Burning Transfer Questions, Answered (FAQ)

Let’s tackle those specific worries people have when figuring out how to transfer everything from iphone to iphone.

Q: Will my WhatsApp chats transfer?
A: Yes, but it needs attention. Before wiping the old phone: In WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now (include videos if needed). On the new phone, install WhatsApp, verify your number, and tap "Restore Chat History" when prompted. Needs iCloud Drive space.

Q: Does transferring use my cellular data?
A: Absolutely not! Quick Start uses peer-to-peer Wi-Fi (or cable). iCloud backups/restores and app downloads require Wi-Fi. Never use cellular for this – you'd burn through your plan instantly.

Q: Can I use my old phone while it's transferring?
A: During a Quick Start transfer? Nope. Both phones are locked into the process. If you interrupt it, you'll likely have to start over. For iCloud backup/restore or computer methods, you might be able to use the old phone *after* the backup is done/before restore starts, but it's best to let the process run uninterrupted.

Q: Why are some of my apps missing after restore?
A: A few possibilities:

• App was removed from the App Store (rare).
• App hasn't finished downloading yet (check the progress).
• App requires a newer iOS version than your old phone had (update the new phone fully).
• App was never compatible with the new phone's chip/architecture (very old apps).

Q: How long does transferring everything REALLY take?
A> Honestly? It varies wildly. A small backup (16GB) might take 15-30 mins via Quick Start or computer. A massive backup (256GB+) can easily take 2+ hours over Quick Start or computer, or much longer over iCloud depending on upload/download speeds. Computer (USB) is consistently the fastest. Patience is key!

Q: What if I get stuck on the Apple logo during restore?
A> Force restart is step one:

• iPhone 8/SE (2nd/3rd) or newer: Press Vol Up, release. Press Vol Down, release. Then press and hold Side Button until Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold Vol Down + Sleep/Wake.
• iPhone 6s/SE (1st) or older: Press and hold Home + Sleep/Wake.

Q: Can I transfer data without the other phone's passcode?
A> Realistically? No. You need the passcode to unlock the old phone to back it up, or to authorize the Quick Start transfer. This is a core security feature.

Q: Do I need to remove the SIM card first?
A> For Quick Start or wireless methods, no. For computer backups, sometimes removing it avoids carrier activation pop-ups interrupting the backup. For the final wipe, yes, remove the physical SIM if you aren't using an eSIM or plan to reuse it.

Q: Will my Apple Watch pair with the new phone?
A> Not automatically. You must unpair the watch from the old phone first (best practice: do this *before* wiping the old phone via the Watch app). Then pair it fresh with the new phone. Backups of the Watch are stored within the iPhone backup, so settings/apps should restore during pairing.

Wrapping Up: Making Your Transfer Smooth Sailing

Figuring out how to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone doesn't have to be stressful. The key is picking the right tool for your specific situation:

• Quick Start: Best for most people with two functional devices. Fastest wireless method, mirrors setup.
• iCloud Backup/Restore: Best when phones aren't together, or as a safety net. Requires sufficient cloud storage.
• Finder/iTunes Backup/Restore: Best for speed (USB), large data sets, or unreliable internet. Encryption password is critical.

Remember the golden rules: Update both phones first. Check new phone storage. Plug into power. Be patient. And for goodness sake, encrypt computer backups and don’t lose that password!

Transferring everything isn't magic, but with the right approach, it sure feels close. Now go enjoy that new iPhone!