Tech Reference

How to painlessly switch iPhones and keep all of your data

Written by William Antonelli
Updated
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Apple releases new versions of the iPhone every year. And while buying a new phone is always exciting, taking the time to move all your important data can be tedious.

Luckily, your Apple ID and iCloud accounts are designed to make switching iPhones as smooth as possible. It only takes a few steps.

Here's how to painlessly switch from one iPhone to another.

Before Switching iPhones

There are a few things you'll need to do before switching to make sure that all your data ports over correctly.

First, you need to save your current iPhone's data in the event that something goes wrong. This means making a backup. You can backup your iPhone's data by opening the Settings app, tapping your name at the top of the page, and then selecting iCloud.

For the full details on how to make sure that everything is backed up, check out our article on how to save your iPhone's data to iCloud.

An iPhone menu that lets you backup your data to iCloud.
Turn on backups and save your data.  Apple; William Antonelli/Insider

Secondly, unless you're planning on switching phone numbers too, you need to take the SIM card out of your current iPhone and put it into the new one. The SIM card is a small data chip that carries your phone number and cell carrier account information.

Switching SIM cards isn't hard, but you'll need a special tool to do it. If you're not sure of the steps, check out our article on how to remove and replace an iPhone's SIM card for more information. Remember that your old iPhone will still work without a SIM card, you just won't be able to make calls or send SMS text messages.

And lastly, if you have an Apple Watch, you'll want to unpair it from your current iPhone. You can do this through the Watch app — again, check out our specific article on the subject for a detailed walkthrough.

Once you're ready, its time to switch iPhones.

How to switch iPhones

There are two major ways to transfer your data onto the new iPhone: Using the Quick Start feature, or by using iCloud.

Using Quick Start

If your old device is running iOS 12.4 or newer — you can check its version in the Settings app — you'll be offered the Quick Start feature when setting up your new phone. This feature lets you transfer all your data just by scanning a picture.

1. Turn on your new iPhone by connecting it to a charger, and place your old iPhone near it.

2. A pop-up should appear on your old iPhone, asking if you'd like to use your Apple ID to set up the new iPhone. Tap Continue.

A picture of an iPhone, with its screen displaying a pop-up that asks if the user wants to use their Apple ID to set up a new iPhone.
When the Quick Start prompt comes up, tap "Continue."  Apple

3. Wait for an animation to appear on your new iPhone's screen, then hold your old iPhone over the new one as directed.

4. On your new iPhone, enter the passcode and set up Face ID or Touch ID, then log into your Apple ID account.

5. You'll be asked if you want to transfer data directly from your old iPhone, or want to restore data from an iCloud backup. Pick either option.

Keep the devices on and near each other until your new iPhone is ready for use.

Using an iCloud backup

This method uses the backup that we made earlier.

1. Turn on your new iPhone by connecting it to a charger and follow the instructions on-screen. Make sure that you connect to a Wi-Fi network.

2. Once you reach the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup and sign into your Apple ID account.

An iPhone displaying a screen titled Apps & Data, where you can choose how you want to restore the iPhone's data. "Restore from iCloud Backup" is selected.
Restore your data from iCloud.  Apple

3. Choose the backup you want to restore your data from — chances are that it'll be the most recent one.

Keep your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi until the backup transfer is complete. 

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WillAntonelli
William Antonelli
ExperienceWilliam joined Business Insider in 2019 to help found Tech Reference, a vertical dedicated to answering the internet’s most common questions about the gadgets they buy. In that role, he helped grow the vertical into a powerhouse that attracted over 20 million pageviews a month. He also wrote and edited one of Business Insider’s most successful stories: How to take a screenshot on Windows.William later became one of Business Insider's lead consumer tech reporters, writing roundups and reviews about gadgets ranging from smartphones to gaming PCs. He also established key industry contacts at brands like Apple, Google, Nintendo, and more. He’s also cited on the Wikipedia page for Among Us, an honor above all others.William’s work for Business Insider has included reviewing the best gaming laptops, publishing previews of new Nintendo games and consoles, and comparing Apple’s latest releases so readers know what’s worth their money. Across all assignments, he’s been praised for his depth of knowledge and research skills.In addition to his work at Business Insider, William’s writing has appeared in outlets like The Guardian, Polygon, Thomson Reuters’ Context, and more. He's also a regular guest on TV stations like CBS and NBC, where he provides expert analysis on AI, consumer tech, and Silicon Valley moguls.Why you can trust WilliamWilliam believes the goal of journalism should be to tell the truth, not sell products. In his reviews, William never hesitates to call out a product’s flaws, but he also has no issue complimenting features that genuinely add value.When reviewing a product, William doesn’t test it in a vacuum. He tries to incorporate each product into his daily routine to get a better sense of how it’ll work for the everyday user. And when writing, he focuses on reader comprehension. He’s talented at explaining complicated concepts in ways that all readers can understand, without losing depth or nuance — or his distinctively engaging voice.Expertise
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Consumer Technology (Laptops, PCs, video games and gaming consoles, smartphones, more)
  • Social Media (TikTok, X, Meta, more)
  • Internet Culture (Memes, influencers, viral trends)
  • Disinformation
EducationWilliam graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 2018. There, he studied English, communications, and adolescent education, alongside reporting news for the university’s radio and TV stations.Outside workWhen he’s not reporting, you can usually find William biking through Central Park, playing video games, or at home listening to music and writing fanfiction. He’s also a co-manager of the New York Mandolin Ensemble, one of NYC’s premier string orchestras.You can contact him at w.antonelli322@gmail.com, visit his official website at williamantonelli.com, or follow him on Twitter @DubsRewatcher and BlueSky @wantonelli.bsky.social.