📋 Verified Walkthrough
iPhone & iPad • Everyday Basics

How to transfer all your photos, apps, and contacts to a new iPhone (Quick Start)

Direct Answer

Plug both iPhones into chargers and place your new iPhone directly next to your old iPhone. A prompt saying "Set Up New iPhone" will appear on your old screen. Tap Continue, point your old phone's camera at the glowing particle animation on your new screen, enter your passcode, and tap "Transfer Directly from iPhone." Do not erase your old phone until you confirm everything is on your new phone.

Why You Might Want to Do This

  • To move all your family photos, text conversations, contacts, and downloaded apps to your new iPhone without plugging into a computer.
  • To transfer your saved Wi-Fi passwords, email accounts, and alarm clocks automatically.
  • To avoid losing precious memories or getting locked out of your favorite apps when upgrading your phone.

Before You Start

  • Both your old iPhone and new iPhone, both plugged into chargers or charged above 50%.
  • Your home Wi-Fi network name and password.
  • Your Apple Account (Apple ID) email and password (just in case you are asked).
  • Keep both phones right next to each other on the table during the entire transfer.

CRITICAL SAFETY RULE: Never choose "Erase This iPhone" on your old phone until several days after setup, once you have verified that your photos, bank apps, and contacts are working perfectly on the new phone.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Turn on Bluetooth on your old iPhone and turn on your new iPhone

    On your old iPhone, swipe down from the top right corner to check that Bluetooth is turned ON (blue icon). Press the power button on your new iPhone until the white Apple logo appears, then swipe up from the bottom of the new screen where it says "Hello."

    👀 White "Hello" greeting screen on the new iPhone.

  2. 2

    Place both phones side-by-side on a flat surface

    Bring your new iPhone within 2 inches of your old iPhone. Within a few seconds, a card will pop up on your OLD iPhone screen that says "Set Up New iPhone: Use your Apple ID to set up your new iPhone." Tap the blue "Continue" button.

    👀 Popup card on old phone: "Set Up New iPhone."

    3. ✅ Success Checkpoint: You're Doing Great

    If your screen matches the description above, you have followed the steps correctly. Continue to the next step.

  3. 3

    Scan the glowing blue animation on the new screen

    A shimmering blue particle circle will appear on the new iPhone. Your old iPhone will open a circular camera viewfinder. Hold your old iPhone over the new iPhone so the blue animation is centered in the camera circle until it says "Finish on New iPhone."

    👀 Swirling blue animation on new screen.

  4. 4

    Enter your old iPhone passcode on the new iPhone

    When prompted on the NEW iPhone, type in the 4-digit or 6-digit passcode you normally use to unlock your OLD phone. You will then be guided to set up Face ID (facial recognition) by looking at the camera.

    👀 Keypad asking for Passcode.

  5. 5

    Select "Transfer Directly from iPhone"

    When asked how to transfer your data, tap "Transfer Directly from iPhone." Tap Continue through the terms and conditions. If asked about transferring your phone number (eSIM / Cellular Plan), tap "Transfer Phone Number" to move your cellular line.

    👀 Blue button: "Transfer from iPhone."

  6. 6

    Wait for the progress bar to finish and keep both phones plugged in

    Both screens will show a timer and progress bar saying "Transferring Data." Depending on how many photos and videos you have, this may take 15 to 45 minutes. Leave both phones untouched until the new iPhone restarts and shows your familiar home screen wallpaper.

    👀 Time remaining progress bar on both screens.

If You Don't See It / Troubleshooting

The "Set Up New iPhone" card never pops up on my old phone

Make sure Bluetooth is turned ON in Settings > Bluetooth on your old phone. Then lock your old phone and unlock it again with your passcode while holding it touching the new phone.

The transfer says "Not Enough Storage on New iPhone"

If your old phone had 256GB full of 4K videos and your new phone is 128GB, it cannot fit everything. You will need to delete unwanted duplicate videos on the old phone or use iCloud Photo optimization before transferring.

My banking apps or WhatsApp are asking me to log in again

This is completely normal security. Banking apps and security apps require you to type your password and receive a text verification code the first time you open them on a new device.

Good to Know

  • Your apps will download in the background after the transfer finishes. Apps with grey circles are simply re-downloading from the App Store.
  • Your old phone remains completely intact with all your photos and messages. It is not erased automatically.
  • Keep your old phone in a drawer for at least 1–2 weeks before trading it in or giving it away to make sure you have everything.