Use iCloud to transfer data from your previous iOS or iPadOS device to your new iPhone or iPad

Transfer your personal data and purchased content to your new device using your iCloud backup – regardless of whether you have your previous device nearby.

Transfer your data to your new iPhone or iPad with your old device

  1. In the Settings app on your old device, tap Wi-Fi and make sure you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.

  2. In the Settings app on your old device, tap Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth on.

  3. Plug in both your new and old devices as you start to transfer your data.

  4. Turn on your new device. A “Hello” screen should appear. Follow the prompts until the Quick Start screen appears.

  5. Place your old device next to your new iPhone or iPad, then follow the steps on your old device to scan an animation with the camera.

  6. Continue on your new device when prompted and enter the passcode of your old device.

  7. When you reach the Transfer Your Data screen, tap Download from iCloud.

To use an old device nearby to transfer data, you will need to be running iOS 17.2, iPadOS 17.2 or later.

Transfer your data to your new iPhone or iPad without your old device

  1. Turn on your new device. A “Hello” screen should appear. If you’ve already set up your new device, you will need to erase it before you can use these steps.*

  2. Follow the steps until you see the Wi-Fi screen.

  3. Tap a Wi-Fi network to join. Follow the steps until you see the Apps & Data screen, then tap Restore from iCloud Backup.

    An iPhone showing the Apps & Data screen with “Restore from iCloud Backup” selected
  4. Sign in to iCloud with your Apple Account.

  5. When asked, choose a backup. Make sure it’s the correct one by checking the date and size of each. Find out what to do if you’re asked to update to a newer version of iOS or iPadOS.

  6. If you’ve purchased iTunes or App Store content using multiple Apple Accounts, sign in to each. If you can’t remember the passwords, you can skip this step by tapping “Don’t have an Apple Account or have forgotten it”.

  7. Stay connected and wait for the restore process to be completed, then follow the rest of the onscreen setup steps. If possible, keep your device connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in to a power source after you've set it up. This will allow content stored in iCloud, such as your photos, music and apps, to be downloaded back to your device automatically.

* To erase your device with iOS or iPadOS 15 or later, tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Erase All Content and Settings. On iOS or iPadOS 14 or earlier, tap Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will erase all of the data on your device. After you’ve erased it, your device will restart and the “Hello” screen will appear.

Finish

After you’ve transferred to your new iOS or iPadOS device, you may need to complete a few more steps to finish the process. If you have an Apple Watch, find out how to restore it from a backup and pair it with your new iPhone.

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