How do I transfer everything from my old phone to a new one?

Back up, then restore

The reliable way to move a phone is to back up the old one and restore that backup while you set up the new one. It works the same way on both main systems: the backup holds your apps, settings and messages, and the new phone pulls them down during first setup. If you replace your iPhone, you can use its backup to transfer your information to the new device.^[1]

Do it in the right order. Back up first, restore second, erase last. Most lost photos and messages come from skipping the middle check and wiping the old phone too soon.

Before you start

Plug in both phones and put them on a strong Wi-Fi network. A restore is a large download, and a phone that dies halfway makes for a long evening. Install any waiting system update on the old phone, and make sure you know your Apple Account or Google Account password, since you will be asked for it.

Check the versions on Android. Both devices must be on the same Android version or your new device must be on a later Android version.^[3] If your new device is on an older Android version than your previous device, it may result in an incomplete data transfer.^[3] Google puts it plainly: you can't restore a backup from a higher Android version onto a phone running a lower Android version.^[3]

On an iPhone

Open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, then tap iCloud Backup.^[1] iCloud automatically backs up your iPhone daily when iPhone is connected to power, locked, and connected to Wi-Fi.^[1] Before a move, do not wait for the nightly run. To perform a manual backup, tap Back Up Now.^[1]

If you prefer to keep the backup on your own computer, use Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on Windows. To encrypt your backup data and protect it with a password, select “Encrypt local backup.”^[1] Write that password down somewhere safe, because you will need it to restore.

On the new iPhone, follow the onscreen setup steps until you reach the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen.^[2] Choose the iCloud backup, sign in, then review the date and size of each backup, and then choose the most recent one.^[2] Keep your device connected to Wi-Fi and power until the progress bar finishes.^[2]

Expect to sign in more than once. When asked, sign in again to restore your apps and purchases.^[2] If you made purchases with multiple Apple Accounts, your device asks you to sign in to each one.^[2] The time it takes to restore varies depending on the backup size and your network speed.^[2]

One trap: setting up the new phone as new instead of restoring creates iCloud backups that replace your saved iCloud backups.^[2] If you did that by mistake, restore as soon as possible.

On an Android phone

Open Settings, tap Google, tap All services, then under Backup and restore tap Backup. You can back up to 15 GB of storage at no charge for your Google account.^[3] The backup covers this list: Apps and app data, Call history, Contacts, Device settings, SMS and MMS messages.^[3] Photos and videos are handled by Google Photos instead, and your photos and videos are already available in Google Photos.^[3]

A first backup is slow. Your Google One backup can take up to 24 hours.^[3] Run it overnight, then tap Back up now just before the switch.

On the new phone, add the same Google Account during setup and follow the prompts to restore. Expect it to keep working after you reach the home screen: the process can take up to 24 hours to complete fully.^[3]

Not everything is included. Not all apps can back up or restore all settings and data.^[3] Chat and banking apps are the usual gaps, so open each one on the new phone and check its own export or sign-in process.

What to check before wiping the old phone

Go through a short list on the new phone: photos and videos, contacts, recent messages, your two-factor authentication app, banking and payment apps, and anything that needs a SIM or eSIM from your carrier. Authenticator apps are the one most people forget, and they often need to be moved or re-enrolled before the old phone is erased.

Only then erase the old phone. After you back up, you can reset your device by erasing everything on it.^[3] Keep it for a few days first if you can.

Stop and call a pro if

• The old phone will not turn on or the screen is dead. You cannot start a backup without access to it, and a repair shop may be able to recover the data first.
• The phone keeps shutting off during the backup. A failing battery can interrupt a transfer. See phone battery replacement costs in Virginia.
• The screen is cracked and the touch no longer responds. Fix that before you try to enter passcodes. See phone screen replacement costs in Virginia.
• You are locked out of the account or backup password. Only Apple or Google can help with that, not a repair shop.
• The transfer keeps failing partway. A technician can read the phone directly instead of through the cloud.

Getting help in Virginia

Loclis lists local phone and device repair businesses. Read more phone and tablet repair answers, browse phone and tablet repair near you, or see the smartwatch screen repair answer.

When you want a shop to do the transfer, describe the job once and local repair businesses quote it.