How to Transfer Data from Your Old iPhone to a New iPhone: Quick Start, iCloud Backup, Cable Transfer and Moving After Setup — Photos, WhatsApp and Contacts

“Transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone”, “set up new iPhone from old iPhone”, “transfer after setup” and “iCloud backup not enough storage” are what people search on the day they get a new iPhone. Here are the three methods and when to use each.

Method 1: Quick Start (phone to phone)

Charge both phones, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the old one, and place the new iPhone next to it. A Quick Start card appears on the old phone; follow it, scan the animation, enter your old passcode, and choose “Transfer from iPhone”. Everything moves directly: apps, photos, messages, settings and WhatsApp. Keep both phones close and plugged in until it finishes.

Method 2: Restore from an iCloud backup

On the old iPhone open Settings › [your name] › iCloud › iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. On the new iPhone choose “From iCloud Backup” during setup and sign in. This is the option when the old phone is broken or lost. Apple gives 5GB of free iCloud storage; if your backup is bigger, buy a month of iCloud+ storage or use Quick Start instead.

Method 3: With a cable

If Wi-Fi is slow, connect the two iPhones with a USB-C cable (or USB-C to Lightning for older phones) during Quick Start and the transfer runs over the wire, often faster.

Already set up the new iPhone?

You can't run Quick Start on a phone that is already set up without erasing it. Either go to Settings › General › Transfer or Reset iPhone › Erase All Content and Settings and start again with Quick Start, or sign in with the same Apple Account so iCloud photos, contacts and notes sync across.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp moves with Quick Start and iCloud backup. To be safe, open WhatsApp › Settings › Chats › Chat Backup on the old phone and back up first.

Before you sell or trade in the old iPhone

Sign out of your Apple Account, turn off Find My, then erase it. Bring it in for trade-in and we'll put its value toward the new one.

Get help at Gadget Hub, Norwich Union House, 4th Floor

Gadget Hub is at Norwich Union House, opposite the Hilton Hotel, 4th Floor, Suite 15, Nairobi CBD (Mon–Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 10am–8pm). We move your data from your old iPhone to the new one at the counter, and value the old one for trade-in. The set-up fee, where one applies, is confirmed before we start. WhatsApp or call 0729 585 471.