Want to do a quick transfer on iPhone? It depends on what you're moving. To move everything from your old iPhone to a new one, use Quick Start: put the two iPhones next to each other and follow the steps on screen. To move your phone number, use eSIM Quick Transfer, which moves your SIM to the new iPhone without a call to your carrier. To send photos or files to someone nearby, use AirDrop. This guide shows you each one step by step, what to do if you're switching from Android, and what happens to a travel eSIM when you change iPhones.
Quick Start, eSIM Quick Transfer or AirDrop: which one do you need?
- Quick Start: sets up a new iPhone from your old one. It moves your settings, apps and data. Use it when you get a new iPhone.
- eSIM Quick Transfer: moves your phone number (physical SIM or eSIM) to the new iPhone. It often runs during Quick Start, but it's a separate step and your carrier has to support it.
- AirDrop: sends photos, videos and files to a nearby iPhone, iPad or Mac in seconds.
- Shared Albums: share a big batch of photos with family or friends through iCloud.
- Quick Share: swap files between Android and iPhone.
So if you just got a new iPhone, you'll usually use two of them: Quick Start for your data, and eSIM Quick Transfer for your number.
How to use Quick Start to transfer to a new iPhone
Before you start
- Your old iPhone needs iOS 11 or later. To move all your data straight from one iPhone to the other, both need iOS 12.4 or later. Apple recommends updating both to the latest iOS first (Apple: Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad).
- Connect your old iPhone to Wi-Fi and turn on Bluetooth.
- Plug both iPhones into power. Quick Start keeps both phones busy, so pick a time when you won't need your old one for a while.
- Have your Apple Account password and your old iPhone's passcode ready.
Quick Start step by step
- Turn on your new iPhone and place it next to your old one.
- On your old iPhone, a Quick Start screen offers to set up the new iPhone with your Apple Account. Check it's the right account and tap Continue. If you don't see it, check that Bluetooth is on.
- An animation appears on your new iPhone. Hold your old iPhone over it and center the animation in the camera viewfinder. Wait until you see Finish on New iPhone.
- Enter your old iPhone's passcode on the new one.
- Connect the new iPhone to Wi-Fi or a cellular network. If you're asked to transfer your phone number, follow the prompts (see eSIM Quick Transfer below).
- Set up Face ID or Touch ID.
- Choose how to move your data: download it from iCloud, or transfer it directly from your old iPhone.
- Keep both iPhones close together and plugged in until the transfer is done.
Steps 1 to 4 follow the Quick Start guide from UK carrier EE (EE: Transferring data using Quick Start). The rest are Apple's steps. The exact screens can change a little between iOS versions.
Can't scan the animation?
If the camera on your old iPhone doesn't work or won't scan the animation, tap Authenticate Manually and follow the steps. If the Quick Start screen disappears from your old iPhone, Apple says to restart both iPhones and try again.
Download from iCloud or transfer directly?
- Download from iCloud: your apps and data download in the background, so you can use your new iPhone right away.
- Transfer from iPhone: everything moves directly from the old phone. You have to wait until it's finished on both iPhones before you can use them.
How long it takes depends on your network and how much data you have. Short on iCloud storage? On your old iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap Get Started. Apple gives you enough free iCloud storage for a temporary backup for up to three weeks (Apple: Turn on and set up iPhone).
No good Wi-Fi? Use a cable
You can also move your data with a cable. Between two iPhones with USB-C, Apple says a USB-C charge cable is enough. Older iPhones with a Lightning port need an adapter (Apple: Use a wired connection to transfer data).
How to move your phone number with eSIM Quick Transfer
Quick Start moves your data. Your phone number moves with eSIM Quick Transfer. If your carrier supports it, you don't need to contact them. It works whether your old iPhone has a physical SIM or an eSIM. Apple lists what you need (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone):
- Both iPhones signed in to the same Apple Account.
- Both iPhones on iOS 18.4 or later, next to each other, with Bluetooth on.
- Your old iPhone unlocked with its passcode.
During setup
When your new iPhone asks you to transfer your phone number, follow the prompts. With iOS 26 or later, you can move more than one number at once.
After setup
- On your new iPhone, open Settings and tap Cellular (Mobile Service in some countries).
- Tap Set Up Cellular or Add eSIM.
- Choose the number you want to move. If you don't see a list, tap Transfer From Nearby iPhone.
- On your old iPhone, tap Transfer. If asked, enter the code shown on your new iPhone.
- Wait for the plan to activate on your new iPhone.
Once your number works on the new iPhone, the SIM in your old iPhone stops working. If you see a banner that says Finish Setting Up Your Carrier's Cellular Plan, tap it to finish on your carrier's website. No transfer option at all? Your carrier doesn't support Quick Transfer, so ask them for a new eSIM. More ways to move an eSIM from one phone to another, and our older overview of how to transfer an eSIM.
Still on a physical SIM card? Some carriers let you turn it into an eSIM on the same iPhone. Here's how to switch from a SIM card to an eSIM. Moving from or to an Android phone? With iOS 26 or later, some carriers and phone makers support eSIM transfers between Android and iPhone. See how to transfer an eSIM from Android to iPhone.
What happens to your travel eSIM when you change iPhones?
Quick Transfer is for carriers that support it, and travel eSIM providers are usually not among them. So don't expect your travel eSIM to move across with your number. A few tips:
- Don't delete the travel eSIM from your old iPhone first. Apple says that once you erase an eSIM, you need to get a new one from your carrier (Apple: Erase an eSIM).
- Ask the provider before you switch. For SimOptions eSIMs, our eSIM FAQ says that depending on the eSIM you bought, you may be able to scan the same QR code again. Contact our support before you remove it, and we'll tell you what works for your plan.
- Getting a new iPhone before a trip? Set it up first, then install your travel eSIM on the new phone. That way you don't have to move it later.
- Keep your home number too. iPhones that support eSIM can hold your home line and a travel data eSIM side by side. Learn how to set up and manage a dual eSIM.
Planning a trip with your new iPhone? SimOptions travel eSIMs are data-only, so your home number stays on its own line for calls and texts. You get the QR code by email, so you can install it at home on Wi-Fi before you fly. Your iPhone needs to be unlocked.
Europe, USA and Asia plans shown · data-only eSIMs, no phone number · Find the eSIM for your destination
How to send photos and files with AirDrop
AirDrop is the quickest way to send photos, videos and documents to a nearby iPhone, iPad or Mac. You both need Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. If either of you has Personal Hotspot on, turn it off.
AirDrop step by step
- Open the photo or file you want to send.
- Tap the Share button, then tap AirDrop.
- Tap the person or device you want to send to.
- The other person taps Accept. Photos land in the Photos app, other files usually in the Files app.
On iOS 17 or later, you can also hold the two iPhones close together to start an AirDrop with someone in your contacts (Apple: How to use AirDrop).
Sending to someone who isn't in your contacts
Ask them to open Control Center, touch and hold the connectivity controls, tap AirDrop and choose Everyone for 10 Minutes. With iOS 26.2 or later, they then tap Get AirDrop Code and tell you the code to enter. After 10 minutes, the setting goes back to Contacts Only if they're signed in to their Apple Account.
AirDrop and mobile data
If you move out of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi range during a transfer, AirDrop can finish it over the internet, which can use mobile data. Traveling? To avoid roaming charges, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and turn off Use Cellular Data (Apple: Use AirDrop on iPhone).
How to share lots of photos with a Shared Album
For a whole trip's worth of photos, a Shared Album in iCloud is easier than AirDrop. The people you invite can view, comment and add their own photos.
- Go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud > Photos, and make sure Shared Albums is on.
- Open the Photos app, tap Collections, then Shared Albums.
- Tap the add button, name the album and add your photos and videos.
- Choose who can see it under Sharing Options, then invite people.
Apple says the person who creates the album provides the iCloud storage. If you turn on Make Album Temporary, the album expires after 30 days and uses no iCloud storage (Apple: Create shared albums).
How to transfer files between Android and iPhone
Quick Share with AirDrop
Quick Share is Android's version of AirDrop (it used to be called Nearby Share). It now works with AirDrop on a Pixel 9 or later (not the Pixel 9a) and on certain Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, Honor, Transsion and Motorola phones:
- On the iPhone, set AirDrop to Everyone for 10 Minutes.
- On the Android phone, open the file, tap Share, then Quick Share, and pick the iPhone.
- On the iPhone, tap Accept on the AirDrop notification.
Android phones without AirDrop support can show a QR code instead. You scan it on the iPhone and download the files from a Google web page, so both phones need internet. Google keeps the files for 24 hours (Android Help: Use Quick Share).
Moving everything from Android to a new iPhone
Use Apple's Move to iOS app during setup. On the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, tap From Android. If you've already finished setup, you'd have to erase the iPhone and start again, or move things manually (Apple: Move from Android to iPhone).
Quick transfer not working? Try this
- Update both phones to the latest iOS (or Android) version.
- Turn Wi-Fi and Bluetooth off and on on both phones, and keep them close together.
- Quick Start screen gone? Restart both iPhones and try again.
- Number didn't move? Check both iPhones run iOS 18.4 or later and use the same Apple Account. If your carrier doesn't support eSIM Quick Transfer, ask them for a new eSIM.
- eSIM stuck on "Activating"? See how to fix an eSIM that won't activate.
- AirDrop can't find the other phone? Ask them to switch to Everyone for 10 Minutes and turn off Personal Hotspot.
- Shared Album not showing? Check that Shared Albums is turned on in iCloud settings on both devices.
Quick transfer cheat sheet
- Moving everything to a new iPhone: Quick Start
- Moving your phone number to a new iPhone: eSIM Quick Transfer
- One file to a nearby Apple user: AirDrop
- Lots of photos for family or friends: Shared Album
- Files between Android and iPhone: Quick Share
- Everything from Android to a new iPhone: Move to iOS
FAQs
What is Quick Transfer on iPhone?
People use "quick transfer" for two Apple features. Quick Start copies your data and settings from your old iPhone to a new one. eSIM Quick Transfer moves your phone number to the new iPhone, if your carrier supports it.
What is Quick Start on iPhone?
Quick Start is the setup screen that appears when you put a new iPhone next to your old one. It uses your old iPhone to set up the new one and can transfer all your data wirelessly or by cable.
Does iPhone Quick Start transfer everything?
If you choose to transfer directly from your old iPhone, Apple says it moves all your data. If you choose iCloud, Quick Start copies your settings and preferences, and the rest downloads from your iCloud backup. Your phone number moves separately, with eSIM Quick Transfer.
How long does Quick Start take?
Apple doesn't give a fixed time. It depends on your network and how much data you have. Keep both iPhones close together and plugged in until it's done.
What does "scan the animation" mean in Quick Start?
Your new iPhone shows an animation. Hold your old iPhone over it so its camera can see the animation. This pairs the two phones. If the camera won't scan it, tap Authenticate Manually.
Can I use Quick Start without Wi-Fi?
Your old iPhone needs Wi-Fi for wireless Quick Start. Without a good connection, transfer your data with a cable instead.
Can I move my travel eSIM with Quick Transfer?
Usually not. Quick Transfer works with carriers that support it, and travel eSIM providers generally don't. Keep the travel eSIM on your old iPhone until you've asked your provider whether you can install it again on the new one.
Can I AirDrop to an Android phone?
Sometimes. Google says a Pixel 9 or later (not the Pixel 9a) can receive from an iPhone when its Quick Share is set to Everyone for 10 minutes or open in Receive mode. Several other Android brands can send to an iPhone with Quick Share. For phones without AirDrop support, use Quick Share's QR code option.
