Dina Bader: Here's how to transfer data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone 12

Now that the best iPhone lineup is here with the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max, you may have a shiny new iPhone in your hands. However, you want to transfer the data that you had on your previous iPhone to your new one — but how do you go about that? There are a few different ways that you can accomplish this, whether you want to just use iCloud or go through a hardwired connection with your Mac or PC. Here are the best ways to transfer data to a new iPhone.

Products used in this guide

Sync over USB-C: Apple Lightning-to-USB-C cable

Transfer data to new iPhone: Using Automatic Setup with your iPhone

Select your language on your new iPhone or iPad with your new and current devices nearby.
Tap Continue on your iPhone or iPad on the popup that appears asking you to set up your new iPhone or iPad with your Apple ID.
Use your current iPhone or iPad to scan the image that appears on your new iPhone or iPad.
Enter your current iPhone or iPad's passcode on your new iPhone or iPad.
Set up Touch ID or Face ID on your new iPhone.
Choose whether or not to restore your new iPhone or iPad from your most recent compatible backup — if that option presents itself.
Choose to restore your new device from an iCloud or iTunes backup, set up as a new iPhone or iPad, or transfer data from an Android device.
Agree to the terms and conditions.
Tap Continue under Express Settings to use the settings for Siri, Find My iPhone, Location, and usage analytics that were transferred over from your current iPhone and iPad.
Complete the setup process for your new iPhone or iPad as you normally would.

Transfer data to new iPhone: How to use iCloud backups and restoring

Open Settings on your old iPhone.
Tap the Apple ID banner.
Tap iCloud.
Tap iCloud Backup.
Tap Back Up Now.
Turn your old iPhone off once the backup is finished.
Remove the SIM card from your old iPhone or if you're going to move it to your new one.

Wait for the backup to complete before proceeding.

You can now set aside your old iPhone. Make sure that your new iPhone is off when you start these next steps.

Insert your old SIM card into your new iPhone if you want to move it between devices.
Turn on your new iPhone.
Slide up or press the Home button depending on which device you're setting up.
Follow the directions to choose your language and set up your Wi-Fi network.
Tap Restore from iCloud backup.
Sign in to your iCloud account (This is your Apple ID).
Tap Next.
Tap Agree.
Tap Agree again.
Choose the backup you just made.

Transfer data to new iPhone: How to transfer your data to your new iPhone on macOS Catalina and newer

Plug your old iPhone into your Mac running macOS Catalina.
Click on the Finder icon in the Dock to open a new Finder window.
Click on your iPhone under Locations.
Click Trust if you're asked to trust your iPhone.
Click the checkbox for Encrypt Local Backup.
Create a password if this is your first time setting up encrypted backups.
Click on Back Up Now.
Skip Backup Apps, if asked. (They'll likely re-download anyway.)
Unplug your old iPhone when done.
Turn off your old iPhone.
Take your SIM card out of your old iPhone. (If you don't have a new or separate SIM card for your new phone.)

Wait for the backup to complete before proceeding.

Put your SIM card into your new iPhone. (If it didn't come with a new or different SIM card.)
Turn on your new iPhone.
Plug your new iPhone into your Mac.
Slide to set up on your iPhone.
Follow the directions to choose your language and set up your Wi-Fi network.
Select Restore from Mac or PC.
Click your new iPhone under Locations in the Finder window.
In Finder on your Mac, click the button next to Restore from this backup.
Choose your recent backup from the drop-down list.
Click Continue.
Enter your password and click Restore if your backup was encrypted and the Finder asks.

Transfer data to new iPhone: How to transfer your data to your new iPhone using macOS Mojave and older

Make sure you're running the most recent version of iTunes.
Plug your old iPhone into your Mac or Windows PC.
Launch iTunes.
Click on the iPhone icon in the menu bar when it appears.
Click on Encrypt Backup; you'll be asked to add a password if this is your first time encrypting a backup.
Click on Back Up Now.
Skip Backup Apps, if asked. (They'll likely re-download anyway.)
Unplug your old iPhone when done.
Turn off your old iPhone.
Take your SIM card out of your old iPhone. (If you don't have a new or separate SIM card for your new phone.)

Wait for the backup to complete before proceeding.

Put your SIM card into your new iPhone. (If it didn't come with a new or different SIM card.)
Turn on your new iPhone.
Plug your new iPhone into your Mac or Windows PC.
Slide to set up on your iPhone.
Follow the directions to choose your language and set up your Wi-Fi network.
Select Restore from iTunes backup.
On iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC, select Restore from this backup.
Choose your recent backup from the list.
Click Continue.
Enter your password if your backup was encrypted and it asks.

Keep your iPhone plugged into iTunes until the transfer is complete, and on Wi-Fi until all re-downloads are complete. Depending on how much data you have to re-download, including music and apps, it might take a while.

Get your new iPhone

Of course, to transfer data to your new iPhone, you're going to need a new iPhone first.

Mainstream flagship

iPhone 12

From $799 at Apple

Apple's latest mainstream flagship iPhone, the iPhone 12 comes is powered by the brand new A14 system-on-a-chip and features a beautiful new design, camera upgrades, and much more.

Apple's latest flagship smartphone features a new OLED display, and new, flat-sided design in a variety of beautiful colors, and Apple's most powerful chip yet. Night Mode is now on every one of the iPhone's cameras, and you can now shoot video in Dolby Vision HDR. It's one of the best iPhones you can get right now. If you want it in a smaller form factor, then check out the iPhone 12 mini. If you need a telephoto lens, make sure to take a look at the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max for the absolute best camera system.

Budget friendly

iPhone SE (2020)

From $399 at Apple

The iPhone for people who love a good Home button.

The low-cost iPhone SE is hard to pass up at that price, especially considering it has the fastest processor of any smartphone on the market, except, of course, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro.

The iPhone SE is a great entry-model iPhone for those just waiting to dip their toes into the Apple ecosystem. Come on in, the water's fine. At this price, you could even buy two.

Additional Equipment

If you want to transfer data to your new iPhone using a Mac with USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 ports, you should go ahead and pick up a USB-C-to-Lightning cable.