Setting Up a New iPhone? Do THIS to Transfer Everything! (including eSIM!), by brooke tierney on YouTube. 16 min 31 s.
- Video length
- 16 min 31 s
- Time to do it
- About 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Charge both phones and update the old one to the latest iOS. Make sure you know your Apple ID password, because you need it to sign in and restore your data.
Get the new iPhone ready and keep it close to the old one. Have your Wi-Fi password and Apple ID details to hand before you start setup.
Turn on the new iPhone. If it was already set up, go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings to get back to the Hello screen.
Pick your language and region, join a Wi-Fi network, then set up Face ID and a passcode when asked. You can change any of these later in Settings.
Choose how to move your data: from an iCloud backup, directly from your old iPhone, or from a computer backup. Transferring from the old iPhone copies the most, including settings.
Keep both phones next to each other, plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi. On the old iPhone tap Continue, scan the pattern shown on the new screen, then follow the prompts.
Leave both phones alone while the transfer runs. It can take from 20 minutes to a few hours depending on how much data and how many apps you have.
When the new iPhone asks about your cellular plan, choose to transfer the eSIM from the nearby iPhone. If that option does not appear, open Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM and follow your carrier prompts.
Once calls, texts and data work on the new phone, erase the old one: Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings. This signs you out of iCloud and Apple ID.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep both iPhones plugged in during the transfer, since a low battery can pause or stop it.
Do not erase your old iPhone until you have made a test call and sent a text from the new one.
Not every carrier supports eSIM transfer, so have your carrier app or phone number ready in case you need to move the plan manually.
Turn off any VPN on the old phone before you start, as it can slow down or block the device to device transfer.
Questions
How long does the transfer take?
Most transfers finish in 20 to 60 minutes on a fast Wi-Fi network. A phone with lots of photos, videos and apps can take a few hours, so start when you do not need the phone.
Do I need to move my eSIM separately?
Usually the setup asks if you want to transfer the plan from your nearby iPhone and does it for you. If the option is missing or fails, add the eSIM again through Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM or by contacting your carrier.
What if I skip the transfer and set up as new?
You get a clean phone with no photos, messages or app data. You can still sign in to iCloud later to get back contacts, photos and backups, but app layouts and settings will not come across.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
