Starting it
Turn the new iPhone on and hold it next to the old one, both unlocked and with Bluetooth on. A Quick Start card appears on the old phone offering to set up the new one. Confirm the Apple Account shown, then point the old phone's camera at the animation on the new screen to pair them.
You will then enter the old phone's passcode on the new one and set up Face ID or Touch ID. After that comes the choice that matters.
Transfer from iPhone, or download from iCloud
Transfer from iPhone copies everything directly between the two devices over a private connection. It is the most complete option, needs no iCloud storage at all, and is the right choice whenever both phones are in front of you.
Download from iCloud restores from your most recent backup instead. Choose it only if the old phone is not available or you cannot leave both devices tied up. Anything not in that backup does not come across.
How long it takes
Anything from fifteen minutes to well over an hour, driven almost entirely by how much data is on the old phone. Both devices are unusable throughout — this is not something to start when you need either one.
Plug both into power and use a cable between them if the option is offered, which is faster and more reliable than wireless. Keep them close together and leave them alone until it finishes.
When Quick Start does not appear
Check both phones are unlocked, that Bluetooth is on, and that the new iPhone is genuinely at the setup screen rather than already set up — a phone that has been through setup will not offer Quick Start until it is erased.
If the card still does not appear, restart both devices and try again. Moving away from other Bluetooth devices sometimes helps in a crowded room.
Your eSIM and phone number
Quick Start offers to move your eSIM across as part of setup and on most carriers it works without intervention. If it fails, your carrier can reissue the eSIM, though some require a call rather than an app.
Do not manually delete the eSIM from the old phone hoping to speed this up — on several carriers that turns a routine transfer into a support call.
Afterwards
Apps re-download from the App Store in the background, so expect greyed-out icons for a while. Check the things that do not migrate cleanly: authenticator apps, banking apps and transit cards often need setting up again.
Keep the old phone for a few days before erasing it. When you are ready, our guide to erasing before selling covers doing it in the right order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Quick Start work?
Hold the new iPhone next to the old one at the setup screen. A card appears offering to set it up, and you can transfer everything directly between the two.
Is Quick Start better than restoring from iCloud?
Usually yes. Direct transfer is more complete, needs no iCloud storage and is often faster, provided you have both phones.
How long does Quick Start take?
Fifteen minutes to over an hour depending on how much data there is. Both phones are unusable during the transfer.
Why is Quick Start not showing up?
Both phones must be unlocked with Bluetooth on, and the new one must still be at the setup screen. Restart both and try again.