How to Upgrade to an iPhone 13 and Transfer Everything

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Moving from an older iPhone (or an Android phone) to an iPhone 13 is mostly about getting your data across safely: photos, messages, apps, contacts, and your phone number. Apple’s Quick Start makes the transfer nearly automatic when both phones are side by side. This guide covers buying and trading in, preparing your old phone, transferring everything, and what to do afterward.

Quick Answer

Update and back up your old iPhone, turn on the iPhone 13, and hold it near the old phone. When Set Up New iPhone appears on the old phone, tap Continue, scan the animation, and choose Transfer from iPhone. Keep both phones close and plugged in until the transfer finishes.

Phone Quick Start card on the old phone offering to set up a new phone with the same account and a Continue button
When the Quick Start card appears on your old phone (1), tap Continue (2) to begin transferring to the new iPhone.

Step 1: Get the iPhone 13

  • Where to buy: The iPhone 13 is an older model, and Apple has stopped selling it new in many countries. Look for Apple Certified Refurbished, carrier deals, or reputable resellers that offer a warranty and a clean activation lock status.
  • Check support: The iPhone 13 still runs current versions of iOS, but older models eventually stop getting major updates. Check Apple’s compatibility list if you plan to keep it for years.
  • Trade in: Apple, carriers, and retailers offer credit for your old phone. Get quotes, but don’t wipe it until after you’ve transferred your data.

Step 2: Prepare Your Old iPhone

  1. Update it: Settings > General > Software Update.
  2. Back it up: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now, or back up to a computer with Finder or the Apple Devices app.
  3. Make sure you know your Apple Account password and your screen passcode.
  4. If you have an Apple Watch, it will pair to the new phone during setup; make sure it’s updated.
  5. Charge both phones, or keep them plugged in.

Step 3: Transfer With Quick Start

  1. Turn on the iPhone 13 and place it next to your old iPhone, with Bluetooth on.
  2. On the old iPhone, tap Continue on the setup card. Choose the Apple Account you want to use.
  3. Hold the old iPhone over the new one to scan the swirling animation (or tap Authenticate Manually).
  4. Enter your old iPhone’s passcode on the new iPhone, then set up Face ID.
  5. Choose Transfer from iPhone to copy data directly (or Download from iCloud to restore from your backup).
  6. Follow the prompts for your cellular plan: if you use an eSIM, you can usually transfer it during setup; if you use a physical SIM card, move it to the iPhone 13.
  7. Keep the phones together until the transfer is complete. It can take from several minutes to an hour or more depending on how much data you have.

Coming From Android?

During setup, on the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, choose From Android. Install the Move to iOS app on your Android phone, enter the code shown on the iPhone, and choose what to transfer (contacts, messages, photos, calendars, and more).

Step 4: After the Transfer

  • Open apps and sign in where needed; some banking and authenticator apps require re-setup. Transfer authenticator codes before wiping the old phone.
  • Check that Messages, Photos, and Contacts came across, and that iMessage and FaceTime show your phone number in Settings.
  • Confirm your cellular service works by making a call.

Step 5: Wipe or Trade In the Old Phone

  1. Unpair any Apple Watch from the old phone if it didn’t move automatically.
  2. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. This also signs you out of iCloud and turns off Find My and Activation Lock.
  3. Remove the SIM card if it’s still inside.

Troubleshooting

  • Quick Start card doesn’t appear: Turn Bluetooth on, restart both phones, and make sure the old one is updated.
  • Transfer stuck: Keep the phones plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi. If it’s truly stuck for hours, restart both and choose Download from iCloud instead.
  • “No SIM” or no service: Contact your carrier to activate the eSIM or new SIM.

Summary

  1. Buy from a trusted source and keep your old phone until the transfer is done.
  2. Update and back up your old iPhone.
  3. Use Quick Start and choose Transfer from iPhone.
  4. Move your eSIM or SIM, check your apps, then erase the old phone.

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