How to Set Up iPhone 13: Quick Start, Data Transfer, and eSIM

To set up an iPhone 13, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, then follow the on-screen setup assistant. If you have another iPhone, hold it next to the new one and use Quick Start to copy your settings and data. If you don’t, tap Set Up Without Another Device, connect to Wi-Fi, set up Face ID and a passcode, choose how to bring over your data, and sign in with your Apple Account.

This guide follows Apple’s current setup steps, published for iOS 26 and later. The iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max all support iOS 27, and the setup process is the same on other iPhone models. If your iPhone 13 has an older version of iOS installed, some screens may look different or appear in a different order, but the choices are the same.

Contents

• Before you start
• Step 1: Turn on the iPhone and choose your options
• Step 2: Choose Quick Start or set up without another device
• Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi and activate the iPhone
• Step 4: Set up Face ID and a passcode
• Step 5: Transfer your apps and data
• Step 6: Sign in with your Apple Account
• Step 7: Finish the remaining setup screens
• After setup: what to do next
• Troubleshooting
• Frequently asked questions

Before you start

A few minutes of preparation makes setup faster and avoids losing data.

• Back up your old phone. If you’re moving from another iPhone, make a fresh iCloud backup or computer backup first. See how to back up iPhone 13 for the steps.
• Know your Apple Account password. Your Apple Account (formerly called Apple ID) is the email address or phone number and password you use for the App Store and iCloud. You’ll need the password during setup, and you may need to enter a verification code sent to another device.
• Charge both phones. Apple recommends keeping devices plugged in to power while data transfers.
• Have Wi-Fi available. You need a Wi-Fi or cellular connection to activate the iPhone. Wi-Fi is better for downloading apps and backups.
• Check your SIM. In the US, the iPhone 13 supports both a physical nano-SIM card and eSIM. If your carrier gave you a SIM card, insert it before you turn on the phone. If you use eSIM, you’ll be asked to activate it during setup.
• Set aside time. The setup screens themselves are quick, but Apple notes that transfer times vary with network conditions and how much data you’re moving. Plan for longer if you’re restoring a large backup.

Step 1: Turn on the iPhone and choose your options

1. Press and hold the side button on the right edge of the iPhone until the Apple logo appears. You’ll then see “Hello” in many languages.
2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or follow the on-screen prompt) to begin.
3. Choose your language, then your country or region. These control the date format, time zone, and keyboard defaults.
4. Choose a size for text and icons: Default, Medium, or Large. The preview changes as you choose. Tap Continue.

If you’re blind or have low vision, you can turn on VoiceOver from the Hello screen by pressing the side button three times. To turn on Zoom, double-tap the screen with three fingers.

Step 2: Choose Quick Start or set up without another device

The next screen offers Quick Start. Quick Start uses an iPhone or iPad you already own to set up the new one automatically, including your Apple Account, Wi-Fi, and many settings. It works with an existing device running iOS 11, iPadOS 13, or later.

Use Quick Start (you have another iPhone)

1. On your current iPhone, make sure Wi-Fi is connected and Bluetooth is on. Unlock it and go to the Home Screen.
2. Place the new iPhone 13 next to it. A prompt appears on your current iPhone offering to set up the new one.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions on both phones. You’ll typically be asked to confirm on your current iPhone and enter its passcode on the new one.
4. If the prompt disappears from your current iPhone, Apple says to restart both devices and try again.

Quick Start occupies both phones until it finishes, so pick a time when you won’t need your current iPhone for a while.

Set up without another device

If you don’t have another Apple device, or you want to start fresh, tap Set Up Without Another Device. Then choose whether to use the keyboard and dictation languages common in your region or select different ones.

If you’re switching from an Android phone, choose this option too. You’ll be able to move your data from Android in Step 5.

Step 3: Connect to Wi-Fi and activate the iPhone

The iPhone must connect to a network to activate. Activation is the process where Apple and your carrier confirm the phone can be used.

1. Tap your Wi-Fi network and enter its password. If no Wi-Fi is available, tap Continue Without Wi-Fi to use the cellular network, if that option appears.
2. If you’re asked to set up cellular service, follow the prompts. Depending on your carrier, you might transfer your phone number from your old iPhone, scan a QR code, or activate an eSIM your carrier already assigned to the phone.
3. Wait for activation to finish before you continue.

Activating an eSIM during setup

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into the iPhone, so you don’t need a physical card. Apple lists these ways to activate one, depending on what your carrier supports:

• eSIM Quick Transfer: Move your number from your previous iPhone without calling your carrier. Both phones need to be signed in to the same Apple Account, nearby with Bluetooth on, and running iOS 18.4 or later. When the new plan activates, the SIM on your old iPhone stops working.
• eSIM Carrier Activation: If your carrier assigned an eSIM when you bought the phone, it activates when you follow the setup prompts.
• QR code: On the Set Up Cellular screen, tap Use QR code and scan the code your carrier gave you.

If you skip this step, you can add the eSIM later in Settings > Cellular. Our guide on how to add an eSIM on iPhone 13 covers each method.

Step 4: Set up Face ID and a passcode

The setup assistant may first ask whether you’re setting up the iPhone for yourself or for a child. Choose the option that fits, then continue to security.

Face ID uses the TrueDepth camera at the top of the screen to recognize your face. You use it to unlock the iPhone, sign in to apps, and approve purchases.

1. Move to a well-lit area and hold the iPhone upright in front of your face.
2. Tap Continue (or Get Started), then position your face inside the frame.
3. Slowly move your head in a circle until the ring fills in.
4. Tap Continue and do a second scan the same way.
5. Tap Done when it finishes.

Next, create a passcode. Apple asks for a six-digit passcode by default. You need a passcode to use Face ID and Apple Pay. To use a four-digit passcode, a custom alphanumeric code, or no passcode, tap Passcode Options. Pick a passcode you’ll remember, because you’ll need it after every restart and to make many changes in Settings.

You can skip Face ID and set it up later in Settings > Face ID & Passcode. For more detail, see how to set up Face ID on iPhone 13.

Step 5: Transfer your apps and data

On the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, pick where your data comes from. Choose carefully, because restoring a backup or moving from Android is only offered during setup. Option names can vary slightly between iOS versions.

Option	Best for	What to know
From iCloud Backup	You backed up your old iPhone to iCloud	Sign in to iCloud, then pick the most recent backup. Apps and data download in the background.
From Mac or PC	You backed up to a computer	Connect the iPhone to that computer and restore with the Finder or the Apple Devices app.
Directly from your old iPhone	You used Quick Start	Offered as part of Quick Start. You must wait for it to finish before using either phone.
From Android	You’re switching from an Android phone	Uses Apple’s Move to iOS app on the Android phone.
Don’t Transfer Anything	First iPhone, or a fresh start	Sets the iPhone up as new. You can still sign in to iCloud to get contacts, photos, and other synced data.

Restore from an iCloud backup

1. Tap From iCloud Backup and sign in with your Apple Account.
2. Choose a backup. Check the date and size to make sure it’s the right one.
3. Stay connected to Wi-Fi. When the main restore finishes, the iPhone restarts and keeps downloading apps, photos, and other content in the background.

If you already finished setup and want to restore later, you’ll need to erase the iPhone and start over. See how to restore an iPhone from a backup.

Move data from an Android phone

1. On the Android phone, turn on Wi-Fi, plug both phones into power, and install Apple’s Move to iOS app from Google Play.
2. On the iPhone, tap From Android, then Transfer with App. Tap Continue on the Move from Android screen and wait for a code to appear.
3. Open Move to iOS on the Android phone, accept the terms, and enter the code.
4. When asked, join the temporary Wi-Fi network the iPhone creates. Choose what to transfer, then tap Continue.
5. Leave both phones alone until the loading bar on the iPhone finishes, even if Android says it’s done.

Apple says Move to iOS can transfer contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, web bookmarks, mail accounts, calendars, and more. Music, books, and PDFs must be moved manually. Some free apps that exist on both stores can be matched and downloaded afterward.

Step 6: Sign in with your Apple Account

1. Enter the email address or phone number you use with your Apple Account, then your password.
2. If asked, enter the verification code sent to your other Apple device or phone number.
3. Agree to Apple’s terms to continue.

Don’t have an Apple Account? Tap Forgot password or don’t have an Apple Account? to create one, recover your password, or set it up later. You can use an iPhone without an Apple Account, but you won’t be able to download apps from the App Store or use iCloud until you sign in. For help after setup, see how to sign in to your Apple Account on iPhone.

Step 7: Finish the remaining setup screens

The rest of setup asks about features you can change later in Settings. Read each screen, but don’t worry about getting every choice right.

• Automatic updates: Lets iOS install updates on its own. Turning this on is a good default. If an update is available for your iPhone, you may be offered it during setup.
• Siri: Turn on the voice assistant. On some models you’ll say a few phrases so Siri learns your voice.
• Apple Pay: Add a card to Wallet now or later.
• Screen Time: Shows how much time you spend on the iPhone and lets you set limits. It’s especially useful for a child’s iPhone.
• Analytics: Choose whether to share diagnostic data with Apple and app developers.
• Appearance: Pick Light, Dark, or Auto, which switches based on the time of day.

When you see the Home Screen, setup is done. If you restored a backup, apps may still show as waiting or downloading for a while.

After setup: what to do next

• Check for updates: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any update shown.
• Confirm your backups: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and make sure backup is on, so your new iPhone is protected.
• Test calls and texts: Make a call to confirm your cellular plan works.
• Pair accessories: If you have an Apple Watch, see how to pair Apple Watch with a new iPhone.
• Erase the old phone: Once you’ve confirmed everything transferred, erase your old device before selling or giving it away.

Troubleshooting

Quick Start doesn’t appear on my old iPhone

Make sure the old iPhone is unlocked on its Home Screen, connected to Wi-Fi, and has Bluetooth turned on. Update both phones if you can. If the prompt disappears, restart both devices. Apple notes that Quick Start can’t be used if the new iPhone is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business.

The iPhone won’t activate

Check that you’re on a working Wi-Fi network or that your SIM is inserted correctly. Restart the iPhone and try again. If you see a message that the SIM isn’t supported, contact your carrier; the phone may be locked to a different carrier. Apple’s article If you can’t activate your iPhone has more steps.

I forgot my Apple Account password

Tap Forgot password or don’t have an Apple Account? on the sign-in screen and follow the recovery steps. You can also skip sign-in and do it later in Settings.

I chose the wrong transfer option

Apple says that if you’ve already finished setup, you need to erase the iPhone and set it up again to restore a backup or move data from Android. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings, then repeat setup.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to set up an iPhone 13?

The setup screens usually take a short time if you’re starting fresh. Transferring data from another phone or a backup takes longer, and Apple says the time depends on network conditions and the amount of data.

Can I set up an iPhone 13 without Wi-Fi?

Yes, if it has a working cellular plan. Tap Continue Without Wi-Fi when that option appears. Large backups and app downloads may use a lot of mobile data, so Wi-Fi is better when you can get it.

Do I need my old phone to set up a new iPhone?

No. Quick Start is the easiest way if you have another iPhone, but you can restore from an iCloud or computer backup, or set the iPhone up as new.

Can I skip Face ID during setup?

Yes. You can set it up later in Settings > Face ID & Passcode. You’ll still need a passcode to use features like Apple Pay.

Are these steps the same for other iPhone models?

Yes. The setup assistant is the same on all recent iPhones. Older models with a Home button use Touch ID instead of Face ID, and some newer models offer extra screens for features they support.

What happens to my old iPhone’s phone number?

If you transfer your number to the iPhone 13 with eSIM Quick Transfer or your carrier, the old phone’s SIM stops working when the new plan activates.

Next step

After setup, spend a few minutes in Settings to turn on iCloud Backup and check for software updates. For Apple’s own walkthrough, see Set up your iPhone or iPad, and for transferring data from your old iPhone, see Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone.