Having your old iPhone break can be very frustrating. The good news is, there are ways to set up your new iPhone even if the old one is unusable. You’ll be able to restore your data and get back to using your phone without too much hassle.
Start by turning on your new iPhone and connecting it to Wi-Fi. If your old iPhone was backed up to iCloud, you can restore that backup during setup. Just follow the on-screen instructions, and you’ll have your new phone ready in no time.
If you can’t use iCloud, another method is to use iTunes on your computer. Connect your new iPhone to your computer, open iTunes, and select “Restore Backup.” This way, you can still transfer your important data and keep going without losing a beat.
How to Set Up a New iPhone When the Old One Is Broken
Setting up a new iPhone is usually simple with Quick Start — but if your old iPhone is broken, lost, or not turning on, you’ll need to use other methods to transfer your data. This guide covers all possible situations and step-by-step solutions.
🔍 Step 1: Determine What Still Works on Your Old iPhone
Before choosing a setup method, figure out what’s still functional:
| Condition of Old iPhone | Best Transfer Method |
|---|---|
| Screen broken but turns on | iCloud or iTunes backup |
| Completely dead / won’t power on | iCloud backup (if available) |
| Lost or stolen | iCloud backup or iTunes backup on computer |
| Can’t access at all | Set up as new iPhone |
📦 Step 2: Gather What You’ll Need
- Your Apple ID and password
- Access to Wi-Fi
- (Optional) A computer with iTunes or Finder
- A recent iCloud or iTunes backup (if available)
🧭 Option 1: Restore from iCloud Backup (Recommended)
If your old iPhone was set to back up automatically to iCloud, this is the easiest way.
Steps:
- Turn on your new iPhone.
- When prompted, choose Set Up Manually (skip Quick Start).
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- On the Apps & Data screen, select Restore from iCloud Backup.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Choose the most recent backup from the list.
- Wait for the restore process to finish — keep Wi-Fi connected.
💡 Tip: You can check if your old iPhone had a recent backup by visiting iCloud.com → Account Settings → Devices → Backups.
💻 Option 2: Restore from iTunes or Finder Backup
If you previously backed up your iPhone to a computer, use this method.
Steps:
- Connect your new iPhone to your Mac or PC.
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave or earlier).
- Select your device when it appears.
- Click Restore Backup.
- Choose the most recent backup and click Restore.
- Keep your iPhone connected until the process completes.
🧠 Note: If your backup is encrypted, you’ll need your encryption password.
📱 Option 3: Use Quick Start (Only if Old iPhone Still Works)
If your old iPhone still powers on and has Bluetooth enabled, you can use Quick Start.
Steps:
- Place both iPhones next to each other.
- Turn on your new iPhone.
- When the Quick Start screen appears on your old iPhone, confirm your Apple ID.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to transfer data wirelessly.
- Keep both devices near each other until the process finishes.
(Source: Apple Support – Use Quick Start)
☁️ Option 4: Set Up as New iPhone
If your old iPhone is completely dead and you don’t have a backup, you can still set up your new device manually.
Steps:
- Turn on your new iPhone.
- Choose Set Up Manually.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
- Download your apps again from the App Store.
- Re-sync your contacts, photos, and messages from iCloud, Google, or other services (if connected previously).
🔄 Tip: If you used iCloud Photos, your pictures will automatically reappear once you sign in.
🧰 Step 3: Reconnect Accounts and Services
After setup, make sure to:
- Sign back into Apple ID, iCloud, iMessage, and FaceTime
- Re-add email accounts and payment methods
- Reinstall apps from the App Store
- Reconnect Bluetooth devices and Wi-Fi networks
🧠 Troubleshooting Tips
- No backup found?
Check if your old iPhone was signed into iCloud and had enough storage for backups. - Forgot Apple ID password?
Reset it at iforgot.apple.com. - Broken screen but phone still works?
Use a Lightning-to-USB keyboard or external display (via adapter) to navigate and create a final backup.
🧾 Quick Summary
| Situation | Best Setup Method |
|---|---|
| Old iPhone still turns on | iCloud or Quick Start |
| Old iPhone completely dead | iCloud or iTunes backup |
| Old iPhone lost | iCloud backup |
| No backup available | Set up as new iPhone |
✅ Final Thoughts
Even if your old iPhone is broken, you can still set up your new one easily — as long as you have an iCloud or iTunes backup. If you didn’t back up, you can still recover much of your data (like contacts, photos, and messages) through iCloud sync or connected accounts.
Key Takeaways
- Setting up a new iPhone is possible even if the old one is broken.
- Use iCloud backups or iTunes to restore data.
- Follow on-screen instructions during setup.
Preparing for iPhone Setup
When your old iPhone is broken, setting up a new one needs careful steps. You must check the damage, back up data if you can, and set up the new device properly.
Assessing the Damage and Data Recovery Options
First, see how much damage your old iPhone has. If it has a broken screen, you might still get data from it. Use a USB cable to connect the phone to a computer. Check if you can access your data. If the phone is totally dead, you might need professional help. Visit an Apple Store or a repair service for advice. Sometimes, data recovery tools can help, but they are not always reliable.
Creating a Backup of Your Broken iPhone
If your old iPhone can still turn on, create a backup. Connect it to a Mac or PC using a USB cable. Open Finder on macOS or iTunes on Windows. Select your device when it appears. Choose Back Up Now to save your data. If possible, select Encrypt Backup to keep your passwords and health data. If you have an iCloud Backup, check when it last synced. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
Setting Up Your New iPhone
Turn on your new iPhone and follow the setup steps. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, select Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in with your Apple ID and choose the latest backup. If you backed up to a computer, select Restore from Mac or PC. Use a USB cable to connect your new iPhone. Open Finder or iTunes and choose Restore Backup. Follow the prompts to finish the setup. Make sure your new iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data during this process. This ensures a smooth data transfer.
