How to Transfer Apple Wallet Cards to a New iPhone
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Tested on
- iOS 18.4 - iPhone 15 Pro
- You will need
- Old iPhone, New iPhone, Apple ID credentials, Stable Wi-Fi connection
Step by step
Verify your Apple ID credentials
Ensure you are signed in to your Apple ID on your current iPhone. Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] and verify your iCloud account is active. Your Wallet data is tied to your iCloud account, which enables seamless syncing between devices.
Use the automatic transfer process
When setting up your new iPhone, choose to restore from an iCloud backup or use Quick Start. Apple Wallet cards associated with your Apple ID will automatically sync to the new device once you sign in during the initial device configuration.
Note: Quick Start requires both phones to be near each other with Bluetooth enabled.Add existing cards manually
If cards do not appear automatically, open the Wallet app on your new iPhone. Tap the plus (+) button in the top right corner and select Previous Cards. Choose the cards you wish to add and follow the on-screen prompts to re-authenticate with your bank.
Complete bank verification
For security reasons, banks often require re-verification when moving to a new hardware device. Enter any verification codes sent via SMS or use your banking app to confirm your identity for each card moved to the new Wallet.
Set default payment method
Navigate to Settings > Wallet & Apple Pay. Scroll down to the Transaction Defaults section and tap Default Card to select your preferred card for payments. This ensures your primary card is used by default when you double-click the side button.