How to set up iPhone Duo and transfer data (step-by-step)

Key takeaways

• To set up iPhone Duo, turn it on next to your unlocked old iPhone and follow Quick Start. Then pick a transfer method: directly from the old phone, from iCloud, or over a USB-C cable.
• Switching from Android uses Apple's Move to iOS app. You start it from the "From Android" option during setup.
• iPhone Duo has no SIM tray. Apple's specs list dual eSIM only, so your number moves by eSIM Quick Transfer or through your carrier.
• Touch ID is in the side button and works with the phone open or closed. Apple Watch unlock is also supported.
• Apps optimised for the foldable carry a "Made for iPhone Duo" badge on the App Store. Apple launched the badge with new collections on 23 October 2026.

To set up iPhone Duo, turn it on next to your unlocked old iPhone and follow Quick Start, then transfer data directly, from iCloud or by USB-C cable. Then add Touch ID on the side button and move your number to eSIM.

Apple's first foldable reached stores on 23 October 2026 in more than 70 countries and regions, with 28 more following on 30 October, according to Apple. For prices and stock, see our iPhone Duo availability report. For hands-on verdicts, read what the first iPhone Duo reviews say. This guide covers setup. Every step below follows Apple's own support documentation and specifications.

How to set up iPhone Duo: what you need first

Most setup problems start on the old phone, so a few minutes of preparation saves time. Apple's Quick Start article says the current device must be an iPhone or iPad on iOS 11, iPadOS 13 or later. It also needs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on. Apple recommends updating both devices to the latest software before you begin.

• Update the old iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. A current version also matters for the eSIM step later: Apple's eSIM Quick Transfer needs iOS 18.4 or later on both phones.
• Make a fresh backup. If you plan to restore from iCloud, check that the latest backup is recent. Apple's backup guide covers iCloud, Mac and PC backups.
• Check storage. iPhone Duo comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB versions, per Apple's tech specs. Make sure your data fits, especially if you are moving a large photo library from Android.
• Charge both phones. Apple advises keeping both devices near each other and plugged in until migration finishes.
• Know your Apple Account password and your old phone's passcode. You will need both.

iPhone Duo hardware facts that affect setup

Several of the Duo's design choices change the usual setup routine. The table below lists them with their sources.

Option 1: Quick Start from an old iPhone (recommended)

Quick Start is Apple's default wireless path. It uses your old iPhone to sign in and carry over settings. According to Apple Support, the steps are:

1. Unlock your current iPhone and go to the Home Screen. Turn on iPhone Duo and place it near the old phone, then follow the prompts. If the prompt disappears, Apple says to restart both devices.
2. Connect iPhone Duo to Wi-Fi or cellular.
3. Activate cellular service if you are asked. This is where eSIM Quick Transfer can move your number (see below).
4. Set up Touch ID. On iPhone Duo this happens on the side button rather than Face ID.
5. Choose how to transfer your data: download from iCloud, or transfer directly from the old iPhone.
6. Keep both phones near each other and plugged in until the migration finishes.

Direct transfer or iCloud: which should you pick?

Apple describes the trade-off plainly. With Download from iCloud, apps and data download in the background, so you can start using the new phone right away. With Transfer directly from the previous device, you must wait for the transfer to finish on both devices before using either one.

In practice, iCloud suits people with a recent backup and fast Wi-Fi who want the phone working quickly. A direct transfer suits people without enough iCloud storage for a full backup, or anyone who wants everything on the phone before they leave the house. Apple notes that Quick Start cannot transfer data if the new device is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business. Work-managed phones may therefore need IT help.

Option 2: wired transfer with a USB-C cable

A cable avoids Wi-Fi congestion, which can help in a crowded launch-week home or store. Apple's wired-transfer article lists the cable by old phone:

• From iPhone 15 or later (USB-C): use a USB-C Charge Cable between the two charging ports.
• From iPhone 14 or earlier (Lightning): use a USB-C to Lightning Cable.

Then turn on both devices and follow the onscreen prompts. Connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, activate service if asked and set up biometrics. As with a direct wireless transfer, Apple says you must wait for the transfer to finish on both devices before you can use them. It adds that transfer time depends on network conditions and the amount of data.

Option 3: restore from an iCloud or computer backup

If your old phone is lost, broken or already traded in, restore from a backup instead. Apple's restore guide sets out the steps:

1. If you have already set up iPhone Duo, erase it first (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings).
2. Follow setup until you reach the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen. Tap From iCloud Backup and sign in with your Apple Account.
3. Pick the most recent backup by checking its date and size. If the phone says it needs newer software, follow the prompts to update.
4. Sign in again if asked so that apps and purchases restore. You can skip an account password you do not have and sign in later.
5. Stay on Wi-Fi and power until the progress bar completes. Photos, music and apps keep downloading afterwards.

For a computer backup, Apple says to use Finder on a Mac running macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, or the Apple Devices app on Windows 10 or later. Connect the phone, select it, click Restore Backup and enter the password if the backup is encrypted.

How to move from Android to iPhone Duo

Android switchers use Apple's Move to iOS app. According to Apple Support:

1. On iPhone Duo, at the Quick Start screen, choose Set Up Without Another Device. Then choose From Android and Transfer with App.
2. On the Android phone, install and open Move to iOS, accept the terms and grant the permissions.
3. On iPhone Duo, tap Continue on the Move from Android screen and wait for a six- or ten-digit code.
4. Enter the code on the Android phone. iPhone Duo creates a temporary Wi-Fi network; connect the Android phone to it.
5. Leave both phones alone, plugged in, with Move to iOS on screen until the transfer completes.

Apple lists what moves: contacts, message and call history, camera photos and videos, albums, files and folders, and calendars. Web bookmarks, mail accounts, WhatsApp messages and media, voice memos, and accessibility and display settings also transfer. Some free apps move too, if they exist on both stores. Music, books and PDFs must be moved manually. Apple also says a USB-C cable between the Android phone and iPhone is optional and faster. Update Chrome first if you want your bookmarks.

If the transfer stalls, Apple suggests turning off Wi-Fi optimisers or smart network switching on Android. You can also forget known networks, or turn off mobile data on the Android phone and try again. If you have already finished setup, you will need to erase iPhone Duo to run Move to iOS.

Moving your phone number to eSIM

Because iPhone Duo does not take a physical SIM, the number transfer is the step most likely to need attention. Apple's eSIM guide offers two main routes:

• eSIM Quick Transfer from an iPhone. Both iPhones must be signed in to the same Apple Account, near each other with Bluetooth on, and running iOS 18.4 or later. You can do this during setup, or later in Settings > Cellular > Set Up Cellular (or Add eSIM) > Transfer From Nearby iPhone. Activating the plan on the new phone deactivates the old SIM.
• Carrier activation. Your carrier can send the eSIM digitally. When a "Carrier Cellular Plan Ready to Be Installed" notification appears, tap it and continue in Settings. Carriers can also provide a QR code.

From Android, Apple says to contact your carrier. Since iOS 26, some carriers and manufacturers also support direct Android-to-iPhone eSIM transfers. In mainland China, Apple's page lists iPhone Duo among a small group of models that support eSIM there. After any transfer, make a test call before you wipe or trade in the old phone.

Setting up Touch ID on the side button

iPhone Duo uses Touch ID instead of Face ID. Apple's press release says the sensor is built into the side button and works whether the phone is open or closed. Apple's Touch ID guide applies:

1. Create a passcode first; Touch ID requires one.
2. Go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode and enter the passcode.
3. Tap Add a Fingerprint. Rest your finger on the sensor without pressing until you feel a vibration or are asked to lift.
4. Lift and rest slowly, adjusting position each time. When asked to adjust your grip, use the outer edges of your fingertip.

You can enrol up to five fingerprints, though Apple notes that each extra print may slightly slow recognition. The phone is held differently open and closed, so it can help to enrol both a thumb and an index finger. From the same menu you can choose whether Touch ID unlocks the phone, approves App Store purchases and confirms Apple Pay. Apple also says iPhone Duo can be unlocked with an Apple Watch, which is useful when your hands are wet or gloved.

MagSafe and charging

MagSafe needs no setup. Apple's specs list MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W. The press release says a compatible charger reaches 50% in about 30 minutes. Wired charging with a 60W-capable USB-C cable and a USB Power Delivery adapter reaches 50% in about 20 minutes, according to Apple. Apple's Folio and Case accessories have built-in magnets and work with MagSafe. Keep the phone on a charger during any large transfer; Apple recommends this in every migration guide above.

Finding "Made for iPhone Duo" apps

Once your data is in place, update your apps. Apple's 22 October Newsroom post says apps optimised for the foldable show a "Made for iPhone Duo" badge on their App Store product pages. New editorial collections of iPhone Duo apps and games went live on 23 October. Apple names Netflix, Prime Video, Zoom, Slack, Salesforce, Fantastical, Things, Bear, Instagram, Edits and VLLO among early examples. It says Microsoft Word and Outlook plan a split-view layout in the coming weeks.

Apple adds that apps built with standard SwiftUI and UIKit components adapt automatically to each display. If an app looks wrong on the inner screen, check the App Store for an update before assuming it is broken. Turning on automatic app updates in Settings > App Store ensures you get optimised versions as developers release them.

Finish-line checklist

• Check Settings > General > Software Update for the latest iOS 27 release.
• Make a test call and send a text to confirm the eSIM is active.
• Confirm Touch ID works with the phone both open and closed.
• Sign in to banking and authenticator apps. Many require fresh verification on a new device, and passkeys sync through iCloud Keychain (see our passkeys setup guide).
• Only then erase the old phone, after confirming photos and messages arrived.

What it means

For most buyers, setting up iPhone Duo works like any other iPhone. Quick Start, iCloud and cable transfers are unchanged. The two real differences are the eSIM-only design and the move back to Touch ID. Both are worth planning for before you start, especially for Android switchers and anyone whose carrier handles eSIM slowly. App support is the other variable. Apple's badge and collections make optimised apps easy to find, but some named apps are still rolling out updates. Expect the inner-screen experience to improve over the coming weeks.

Sources

• Apple Support: Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad
• Apple Support: Use a wired connection to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad
• Apple Support: Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup
• Apple Support: Move from Android to iPhone or iPad
• Apple Support: Set up eSIM on iPhone
• Apple Support: Use Touch ID on iPhone and iPad
• Apple: iPhone Duo technical specifications
• Apple Newsroom: Apple unveils iPhone Duo
• Apple Newsroom: Developers bring incredible new app experiences to iPhone Duo