How To Transfer Data From iPhone To iPhone: Easy Ways

Knowing how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone is very important if you have one of Apple’s phones. Whether you have just gotten your hands on a brand new iPhone 14 Pro, or you’ve inherited an older model, you will need to know how to move all your existing data from your old device to your new device.

This includes all apps, settings and other precious files saved on your device or in the cloud. 

Thankfully, transferring data from iPhone to iPhone is really easy, as Apple has put a lot of thought into making it simple. This kind of user experience is one of the reasons why people regularly consider iPhones to be among some of the best phones around. There are also numerous ways to go about it, including wirelessly by using iCloud or wired using a computer.

Some of these methods, especially wireless ones, take quite a bit of time. Those that require a connection usually help you transfer files faster. Below, we’ll describe in detail all the ways to move files from one iPhone to another, as well as provide instructions for the easiest way to transfer files in a few clicks.

Before you start, though, you will want to make sure you have backed up your iPhone and that you have also updated it to the latest version of iOS.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone: Prepare to Transfer

With iOS 15, Apple introduced a feature that makes transferring data from iPhone to iPhone even easier. It’s called Prepare for New iPhone, and it gives free temporary storage space in iCloud for 21 days to make the process as painless as possible. 

As long as you transfer your data to your new iPhone within 21 days of triggering the process, this gets around having to pay for extra storage. If that’s not long enough, there’s an option to request an extra 21 days. Here’s how to use this feature.

• First, go to Settings and tap General. Then scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone. 
• The Prepare for New iPhone feature will be available at the top of the screen. Tap “Get Started.”
• After reading through the information, tap Continue. 
• Tap Turn on Backup to Transfer if asked, then select Move All App Data with iCloud and tap Done. Apps and data will start to upload to iCloud. You can check on the backup progress on the main Settings screen. 

Once that’s completed, or if you’ve backed up to iCloud in the usual way, you can move on to transferring data from iPhone to iPhone.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using iCloud

This method is for cloud users. By default, your phone makes a daily backup, but if you are going to transfer data to a new iPhone, you will need to manually back it up first. The path is as follows: Settings > iCloud > Backup > Back Up Now.

You may have to wait a bit if the volume of content is large. When the backup is done, you can start restoring the information.

Here’s how to transfer data from one iPhone to another using iCloud:

1. Turn on your new iPhone and go through the setup procedure using the on-screen prompts
2. When you reach the Setup iPhone or Apps & Data step, tap on Restore from iCloud Backup
3. Sign in with the same Apple ID as the device you’re transferring files from
4. Agree to the terms and conditions
5. Choose the most recent backup from the list that appears on the screen
6. Wait for the backup to complete and restart your phone.

Note that iCloud does not transfer 100% of the information from your phone. For example, it doesn’t save music or apps.

Also, do not forget to clean up your old iPhone if you are not going to use it anymore. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Tap Erase all content and settings.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using Quick Start

Transferring data with Quick Start requires a short preparation.

First, update both phones to the latest version of iOS. If the versions are different, the migration process may fail. Second, back up your old iPhone. To do this, go to Settings > iCloud > Backup > Back Up Now. Third, turn on Bluetooth to create the connection needed to transfer data.

Here is an instruction on how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using Quick Start:

1. Put the phones close to each other
2. Turn on your new phone and go through the setup steps until you see Quick Start
3. Click Continue when the Set Up New iPhone window appears on your phone
4. An animated image will appear on the new iPhone, and the window with a scanner will appear on the old iPhone. Use them to authorize yourself
5. Enter the password from your old iPhone on the new one (the corresponding window will appear after authorization)
6. Click on Transfer from iPhone on the new phone. The process will start.

If you accidentally skipped the Quick Start step or if the data transfer is interrupted for unknown reasons, try repeating the procedure. To do this, you will have to erase the contents of the new iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. The phone will restart, and you will be able to try to transfer iPhone to iPhone again.

By the way, if both phones are running iOS 12.4 or later, you will be able to transfer absolutely all your data.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using Mac

This method requires you to create a copy of your old iPhone on your Mac and then migrate it to your new iPhone.

Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to transfer iPhone to iPhone through Mac:

1. Connect your old iPhone to your Mac with a cable
2. Open the Finder in the lower left corner of the screen
3. Choose your iPhone on the left side of the window that appears
4. Click Back up all of the data on your iPhone to your Mac and then Back up now
5. Wait for the process to complete and disconnect your phone from your Mac
6. Turn on your new iPhone and follow the steps until you reach the Apps & Data screen. Click on Restore from Mac or PC
7. Connect your new iPhone to your Mac, open Finder, select Restore Backup, and wait for the process to complete.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without Wi-Fi

Previous data transfer options require either a network or a laptop connection. AirDrop allows you to transfer data autonomously.

Here’s how to transfer data to your new iPhone using AirDrop:

1. Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
2. Press and hold on the wireless control box
3. Click on AirDrop and Choose Contacts Only or Everyone
4. Choose the file (photo, contact, document) you want to share and tap AirDrop
5. On your new iPhone, tap Accept to receive a file.

This method is convenient and fast, but it is only suitable for cases when you need to send a few files.

Transfer data from your old iPhone with iTunes

Also, you can transfer data from an old iPhone into a new one by using iTunes and your computer. Always make sure that you are using the latest version of iTunes – or any application or software for that matter. 

You will need a backup of your old iPhone to use iTunes for transferring data. To use this method you may have to reset your iPhone if it has been set up already. 

1. Once you have backed up your old iPhone into iTunes, turn on your new iPhone and proceed with the setup process.
2. In the “Apps & Data” -view, select “Restore from Mac or PC” and plug your iPhone into your Mac or PC with a USB cable.
3. On your computer, open iTunes and locate your new device in the top-left corner of the screen.
4. Select “Restore Backup” and choose the correct backup that you want to restore.
5. Wait for the backup to finish.
6. Done!

Transfer with third-party apps

Another easy way to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone is to use a third-party app like the AnyTrans backup manager. All your files will quickly fly directly from one iPhone to another.

Here’s how to transfer everything from one iPhone to another with AnyTrans:

• Open AnyTrans on your Mac.
• Connect both iPhones via USB
• Click on Phone Switcher in the left sidebar. The icon looks like two devices with an arrow between them
• Click Migrate now on the iPhone you want to transfer data from
• Make sure that the source for transferring is correct by clicking on the line with the name of the device

• Then choose the categories of files you want to transfer
• Finally, enjoy how the files fly from one iPhone to another.

How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone After Setup without iCloud

Transfer Data to New iPhone After Setup via Setup Process

If you do not mind erasing your iPhone, you can first reset your iPhone and restart the setup to access the data transfer option. Generally, you can choose to back up your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes and restore it to the new iPhone.

If both two iPhones are running on iOS 12.4 or later, it allows you to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone wirelessly without backup.

• Erase your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Reset (Transfer or Reset iPhone in iOS 15 and later) > Erase All Content and Settings to erase your device and restart the setup process.
• You’ll then see “Hello” in many languages > Choose your language > Select your location.
• Use Quick Start or not.

> If your old iPhone is running on iOS 11 and later

• You can place your old iPhone near your new iPhone. The Quick Start screen will appear on your old iPhone and offers the option of using your Apple ID to set up your new iPhone > Tap Continue if that’s the correct Apple ID > Follow the onscreen steps to set up your device.
• Then you can choose to Download from iCloud to restore iCloud backup. If your old iPhone is running on iOS 12.4 and later, you can also choose Transfer from iPhone to directly transfer old iPhone data.

Restore iTunes Backup to iPhone

• Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.
• Click the Device tab > Go to Summary > Choose Restore Backup > Choose the correct backup > Enter the password if you need to restore from an encrypted backup.
• Complete the setup process when the restoration is finished.

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References

• Tom’s Guide
• Setapp
• Swappie