Guide to Transferring iPhone Data
- There are different ways to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. We have outlined such methods in this article.
- Are you wondering how to prepare iPhones before transferring data? Listed below is the step-by-step process for achieving a successful data transfer.
- The easiest way to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone is via Quick Start. However, if it isn’t feasible, you can try the alternative ways we mentioned in this article.
2-Minute Answer
- Quick Start: Turn on the new iPhone beside the old one > “Set Up New iPhone” > (Read more)
- iCloud: Open Settings > Tap iCloud > (Read more)
- Mac or PC: Alternative if a wireless connection is not available. (Read more)
How To Transfer Data From iPhone to iPhone
Three of the easiest ways to transfer data from your old iPhone to a new one are listed below. These are features native to iOS devices.
- iCloud: All you need is a Wi-Fi connection; your phone does not need to be connected to a PC. Simply create an iCloud backup of your old iPhone and use it to set up your new device.
- iTunes: Create an iTunes backup on your Mac or PC. And after that, you must connect your new iPhone to the same computer to transfer your data.
- Quick Start: If your previous iPhone runs on iOS 11 or later, you can set up your new iPhone by placing both devices close to each other.
How To Prepare Your iPhone To Transfer Data
The new iOS 15 includes the Prepare for New iPhone feature, which makes transferring data from an old iPhone to your new iOS device more accessible. This process is free, and it gives you temporary storage space in iCloud for 21 days, allowing you more time to transfer data/
Take note that you must transfer your data to a new iPhone within 21 days, or you will be asked to pay for additional storage. Follow these steps to use the Prepare for New iPhone feature:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone
- Choose Get Started
- Tap Continue
- If you don’t have your most recent iCloud Backup yet, tap Turn on Backup to transfer.
- When done, choose Move All App Data with iCloud > Tap Done.
How To Transfer Apps to a New iPhone Using Quick Start
Quick Start allows you to set up your new iPhone using your old phone. Remember that this feature requires your two iPhones, so do the process when you don’t need to use any of the devices for a few minutes.
To transfer iPhone data via Quick Start, follow these steps:
- Turn on both iPhones.
- Place them next to each other.
- A prompt “Set Up New iPhone” will appear > Tap Unlock to Continue.
- You’ll be informed that your Apple ID will be used for the process > Tap Continue.
- Your iPhone’s screen will display an animation > Hold the animation up to your old iPhone’s camera.
- A prompt “Finish on New [Device]” will appear > Enter your passcode.
- Tap Transfer Directly from iPhone.
How To Transfer Everything From iPhone to iPhone Without iCloud
- There is currently no way to transfer data from one iPhone to another without using iCloud.
- Consider using a wired connection:
Transfer All Your Data via Windows PC
Using a Windows PC when transferring data from one iPhone to another is possible. All you need is a computer with either a regular USB port or type-C, depending on your lightning cable.
You also need to have iTunes on your computer, so download and install the software from the Microsoft Store.
- Connect a Lightning cable to your iPhone and the other end to your computer.
- Open iTunes > Click Summary
- Under Backups, select This Computer > click Back Up Now.
- Go to the Quick Start page when you first boot up your new iPhone.
- Select Set Up Manually.
- Follow the on-screen prompts until the Apps & Data screen shows up.
- Tap Restore from Mac or PC.
- To finish the process, keep following the on-screen directions.
Transfer All Your Data via Mac
Another way to transfer data from your old iPhone to your new one is to use your Mac. Here are the general steps to transfer files from your old iPhone to the new one using Mac.
- Launch the Finder app > Choose your iPhone from the sidebar.
- Click Back up all of the data on your iPhone to your Mac.
- Select Back Up Now.
- Open your new iPhone > select Set Up Manually on the Quick Start page.
- Follow the on-screen prompts until the Apps & Data screen shows up.
- Tap Restore from Mac or PC.
- You may be asked to sign in with your Apple ID to complete the process.
The operating system for Apple’s Mac computers is called macOS. To know which macOS your Mac has: Click the Apple menu > Select About This Mac > The macOS name and version number will be displayed.
Here are the various macOS versions, along with the latest releases of each:
macOS | Latest Version |
---|---|
macOS Monterey | 12.6 |
macOS Big Sur | 11.7 |
macOS Catalina | 10.15.7 |
macOS Mojave | 10.14.6 |
macOS High Sierra | 10.13.6 |
macOS Sierra | 10.12.6 |
OS X El Capitan | 10.11.6 |
OS X Yosemite | 10.10.5 |
OS X Mavericks | 10.9.5 |
OS X Mountain Lion | 10.8.5 |
OS X Lion | 10.7.5 |
Mac OS X Snow Leopard | 10.6.8 |
Mac OS X Leopard | 10.5.8 |
Mac OS X Tiger | 10.4.11 |
Mac OS X Panther | 10.3.9 |
Mac OS X Jaguar | 10.2.8 |
Mac OS X Puma | 10.1.5 |
Mac OS X Cheetah | 10.0.4 |
Transferring Data on Your macOS
Now that you know your Mac’s operating system, you can follow these detailed steps. These instructions explain how to transfer data when using a Mac running macOS Catalina and newer or running macOS Mojave and older.
For Mac Computers With macOS Catalina or Newer:
- Connect your old iPhone to a Mac running macOS Catalina or later.
- Open a new Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.
- Select Locations on your iPhone.
- If you’re asked to trust your iPhone, tap Trust.
- Select the Encrypt Local Backup checkbox.
- Create a password if this is your first time setting up encrypted backups.
- Back-Up Now should be selected.
- Skip Backup Apps if prompted. (They’ll probably re-download again anyhow.)
- When finished, unplug your old iPhone.
- Turn off the old iPhone.
- Remove the SIM card from your old iPhone. (If your new phone doesn’t come with a new or separate SIM card.)
Wait for the Backup to finish before proceeding with the following steps:
- Insert your new iPhone’s SIM card. (If it did not include a new or different SIM card.)
- Power on your new iPhone.
- Connect your new iPhone to your Mac.
- Slide to activate your new iPhone.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language and configure your Wi-Fi network.
- Choose Restore from a Mac or PC.
- In the Finder window, select your new iPhone under Locations.
- Click the button next to Restore from this Backup in the Finder on your Mac.
- Select your most recent Backup from the drop-down menu.
- Click Continue.
- If your Backup is encrypted and the Finder asks, enter your password and click Restore.
For Mac Computers With macOS Mojave or Older:
- Ensure that you are using the most recent version of iTunes.
- Connect your old iPhone to your Mac.
- Start iTunes.
- When the iPhone icon appears in the menu bar, click on it.
- If this is your first time encrypting a backup, you will be prompted to enter a password.
- Back-Up Now should be selected.
- If asked, skip Backup Apps. (They’ll almost certainly re-download anyway.)
- When you’re finished, unplug your old iPhone.
- Turn off your old iPhone.
- Remove the SIM card from your old iPhone. (If your new phone does not come with a new or separate SIM card.)
Wait for the iCloud Backup to finish before proceeding with the following steps:
- Insert your new iPhone’s SIM card. (If it did not include a new or different SIM card.)
- Start your new iPhone.
- Connect your new iPhone to your Mac.
- Slide to activate your new iPhone.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language and configure your Wi-Fi network.
- Choose Restore from iTunes backup.
- Select Restore from this Backup.
- Select your most recent Backup from the list.
- Click the Continue button.
- If your Backup was encrypted, enter your password when prompted.
More Tips on How To Transfer Data to a New iPhone
Here are some additional tips on how to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone, including apps and other files from your old device:
- If you own an Apple Watch and recently purchased a new iPhone, unpair your Apple Watch from your old device before configuring your new device.
- Make sure to have an iCloud backup for your old device.
- Prepare your Apple ID and password.
- Transfer your iPhone, iPad, or eSIM SIM card. Contact your carrier if your new device requires a different SIM card than your current one.
- After performing an iCloud backup for your previous device, you can check if you’re eligible for temporary iCloud storage if you purchased a new iPhone or iPad.