When i transfer data from iphone to iphone

When you are upgrading from one Apple iPhone to a new one, you’ll want to transfer all of your data as well. This includes all apps, settings and other precious files saved on your device or in the cloud. 

We’ll cover three different methods you can use to do this. None of these require you to install any additional third-party software or applications, but you can use Apple’s own trusty methods and apps instead.

Let’s begin with the first method.

Method 1. Transfer your iPhone’s data with Quick Start

For this method, you’ll need both the old and new iPhone. Make sure that both devices have enough power.

  1. Start by bringing the two iPhones close to each other and check that the old iPhone’s Bluetooth is turned on.
  2. Turn on the new iPhone and press “Continue” when a prompt appears on the screen of your old iPhone.
  3. After pressing “Continue”, there should be an animation on the screen of your new iPhone. Use the camera of the old iPhone to scan this animation. This will connect the two devices.
  4. Next, the new iPhone will ask for your passcode. Enter the passcode as well as your Apple ID. At this point, you can also set up Face ID to make identification on your phone much easier.
  5. After entering your Apple ID and passcode, select “Transfer From iPhone” and wait for the transfer to complete. At this point, you can also choose to transfer data from iCloud or use some other option. Remember to keep the two iPhones close to each other the entire time during the transfer.
  6. Done!

Method 2. Update to a new iPhone using iCloud

In order to use iCloud to transfer your data, you’ll first need an up-to-date backup of your old iPhone on iCloud. Check out our other blog post to learn how to back up your iPhone. 

This method also requires you to reset your iPhone so that you can enter the setup phase. Read more about resetting your phone here. You don’t need to worry about this if your iPhone has not been set-up already.

  1. Once you have backed up your old iPhone into iCloud, turn on your new iPhone.
  2. Proceed in the setup process and connect the new iPhone to WiFi.
  3. In the “Apps & Data” -view, select “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in to iCloud.
  4. Choose the backup you want to restore and wait for the backup to finish.
  5. Done!

Method 3. Transfer data from your old iPhone with iTunes

Finally, 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. 

Just like in the second method we just went through, you need a backup of your old iPhone to use iTunes for transferring data. Read more about creating a backup with iTunes here. 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 on 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!

Summary: Three ways to transfer data to your new iPhone

Now you should be able to transfer data from your old iPhone into a new one using Quick Start, iCloud or iTunes. The great thing about using one of these methods is that none of them require you to use sketchy third-party software or apps. You’ll also be backing up your device which is a smart thing to do regularly, either locally on your computer or into the cloud.

Did you get a new iPhone for yourself? Whether that's a brand new iPhone 13, arguably the best iPhone currently available, or maybe a slightly older iPhone 12 or iPhone 11. After all, you could be coming from a much older iPhone and have been long overdue for an upgrade. Regardless of which iPhone you came from and what you picked up congratulations! A new iPhone is always exciting.

But what about all of your data on your old iPhone? You probably have a ton of data on it that you want to keep, such as messages, voicemails, photos and videos, contacts, various files and documents, and so much more. All of this data is important, and you'll want to ensure that everything makes it to your best iPhone safe and sound.

How will you transfer your old data to your new iPhone, like the iPhone 13 Pro? Don't worry; there are a few ways to do this, including using iCloud or even going the more traditional route with a wired connection with your favorite Mac or PC. Here are all the best ways to transfer data to a new iPhone.

Using Automatic Setup to transfer data to a new iPhone

  1. Select your language on your new iPhone with your new and current devices nearby.
  2. Tap Continue on your iPhone on the popup that appears asking you to set up your new iPhone with your Apple ID.

When i transfer data from iphone to iphone

The new iPhone setup steps showing Choose language and Tap Continue (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Use your current iPhone to scan the image that appears on your new iPhone.
  2. Enter your current iPhone or iPad's passcode on your new iPhone.
  3. Set up Touch ID or Face ID on your new iPhone.

New iPhone setup steps showing the steps to scan the automatic setup code and then set up Touch ID (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose whether or not to restore your new iPhone from your most recent compatible backup — if that option presents itself.
  2. Choose to restore your new device from an iCloud or iTunes backup, set it up as a new iPhone, or transfer data from an Android device.

New iPhone setup showing the steps to choose if you want to restore your device (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Agree to the terms and conditions.
  2. Tap Continue under Express Settings to use the settings for Siri, Find My iPhone, Location, and usage analytics that were transferred over from your current iPhone.

New iPhone setup showing steps to agree to Apple's Terms and Conditions (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Complete the setup process for your new iPhone as you normally would.

How to restore from an iCloud backup to transfer data to a new iPhone

  1. Open Settings on your old iPhone.
  2. Tap the Apple ID banner.
  3. Tap iCloud.

New iPhone setup showing steps to Open Settings, tap Apple ID banner, tap iCloud (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Tap iCloud Backup.
  2. Tap Back Up Now.

New iPhone setup showing steps for Tap iCloud Backup, tap Backup Up Now (Image credit: iore)
  1. Turn your old iPhone off once the backup is finished.
  2. Remove the SIM card from your old iPhone or if you're going to move it to your new one.

Wait for the backup to complete before proceeding. You can now set aside your old iPhone.

NOTE: Make sure that your new iPhone is off when you start these next steps.

  1. Insert your old SIM card into your new iPhone if you want to move it between devices.
  2. Turn on your new iPhone.
  3. Slide up or press the Home button depending on which device you're setting up.
  4. Follow the directions to choose your language and set up your Wi-Fi network.
  5. Tap Restore from iCloud backup.
  6. Sign in to your iCloud account (this is also your Apple ID).
  7. Tap Next.
  8. Tap Agree.
  9. Tap Agree again.
  10. Choose the backup you just made.

How to transfer your data to your new iPhone on macOS Catalina and newer

  1. Plug your old iPhone into your Mac running macOS Catalina or newer.
  2. Click on the Finder icon in the Dock to open a new Finder window.
  3. Click on your iPhone under Locations.

Transferring iPhone data on macOS Catalina showing steps to Click Finder, click iPhone name (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Trust if you're asked to trust your iPhone.
  2. Click the checkbox for Encrypt Local Backup.
  3. Create a password if this is your first time setting up encrypted backups.
  4. Click on Back Up Now.

Transferring iPhone data on macOS Big Sur showing steps to: Click checkbox for Encrypt Local Backup, create a password if it is your first time setting up encrypted backups, then click Back Up Now (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Skip Backup Apps, if asked. (They'll likely re-download anyway.)
  2. Unplug your old iPhone when done.
  3. Turn off your old iPhone.
  4. Take your SIM card out of your old iPhone. (If you don't have a new or separate SIM card for your new phone.)

Wait for the backup to complete before proceeding with these next steps.

  1. Put your SIM card into your new iPhone. (If it didn't come with a new or different SIM card.)
  2. Turn on your new iPhone.
  3. Plug your new iPhone into your Mac.
  4. Slide to set up on your new iPhone.
  5. Follow the directions to choose your language and set up your Wi-Fi network.
  6. Select Restore from Mac or PC.
  7. Click your new iPhone under Locations in the Finder window.
  8. In Finder on your Mac, click the button next to Restore from this backup.

Transferring iPhone data on macOS Catalina showing steps to Click radio button, click iPhone (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Choose your recent backup from the drop-down list.
  2. Click Continue.

Transferring iPhone data on macOS Catalina showing steps to Click recent backup, click Continue (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Enter your password and click Restore if your backup was encrypted and the Finder asks.

Transferring iPhone data on macOS Catalina showing steps to Click Restore (Image credit: iMore)

How to transfer your data to your new iPhone using macOS Mojave and older

  1. Make sure you're running the most recent version of iTunes.
  2. Plug your old iPhone into your Mac or Windows PC.
  3. Launch iTunes.
  4. Click on the iPhone icon in the menu bar when it appears.
  5. Click on Encrypt Backup; you'll be asked to add a password if this is your first time encrypting a backup.

Transferring iPhone data from iTunes showing steps to click on the iPhone icon in the menu bar, then click the box for Encrypt Backup, enter a password if it is your first time setting up encrypted backup (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click on Back Up Now.

Transfer iPhone data from iTunes showing steps Click to Back up now
  1. Skip Backup Apps, if asked. (They'll likely re-download anyway.)
  2. Unplug your old iPhone when done.
  3. Turn off your old iPhone.
  4. Take your SIM card out of your old iPhone. (If you don't have a new or separate SIM card for your new phone.)

Wait for the backup to complete before proceeding with these next steps.

  1. Put your SIM card into your new iPhone. (If it didn't come with a new or different SIM card.)
  2. Turn on your new iPhone.
  3. Plug your new iPhone into your Mac or Windows PC.
  4. Slide to set up on your new iPhone.
  5. Follow the directions to choose your language and set up your Wi-Fi network.
  6. Select Restore from iTunes backup.
  7. On iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC, select Restore from this backup.
  8. Choose your recent backup from the list.

Backing up iPhone on iTunes showing steps to Click Restore from this backup, choose backup (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Click Continue.
  2. Enter your password if your backup was encrypted and it asks.

Transferring data to iPhone from iTunes showing steps to Click continue, enter password (Image credit: iMore)

Keep your iPhone plugged into iTunes until the transfer is complete and on Wi-Fi until all re-downloads are complete. Depending on how much data you have to re-download, including music and apps, it might take a while.

Make sure your most important data goes with you from iPhone to iPhone

We all have a lot of critical data and memories on our iPhones. While it may seem a little daunting to get all of that information transferred over to a new iPhone, it's straightforward, and you have several ways to go about it, from the automatic setup process to iCloud to just relying on a good old wired data transfer between your computer and iPhone.

Speaking of wired transfers, you'll want to make sure that you have an excellent Lightning cable for the job. Though Apple doesn't give you an iPhone charger anymore, it still provides a basic USB-C to Lightning cable, though the quality may not be the best. If you want something more durable than Apple's cables, known to fray and break down over time, check out our recommendations on the best USB-C to Lightning cables for your buck.

Anker USB-C to Lightning Cable 3FT MFi Certified

$8.99

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Anker is a brand that is well known for quality power accessories, and this is an excellent USB-C to Lightning cable for your iPhone needs, whether it's charging or data transfer.

Do you lose data when transferring to new iPhone?

To smoothly switch from one iPhone to another, you should sync everything to your iCloud account. Once you log into iCloud on a new iPhone, your data will move over and redownload itself. To carry your phone number over, you'll also have to switch out the iPhone's SIM card.

How long should it take to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone?

According to Apple, it could take a user 45 minutes to 1 hour for data to transfer completely from one iPhone to another if you're using any of the official transfer methods.

What do I do with my old iPhone after transferring data to new iPhone?

What to do with old iPhone after transfer?.
Make sure all data is transferred. ... .
Log out of your iCloud account. ... .
Clear iPhone before selling or giving away. ... .
Disassociate the old device with your Apple ID..

When I transfer data from iPhone to iPhone do messages transfer?

The answer is YES. The messages, including text messages and iMessages, are all included. To transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud please follow the steps below: Connect both your old iPhone and new iPhone in charge and Wi-Fi connection.