How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone (Easy Methods)

If you’re already an iOS user and have just bought a shiny new iPhone or inherited an older model, you should know how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. It will help you transfer photos, apps, files, and contacts from your old iPhone to a new iPhone. Apple lets you easily move data from one iPhone to another iPhone while setting up the new device. In this article, we’ll walk you through possible methods on how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. So, let’s get right into it.

Transfer Data Using Quick Start (Easiest Way)

Transfer Data Using Quick Start (Easiest Way)

Quick Start is one of the easiest and best ways to transfer data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone. It is Apple’s own iPhone-to-iPhone data transfer system that’s free of cost and lets you transfer everything from an old iPhone to a new device without any backup. We definitely recommend this method to anyone who wants to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud. You can also use Quick Start to move data from your iPad to your iPhone.

Prerequisites to transfer data using Quick Start

Once you’re ready, follow the below steps to set up a new iPhone and transfer data to it from an old iPhone.

  1. Turn ON your new iPhone and place it near your old iPhone.

  2. You’ll immediately see the “Set up New iPhone” prompt on your older iPhone, tapContinue.If you don’t see this option, follow the on-screen instructions on your new device. When prompted, connect your device to a Wi-Fi network or cellular data. Go along the setup process until you seeQuick Start.

  3. You should then see an animation on your new iPhone. Open the camera on your old iPhone and scan this animation. This will connect the two iPhones.

  4. When you see a message saying, “Finish on New iPhone”, enter thepasscode of your old iPhone on your new iPhoneand follow the set-up instructions.

  5. ChooseTransfer from iPhoneon the next screen if you don’t want to restore any data from a backup and tap “Continue“.

  6. On the“Make This Your new iPhone”page, you can select the items you want to transfer from iPhone to iPhone. Make sure to keep the iPhones close to each other and plugged into power until the transfer completes.

Note: The data transfer time depends upon the amount of data being transferred and the internet speeds. Please be patient during the process.

Transfer Data Using iCloud

Transfer Data Using iCloud

While setting up your new iPhone, you can also transfer data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone using iCloud. For this, you first need to back up your iPhone data to iCloud.

Apple’s iCloud offers 5GB of free storage which, honestly speaking, is not enough. However, you can use thePrepare for new iPhonefeature without worrying. Introduced with iOS 15, this feature offers free temporary storage for up to 21 days, allowing you to move data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone using iCloud for free. If 21 days aren’t enough, you can also request for additional 21 days. I think it’s a pretty good option.

Here’s how to enable the feature. If you don’t have a huge data library and have already taken an iCloud backup, you can jump to step 4.

  1. On your old iPhone, openSettings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.

  2. Under “Prepare for New iPhone”, tap“Get Started”. Next, tapContinue.

  3. If asked, tapTurn On Backup to Transfer,then chooseMove All App data with iCloudto create a backup and tapDone.The process will take some time depending on the size of your backup.

  4. Once the backup is completed, turn on your new iPhone, input your Language and Region. When you see the Quick Start page, tap Set up Manually, choose a Wi-Fi network, and allow your iPhone to activate.

  5. Then, follow the setup process. When you seeApps & Data screen,chooseRestore from iCloud Backup.

  6. Enter yourApple ID & Passwordandchoose a backupyou want to restore. You can either tapContinueto restore entire data from the iCloud backupor select specific apps and settings.

  7. Followon-screen instructionsto move photos, contacts, apps, and other data from the old iPhone to the new iPhone. Once completed, your iPhone will restart automatically.

Transfer Data Using Mac

You can also use a Mac to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. First,backup your old iPhone to Mac,and then restore that backup on your new iPhone.

  1. Once you’re done with the backup,turn ON your new iPhoneor the one that’s erased & reset, and proceed with the setup process.

  2. In theApps & Datapage, select“Restore from Mac or PC”and plug your iPhone into the Mac.

  3. On your Mac, openFinderandlocate your iPhonefrom the top-left corner. Then, clickRestore Backupandchoose the backup version. Wait until the process is completed.

Transfer Data Using iTunes

You can also transfer everything from an old iPhone to a new iPhone using a Windows PC. The overall process is quite similar. You first need to create abackup of your old iPhone to iTunesand then restore the backed-up data to the new iPhone. Once you’ve backed up the data to iTunes, go through the below steps:

  1. Turn ON your new iPhone (or the one to which you transfer data to) and start with the setup process.

  2. From theTransfer Apps & Datascreen, select“From Mac or PC”and plug your iPhone into the computer.

  3. On your Windows PC, open the iTunes app and click theiPhone iconfrom the top-left corner.

  4. Then, you’ll see the“Welcome to Your New iPhone”screen. By default, the“Restore from this backup”option should be selected. If not, select this option.

  5. Then, choose the backup version and click“Continue”.The restore process would begin automatically.

  6. Your iPhone will restart on its own and appear on iTunes. Keep your iPhone connected to the computer until you seeRestore Completedon the iPhone. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the setup process.

Transfer Data Using AirDrop

If you want to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone after setup, you can do it using AirDrop. Frankly speaking, this isn’t the best option. It’s time-consuming and requires a lot of manual effort. That said, it’s still a doable option when you need your existing data on a new device. Also, you can transfer anything that’s shareable, including photos, files, contacts, apps, documents, audio files, and more. So, you should know how to transfer data between iPhones after setup using AirDrop.

  1. Bring your iPhones close to each other.

  2. Connect to aWi-Fi networkandturn ON Bluetoothon both iPhones. To avoid any issues, choose Everyone for 10 Minutes from the AirDrop settings. For this, head to the Control Center, long-press the Wi-Fi icon (or anywhere in the Network block), tap AirDrop, and select“Everyone for 10 Minutes”.

  3. Then, select photos, files, apps, or contacts that you wish to transfer from iPhone to iPhone. Tap theshare icon,chooseAirDrop,and select your new iPhone from the available options.

  4. You’ll see an AirDrop notification on your new iPhone, tapAcceptand you’re done.

  5. You can repeat steps 3 and 4 to transfer more data.

If you’re facing AirDrop issues, head over to our complete troubleshooting guide tofix AirDrop not working.

Kanika Gogia

Kanika has been a loyal iPhone user since 2014 and loves everything Apple. With a Master’s in Computer Applications, passion for technology, and over five years of experience in writing, she landed at Beebom as an Apple Ecosystem Writer. She specializes in writing How To’s, troubleshooting guides, App features, and roundups for Apple users to help them make the best use of their gadgets. When not writing, she loves to try out new recipes and enjoy some family time.

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