Transferring data to your brand-new iPhone is a skill that will help you upgrade and shift easily. Knowing how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, including apps, settings, photos, videos, and all other important files saved on your device or in the cloud, is useful. But before you do so, make sure to go through the set-up process patiently, because one misstep can be the cause of losing invaluable data.
Whether you’ve purchased the latest iPhone 14 or if you’re twiddling your thumbs for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16, setting up the new device will require you to know how to transfer data from your current iPhone to the new iPhone, seamlessly. No matter how much of the data you’re looking to move to your new iPhone, we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone.
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None of the techniques shown here requires installing additional third-party apps or software, because using Apple’s trusted methods works best.
This article features a complete guide with 6 different methods for how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, depending on whether your iCloud is functional, if you possess the right iPhone transfer cables, if you have iTunes or Finder, and the iOS on your iPhone.
The two important things you need to be prepared for before proceeding to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone – Create an up-to-date backup of what you need from your old iPhone’s data and keep your Apple ID and password ready.
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How To Transfer Data From iPhone To iPhone With iCloud
Step 1: Go to Settings → (iPhone’s name) → iCloud → iCloud Backup. At the bottom of the screen, toggle iCloud Backup if it isn’t on. Select Backup Now.
Step 2: Switch on your new iPhone. Proceed by going through the on-screen steps and connecting to Wi-Fi.
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Step 3: In the Apps & Data screen, tap on Restore from iCloud Backup.
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Step 4: Sign in to your Apple ID account for accessing iCloud. If your two-factor authentication is turned on, you need to approve the login from your old iPhone or Mac.
Step 5: Select the most recent backup to be restored and wait for the transfer process from iPhone to iPhone to complete.
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Note: Ensure that the phone is connected to Wi-Fi so as to not drain your cellular data. Keep the phone plugged into the charger so the transfer does not stop midway due to no battery.
How To Transfer Data From iPhone To iPhone Using Mac Or PC
Our second method for how to transfer data to your new iPhone is the conventional method of wiring up to a Mac or PC. We have subdivided it into two categories – one with iTunes and one with Finder. Connecting your iPhones to a computer will require a USB-C to the default Apple Lightning cable or a USB-C to USB adapter. A USB-to-Lightning charging cable can also be used.
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Using iCloud for transferring data from iPhone to iPhone has one drawback – storage capacity. While free storage of 5GB is available to be backed up on iCloud, it is seldom enough to be restored from iPhones starting with 64GB storage. Transferring data from iPhone to iPhone via Mac or PC lets you transfer data using a cable. So no additional Wi-Fi strain, nor any additional fee for more iCloud storage.
Transferring Data from iPhone to iPhone via iTunes
Step 1: Create the latest backup of your old iPhone’s data to iTunes.
Step 2: Turn on your new iPhone. Follow the on-screen dialog prompts to complete the setup process.
Step 3: Go to the ‘Apps & Data’ viewscreen. Select Restore from Mac or PC. Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC using a USB cable.
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Step 4: Once plugged in, launch iTunes. On the top-left corner of the screen, find your new iPhone.
Step 5: Press Restore Backup. Choose the backup needed to be transferred. Wait for the backup to end.
Transferring Data from iPhone to iPhone Using Finder
Apple’s latest macOS version has trumped Finder over iTunes for backing up data in your iPhone.
Step 1: Plug in your old iPhone to a Mac. Locate your device in Locations in Finder.
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Step 2: Tap on Trust this device on both iPhone and Mac.
Step 3: Select the option to back up the entire data on your iPhone to your Mac. Choose Back Up Now.
Step 4: Switch on the new iPhone and connect it to the computer after following the onscreen setup. Skip Quick Start and go to the Apps & Data screen.
Step 5: Hit on Restore from Mac or PC. Proceed with the prompts and install your latest backup to transfer data to your new iPhone.
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Note: Use the latest version of any application or software to avoid any glitches or tech goof-ups.
Transferring Data From iPhone To iPhone With Quick Start
The ‘how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone’ method of using Quick Start is rated the best free method, considering it is an Apple-oriented iPhone-to-iPhone transfer system. Amongst the prerequisite for using this method to transfer data to your new iPhone, your current iPhone must be powered with iOS 16.2 or later and be Bluetooth-savvy. All iPhones after the iPhone 5S are fit for this. Ensure updating to the latest available iOS version (iOS 16) before proceeding, for easy transfer of data.
Step 1: Reboot your old iPhone, turn on your new iPhone and place them together. On the new iPhone, choose the preferred language to arrive on the Quick Start screen.
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Step 2: Your old iPhone must display a pop-up screen prompting Use your Apple ID to set up your new iPhone.
Step 3: Tap on Continue. Then position your old iPhone’s camera view to overlap with the circular pattern appearing on your new iPhone.
Step 4: Both your iPhones are now synced. Place them nearby. On the new iPhone, proceed with the on-screen prompts till you reach the Transfer Your Data screen.
Step 5: Select Transfer from iPhone. Agree to the T&C and verify which Settings and data need to be transferred from iPhone to iPhone.
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Step 6: Both iPhones will display the same progress screen of Transferring Data. The length of the time taken depends on the size of the data and whether the two phones are wired.
Step 7: After the data transfer from iPhone to iPhone is complete, tap through the menus and verify all the data received in your new iPhone before factory resetting your old iPhone.
How To Transfer Data From iPhone To iPhone: Selective Data
Some of the methods of transferring data from iPhone to iPhone may require resetting phones and overwriting data. If that isn’t preferable, one can always use the conventional methods of transferring data through emails and text messages. But they are not viable for a quantum of data.
Through Apple tools or third-party tools, one can transfer selective data from iPhone to iPhone.
Transferring Data To New iPhone Via AirDrop
Sharing Apple Photos, Files, Docs, and other data from iPhone to iPhone using AirDrop is one of the exclusive features of Apple devices. Albeit, sometimes finding the devices may be a hindrance, it is solvable. AirDrop is the simplest tool to not just transfer data from iPhone to iPhone but even iPad. Most iOS apps’ data can be shared over AirDrop.
Transferring Data To New iPhone Via Mac or PC
The above-detailed method of how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using a Mac or PC applies to backing up the entire phone’s data, and not to selective data.
Step 1: Plug in your old iPhone to a Mac (via Finder) or PC (via iTunes for Windows).
Step 2: Open Finder or iTunes. Drag and drop selected files from your iPhone to a folder on your computer desktop.
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Step 3: Eject your phone and connect the new iPhone to your computer.
Step 4: Reverse the step. Drag and drop files from the desktop folder to the new iPhone.
Note: This method is useful for users who wish to transfer large amounts of data from iPhone to iPhone, but not the complete iPhone files.