There are several ways to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. Choose the method easiest for you.
Transfer Data Using Quick Start
Prerequisites to transfer data using Quick Start:
- Both iPhones need to be placed side by side and connected to a power source.
- Your older iPhone should be connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned ON.
- Quick start requires iOS 11 or higher. It is recommended to upgrade your iPhones to the latest iOS version.
- If you’ve already set up your new iPhone or want to transfer data between your existing iPhones (not a new iPhone), you’ll have to factory reset the iPhone to which you want to transfer data.
Once you are ready, follow the steps below to transfer data from old iPhone to new 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, tap Continue. 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 see Quick 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 the passcode of your old iPhone on your new iPhone and follow the set-up instructions.
5. Choose Transfer from iPhone on 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
To transfer data using iCloud, you will need to back up your iPhone data to iCloud.
Apple’s iCloud offers 5GB of free storage, but if you need more storage. you can use the Prepare for new iPhone feature. 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.
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, open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
2. Under Prepare for New iPhone, tap Get Started. Next, tap Continue.
3. If asked, tap Turn On Backup to Transfer, then choose Move All App data with iCloud to create a backup and tap Done. 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 see Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
6. Enter your Apple ID & Password and choose a backup you want to restore. You can either tap Continue to restore entire data from the iCloud backup or select specific apps and settings.
7. Follow on-screen instructions to 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
To transfer data using Mac, you will need to 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 iPhone or the one that’s erased & reset, and proceed with the setup process.
2. In the Apps & Data page, select Restore from Mac or PC and plug your iPhone into the Mac.
3. On your Mac, open Finder and locate your iPhone from the top-left corner. Then, click Restore Backup and choose the backup version. Wait until the process is completed.
Transfer Data Using iTunes
To transfer data using iTunes, you will need to backup your old iPhone to iTunes, and then restore that backup on your new iPhone.
1. Turn ON your new iPhone (or the one to which you transfer data to) and start with the setup process.
2. From the Transfer Apps & Data screen, select From Mac or PC and plug your iPhone into the computer.
3. On your Windows PC, open the iTunes app and click the iPhone icon from 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 see Restore Completed on the iPhone. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to finish the setup process.
Transfer Data Using AirDrop
1. Bring your iPhones close to each other.
2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network and turn ON Bluetooth on 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 the share icon, choose AirDrop, and select your new iPhone from the available options.
4. You’ll see an AirDrop notification on your new iPhone, tap Accept and you’re done.
5. You can repeat steps 3 and 4 to transfer more data.