How to Transfer iPhone to iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Transferring all the data from one iPhone to another can be a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re upgrading to a new device or moving everything to a new phone for some reason, this process can seem daunting simply because of how much data is stored in our smartphones. Thankfully, there are several effective ways to transfer data between iPhones, each with its own strengths. In this article, we’ll be guiding you through different transfer methods so you can choose the one that suits you best.

Using iCloud

iCloud is a cloud-based service provided by Apple that allows users to store all their data and access it from any device. Transferring data to a new iPhone via iCloud is one of the easiest and most accessible methods.

First, make sure that both the old and the new iPhone have an active internet connection. Next, follow these steps:

On the old iPhone, go to Settings > iCloud > Backup.
Turn on iCloud Backup and select “Back Up Now” to create a backup file of your current iPhone.
On the new iPhone, go through the setup process until you reach the “App & Data” screen.
Select “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in with your iCloud account.
Choose the backup file you created earlier from the list of available backups.
Wait for the transfer process to finish, during which time you should keep both devices connected to Wi-Fi and the charging cable.

It’s worth noting that if you have a lot of data to transfer, the iCloud transfer process can take a while, especially if you have a slow or congested internet connection. It is also important to note that you can transfer an unlimited amount of data via iCloud, as long as your storage space is not full.

iTunes Backup and Restore

If you don’t want to use iCloud or have limited internet connectivity, you can alternatively transfer your data with iTunes. However, unlike iCloud, this method requires a USB cable.

Here are the steps to transfer your iPhone data with iTunes:

Connect your old iPhone to a computer with iTunes installed.
Open iTunes and click on the device icon at the top-left corner of the app window.
Select “Back Up Now” to create a backup of your iPhone’s data on the computer.
When prompted, enter your password or choose “Encrypt Backup” to protect your data.
Wait for the backup process to complete before disconnecting your old iPhone from the computer.
Connect your new iPhone to the same computer and open iTunes.
Choose “Restore Backup” and select the backup file you created with your old iPhone.
Wait for the restoration process to finish and disconnect your new iPhone from the computer.

Using iTunes is a good option if you want to transfer your data directly from an iPhone to another, without having to upload your data to the iCloud servers first. Additionally, this method is beneficial when you have a lot of photos or videos to transfer, as it can be time-consuming to upload and download using an internet connection.

Quick Start Feature

The Quick Start feature is the newest transfer method introduced by Apple and is only available for users who have iOS 11 or later installed on their iPhones. You can use this transfer method only if both of your iPhones are close to each other or next to each other.

Here are the steps to transfer data between iPhones using the Quick Start feature:

Place your old iPhone next to your new iPhone, and make sure both devices are connected to Wi-Fi and plugged in
When you turn on your new iPhone, follow the instructions until you reach the “Quick Start” screen.
On your old iPhone, a pop-up message will appear asking if you want to set up your new iPhone with your Apple ID.
If you see this message, tap “Continue” and verify your Touch ID or enter your device passcode on the new iPhone.
On the new iPhone, hold the old iPhone over the new iPhone, and centre the animation in the camera frame.
Wait for the transfer process to complete.

The Quick Start feature is a fast and easy way to migrate data between devices, and if you’re buying a new iPhone from an Apple Store, the technician can help you migrate all your data to your new device.

Third-Party Transfer Tools

While iCloud, iTunes, and Quick Start are all methods provided by Apple, there are also third-party transfer tools you can use to transfer data between iPhone devices. These third-party tools are sometimes the best option when you want to transfer from specific types of data such as WhatsApp conversations, Viber messages, or images that aren’t in the native Photos app.

There are several popular third-party transfer tools you can use, such as AnyTrans, iMazing, and Syncios Data Transfer. Here are the steps for transferring data using AnyTrans:

Install AnyTrans on your computer and connect your old iPhone to the computer via USB.
Select “Device Manager” and choose the type of data you want to transfer, such as photos, messages, or contacts.
Select the items you want to transfer and click on the “To Another iDevice” button.
Connect your new iPhone to the computer with a USB cable and select the target phone for the transfer process.
Preview and confirm the items to be transferred and click “Next”.
Wait for the transfer process to complete.

Third-party transfer tools offer more flexibility and customization than the native transfer methods. However, it would be best to choose an application that is well-reputed and trustworthy, and you must understand that the data that you transfer through third-party applications may not be secure.

Manual Data Transfer

Finally, if you are looking for a more flexible transfer process, you can transfer some data manually using built-in iOS features such as Airdrop and hand-picking the data to transfer. The AirDrop method is available for transferring photos, documents, and music between iPhones and will require Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to be turned on on both devices. Additionally, manually transferring data requires more effort than the previous transfer methods.

Here are the steps for transferring data manually using AirDrop:

Make sure both iPhones are unlocked, and the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are turned on.
On the old iPhone, go to Photos and select the photos you want to send.
Tap the share button and choose “AirDrop”.
Select your new iPhone to send the files.
On the new iPhone, tap “Accept” when the pop-up message appears to transfer all the selected photos.

While manual transfer methods can be more time-consuming than other transfer options, they are an excellent option for those that need a little more control over their data transfers.

Conclusion

Transferring data between iPhones is now easier than ever with several transfer methods providing unique benefits, whether you want a fast and easy way to transfer everything or a more controlled method to transfer specific data. In summary, always make sure that you have a backup of all your data before transferring, and consider using iCloud, iTunes, Quick Start feature, third-party transfer tools, or manual data transfer methods, depending on your personal preference.

We hope that this guide has helped you transfer your iPhone data effortlessly.