How to Transfer Data from Old iPhone to New iPhone

transfer data iphone

Gathering Necessary Items and Information

transfer data iphone

Before transferring data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone, gathering the necessary items and information is essential. This ensures a smooth process and avoids potential interruptions during the data transfer.

First, check your iOS version on both devices. The transfer process requires at least iOS 11 to use the Quick Start method. To check your iOS version, go to Settings > General > About and look for the Software Version. Update to the latest iOS version if needed.

Next, prepare your previous iPhone. Ensure it’s connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, and the battery is sufficiently charged (above 50%) or connected to the charger. Additionally, ensure that both devices have Bluetooth turned on. This is crucial for the Quick Start method to work.

Gather the necessary cables and adapters for the process. If you plan to use the iTunes or Finder method for transferring data, ensure you have a compatible cable to connect your previous iPhone to your computer. For example, a Lightning-to-USB cable for iPhones with a Lightning port or a USB-C-to-Lightning cable for iPhones with a USB-C port.

Lastly, know your Apple ID and associated password for the iCloud backup method. If you’re not sure, go to Settings on your old iPhone, tap on your name at the top, and check the email address listed in the Apple ID section.

Preparing the Old iPhone

Before transferring your data from your old iPhone to a new one, you must ensure your old iPhone is ready for the transition.

Backing Up the Old iPhone

First, you’ll want to create a backup of your old iPhone to ensure all your data is safe and ready to be transferred. You can either use iCloud or iTunes/Finder to do this:

  • iCloud: Go to Settings > tap on your Apple ID at the top > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi and a power source during the process.
  • iTunes/Finder: Connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC and open iTunes (on macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later). Select your iPhone, click Back Up Now, and wait for the backup to complete.

Turning Off Find My iPhone Feature

Before transferring your data or preparing your old iPhone for sale, trade-in, or giving away, you must turn off the Find My iPhone feature. Here’s how:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Tap on your Apple ID at the top of the screen.
  3. Tap on Find My.
  4. Tap on Find My iPhone.
  5. Toggle off the Find My iPhone switch.
  6. Enter your Apple ID and password when prompted.

By backing up your old iPhone and turning off the Find My iPhone feature, you can transfer your data to your new device, ensuring a seamless transition.

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Setting Up the New iPhone

Turning On the New iPhone

When you receive your new iPhone, the first thing you need to do is turn it on. Press and hold the Power button on the device’s side until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. Once the iPhone boots up, the setup process will begin.

Setting Up the iPhone Using Quick Start

To make the setup process more efficient, use the Quick Start feature, which allows you to transfer data from your old iPhone to your new one quickly. Follow these steps:

  1. Ensure both iPhones are running iOS 12.4 or later.
  2. Turn on your new iPhone and make sure it’s near your old iPhone. Your old iPhone will display a prompt to set up the new iPhone.
  3. Tap Continue on your old iPhone.
  4. When the animation appears on your new iPhone, hold your old iPhone above the new one, then center the animation in the camera viewfinder.
  5. Enter your old iPhone’s passcode on the new iPhone.
  6. Set up Face ID or Touch ID on your new iPhone according to the on-screen instructions.
  7. Choose how you want to transfer your data. You can either:
    • Download your apps and data from iCloud, which will occur in the background, allowing you to use your new iPhone immediately.
    • Transfer your data and purchased content to your new device from a backup made with iTunes or Finder.

Once you complete these steps, your new iPhone will be set up with the data from your old iPhone, allowing you to continue using your apps, contacts, messages, and more.

Transfer Data Using iCloud

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Transferring data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone using iCloud is simple and reliable. Following the steps below will ensure a smooth transition between devices.

Selecting Restore From iCloud Backup

First, ensure both your old and new iPhones are connected to Wi-Fi. On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and ensure that the iCloud Backup toggle is turned on. If not, toggle it on and tap Back Up Now to create a fresh backup.

On your new iPhone, turn it on, and you should see a “Hello” screen. If you have already set up your new device, you must erase it before proceeding. Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the Apps & Data screen. Here, you should choose the option Restore from iCloud Backup.

Signing In to iCloud

You will be prompted to sign in to your iCloud account using your Apple ID and password. Be sure to use the same iCloud account that you used on your old iPhone. After signing in, you should see a list of available backups – select the most recent backup from your old iPhone.

After selecting the relevant backup, your new iPhone will restore data from the backup. This may take some time, depending on your backup size and internet connection. Once the restore process is complete, your new iPhone should have all the data from your old iPhone, allowing you to use your device hassle-free.

Transfer Data Using iTunes

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Transferring data from your old iPhone to a new one is simple using iTunes. This method requires a computer with iTunes installed. Follow the steps below to transfer your precious data to your new iPhone.

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Backing Up the Old iPhone on iTunes

  1. Connect your old iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
  2. Open iTunes on your computer. Download it from Apple’s website if you don’t have it installed.
  3. In iTunes, click the device icon in the upper-left corner.
  4. Under the Summary tab, click Back Up Now.
  5. Wait for the backup process to complete. It might take a few minutes, depending on the amount of data on your iPhone.

Note: Ensure your iTunes is up-to-date to avoid compatibility issues during the backup and restore process.

Restoring Backup on the New iPhone

  1. Turn on your new iPhone and follow the initial setup process.
  2. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iTunes Backup.
  3. Connect your new iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
  4. Open iTunes and select your new device from the device icon in the upper-left corner.
  5. In the Summary tab, click Restore Backup.
  6. Choose the backup you created earlier from the list and click Restore.

Your new iPhone will now restore all data from the backup you made with your old iPhone. It might take a while, depending on the amount of data you have. Once the process is complete, your new iPhone should have all the data from your old device, including apps, contacts, messages, and more.

Post-Transfer Checks

After transferring data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone, there are a few post-transfer checks that you need to perform to ensure a smooth transition.

Checking Transfer Status

Monitor the transfer status on both your old and new iPhones. If you used Quick Start for direct transfer, you’ll need to complete the transfer process on both devices before you can use them. If you downloaded your data from iCloud, your apps and data will be automatically downloaded in the background, allowing you to use your new device immediately.

Finishing the Setup on New iPhone

Once the data transfer is complete, it’s time to finalize setting up your new iPhone. This includes configuring Face ID or Touch ID and confirming your Apple ID. Additionally, check if all your contacts, messages, photos, and other relevant data have been transferred successfully. If you encounter any issues, you might want to restore from a previous backup or contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Remember to update your apps and perform any necessary software updates to have your new iPhone fully functioning and up-to-date. Also, ensure that you’ve transferred your SIM card or, if needed, contact your carrier for a compatible one to activate your new device fully.

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About Author

Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.