How do I transfer data from my old iPhone to my new iPhone?

Getting that upgrade to a new iPhone can make you feel like you’ve just hit the lottery. You’ve got a new shiny toy that does the same thing but better and faster. However, for many, it may kill the fun right out of that excitement because transferring over all your old data, including photos, apps, messages, and settings, from an existing iPhone to a new one can be daunting. 

It sounds a bit complicated, I know, but no worries! As you read this, I will walk you through how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone and set up your new iPhone in no time.

Personally, I’ve gone through it a few times, and I assure you, once you know the methods, it’s not difficult at all. 

Reasons to transfer data to new iPhone

You might be wondering, why bother transferring data? Personally, I think keeping or archiving important and meaningful data close at hand can be important, especially when you need it in the future.  

Whether it is the years of photos, your essential apps, or simply not wanting to start from scratch setting up a new device, moving everything around ensures continuity. And for some of us, our iPhones are often a repository hub, the middle point between personal data and work-related stuff.

If you have ever had to manually reinstall and set it up, you will know what I mean. Plus, transferring data between iPhones also keeps your important messages and settings alive on the new phone. On top of that, it saves time. No one wants to spend hours just setting everything up again manually!

Easiest way to transfer everything from my old iPhone to my new iPhone

So, how do I transfer everything from my old phone to my new phone? Let’s start with the first method, which is an app I found to be the easiest and quickest option (at least in my experience) called AnyTrans for iOS.

AnyTrans for iOS is handy when you want to make the process of data transfer between iPhones a lot easier. As an all-in-one iPhone data manager, the app is capable of transferring your wanted data from one iPhone to another in just a few clicks. Every app, every setting, and photo you take, as well as your favorite wallpapers, can be a part of the transfer.

Here’s how to transfer everything from one iPhone to another:

1. Install and open AnyTrans for iOS on your Mac. 
2. Connect the new iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.
3. Click the Phone Switcher tab from the left pane.
4. Click the Migrate Now button to start and follow the on-screen instructions.
5. That’s it!

Now, isn’t that quick and easy? Experience zero data loss and transfer everything seamlessly. This was a complete life-changer for me the last time I upgraded my iPhone. 

How to transfer data iPhone to iPhone using iCloud

However, some of us would rather not use a computer. This is where iCloud comes in handy as another reliable option. It is wireless and is especially useful when you are transferring everything from iPhone to iPhone while on the move.

Here’s how to do it:

1. On your old iPhone, go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
2. Tap Back Up Now to make sure Back Up This iPhone is enabled.
3. On your new iPhone, tap on Restore from iCloud Backup to restore data.
4. Enter your Apple ID, then select the latest backup from your old iPhone. 

This is what I found best when my laptop was not with me. It works over a completely wireless connection. However, to have the fastest data transfer, both iPhones should be on the same Wi-Fi.

How to transfer data iPhone to iPhone using Quick Start

With Quick Start, you can transfer data directly between devices; no cables or computers are needed because it uses Bluetooth power. All you have to do is place the two phones near each other, and voila! 

To use Quick Start:

1. Turn on Bluetooth for both iPhones.
2. You’ll receive a prompt from Quick Start on iPhones to input your Apple ID.
3. Follow the instructions to authenticate the data transfer. 
4. Next, an animation will show up on your new iPhone. Scan this via your old iPhone camera.
5. From here, choose to transfer your data wirelessly or restore from an iCloud backup once authenticated.

All your data, apps, and settings will be as they were before just like on the old iPhone. Plus, it being wireless just makes things easier for you to get up and rolling with that brand-new iPhone in no time and with minimal effort.

Free up space on your iPhone after transferring

When transferring old data, you'll realize that not everything is what you need. And that is where CleanMy®Phone comes in. I use it to declutter my iPhone from screenshots, blurred photos, or screen recordings I no longer need. And believe me, life gets so easy after this. 

Trust me, CleanMy®Phone makes managing your Photos storage seamless, so you can ensure that only the files and memories you really need stay on your iPhone. By the time I was done with it, my iPhone felt like brand new, free of excess junk!

How to CleanMy®Phone:

1. Install and open CleanMy®Phone.
2. Go to the Declutter tab.
3. Click Scan.
4. You can either review the results or delete them by tapping Clean.

CleanMy®Phone helps you keep only the memories that matter. Your iPhone will be cleaner and more optimized, and you don’t need to transfer all the clutter (that can increase transferring time a lot btw) to your brand-new phone.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using Mac

if you are in the same situation as I am and prefer to use a Mac to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, then this method might be useful for you, too. You can simply transfer data using Finder on your Mac, which is a wired alternative if you want to avoid potential hiccups from wireless transfers from your Mac.

Here’s how to transfer data from one iPhone to another:

1. Connect your old iPhone to your Mac via a USB cable.
2. Open Finder on your Mac and choose your old iPhone in the sidebar.
3. Click Back Up Now to create a current backup on your Mac.
4. Disconnect the old iPhone and then connect your new iPhone to the Mac.
5. Choose your new iPhone in Finder, then choose Restore from Backup.
6. Choose the most recent backup of your old iPhone, then click Restore to transfer data.

Tip: An added bonus to make this as seamless as can be is to use CloudMounter for cloud storage if you need extra space or quicker access to files throughout the process. This is a great tool that allows you to work with different cloud services, like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive, to keep everything organized and accessible from your Mac’s Finder.

How to Transfer Data iPhone to iPhone without Wi-Fi

In a scenario where you do not have Wi-Fi in your area but still need to transfer your data, trying out AirDrop can be your savior.

To use AirDrop:

1. Swipe up on both iPhones and tap your Control Center. Turn on AirDrop > Choose Everyone for 10 Minutes.
2. Go to your old iPhone and select the files (photos, contacts, etc) that need to be transferred.
3. Tap the Share icon > AirDrop and choose your new iPhone from the list.
4. Accept the transfer on your new iPhone, and you are good to go!

This method is quick, reliable and cable-free. It’s a great alternative when other options aren’t available. But it doesn’t work for bulk transfers, so I recommend using AnyTrans for Ioas for that matter.

Transfer data from iPhone to iPhone hassle-free

Whether it is by AnyTrans for iOS to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, or in a more conventional way such as iCloud, Quick Start, Finder, and/or AirDrop, you’ve got a lot of options.  

Don’t forget to utilize CleanMy®Phone to tidy up your storage or use CloudMounter to manage your multiple cloud storages easily. With all of these apps, plus many more available on Setapp, grab this opportunity to test out every single app with no charge for 7 days. There are plenty of iOS and macOS tools to boost your device's performance. So, don’t hesitate to try today.

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