Can you transfer between iphones after setup?

The easiest and quickest method to set up your new iPhone is to restore from a recent iCloud backup. As you walk through the initial setup process, tap Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple ID and then pick the most recent backup of your old iPhone. 

If the backup is more than a day or two old, I suggest you take an extra few minutes to create a new backup. To do so, open the Settings app on your old phone and search iCloud Backup (click the icon), then select Back Up Now. 

Once that finishes, go back to your new iPhone and select the backup you just created as what you want to use to restore from. 

Your phone will then restore your settings and preferences, and you'll be able to start using it in about 15 minutes while it finishes downloading your installed apps. 

Once everything is restored, you'll need to sign back into any accounts you added to your phone, as well as go through your apps and make sure you're still signed in. 

2. Use Apple's direct transfer method

During the setup process, you'll be asked if you want to directly transfer apps and information from your old iPhone to your new one. This feature was first rolled out with iOS 12.4, so if it's been a few years since you've upgraded phones, it'll be the first time you've seen the option. 

The tool is straightforward to use. Make sure you have both phones, preferably plugged in and charging to ensure they don't run out of battery, a Wi-Fi connection and enough time for the process to finish -- it could take over an hour. 

The more information you have on your phone, like photos in your camera roll, the longer it will take. When the transfer starts, the phones will show you a time estimate. Every time I've used this tool, that estimate has been accurate within a couple of minutes. It's worth taking the time if you don't use Apple's iCloud service to back up your phone.

3. Use a Mac or PC to transfer your data to an iPhone

The method I personally use with every new iPhone is to restore from an encrypted backup using a Mac or PC. Not only does this process transfer all of your apps, settings and preferences, but it also means you don't have to sign into the countless apps you have on your phone. 

Before you can use this method, you'll need to create an encrypted backup of your current iPhone. I know that may sound intimidating or overly complicated, but it only means you have to check an extra box and enter a password. 

On a Mac, you'll use Finder to back up your old iPhone. We outlined the steps when Apple killed iTunes. Just make sure to check the Encrypt backup box and enter a password you'll remember when prompted. Let your Mac go to work, creating a backup file. It will let you know when it's done. 

On a PC, you'll need to use iTunes (it's not completely dead) to create a backup. That process is explained here. Again, you'll need to make sure the Encrypt backup box is checked and enter a password. 

To restore your new phone, open Finder or iTunes, and connect your phone to your computer. Click Trust when prompted, and then follow the prompts, selecting the backup you just created as what you want to use to restore the phone. You will need to enter the backup's password before the process begins -- so make sure you don't forget it! 

Once it's done, your new phone will be an exact copy of your old phone and you won't have to spend any time signing into apps or random accounts. 

4. Android user? This app is your answer

Apple doesn't have many Android apps listed in Google's Play Store, but Move to iOS is one of them. This free app will connect your Android phone to a new iPhone and allow you to transfer the most important information from one phone to the other. 

Here's the entire step-by-step process as well as some caveats, like the fact that it won't transfer any locally stored music or PDF files. 

No matter the process you used to set up your new phone, you're sure to be giddy with excitement as you explore what it can do. 

Have you just upgraded your iPhone? You’ll probably want to transfer all your contacts, photos, music, apps, and settings from your old to new iPhone. There are a couple of ways to do it, and we’ll guide you through each of them. As a result, you’ll get the same iPhone with all your files and apps in place. At the same time, it will be a new, more beautiful and powerful device.

Three ways to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone:

1. Use Quick Start — if your old iPhone runs iOS 11 or later, you can just place both devices close to each other to automatically set up your new iPhone.
2. Transfer your data with iCloud— you can create an iCloud backup on your old iPhone and then use it while setting up your new device. All you need is a Wi-Fi connection; you don’t have to bother with plugging your iPhone into a computer.
3. Restore your iPhone from iTunes — use your Mac or PC to create an iTunes backup. Then, you’ll need to connect your new iPhone to the same computer to transfer your data.

How to switch iPhones using Quick Start

1. Bring your old and new iPhone close to each other. Make sure Bluetooth on your old device is on.
2. Turn on your new iPhone.
3. Your old iPhone shows the Quick Start screen offering you to set up a new device. Tap Continue.
4. An animation will appear on your new iPhone. Hold your old device over the new one to scan this image.
5. After your iPhones are connected, wait till the data and settings migrate between devices. Keep both iPhones close to each other.
6. When prompted, enter the passcode from your old iPhone on your new one as well as your Apple ID password.
7. Set up Touch ID or Face ID on your new iPhone.
8. Select if you’d like to restore data from the most recent iCloud backup or backup your old device now and then restore information.
9. Next, you can change your preferences related to location, Apple Pay, Siri, etc. By default, these settings are the same as on your old device. You’ll also be able to adjust them later in the Settings app.

Now, all your contacts, photos, settings, and other data have moved to your new iPhone.

How to transfer data from your old iPhone to a new one with iCloud 

1. Connect your old iPhone to Wi-Fi.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Tap [your name] > iCloud.
4. Select iCloud Backup.
5. Tap Back Up Now.
6. Wait until the backup process completes. 

Once you have a backup, it’s time to pick out your new iPhone and start setting it up:

1. Turn on your new iPhone. 
2. Select your country and language.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions to connect to Wi-Fi, set up Touch or Face ID, and create a passcode.
4. Once you reach the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud backup.
5. Sign in with your Apple ID.
6. When asked, select the backup you’ve just made on your old iPhone.
7. Wait for your data to transfer from your old to new iPhone.
8. Complete the rest of the onscreen setup steps.

Do you have too many backups? Learn how to view and delete old iPhone backups in iCloud.

How to transfer data from your old iPhone to a new one using iTunes

1. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes on your Mac or PC.
2. Open iTunes.
3. Plug your old iPhone into your computer.
4. If there’s a pop-up message asking for access to your iPhone, follow the onscreen steps.
5. Select your iPhone on the top toolbar.

1. If you want to transfer your Health and Activity data as well as saved passwords, click Encrypt backup.
2. Create a password for your backup.
3. Click Back Up Now.

Once your backup is ready, put your old device aside. Now, you can transfer data to new iPhone:

1. Turn on your new iPhone. You’ll see the “Hello” screen.
2. Follow the setup steps until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
3. Tap Restore from iTunes Backup.
4. Plug your new iPhone into the computer you used to back up your previous device.
5. Open iTunes and select your new iPhone at the top left of the screen.
6. Click Restore Backup.
7. Select your most recent backup.
8. If your backup is encrypted, enter your password.
9. Keep your iPhone connected to iTunes and Wi-Fi until the transfer finishes.
10. Complete the rest of the setup steps on your iPhone.

Do your iTunes backups take up too much space? Learn how to move them to an external drive.

In this article, you’ve learned how to switch iPhones and transfer all your contacts, photos, music, and other content to your new device. At the same time, if you're going to sell your old iPhone, it's helpful to learn how to reset it.

We hope your new iPhone will help you become even more productive. How often do you upgrade your iPhone? Share your experience in comments!

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