Easiest ways to transfer my old iPhone data to new iPhone?

WikiLynxJumper585
09/16/24 2:02pm
I just got a new iPhone (yay) and now comes the task of transferring all my data over from my old phone (boo). Anyone have any quick tips for doing this in the least annoying and time-consuming way possible? Thank you!
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Luigi Oppido
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
01/24/25 12:47am
The quickest and easiest way is using the Quick Start feature. Bring both phones close together during setup and the new phone will recognize the old and ask if you want to transfer your data.

Another option is through the iCloud and iCloud backup. On the old phone, make sure a backup has been created, then close all applications and restart the phone. This allows a clean environment for the transfer to take place and minimizes issues.
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wikiHow Expert
Stan Kats
Stan Kats
Cybersecurity Expert
02/06/25 12:36am
The easiest way to transfer your data to a new phone is to enroll in iCloud on the old phone and make sure a backup has been created. Then for first-time setup of your new phone, provide your iPhone credentials and you should be able to easily migrate your data to your new phone.
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WikiCaveCatcher267
09/16/24 9:00pm
You can also use a USB-C to Lightning Adapter cable and a Lightning cable.
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Anonymous WikiCassowary
Anonymous WikiCassowary
01/24/25 6:25pm
How long does it take to transfer my old iPhone data to my new iPhone?
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wikiHow Expert
Luigi Oppido
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
01/30/25 5:46pm
This is subjective. I’ve seen a transfer go through in a few minutes, and a transfer take an hour or more - depending on how much is local and how much is downloaded from the cloud. If most data is in the cloud, it could take up to a full week for all data to show.
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WikiMongooseSlinger484
09/16/24 8:17pm
iCloud is free for the first 5GB; after which point you have to pay per month. I don't think 5GB is really enough for most people. But, AirDrop and QuickStart are free and simple. I believe you can also back up your current phone to iTunes and transfer the data to your new phone.
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WikiChinchillaFlyer503
09/16/24 7:04pm
i don't want to pay for icloud so what else can i do
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wikiHow Expert
Luigi Oppido
Luigi Oppido
Computer & Tech Specialist
04/23/25 5:12pm
You can use any of the services that exist, but to transfer from iPhone to iPhone, they have it really locked down. What I recommend to people who do not have iCloud is to sign up for the 30-day trial or pay for 30 days (sign up and immediately cancel, you’ll get the 30 days you paid for and not get charged again), use the service, transfer your data, and then cancel. This is the easiest method I have found.
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WikiStoatWatcher436
09/16/24 5:59pm
You can transfer your iPhone using a few different methods:
1. You could Airdrop your info from one phone to another (go to settings > general > Airdrop and then link the phones).
2. Use Quick Start to set up your new device. Just turn on your new iPhone near your old one, the Quick Start app should open on your old phone and give you the option to use your Apple ID to set up your new phone.
3. Use iCloud. Back up your current phone to iCloud, then set up your new phone, connect to wifi, then go to "apps & data," select "Restore from iCloud backup," sign in, and voila.
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Anonymous WikiChinchilla
Anonymous WikiChinchilla
04/23/25 5:53pm
This is really helpful thank you!
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Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
You could also use an SD card to lightning adapter to transfer photos to the new phone. Plug in the old phone to a computer, import the photos, save the photos to an SD card, then connect the SD card to the new phone and transfer the photos.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
I've transferred photos from my old iPhone by downloading OneDrive on the old phone, uploading all my content, then downloading the app on the new phone and downloading my old content from there. Mega and DropBox are other apps that do this.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
Make sure all of your contacts have transferred over correctly! I speak from experience: if a contact is listed only under their first name (or if it's, say, a company where you don't include a surname), they may not transfer over. You may need to transfer such contacts manually.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
You should be able to transfer all your contacts to a new iPhone with AirDrop. Open AirDrop on both phones, then go to your old phone and select "transfer contacts."
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
I have always transferred photos from my phone to my laptop by emailing them to myself. It may not be the best way to transfer a large amount of photos but for a small handful it's really simple.
Anonymous Reader
Anonymous Reader
It's easy to transfer photos and other content on a flash drive. Just copy the photos you want onto a flash drive, plug it into your computer, and select what you want to transfer.