Let's be honest - getting a new iPhone is exciting until you realize you have to move all your stuff over. I remember my first time trying this years ago. What a mess! I lost two weeks of photos because I didn't understand how iCloud backups really worked. But after helping dozens of friends and going through five iPhone upgrades myself, I've learned all the tricks the hard way.
Whether you're switching to iPhone 15 or handing down your old device to a family member, this guide covers exactly how to transfer from one iPhone to another without headaches. No jargon, no fluff - just what actually works in 2023 based on real experience.
🛑 Stop! Before anything: Charge both phones above 50% and connect to Wi-Fi. I learned this lesson when my transfer died at 80% during a flight. Also disable any VPNs - they'll sabotage your transfer speed.
Your 4 Transfer Options Compared (No Marketing Nonsense)
Apple gives you several ways to move your data, but nobody tells you which works best for real-life situations. Here's the straight truth:
| Method | Best For | Speed | What Gets Transferred | Gotchas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Start | Most users | Fastest (direct transfer) | Everything except Apple Pay/Wallet | Phones must be close together |
| iCloud Backup | Smaller data sets | Slow (depends on internet) | Most data except health/keychain if not enabled | Free storage rarely enough |
| Mac/PC Backup | Large photo libraries | Medium (wired speed) | Everything including app data | Requires computer and cable |
| Direct Transfer | No computer or cloud | Fast (device-to-device) | Same as Quick Start | iOS 12.4+ required |
Quick verdict? Use Quick Start if possible. But let's break down each method properly.
Quick Start: The Method I Use Every Time (When It Works)
This is Apple's magic trick where you hold your old iPhone over the new one and watch the swirling dots. When it cooperates, it's brilliant. When it doesn't... well, we'll cover fixes later.
Here's my foolproof routine:
- Turn on new iPhone and place it near old iPhone
- Wait for the "Set Up New iPhone" prompt on old device (sometimes takes 30 seconds)
- Tap "Continue" and center the animation in your camera viewfinder
- On new iPhone, enter your old device's passcode (critical step!)
- Choose "Transfer from iPhone" when prompted
- Keep phones within 2 inches of each other until transfer completes
Personal gripe: Why doesn't Apple clearly state you need BOTH phones on iOS 12.4 or later? Found this out helping my mom transfer from her ancient iPhone 6. Had to update her OS first.
What transfers: Apps, photos, messages, email accounts, settings, home screen layout. Surprisingly, even your Safari tabs come over now.
What doesn't: Apple Pay cards, Face ID/Touch ID settings, paired Bluetooth devices. You'll need to re-setup these manually.
iCloud Backup: The "I Have Time" Method
When people ask me how to transfer from one iPhone to another without cables, I suggest iCloud... with caveats. Free 5GB storage is laughable when most backups are 50GB+. You'll likely need to buy storage temporarily.
Actual steps that work:
- On old iPhone: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup
- Tap "Back Up Now" (plugged in and on Wi-Fi)
- Watch the progress bar - don't close settings!
- On new iPhone: Begin setup until you reach Apps & Data screen
- Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup"
- Sign in with Apple ID and pick the latest backup
⚠️ Brutal truth: "Estimated time" is often wildly inaccurate. My 80GB backup said 2 hours but took 9 on residential Wi-Fi. Plan accordingly!
Computer Backup: The Old Reliable
Finder (Mac) or iTunes (PC) backups saved me when Quick Start glitched during my iPhone 13 upgrade. Slower but more reliable for huge photo libraries.
What most guides don't tell you:
- Encrypt your backup in iTunes/Finder settings or health data won't transfer
- Use original cables - third-party cables constantly fail mid-backup
- Right-click backups to see creation dates (avoid restoring outdated versions)
Critical Pre-Transfer Checklist
Skip these at your peril - I've made all these mistakes:
| Task | Why It Matters | How To |
|---|---|---|
| Free Up Space | New iPhone may have less storage than old | Delete unused apps & offline Netflix shows |
| Update iOS | Transfer fails between major OS versions | Settings > General > Software Update |
| Disable iMessage | Prevents activation lock headaches | Settings > Messages > Toggle off iMessage |
| Note App Logins | Banking apps often require re-authentication | Use password manager or old-school notepad |
| Remove Cases | Thick cases block NFC for Quick Start | Take off before starting transfer |
Seriously - update iOS first. Nothing worse than getting stuck because old iPhone runs iOS 14 while new one has iOS 17.
Real-World Transfer Times (No Sugarcoating)
When researching how to transfer from one iPhone to another, everyone wants to know: "How long will this take?" Here's raw data from my last 5 transfers:
- 128GB via Quick Start: 45 minutes (phones on chargers)
- 256GB via iCloud: 11 hours (100Mbps Wi-Fi)
- 64GB via MacBook: 25 minutes (USB-C cable)
- 512GB via Quick Start: Failed twice, succeeded in 2.5 hours third attempt
Factors that massively impact speed:
- Wi-Fi interference - Microwave running? Transfer crawls
- Background app refresh - Disable in Settings > General
- Photo library size - Videos are the real space hogs
- App data - Games like Genshin Impact add 20GB alone
My rule: Budget double the estimated time. Start transfers before bed.
Post-Transfer: What Nobody Talks About
The setup screen says "Done"? Not quite. Here's the cleanup crew:
Mandatory Final Checks
- Test cellular data (Settings > Cellular > Enable apps)
- Re-add credit cards to Apple Pay/Wallet
- Check Messages > Send & Receive (iMessage activation fails 30% of time)
- Open banking apps and authenticate
- Verify Health data (Open Health app > Browse tab)
Confession: I once sold my old iPhone without disabling Find My. Buyer got locked out and I had to remotely wipe it. Awkward lesson - now I triple-check.
What To Do With Old iPhone
Don't just stash it in a drawer:
| Option | Steps | Wipe Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Sell | Backup > Sign out iCloud > Erase > Remove from account | After transfer confirmed stable (3 days) |
| Trade-in | Same as sell but keep box & charger | Before sending |
| Repurpose | Disable iMessage/FaceTime > Set up as new | Only if resetting for family use |
FAQ: Answering Your Actual Transfer Questions
Will my authenticator apps transfer?
Sadly no. Authy, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator all require manual re-setup. Do this BEFORE wiping old phone!
Why did half my photos disappear?
Probably using iCloud Photos without "Download Originals" enabled. Go to old iPhone: Settings > Photos > Download and Keep Originals before transferring.
Can I use my phones during transfer?
Absolutely not. Move calls to another device. Interrupting causes corrupted backups. I learned this making a call during iCloud restore - had to start over.
Transfer stuck on "Preparing..." for hours?
Force restart both phones: Press volume up, volume down, then hold side button until Apple logo appears. Resume transfer.
Do WhatsApp chats transfer?
Only if you use iCloud backup IN WhatsApp. Open WhatsApp > Settings > Chats > Chat Backup > Back Up Now. Then install WhatsApp on new phone and verify number.
Troubleshooting: What Apple Support Won't Tell You
After helping dozens with iPhone transfers, here are rare fixes:
"Cannot Communicate with Device" Error: Usually means Bluetooth is disabled on one phone. Enable in Settings > Bluetooth. Still failing? Reset network settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset Network Settings)
Apps Greyed Out After Transfer: Sign out of App Store and back in. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Sign out. Restart phone. Sign in again.
Backup Corrupted Message: Nightmare scenario. Try restoring from earlier backup. If failed, use computer method - it's more resilient to corruption.
Final Advice from Someone Who's Messed Up
If you remember one thing about how to transfer from one iPhone to another, make it this: Test before you erase. Seriously. Play with your new iPhone for a full day before wiping the old one. Check:
- All conversations in Messages
- Recent photos/videos
- Notes app content
- Critical app data (like draft emails)
Transferring between iPhones should be simple, but real life - with its spotty Wi-Fi and impatient users - makes it messy. Follow these steps and you'll avoid the disasters I've survived. Welcome to your new iPhone!
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