How to transfer iPhone to iPhone
So you've got a new iPhone. First of all, if it's a brand new device, enjoy that magnificent moment of peeling the protective film from your sweet, sweet, unmarked screen. Second, get a case, if you're as spectacularly uncoordinated as me.
Now, unless you're starting a clean slate in a new town, you probably want to bring over all your data so you can hit the ground running with your new phone. But how do you transfer iPhone to iPhone? It's pretty simple, but before you do anything, back up your iPhone and have your Apple ID and password ready to go (even if you have to reset your password — everyone forgets!).
Now that's done, let's move.
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How to transfer iPhone to iPhone
- 5 min
- iPhone
- iCloud account
Step 1: Transfer your SIM card from your old iPhone to your new iPhone.
Apple has a handy video explainer on how to do this if you need it.
Step 2: Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and your Bluetooth is switched on.
Step 3: Follow the onscreen instructions from iOS' Quick Start to set up your phone.
Step 4: At the "Apps & Data" screen, pick which way you want to transfer your data.
Apple will offer you options. Choosing to download from iCloud means your data (including apps) will start downloading and you can begin using your new iPhone while it chugs away in the background. Choosing to transfer directly means an extra step (see below) and you won't be able to use your new iPhone until the download is done.
Step 5: If you're transferring data directly (not through iCloud), make sure your two iPhones are near each other and plugged into chargers.
Step 6: And you're done!
How to transfer an iPhone backup to your new iPhone
You can also transfer your iPhone data using a backup you've previously made. If you've already set-up your new iPhone and want to restore a backup, you need to erase the device first before carrying out the steps below.
In your iPhone, navigate to Settings, then tap General, then scroll to "Transfer or Reset [Device] " before tapping "Erase All Content and Settings". Then you'll be able to set up your iPhone from scratch.
OK, now we can restore the backup.
- 5 min
- iPhone
- Mac or PC
Step 1: Turn on your new iPhone and make sure it's connected to WiFi.
Step 2: When you're setting up your iPhone through Quick Start, stop at the "Apps & Data" screen.
Step 3: Tap "Restore from Mac or PC".
Step 4: Connect your iPhone to your Mac or PC, whichever you backed up your iPhone to.
Step 5: Select your iPhone in either Apple Devices, iTunes, or a Finder window.
Step 6: Click "Restore Backup" and select the backup you want.
Step 7: The backup will take a moment to restore, then you can finish setting up your iPhone.
Now you're all set up, head over here for more tips and tricks for your iPhone on Mashable.
Topics iPhone
Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.
