5 Fixes to Achieve iPhone Transfer Over Wi-Fi

Usually, this is the case. After using your old iPhone for years, many users will change it to a new one. Then, here comes the question: how to transfer data from the old iPhone to the new one? This article offers five methods to educate you on iPhone transfer over Wi-Fi without spending extra money on cellular data consumption.

The table below lists five solutions: the top three enable you to transfer your files wirelessly, while the fourth and the fifth require a cable to connect your iPhone to a computer. If you are looking for a secure way to move your iPhone files with easy operation, EaseUS MobiMover, a great helper in sharing iPhone data without file loss, is your best choice!👍

Fix 1. iPhone Transfer Over Wi-Fi With Quick Start

In the past, you could restore your iPhone from iCloud or iTunes, which will be elaborated on later in this passage, but now things have changed, and you can directly transfer your data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone wirelessly via Quick Start. Apple has introduced Quick Start in iOS 11 to help users to set up their new iPhone, while in iOS 12.4, Quick Start enables users to transfer data from an old iPhone to a newer one directly over Wi-Fi. If you encounter Quick Start not working, check iPhone Quick Start Not Working on iPhone 14/13 for more information.

Before we go straight to the instructions for iPhone transfer over Wi-Fi, I'd like to point out some preparations you need to make.

• ✅Ensure your devices are healthy and fully charged to avoid low battery interruptions in the file transfer.
• 🔛Connect both your devices to the same Wi-Fi network and make sure the Bluetooth is on.
• 🆕Update your iPhone devices to iOS 12.4 or later, and the operating system of your new iPhone ought to be higher than the old one.
• ⌚Choose a time when you don't need to use your current devices for several minutes.

How to Quick Start your iPhone:

Step 1. Place your new iPhone near your old one, turn it on, wait for the Set Up New iPhone screen shows up on your old iPhone, and click "Continue."

Notice: If the prompt to set up your new iPhone disappears from your old iPhone, restart both devices.

Step 2. When you see the message "Finish on New iPhone," enter the passcode on the new iPhone to set up Face ID or Touch ID.

Step 3. Choose the data you want to transfer. You can choose between "Transfer from iPhone" and "Download from iCloud."

Step 4. Ensure your devices are near each other until the whole process finishes.

During the data transfer, you can plug your devices into the power to prevent the case of insufficient power. As for how long you need to wait until the data transfer from one iPhone to another completes, it varies depending on network conditions and the amount and size of data being transferred.

Fix 2. iPhone Transfer Over Wi-Fi With iCloud

You can use iCloud to wirelessly transfer photos, videos, documents, and other data. Although it has some limitations, such as you have to pay for more storage, it is still easy for data transfer since as long as you sign in to the account, you can access iCloud backup on iPhone, Mac, and PC.

Before we start

• ✅Same Wi-Fi connection and iOS version.
• 🧑‍💻Devices in working order.
• 👌Enough storage space in the Apple account.

How to transfer data from one iPhone to another with iCloud:

Step 1. From your old iPhone, go to "Settings." and tap on the Apple profile at the top.

Step 2. Click "iCloud" and sign in the Apple ID.

Step 3. Choose which app (e.g., Contacts, Messages) to back up to iCloud, and turn it on. When the switch is off, no data will be backed up, and any data backed up to iCloud will be removed.

Step 4. Find the iCloud Backup, ensure it is on, and click "Back Up Now."

Step 5. Click "Restore from iCloud Backup" from the new iPhone in the initial setup process. If you already set up your new iPhone, you can erase all content and settings.

Step 6. Enter your Apple ID and password. Then, follow the on-screen instruction and tap "Next" > "Agree." Choose the preferred files and click "Continue."

Fix 3. iPhone Transfer Over Wi-Fi With AirDrop

AirDrop is a file-sharing service available on Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod running Mac OS X Lion and later or iOS 7 and later. AirDrop supports transferring photos, videos, contacts, websites, documents, and more from one AirDrop-supported device to another wirelessly. Therefore, you can try AirDrop from iPhone to iPhone.

Before we start

If you are planning to send files from your old iPhone to the new one:

• 🙌Ensure the devices are nearby.
• 🔛Turn on Bluetooth and connect to Wi-Fi.

AirDrop also applies to transferring files from Mac to iPhone or your friend's iPhone, but you have to check the person you are sending to have set to receive from Contacts Only.

• If they do and you are in your friend's Contacts, give him your Apple ID's email address or your mobile number.
• If you are not in the Contacts, let him set the AirDrop receiving setting to Everyone.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using AirDrop:

Step 1. Select the data, files, and apps from the old iPhone and tap on the share icon. Choose AirDrop.

Step 2. Tap on the name of the new iPhone shown in the AirDrop list.

Step 3. Click Accept on the new iPhone.

Fix 4. iPhone Transfer Over Wi-Fi With iTunes

Suppose you want to avoid using iCloud to back up your data. iTunes is another way to move your photos, documents, and files between iPhone devices over Wi-Fi. Although Apple officially dropped iTunes in 2019, it still works to sync devices on Windows.

Before we start

• 💻Prepare a healthy computer and a USB cable.
• 🆕Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer.
• 🔗Ensure all devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

How to transfer data from one iPhone to another without iCloud:

Step 1. Plug the old iPhone into the computer by your side.

Step 2. Launch iTunes, and click on the phone icon when you see it appears on the menu bar.

Step 3. Click "Encrypt Backup."

Step 4. Plug your new iPhone into the Mac or Windows. Turn the phone on, set the Wi-Fi network, and click "Restore from iTunes backup." On your PC, tap on the new iPhone and click "Summary" on the left-hand side.

Step 5. Select the most recent backup from the list and choose "Restore from this Backup."

Step 6. After restoring the backup, follow the on-screen instruction and click "Continue." If your backup is encrypted, enter the password when it is needed.

During the data transfer process, do not unplug your device from the computer or switch off the Wi-Fi network connection. The transfer may last long, depending on the data and network quality.

Bonus Tip: iPhone Transfer Over Poor Wi-Fi? Try iPhone to iPhone Transfer App

As has been said above, the transfer speed partly depends on the network connection. For example, sometimes you may have a slow network on your iPhone. In this case, the data transfer will be prolonged or even interrupted. For a better experience, iPhone transfer software enables iPhone-to-iPhone file transfer faster and ensures no data loss. Use EaseUS MobiMover Pro as your best choice to back up and transfer all data from iPhone to iPhone since it is one of the most convenient software to do all the processes with one click.

To begin the transfer, install a PC with EaseUS MobiMover and an appropriate cable to connect your device to the computer.

Step 1. Connect your iPhones to your computer, either Mac or PC. Open EaseUS MobiMover, and choose "Phone to Phone" in the main interface. Then, click on the "Next" button to move on.

Step 2. You can choose all the data or specific items to transfer to another iPhone or iPad directly. 

Step 3. Click the "Transfer" button to start transferring files from one iOS device to another. When it has finished, go to your target iOS device to check and view the synced files. 

Conclusion

Now you can achieve iPhone transfer over Wi-Fi with Quick Start, iCloud, AirDrop, iTunes, and EaseUS MobiMover. The great thing about these methods is that none of them require you to use cellular data. But, of course, it is intelligent to back up your iPhone regularly, locally on your computer, or into the cloud.

iPhone Transfer Over Wi-Fi FAQs

Walk through the following questions to learn more.

1. How do I transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone?

If you want to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone, here I recommend EaseUS MobiMover data transfer software.

• Connect both devices to the computer, launch the EaseUS MobiMover, and choose Phone to Phone.
• Select the data you want to move and click Transfer.
• Wait for the process completes and go to the apps to see the added files.

2. How do I transfer photos from one iPhone to another?

You can AirDrop photos from iPhone to iPhone. But you have to ensure the devices are within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range and turn the personal hotspot off.

• Go to the Photos, select the photos you want to transfer, and click Share.
• Choose AirDrop and click on the name of the other iPhone.
• Tap on Accept in the prompt that appears on the other iPhone.

3. Does Quick Start transfer everything?

No, it won't transfer everything. It only helps you to move all the core settings. Quick Start is a feature that allows you to set up a new iPhone with the information from the old device. If you want to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone, you can use EaseUS MobiMover to back up and transfer files within a few clicks.