Transfer Text Messages to New iPhone Without iCloud - 3 Fixes

If you're confused about how to transfer text messages to your new iPhone without iCloud, continue reading this article. We'll show you exactly how to do that in this article.

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Myra

Updated on Jul 09, 2025

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Key Takeaways:

To transfer text messages to a new iPhone without using iCloud, you can use the Quick Start feature. This feature allows you to transfer data, including text messages, from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud wirelessly. Alternatively, you can choose a third-party data transfer tool such as EaseUS MobiMover, which enables you to selectively transfer text messages without iCloud or iTunes.

When upgrading to a new iPhone, transferring your important text messages is often a top priority. However, not everyone wants to use iCloud for this process, whether due to limited free storage or personal preference. Fortunately, there are effective ways to transfer text messages to new iPhone without iCloud.

Method Third-party tool Quick Start iTunes/Finder
Requires computer? Yes No Yes
Selective message transfer? Yes No No
Overwrite new iPhone? No No Yes
Notes It is flexible and transfers messages as PDF if you want. Requires iOS 12.4 and later for Quick Start. Apple's official way for data backup and management. It transfers full backup.

How to Transfer Messages to New iPhone with a Transfer Tool

With EaseUS MobiMover, you can easily transfer messages to new iPhone or backup text messages on iPhone without iCloud. This versatile iOS data transfer tool allows you to easily move text messages, SMS, MMS, iMessages, along with other types of content, from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud. If you are switching from Android to iOS, it can also make the message transfer smooth and seamless with a few clicks.

  • It transfers text messages from iPhone to iPhone directly without iCloud or iTunes backups.
  • You can browse and choose specific messages or the message app to transfer to your new iPhone.
  • Besides text messages, it supports photos, videos, contacts, notes, music, and more.
  • It supports cross-platform data transfer, such as transferring messages from Android to iPhone and vice versa.
  • It allows you to transfer WhatsApp messages and attachments from iPhone to iPhone.

Here's how to transfer messages to new iPhone without iCloud:

Step 1. Connect two iPhones to your computer (PC/Mac/laptop) with compatible USB cables and tap on "Trust This Computer" on the devices to continue. Run EaseUS MobiMover and navigate to "Phone to Phone". Next, you need to determine the direction, from the source iPhone [name] to the destination iPhone [name], and then click "Next" to continue.

how to transfer files from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud - step 1

Step 2. With MobiMover, you can sync all the files listed below from one iPhone to the other without using iCloud. After choosing the desired data, click "Transfer" to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without any hassle. If you find some data types, such as Contacts, Notes, or Messages are not allowed to be moved, please turn off the iCloud service for these apps at first.

how to transfer files from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud - step 2

Step 3. Wait patiently until the syncing process finished. Go to the related applications to check the content.

how to transfer files from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud - step 3

With EaseUS MobiMover, you can also explore how to sync text messages from iPhone to Mac.

Move Text Messages to New iPhone Without iCloud via Quick Start

You can transfer text messages to new iPhone without iCloud by using Apple's Quick Start. It is available on devices running iOS 12.4 or later. Quick Start allows you to transfer messages and other data quickly from your iPhone to your new one wirelessly. You can easily transfer text messages, videos, photos, and more to fix the 'how to transfer messages to a new iPhone' issue, without needing an iCloud backup or iTunes.

Step 1. Ensure both your old and new iPhones are connected to Wi-Fi and have Bluetooth enabled.

Step 2. Turn on your new iPhone and place it near your old iPhone. The Quick Start screen will appear on the new device.

quick start iPhone

Step 3. On your old iPhone, tap Continue when prompted. An animation will appear on the new iPhone's screen. Use your old iPhone to scan the animation.

does-quick-start-transfer-everything-2.png

Step 4. Enter the old iPhone's passcode on new iPhone when asked. Follow the on-screen setup instructions, including setting up Face ID or Touch ID.

Step 5. When you reach the App & Data screen, choose Transfer Directly from iPhone.

how-to-transfer-data-from-iphone-to-iphone-without-quick-start-3.png

Step 6. Then, it will move all your data, including text messages, attachments, and settings, directly to the new device. Keep both iPhones close until the transfer completes.

quick-start-data-transfer-process.jpg

Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone Without iCloud via iTunes

To transfer messages to new iPhone without iCloud, you can use iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later) to create a full backup of your old device and then restore the backup onto your new iPhone. This method transfers all data, including text messages, but it does not allow for selective messages. Therefore, if you want to share a few pieces of messages, you can switch to other methods like EaseUS MobiMover.

Step 1. Connect your old iPhone to the computer and launch iTunes or Finder.

Step 2. Under the Summary tab, ensure you choose "This Computer." Optionally, it depends on you to encrypt the backup file or not. Then, click Back Up Now.

backup-iphone-with-itunes.png

Step 3. Once the backup is complete, disconnect the old iPhone and connect your new iPhone.

Step 4. When setting up the new iPhone, choose Restore from this backup, and select the backup file you just created. Alternatively, you can launch iTunes and choose Restore Backup under the Summary tab.

restore-backup-itunes.png

Step 5. Wait for the restore process to complete. Your messages and all other data will be transferred to the new iPhone.

Note:

  • This process will overwrite all existing data on the new iPhone.
  • You cannot restore only messages. You have to restore the whole backup file.

Bonus: How to Transfer Text Messages from Android to New iPhone Without iCloud

Method 1. Move to iOS

Apple builds the Move to iOS app for Android devices to create a seamless data transfer experience. You can easily transfer text messages, videos, photos, and more to fix the 'how to transfer messages to new iPhone' issue.

Here's how to move your text messages to your iPhone without iCloud using Quick Start:

Step 1. Download and install the Move to iOS app on your Android phone.

Step 2. Connect your Android phone and your iPhone to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3. Open the Move to iOS app on your Android smartphone and accept the license agreement.

Step 4. Quick Start your iPhone and turn it on to make the iOS setup page pop up. If you encounter a problem on this step, check iPhone Quick Start Not Working on iPhone 14/13 for more information.

Step 5. Now follow the prompts until you reach the menu "Move Data from Android."

move data from android

Step 6. Your iPhone will generate a code. Enter the code on your Android phone.

enter one-time code

Step 7. Wait for your iPhone and Android smartphone to pair up.

Step 8. Now you need to select what data you want to transfer to your Android device. Select "Messages."

Step 9. Select "Continue," and the transfer will begin. Allow a few moments for it to complete.

click continue

Method 2. Transfer Text Messages to a New iPhone Using SMS Backup & Restore

SMS Backup and Restore is a message-transferring app for Android devices that lets you transfer iMessage to a new iPhone. This program allows you to easily transfer unlimited text messages from your Android device to your latest iPhone.

Now, here's how to transfer text messages to a new iPhone using SMS Backup and Restore:

Step 1. Download and install SMS Backup & Restore on your Android device from the Play Store.

Step 2. Open the app and grant all the permissions.

SMS Backup and restore

Step 3. Select the option "Set up a backup" and select the messages you want to back up.

Step 4. You'll be asked to select a cloud platform to back up this data.

back up selections

Step 5. Select your cloud service and select the backup frequency.

Step 6. Tap on "Backup now" to begin the backup.

Step 7. While the backup is being completed, download and install SMS Backup and Restore on your iPhone.

Step 8. Open the app and grant the permission settings that the app is requesting.

Step 9. Now, select the "Restore" option to restore all of your messages on your iPhone.

Conclusion

So those are some quick ways to transfer text messages to your new iPhone. They are quick and easy to follow for the most part, but our favorite method to transfer the files to the iPhone is using EaseUS MobiMover.

  • It transfers text messages and WhatsApp data; it can also back up and transfer WhatsApp data to a PC.
  • It has a plethora of other options too, which makes it our personal favorite!

FAQs on Transfer Text Messages to a New iPhone Without iCloud

Here we answer a few questions about transferring text messages to an iPhone without iCloud:

1. What are the steps to transfer text messages to a new iPhone with iCloud?

To transfer text messages to a new iPhone using iCloud:

  • On your old iPhone: go to Settings > iCloud. Ensure Messages is toggled on to sync your messages.
  • On your new iPhone: go to Settings > iCloud > Your Name > Messages.
  • This will keep your messages updated across devices with the same Apple Account.

2. Can I transfer text messages to a new iPhone after setup?

You can do so by using programs like EaseUS MobiMover or SMS Backup & Restore.

3. Can I transfer text messages to a new iPhone with AirDrop?

You cannot AirDrop entire text message conversations from one iPhone to another. However, you can share individual bubbles or message attachments like photos, videos, or links via AirDrop. To share a specific message:

  • Open the Messages app, and hold the message bubble you want to transfer.
  • Select More > Share > AirDrop.
  • Choose the target iPhone and receive it on that iPhone.

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Updated by Myra

Myra joined EaseUS in 2017. As a big fan of Apple products, she mainly focuses on iOS data transfer and iOS troubleshooting tips. Meanwhile, she is expanding her knowledge and skills in other fields like data recovery and disk management.

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