How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone [2024 Guide]

Applies To: iPhone or iPad running iOS 8 and later

This article will provide six methods on how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. These solutions apply to any iOS/iPad device. The six ways are using professional iOS data transfer software, AirDrop, iCloud, iTunes, or Quick Start. Whether you intend to transfer everything from one iPhone to another or copy some files from one iOS device to another, you will find a feasible alternative to transfer files between iPhones from the methods provided below.

The solutions to transfer data from one iPhone to another vary depending on whether you have set up the target iOS device.

🏷️Part 1. How to Transfer Data from One iPhone to Another

If you want to transfer specific files to an iPhone that have already been set up, using iTunes or iCloud is unnecessary. Syncing data with iTunes or iCloud backup will overwrite iPhone content in these categories, erasing all your existing files and causing possible data loss on the target device. Besides, you can not selectively transfer stuff from one iPhone to another when syncing data from iTunes or iCloud backup.

Given that, I recommend you try one of the three ways below.

1️⃣Move Data from One iPhone to Another with EaseUS MobiMover

EaseUS MobiMover Pro, an iOS data transfer tool, can help you transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, including photos, videos, audio files (music, ringtones, audiobooks), contacts, books, Notes, Messages, and Podcasts, without deleting existing files on the target device. With this tool, you can transfer all data, like photos and videos, from one iPhone to another at once or transfer specific files you've selected. (Undoubtedly, you can transfer data from iPhone to iPad using this tool.)

To transfer stuff from one iPhone to another:

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.

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.

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

Apart from transferring stuff from one iPhone to another, EaseUS MobiMover also transfers files between an iPhone and a computer, downloading videos from websites like YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and Metacafe. If you want to back up iPhone data to a computer, you can do it quickly with EaseUS MobiMover. Get it now to manage your iOS data.

2️⃣AirDrop Data from One iPhone to Another

AirDrop is a built-in feature on Apple iOS devices and Macs. AirDrop lets you transfer files like photos, videos, documents, locations, websites, and more between two Apple devices, with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on. Thus, let's see how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using AirDrop. (If AirDrop is not working on your iPhone or iPad, learn how to fix it or try alternative ways.)

Step 1. Set up the Airdrop Settings on the two iPhones to ensure the target device can receive files from Contacts or everyone. Set this in "Settings" > "General" > "Airdrop."

Step 2. Turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on the two iPhones. Ensure the two iPhones are close to each other and the personal hotspot is not on either of the devices.

Step 3. Select the files you want to transfer, for example, photos, and click the "Share" button.

Step 4. Click "AirDrop" and select the target device by tapping the icon.

Step 5. On the target iPhone, click "Accept" to receive items. The selected files will be sent to the target device in seconds.

Undoubtedly, you can also transfer data from iPad to iPad using AirDrop.

3️⃣Sync Photos from One iPhone to Another via iCloud

iCloud is the cloud storage service provided by Apple that allows you to sync photos, contacts, calendars, and more across your Apple devices. By turning on iCloud on both of your iPhones, you can achieve the goal of transferring data from iPhone to iPhone. Let's take sharing photos as an example.

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > [your name] > "iCloud" to turn on iCloud sync for apps you want to get data from.

Step 2. Ensure you have signed into the devices with the same Apple ID and password.

Step 3. The photos will be synced to iCloud over WiFi. When it's done, you can check the data on the target iPhone.

iCloud only provides 5GB of free space. If that's not enough for you, free up iCloud space or purchase extra iCloud storage. You can also choose the other two ways to transfer data from one iPhone to another without iCloud.

If you are not setting up a new iPhone and want to transfer data from one iPhone to another, these three ways are best for you. If you want to set up your new iPhone and transfer data to your new iPhone during the process, try one of the following ways instead.

🏷️Part 2. How to Transfer Everything from iPhone to iPhone

If you get a new iPhone and want to know how to transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone or other content, you can use Quick Start, iCloud backup, or iTunes, which will help you switch to your new phone seamlessly.

4️⃣Transfer Data from the Previous iPhone to the New iPhone via Quick Start (for iOS 12.4 and later)

If both of your devices run iOS 12.4 and later, you can use the iPhone Migration feature Quick Start to set up your new iPhone quickly.

Let's see how to transfer data from one iPhone to another wirelessly with Quick Start.

Step 1. Turn on Bluetooth on your previous iPhone and turn on your new iPhone.

Step 2. Place the target iPhone near your old iPhone. Then, you will see the Quick Start screen on your old iPhone showing the option of using your Apple ID to set up your new iPhone.

Step 3. Ensure it's the Apple ID you want to use, and click "Continue."

Step 4. Afterward, you can see an animation on the new iPhone. Hold the old iPhone over the new one, center the animation in the viewfinder, and then you can see a message saying, "Finish on New iPhone."

Step 5. Enter the passcode of the other iPhone on your new iPhone.

Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up FaceID or Touch ID on the new device. Click "Continue," and you will be given the option to transfer data from your iPhone and download data from iCloud.

Step 7. Choose "Transfer from iPhone" and continue setting up your new iPhone. After all is set up, it will transfer data from your old iPhone to the new one with a message like "Transfer Data From [Apple ID]."

Step 8. After the transfer, apps and data will continue downloading in the background. After all information is downloaded, everything is transferred from your old iPhone to the new iPhone.

5️⃣Sync Data from Old iPhone to New iPhone via iCloud Backup

An iCloud backup is another wireless way to transfer all data from an old iPhone to a new iPhone. Before you start, make sure there is enough iCloud storage for you to make a backup of your previous iOS device and turn on iCloud backup on your source iPhone by going to "Settings" > [your name] > "iCloud" > "iCloud Backup." Afterward, you can transfer iCloud to a new iPhone to simultaneously migrate data from the old iPhone to the new one.

After the backup, follow the steps below to transfer everything from one iPhone to another.

Notes: To restore the new iPhone from an iCloud backup, you must enter the App & Data screen, which appears during the iPhone setup. Thus, this is applied to the new iPhone setup. Otherwise, you must erase your iPhone first to sync data from an iCloud backup.

Step 1. Turn on your new device and follow the on-screen steps until you see the Wi-Fi screen.

Step 2. Connect to a Wi-Fi network and proceed until you see the App & Data screen.

Step 3. Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup."

Step 4. Sign in to iCloud with the Apple ID and password you use on your old iPhone.

Step 5. Choose an iCloud backup to restore. Wait for the process to complete, and you'll find the data on your new iPhone.

6️⃣Transfer Data from One iPhone to Another via iTunes Backup

If you prefer to transfer data from one iPhone to another with iTunes, you can back up data on one iPhone to iTunes and restore the backup to the new iPhone via iTunes. It's worth noting that the restore process will overwrite data on the other iPhone. The content of the other iPhone will be erased if there is any.

Step 1. Connect your old iPhone to your computer using USB.

Step 2. In iTunes, click the "Device" button and "Summary."

Step 3. Click "Back Up Now" to start backing up your old iPhone.

Once the backup is made, follow the steps below to transfer data to your other iPhone.

Step 1. Turn on the other iPhone and follow the setup steps until you see the Apps & Data screen. Skip this if you are not transferring data to a new iPhone.

Step 2. Choose "Restore from Mac or PC" and connect your new iPhone to the computer you used to back up your old iPhone data.

Step 3. Click the "Device" tab in iTunes and then "Restore Backup."

Step 4. Choose the backup you've just made and wait for the process to finish. (If you have encrypted the backup, you will need to enter the password before the restoring process.)

Step 5. Finish the rest of the setup steps.

You can check the difference between an iCloud and iTunes backup here.

🏷️The Bottom Line

The solution varies when you seek answers on how to transfer everything from one iPhone to another, depending on whether you've set up this iPhone. If you have set up the device, you can use professional iPhone data transfer software like EaseUS MobiMover, Apple file-sharing utility - AirDrop, or iCloud to transfer stuff from one iPhone to another. However, if you haven't set up the device yet and want to transfer data to the new iPhone seamlessly, using Quick Start, iCloud backup, or iTunes backup is recommended.

Carry out the way best suited to your needs.

🏷️FAQs on How to Transfer Data from One iPhone to Another

Here is a list of frequently asked questions related to how to move data from one iPhone to another. Hope their answers assist you further:

1. Will transferring data from one iPhone to another delete everything?

You can transfer your data to the new device without removing anything if everything fits on it. You might need to eliminate or optimize some of your current stuff if switching to a device with reduced storage space.

2. Can I transfer data from iPhone to iPhone after setting it up manually?

To transfer data between iPhones after set up, you can use an advanced data transfer tool like EaseUS MobiMover to transfer all your data manually.

3. Will my apps automatically transfer to a new iPhone?

Your data and apps will automatically download if you download from iCloud so that you may use your new iPhone right away.