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Tutorial on Transferring Data from iPhone to iPhone

"I just got my new iPhone 15, the Animoji is really amazing, but I encountered a problem, I have downloaded a lot of important data on my old iPhone 6, especially my favorite game app, you know that I have played it for years. How to transfer these contents and apps to my new iPhone? Please help." ;

Every time when Apple released new mobile devices, some people will search for how to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone on forums and social media. If you have searched this question online, you will discover that iTunes and iCloud are the most common ways to do this job.

Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone

It is true that iTunes and iCloud are able to transfer staff from iPhone to iPhone; however, many people still not understand what data they can transfer and how to do it exactly. Don't worry! We are going to answer these questions and provide all necessary knowledge that you should know about these iPhone file transfer tools. Moreover, we will share more options in this tutorial to help people who do not like iCloud and iTunes to switch from old iPhone to new iPhone. If you are ready, let's start the journey right now.

Part 1: Transfer data from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes

iTunes is a traditional way to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone. Apple released iTunes in 2001 as a media library. Users could purchase music, videos and aps with in iTunes. As Apple introduces new features continuously, iTunes has become a mobile device manager. Around transferring everything from iPhone to iPhone, the tips you should know include:

1. iTunes is a desktop application available to Windows and Mac computers. You have to download and install it on your computer. But don't worry; it is free to download on Apple website.

2. What you can sync with iTunes includes albums, music, playlists, videos, movies, books, podcasts, audiobooks, contacts, photos, calendars. iTunes cannot backup contents from iTunes and App Stores, files synced from iTunes, photos stored in the cloud, Touch ID settings, Apply Pay information and settings. If want to backup Activity, Health, and Keychain data, you have to use the encrypted iTunes backup.

3. It uses a USB cable to transfer data between iOS devices and computer.

Now, you might understand that the methods to transfer purchased contents and other data with iTunes are different.

Way 1: How to sync purchased content from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes

Step 1. To transfer purchased music or videos from iPhone to iPhone, open the new version of iTunes, unfold the "Account" menu and hit "Sign In". Enter your Apple ID that you use to purchase contents on your iOS device.

Sign In iTunes Accounts

Step 2. Go to "Account" > "Authorization" and hit "Authorize This Computer". Next, use the Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your computer, go to the File menu at upper left corner, select "Devices" and click "Transfer Purchases from [device]" to download purchases from iPhone to iTunes Library.

Step 3. Next, remove the previous iPhone and connect the new iPhone with your computer. On the main interface of iTunes, click the iPhone icon at top ribbon, go to the "Summary" tab, and check the box of "Manually manage music and videos" under Options section. If you want to sync music from iPhone to iPhone, go to the "Music" tab under "Summary", select desired songs and drag and drop them to "On My Device" area on left hand column.

Video Music

Note: This way is available to movies, TV shows, podcasts, audiobooks and other purchased music and videos.
Moreover, if you select automatic sync feature in Summary tab, all purchases contents will be synced to new iPhone, and existing data will be deleted. This way is able to transfer data from iPad to iPad as well.

Way 2: How to transfer info from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes

Step 1. If you have enabled Wi-Fi syncing feature in "iTunes" > "Summary" > "Options", place your iPhone and computer to the same Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, connect your old iPhone to your computer with a USB cable.

Transfer Info

Step 2. Click the "Device" icon after iTunes recognize your iPhone, then go to the Info tab and check the boxes in front of Sync Contacts, Sync Calendars, Mail account and other data as you wish. Once click the "Apply" button, the information will go to your computer.

Sync Contacts

Step 3. Wait for the process to complete, disconnect the old iPhone and then attach your new iPhone to your computer. Then sync the corresponding info from computer to new iPhone. Congratulations, now you complete transfer info from iPhone to iPhone.

Way 3: How to transfer stuff from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes backup

Step 1. Use the Lightning cable to link the old iPhone to your computer. Run the latest version of iTunes, and click the "Device" icon at top left corner after your device is recognized.

Step 2. Head to the "Summary" tab from left hand column and navigate to the "Backups" area on right window. Make sure to select "This computer" option and then hit the "Back Up Now" button to create a backup for everything on old iPhone.

iTunes iPhone

Step 3. Wait for the process to finish, remove the old iOS device and then connect the new iPhone to the computer.

Step 4. Also head to the "Summary" tab from left side and click the "Restore Backup" button under "Backups" area. Select the latest backup file on the popup dialog and click the "Restore" button to start transferring everything to new iPhone.

Restore Backup

Note: If there is data on your new iPhone, you'd better make a backup first since this way will delete all existing data on the target iPhone. iTunes backup is also a good option on transferring old iPad to new iPad.

Part 2: Transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone via iCloud

iCloud is a cloud service, which Apple released to help users expand internal storage capacity and transfer data between Apple devices. The data iCloud could sync to new iPhone includes photos, mail, contacts, calendars, notes, reminders, Safari history, Apple Pay and keychain. If you want to transfer everything to new iPhone, iCloud backup is a proper option.

Way 1: How to transfer contacts, calendars, mail, photos, reminders, or notes from iPad to iPad

Step 1. To transfer old iPad to new iPad, go to "Settings" > "iCloud", make sure to sign in your iCloud account and turn on the desired data types, like Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Notes, Safari, Home, Wallet, and Keychain. Once your old iPad is online, the corresponding data will sync to your iCloud account.

iCloud Settings

Step 2. Next, switch to the new iPad, head to the iCloud screen in Settings app. If you have signed in another iCloud account, tap on Sign out and then hit Sign in to log in the Apple ID and password associated on the old iPad.

Step 3. Make sure the new iPad connects to a Wi-Fi network, and put the switch of each option on iCloud screen to ON position, the data will sync to your new iPad automatically. If prompted, tap on "Merge" to combine the data from old iPad with existing data on your new iPad.

iCloud Data

Way 2: How to transfer everything to new iPhone with iCloud backup

Step 1. To transfer everything to new iPhone, you have to use the iCloud backup. First of all, go to "Settings" > "iCloud" > "Storage" > "Manage Storage", tap your device and make sure all apps are enabled.

Manage Storage iPhone

Step 2. Back to the iCloud settings screen, tap on "Backup", turn on "iCloud Backup" and hit "Back Up Now" to create an iCloud backup for all data. It may take an hour or longer to complete the whole process depending on the amount of data stored on your old iPhone.

Backup via iCloud

Step 3. Next, turn on the new iPhone, and set up it following onscreen assistant. When prompted, enter your Wi-Fi credential. When you reach the "Apps & Data" screen, select "Restore from iCloud backup" and enter the Apple ID and password that you used to back up the old iPhone.

Restore from iCloud Backup

Step 4. Choose the latest backup file and tap Restore to transfer old iPhone to new iPhone. Then complete rest setup steps when restore is done.

Note: If there is data on the target iPhone, you have to execute factory reset first. Navigate to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset", select "Erase All Content and Settings". After your iPhone restart, you will be presented the welcome screen like a new device.

Erase All Data

Part 3: Transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone using iPhone Transfer

As you can see, transferring everything from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes/iCloud is a bit complicated. Therefore, we recommend Apeaksoft iPhone Transfer, which is one of the best iPhone file transfer tools, offering many useful features, such as:
1. One-click sync. This iPhone file transferring software is able to transfer everything from one iPhone to another, or transfer data to new iPad in one click.
2. Backup iPhone. You can back up iPhone to computer before sync to new iOS device to prevent from data loss.
3. Selectively transfer. It has the capacity to display all data on your old iPhone and allow you to select specific ones to save to the new device.
4. No damage on existing data. The biggest advantage is to combine the data from old iPhone with current data on the new iPhone automatically. It does not interrupt existing data on both iPhones.
5. Faster and safer. It uses USB cable to transfer files between iDevices, which is quicker and safer.
6. Higher compatibility. The iPhone Transfer supports all iOS devices, including iPhone 15/14/13/12/11/XS/XR/X/8/7 and iPad Pro/Air/mini or earlier generations.
7. And it has two versions, one for Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/XP and the other one for Mac OS.
In a word, it is one of the easiest options to transfer stuff from iPhone to iPhone quickly.

How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone with iPhone Transfer

Step 1. Connect both iPhones to iPhone Transfer

Download the right version based on your operating system; install it on your computer and then plug your one iPhone and the other iPhone to the computer via Lightning cables. Open the best iPhone file transfer application, it will discover the files automatically.

Interface

Step 2. Preview data on iPhone 5 for transfer

Click the one iPhone name on top left corner, and select the desired data type from left hand, like Media, Photos, Book, Contacts, SMS, etc. Then you can select certain files by ticking the checkboxes next, or select all files.

Tip: To avoid data loss, you'd better backup selected data to computer first. Go to the "Export to" menu, select "Export to PC/Mac" and pick a folder to save it.

Preview Data

Step 3. Transfer data to new iPhone

After select all data that you want to put to the new iPhone, unfold the "Export to" menu and select "Export to [new iPhone's name]". The loading bar will show you the process. When it is complete, quit the application and disconnect your iPhones from your computer.

Transfer Data to New iPhone

Part 4: FAQs of Transferring data from iPhone to iPhone

1. Can I use Quick Start to transfer data from an old iPhone to a new one?

If you are using iOS 11 or later, Quick Start offers the option to help you transfer all your data wirelessly from your current iPhone to your new one.

2. How to transfer data directly from one iPhone to another?

For iPhone running on iOS 12.4 or later, you can use iPhone migration to transfer data directly from your previous iPhone to your new one. You can do this wirelessly, or by connecting the devices together. You can choose the wired method or choose to connect iPhones together.

3. How to transfer iTunes backup to new iPhone?

To transfer iTunes backup to your new iPhone, connect your device to your computer and then open iTunes. When the device appears in iTunes, select it and then select Restore Backup. Then, choose the recent backup you created. If the backup is encrypted, you may need to enter the password. Wait for the restoring process and complete the set-up process.

4. How to use AirDrop to send data from iPhone to iPhone?

Before you begin, make sure that the person you're sending to is nearby and within Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range. Open an app, and then tap Share or the Share button. Then, tap the AirDrop user that you want to share with.

Conclusion:

How to transfer data from iPad to iPad or iPhone to iPhone is always an important skill when you upgrade to a new iOS device. In this tutorial, we have shared three best ways to do it simply.

iTunes is one of the most common ways to transfer data to new iPad/iPhone. You might understand how to transfer every data types to new iPhone by iTunes syncing and backup features. iCloud can do the job with similar ways, though the data types supported are a bit different.

On the other hand, we also shared another iPhone file transfer, Apeaksoft iPhone Transfer, to transfer old iPhone to new iPhone easily. We wish that our guides and suggestions are helpful. If you have more questions related to this job, feel free to leave a message below.

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