4 Top Ways for iOS Device-to-Device Migration | How-to Guide

For those who have purchased a new device, it is undoubtedly a very important thing to migrate the data on the old device to the new one. Because important data such as contacts, photos, text messages, etc. are usually saved on the old device.

Manually transferring data is usually very cumbersome. Is it possible to perform an iOS device-to-device migration directly? The answer is yes. In addition to using tools provided by Apple like Quick Start and iCloud, professional iOS device transfer tools can make the tough task an easy thing.

Next, we will introduce you to 4 ways of device-to-device migration for iPhone and other iOS devices. Let's get down to business.

Way 1. Use an iOS Migration Tool for Data Transfer

You can use a professional iOS device transfer tool to perform data transfer. If you want to transfer data to your already set up iPhone, iPad, iPod touch without iCloud or iTunes and save files on your existing devices, AOMEI FoneBackup is what you need.

This iPhone transfer tool, with a streamlined interface, can help you easily transfer iPhone data to other locations, including contacts, photos, videos, and other files, and it will not overwrite existing files on the target device.

>>Full Data Transfer from iPhone to iPhone:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI FoneBackup and connect your two iPhones to PC.

Step 2. Click on the "iPhone to iPhone"button on the Phone Transfer tab.

Step 3. Enable backup encryption in the source device and click Start Transfer to initiate the task.

>>Selective Data Transfer from iPhone to iPhone:

Step 1. Run AOMEI FoneBackup and plug in your old iPhone to computer.

Step 2. Select "Phone Transfer" > ”iPhone to PC".

Step 3. Click the “+”icon to choose items you want to get migrated. Then, determine the destination location for saving data and click “StartTransfer”.

Step 4. Disconnect the old iPhone and connect your new iPhone to computer. Then, click on “PC to iPhone”on the Home interface of AOMEI FoneBackup.

Step 5. Click the “+”icon to locate data you intend to transfer to your iPhone and Press “StartTransfer”to start the migration process.

Way 2. Create iOS Device-to-Device Migration with Quick Start

Quick Start is a device-to-device wireless data migration tool that allows you to set up new iPhone from old iPhone. You can use Quick Start to transfer your settings, apps, and other data from your old device to your new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. But Quick Start only works on devices with iOS 11 or later.

Before following the steps below to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, you should make sure that your two iPhones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and in the Bluetooth range.

Step 1. Turn on both iPhones, keep them close to each other, and make sure Bluetooth is turned on.

Step 2. The Quick Start screen appears on your old iPhone and gives the option "Set up New iPhone" using your Apple ID.

Step 3. Tap Continue and wait for your new iPhone to show an animation. Hold your old iPhone over the new one to capture the animation.

Step 4. Wait for the message “Finish on New iPhone” and hit it.

Step 5. Enter the passcode of your old iPhone onto your new device and follow the on-screen instructions to set up Touch ID/ Face ID on new iPhone.

Step 6. Click on “Transfer from iPhone” to start data transfer from your old iPhone.

※Note: It may take a long time to transfer iPhone data, depending on your Internet connection and the amount of data. It's a good idea to have both iPhones charged since running out of power may cause Quick Start not working.

Way 3. Enable iOS Device-to-Device Migration via iCloud

What if your new device is not at hand? Don't worry, you can use iCloud backup and restore to complete iPhone device-to-device migration. iCloud allows you to backup iPhone data you need to the cloud and restore the backup on your new device to complete the data transfer.

However, because iCloud only provides 5GB of free space, using iCloud to transfer data needs to ensure that iCloud storage space is enough to store all iPhone data. If you need to transfer more than 5GB of data, we suggest you turn to other solutions.

Step 1. Go to “Settings” on the previous iPhone > Tap the "Your Name" banner > Select “iCloud Backup”. Turn on “iCloud Backup” and click “Back Up Now” to save your iPhone to iCloud.

Step 2. Run the new iOS device and follow the instructions to set it up using Apple ID with the backup until you get to the Apps & Data screen. Select the “Restore from iCloud Backup” option.

Way 4. Perform iOS Device-to-Device Migration using iTunes

You can also complete Apple device-to-device migration with iTunes, with which you can back up your old iPhone or other iOS device and restore the backed-up data to the new one. The caveat is that iTunes data recovery will overwrite data that already exists on the target device.

Step 1. Run the latest iTunes on your PC and plug in your old iPhone to it.

Step 2. Select your device in the app and tap “Back Up Now” to create a full backup for iPhone.

Step 3. After the backup is finished, disconnect the old iPhone and plug in the new iPhone to the computer. Click on the Device icon and tap “Restore Backup” to wait for the iOS device-to-device migration to finish.

Final Words

There are various solutions for iOS device-to-device migration. Our pick is AOMEI FoneBackup which helps seamlessly switch to a new iOS device without worrying about data loss. Download this software and try it out now.