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

How Do I Transfer My Apple Device to Another Device?

I’m getting a 16 Pro Max and currently have an iPhone 14. Is there a way to migrate all my apps, photos, notes, health data, etc. from the old iPhone to the new one? Do you guys have any suggestions?

- Question from Apple Community

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. 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 the 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 2. 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 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 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 3. 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 old iPhone and plug in new iPhone to computer. Click on the Device icon and tap “Restore Backup” to wait for the iOS device-to-device migration to finish.

Way 4. Use an iOS Migration Tool for Data Transfer

Apart from the above three methods, you can also 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 to iPhone transfer app, with a streamlined interface, can help you easily transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone, including contacts, photos, videos, and other files, and it will not overwrite existing files on the target device. You can securely transfer all your iPhone data to a new device with one click or create a selective transfer for specific files.

This tool is widely compatible with the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16, as well as earlier versions of iOS and other iOS devices including iPad and iPod Touch. Get this tool and follow the guide below to easily complete the iPhone data transfer now.

>>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 “Start Transfer”.

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 “Start Transfer” to start the migration process.

※Note: You can also transfer photos, music, videos, contacts, and files from iPhone to iPhone with the AOMEI FoneBackup app, which enables you to migrate data without computer. Please download AOMEI FoneBackup App from the App Store or scan the QR code below to catch it.

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.