How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud

Whenever you buy a new iPhone, you need to transfer data to the new iPhone, iCloud is certainly not a good choice. 4 easy ways to learn how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud.

By @Kathy Last Updated July 31, 2024
 

iPhone to iPhone transfer without iCloud.

Hi all, is there a way to transfer from one iPhone to another iPhone without enabling iCloud? I am planning to buy an iPhone 15 pro and keep my old XS, but would like all things transferred without using iCloud (not a big fan of this feature). Any guidance please? Thank you.

- Question from Apple Community

For people who need to switch to a new iPhone, restoring iCloud backup or enabling iCloud syncing will be a good way to transfer data between iPhones, but iCloud is only a cloud storage service with certain limitations on data transfer: Only offers 5 GB of free storage; requires stable Internet connection; not support selective transfer; less secure; can't transfer iPhone to iPhone with different Apple ID...

Can you transfer iPhone data without iCloud? Of course! We have compiled 4 safer and more effective ways to help you transfer files from iPhone to iPhone. Here are some simple comparisons that may help you choose the right way.

Method FoneTool >> Go Quick Start >> Go iTunes >> Go AirDrop >> Go
Full Transfer ×
Selective Transfer × ×
Media Files × ×
No Data Erase × ×
Connection USB Wireless USB Wireless
Effectiveness High Moderate Low High

1. How to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone without iCloud [Easiest]

FoneTool is an iOS data transfer tool that can help you transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone with USB cable in one click.

FoneTool
Best Free iPhone Transfer Software
  • Transfer all data between iPhones in 1 click.
  • Selectively transfer photos, contacts, WhatsApp, etc. 
  • Fast transfer speed allows you to transfer GBs of data in minutes.
  • 100% safe and reliable iPhone transfer solution, fast and easy.
  • Compatible with all iOS devices and the latest iOS 18.

Launch FoneTool and learn how to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud in one-click even if they are using different Apple IDs.

Step 1. Open FoneTool, click Phone Transfer > iPhone to iPhone and tap Get Started.

⚠️Note:
  • This iPhone-to-iPhone transfer will erase all current data on your targeted iPhone, so it's better to use FoneTool's phone backup feature to back up new iPhone to PC first.

Step 2. Connect both of your iPhones to the computer via 2 USB cables > Confirm that your source iPhone and target iPhone are in the right position. Tap on Start Transfer to switch all iPhone data.

💡 Tip: If you have only one USB cable, you can use FoneTool to back up old iPhone first (Phone Backup > Full Backup) and then go to My Backups to restore the backup to your new iPhone. This restoration action will also erase all current data on your targeted iPhone.

🌟 How to move contacts from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud?

Except for all iPhone data transfer, you can also selectively transfer iPhone photos, videos, contacts, music and ringtones to another iPhone (Go to Phone Transfer > Choose iPhone to PC to transfer contacts to computer > Go to PC to iPhone to transfer data to your new iPhone). 

2. How to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud - Quick Start

If both your old iPhone and new iPhone are running iOS 12.4 or later, Quick Start is also a way for many users to choose to transfer iPhone to iPhone, especially for those who buy the latest iPhone 15. It needs to be used before the iPhone is set up.

Step 1. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on both iPhones. Place your new iPhone near the old one, and wait for the Quick Start screen to appear on the old iPhone.

Step 2. Make sure that it's the Apple ID that you want to use, then tap Continue.

Step 3. When an animation appears on your new iPhone, capture it and activate your new iPhone.

Step 4. Enter the passcode on new iPhone and follow the instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID, iMessage, etc.

Step 5. On the Transfer Data from iPhone screen, tap Continue to begin.

⚠️Note:
  • Make sure that the new iPhone has a higher system version than the old one, otherwise Quick Start won't work.

  • If you've already set up your new iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to erase your device. (You do lose all your existing data, you'd better back up iPhone for data protection.)

3. How to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud - iTunes

You can also let iTunes help you transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone. First make a backup for old iPhone and then restore iTunes backup to new iPhone. The whole process is not complicated, but please note that you will lose all the data on your new iPhone.

Step 1. Download iTunes and install it on your computer. Launch iTunes and connect your old iPhone to computer.

Step 2. Choose Device tab > Go to the Summary tab.

Step 3. Select This Computer > Click Back Up Now to backup old iPhone.

Step 4. When the backup is completed, plug in new iPhone. Go to Summary and choose Restore Backup > Restore to move data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud.

4. How to transfer iPhone to iPhone without iCloud wirelessly - AirDrop

AirDrop allows users to wirelessly share files such as photos, and videos between two iPhones. However, this method only supports selecting a small number of files at a time, which is extremely inefficient. Please turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on iPhones and learn how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using AirDrop. Here we take contacts as an example to show the steps.

Step 1. Open the Control Center on the target iPhone and enable AirDrop: Press the wireless control box > Tap AirDrop > Contacts Only, or Everyone.

Step 2. Open the Contacts app on the source iPhone, find and select the contact you want to share.

Step 3. Tap on the Share Contacts option, select AirDrop, and then select the target iPhone to confirm.

Step 4. On the target iPhone, tap the Accept button to receive the contacts.

FAQs on transferring data from iPhone to iPhone

If you still have questions about how to transfer information from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud, here may be the answer you need. 

#1. Can I transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without Apple ID?

If you forgot your Apple ID password, you can use a third-party tool or AirDrop to transfer your data from iPhone to iPhone without Apple ID. If you just don't want to rely on iCloud, which requires Apple ID to sign in, you can also use Quick Start to complete the data transfer.

#2. What is the fastest way to transfer data to a new iPhone?

Overall, the time it takes to transfer data depends on the amount of data you transfer. In the case of transferring the same amount of data, the third-party transfer tool > Quick Start > iCloud > iTunes.

Final words

You can learn how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud through the above 4 methods. One of the most prominent software, FoneTool, satisfies the needs of most people, you can easily transfer everything or a certain file to another iPhone without losing any data.

For people who wonder to know how to backup iPhone without iCloud, FoneTool is also a handy tool to help you easily make it!