Back Up Your Old iPhone or iPad
If you have not been backing up your data, now is the time to do so. The best backup method is to use iCloud (or use iTunes on Windows to back up your iPhone). Go to “Settings -> [your name] -> iCloud -> iCloud Backup” and tap on “Back Up Now.” Alternatively, go through iTunes/Finder on either your Mac or PC, as discussed below. We’ve also outlined all of the steps here to backing up your device like a pro. If you have a Apple Watch paired to your old iPhone, you should also unpair it. To do that, open the Watch app on your iPhone and tap on “All Watches” on top. When the screen shows all available watches opens, tap on “i”, then “Unpair.”
1. Transfer Data Using Quick Start
The first of three possible methods for transferring data, “Quick Start” is a phone-to-phone process. The biggest caveat with Quick Start is that both iPhones must be running iOS 12.4 or later and have Bluetooth enabled. Essentially, that means any iPhone 5S or later will work.
2. Using iCloud to Transfer Data
The easiest way to transfer data from your iPhone and iPad to a new device is iCloud.
3. Transferring Data Using Windows and Mac
Downloading your iPhone backup using Windows or Mac has a couple of quick advantages. Right from the start, you remove any reliance on Wi-Fi or power, two things that can cause trouble with either of the two above methods.
Using a Mac to Migrate Your Data Across
Transferring Data to Your New iPhone in Windows
What Data Will Be Restored?
The following data can be restored to the new device, regardless of the restoration method used.
All app dataApple Watch backupsDevice settings like ringtone, Focus mode, Do Not Disturb, etc. Home screen and app organizationiMessages, SMS and MMS messagesPhotos and videos Purchase history including music, TV shows, apps, books, movies, etc. Visual Voicemail messages and password (requires the same SIM card)
iCloud Data
It’s important to note that this information is separate from iCloud-specific information. Content like your Contacts, Calendars, Bookmarks, Notes, Reminders and Voice Memos, iCloud Photos, etc. are all stored in iCloud. One caveat here is that data like Mail, Health data, call history and files in iCloud Drive are not immediately restored via a backup. However, they can be added to iCloud and later included in any iCloud backup but has to be done so manually.
Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication Data
Assuming your data transfer goes off without any trouble, app data should include any passwords and 2FA setups. All three methods should include passwords with one caveat for the desktop transfer method via PC and Mac. Using both the Quick Start and iCloud methods should also keep you automatically signed in to any app as you were on your old phone. On the desktop, for both PC and Mac, in order to transfer passwords and other sensitive info, you need to “Encrypt local backup” ahead of backing up. It should ask you to make a password, so create one and store it safely. After the password is confirmed, your backup will start as normal. When you go to restore the data to a new iPhone, it will ask you to enter the same password to decrypt the data so that it syncs properly with all of your data intact, including sensitive passwords.
Temporary Free iCloud Storage
As part of using iCloud as a data transfer method, your free iCloud space is being used. By default, new iPhone and iPad users receive 5GB of iCloud space. In many cases, the storage that would be included as part of any iCloud backup will exceed the 5GB of free space. In these cases, Apple provides a temporary iCloud storage increase to help assist data transfers.
Prepare Your Old iPhone or iPad for Sale
As Apple devices retain more value than other gadgets in the technology space, selling your device may yield a small windfall. Alternatively, you can also provide your old iPhone or iPad to a friend or family member. In either case, prepping your device is important so that nothing personal is passed along.
1. What happens if my iOS/iPadOS update gets stuck?
A stuck update can be frustrating, but first things first. Give the update a little more time. It’s likely stuck on the black screen with the Apple logo, so be sure and give it a little extra time. Beyond thirty minutes or so, restart your iPhone or iPad and try the software update again.
2. Can someone steal my info from an iPhone or iPad I recently sold?
Only if you didn’t follow the steps above and properly erase all of your settings and information.
3. What if I am moving from the same model, as with a warranty replacement?
All of the above steps apply as a “new” phone doesn’t necessarily have to be an upgraded iPhone or iPad model. New is more of a description of a device you have not previously owned. Be sure to read our review on how to transfer data with PhoneTrans and our review of iCareFone showing how to transfer WhatsApp conversations from an Android to an iPhone.
