These are the greatest hassle-free methods for securely transferring data across phones, even Android ones.
Since the initial model, I have been moving my personal information across iPhones. I would worry about whether I was transferring everything securely or whether I would have to start over and waste hours of waiting time. Because you would like to spend your time discovering new features, such as Apple Intelligence, or customizing the most critical settings on a brand-new phone.
Thankfully, moving data from your current phone—even an Android model—to a new iPhone is now simpler than ever.
Whether you’re starting with a new iPhone 16 or a different model replacing your old phone, I’m here to explain the four simple ways to move your data from your old phone to your new iPhone.
Check out our review of iOS 18 and learn how to download it if you’re updating your phone to the newest version. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the capabilities of Apple Intelligence if your iPhone is an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus from Apple Display Vibrant Colors and Buttons
Table of Contents
1. Use iCloud to restore
You will be prompted throughout the setup process if you choose to use Quick Start to move data and applications straight from your old iPhone to your new one. If it’s been a few years since you’ve upgraded your phone, this function may be new to you because it was initially introduced with iOS 12.4. Restoring from a recent iCloud backup is the simplest and fastest way to set up your new iPhone. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup during the initial setup process, then select the most recent backup of your old iPhone after logging in with your Apple Account (formerly known as Apple ID prior to iOS 18).
Spend a few additional minutes creating a fresh backup if the previous one is older than a day or two. To accomplish this, launch the Settings app on your previous phone, type iCloud Backup into the top-of-screen search bar, and then choose the relevant result. To update the cloud backup, click Back Up Now. After that is done, return to your new iPhone and choose the backup you just made as the restoration point.
In around fifteen minutes, your phone will be ready for use after restoring your settings and preferences. In the background, it will keep downloading the apps you have loaded.
After everything has been restored, you will need to check your applications to make sure you are still logged in and login back into any accounts you added to your phone.
2. Direct transfer from Apple
You can move anything between iPhones wirelessly or with a cable if you don’t have a recent iCloud backup or if your Internet connection is sluggish. Select the direct transfer option when the Quick Start procedure requests the source.
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi connection, both phones (ideally charged and connected in to prevent battery drain), and enough time for the procedure to complete—it may take more than an hour. Using a USB cable to connect both phones may expedite that procedure, but if your existing phone is an iPhone 14 or older with a Lightning connection, you may require an adaptor. Apple provides more information on how to complete a wire transfer.
It will take longer if you have more data on your phone, such as pictures on your camera roll. You will get a time estimate on the phones as the transfer begins. That estimate has always been correct within a few minutes each time we’ve utilized this program. If you don’t backup your phone using Apple’s iCloud service, it’s worth the effort.
3. Make use of a PC or Mac
I always use a Mac or PC to restore from an encrypted backup when I get a new iPhone. In addition to transferring all of your applications, settings, and preferences, this method also saves you from having to log into the many programs on your phone.
You must first make an encrypted backup of your existing iPhone in order to utilize this approach. I understand it could sound daunting or too complex, but it just requires you to enter a password and check one additional box.
To back up your old iPhone on a Mac, use Finder. We described what to do when Apple discontinued iTunes. Just remember to check the Encrypt backup box and provide a memorable password when asked. Allow your Mac to generate a backup file on its own. When it’s finished, it will notify you.
To make a backup on a PC, you’ll need to utilize iTunes (it’s still functional). Here is an explanation of that procedure. Once more, you must provide a password and confirm that the Encrypt backup box is ticked.
Connect your phone to your computer and launch Finder or iTunes to restore your new phone. To restore the phone, choose the backup you just made and follow the instructions after clicking Trust when prompted. Before the procedure starts, you will need to input the password for the backup, so be careful you remember it.
After it’s finished, your new phone will be a perfect replica of your old one, saving you time by eliminating the need to enter into random accounts or applications.
4. For Android users, switch to iOS
Move to iOS is one of the few Android apps from Apple that are available in the Google Play Store. With the help of this free app, you may link your Android phone to a new iPhone and move your most crucial data between the two phones. Here is a detailed guide to the procedure, along with several warnings, such as the fact that no locally stored audio or PDF files will be transferred.
According to Apple, Move to iOS has been revamped to make the process of switching from an Android phone to a new iPhone quicker and simpler. According to the business, Wi-Fi migration has been accelerated with transfer speeds of up to 5GHz, and you may connect your Android phone to your iPhone using Wi-Fi. To speed up the process, Apple suggested using a USB-C or USB-C to Lightning connector to connect your Android phone to your new iPhone.
You’re going to have a great time discovering what your new phone is capable of, regardless of the method you used to set it up.