How to Transfer Data From iPhone to iPhone: 4 Easy Ways With Nothing Lost

• Turn on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on your current iPhone.
• Turn on your new iPhone and place it next to your old one.
• If your new iPhone is already set up, you must erase it first by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. 

Steps to Transfer Directly

• Follow the onscreen prompts on your new iPhone until you see the Quick Start screen.
• Use your current iPhone to scan the animation or QR code that appears on the new device.
• Enter your old device’s passcode on the new iPhone.
• Choose Transfer from iPhone (or select Download from iCloud if you prefer a cloud-based setup).
• Keep both devices near each other and plugged into power until the migration finishes.

A new iPhone is exciting for about five minutes. Then you remember the photos, the messages, the banking app, the chat history and the hundred small settings that make your phone yours. The good news is that Apple built a proper way to move all of it, and most people finish in under an hour with nothing left behind.

This guide shows all four ways to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, tells you which one to choose, lists what does not move automatically, and gives a checklist for people in the UAE, where banking and government apps need extra attention.

How to Transfer Data From iPhone to iPhone: The Quick Answer

The fastest way is Quick Start, which moves everything directly from the old iPhone to the new one:

1. Charge both iPhones and connect them to WiFi.
2. Turn on the new iPhone and place it next to the old one.
3. On the old iPhone, tap Continue when the Quick Start screen appears.
4. Point the old iPhone camera at the animation on the new one.
5. Enter your old iPhone passcode on the new iPhone and set up Face ID.
6. Choose Transfer from iPhone and wait until the progress bar finishes.

Keep the phones close together and plugged in until it says the transfer is complete. If Quick Start does not suit you, read the other three methods below.

Which Transfer Method Should You Choose?

• Both iPhones are with you and working: use Quick Start. It is the fastest and moves the most.
• The old iPhone is broken, lost or already sold: use an iCloud backup or a computer backup, as long as a recent backup exists.
• You want a copy that does not depend on the internet: use a computer backup with Finder.
• You only need photos, contacts or files: use iCloud sync or AirDrop and skip the full transfer.

Before you start with any method, make sure your old iPhone has the latest iOS installed, because transfers work best when both devices run current software.

Before You Transfer: A 10 Minute Checklist

Most failed transfers are caused by things you can fix in advance.

1. Update the old iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Back up the old iPhone. Even if you intend to use Quick Start, a fresh backup is your safety net.
3. Check storage on both phones. The new iPhone must have room for everything. Learn how to check your iPhone storage before you begin.
4. Know your Apple Account password. You will need it to sign in on the new phone.
5. Turn on Bluetooth and WiFi on the old iPhone.
6. Charge both phones above 50 percent, or keep them plugged in.
7. Back up app data that has its own backup. Chat apps such as WhatsApp keep their own backup settings, so open the app and run its chat backup first.
8. Note down your two factor codes. Authenticator apps often do not move automatically.

Method 1: Transfer With Quick Start (Direct Transfer)

Quick Start sends your data straight from one iPhone to the other over a wireless connection or a cable, so it does not need iCloud storage.

1. Switch on the new iPhone and put it near the old one. A Quick Start screen appears on the old iPhone with your Apple Account.
2. Tap Continue on the old iPhone. If you do not see the screen, turn Bluetooth on and unlock the old iPhone.
3. A pattern appears on the new iPhone. Hold the old iPhone over it so the camera can scan it. If the camera cannot be used, tap Authenticate Manually.
4. Enter the passcode of your old iPhone on the new iPhone when asked.
5. Set up Face ID or Touch ID on the new iPhone.
6. On the Transfer Your Data screen, choose Transfer from iPhone. You may also see the option to download from iCloud instead.
7. Follow the on screen steps and choose whether to move settings such as location, privacy and Apple Pay.
8. Wait. The time depends on how much data you have, from about 15 minutes to over an hour, and both phones show an estimate.

Do not use either phone during the transfer. If you have a USB C or Lightning cable and the right adapter, you can also start a wired transfer, which is often faster and more stable than wireless.

Method 2: Transfer With an iCloud Backup

Use this when the old iPhone is not with you or when you cannot keep both phones together.

1. On the old iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud and tap iCloud Backup.
2. Tap Back Up Now and wait for it to finish on WiFi. The date and time of the last backup will update.
3. Turn on the new iPhone and follow the setup steps until you reach Apps & Data.
4. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup and sign in with your Apple Account.
5. Choose the most recent backup from the list.
6. Stay on WiFi and keep the phone charging. Your apps and photos may continue to download for hours after the setup screen appears.

If your iCloud storage is too small to hold the backup, Apple offers temporary extra iCloud storage when you switch iPhones. On the old iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and tap Get Started under Prepare for New iPhone. This lets you back up and restore even if you have not paid for more storage. The temporary space lasts for a limited time, about three weeks.

If a backup cannot be found or fails to restore, read our full guide on how to restore iPhone from backup.

Method 3: Transfer With a Mac or Windows PC

A computer backup does not need iCloud storage and is not affected by internet speed, so it suits people with slow connections or very large data.

1. Connect the old iPhone to your computer with a cable. If this is your first time, follow how to connect phone to laptop.
2. On a Mac, open Finder and select the iPhone. On Windows, open the Apple Devices app or iTunes.
3. Choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac or computer.
4. Tick Encrypt local backup and set a password. This keeps your Health data, saved passwords and WiFi settings in the backup. Write the password down, because it cannot be recovered.
5. Click Back Up Now and wait for it to finish.
6. Disconnect the old iPhone, then connect the new iPhone and open it in Finder or the Apple Devices app.
7. Click Restore Backup, select the backup you just made, enter the password and wait.

Method 4: Move Only What You Need Manually

If you only need certain items, a full transfer is unnecessary.

• Photos and videos: turn on iCloud Photos on both iPhones with the same Apple Account, or send items with AirDrop.
• Contacts, calendars and notes: turn on iCloud sync for each in Settings > your name > iCloud > See All.
• Files: move them to iCloud Drive or send them with AirDrop.
• Messages: turn on Messages in iCloud so your conversations appear on the new device.
• Apps: open the App Store on the new iPhone, tap your profile picture and download apps from your purchase history.

What Does Not Transfer Automatically

Even a perfect transfer leaves a few things that you must set up again. Know them before you sell or reset the old phone.

• Apple Pay and bank cards. You may need to verify each card again, and some banks ask for an SMS or a call.
• Chat history for apps with their own backup. WhatsApp and similar apps restore chats only if their own backup was turned on.
• Authenticator apps. These often need the accounts to be moved or set up again.
• Face ID and Touch ID. They are always set up fresh on the new phone.
• eSIM and mobile number. Your number must be moved by your carrier or through the eSIM transfer option.
• Health data. It moves in an encrypted backup or when Health sync is on in iCloud.
• Some app logins. Apps that use device binding may ask you to sign in again or verify your identity.

UAE Checklist: Banking, UAE PASS and Your Number

People in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across the UAE often find that these are the apps that do not simply reopen on a new phone.

1. Banking apps. Many UAE banks tie your account to one device for security. After you transfer, open each banking app, sign in and follow the device registration steps. If the bank asks for an SMS code or a branch visit, do this before you erase the old iPhone.
2. UAE PASS and government apps. Sign in again and verify your identity on the new phone if the app asks. Keep your Emirates ID ready.
3. Your number and eSIM. If you use a physical SIM, move the SIM card to the new iPhone. If you use an eSIM, contact your carrier, such as e& or du, or use the transfer option that appears during setup, and confirm that calls and data work before you wipe the old phone.
4. WhatsApp. Run the WhatsApp chat backup on the old iPhone first, then verify your number on the new one.
5. Work email and VPN. Company apps may need your IT team to approve the new device.

Keep the old iPhone switched on and unerased for a few days until you have confirmed every one of these works.

After the Transfer: Finish Setting Up

1. Check apps and data. Open Photos, Messages, Contacts and your main apps and confirm everything is there.
2. Let apps finish downloading. Some apps download after the setup screen is finished. Then update your iPhone apps so every app matches the new iOS version.
3. Set up Face ID, Apple Pay and Find My.
4. Check the new phone’s specs and features. If you moved to a next generation model, see the iPhone 18 display specifications to learn what changed.
5. Remove the old phone from your account. Go to Settings > your name, scroll to the old device and tap Remove from Account.
6. Erase the old iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings only after everything above has been confirmed.

Fixes When the iPhone Transfer Does Not Work

Quick Start Does Not Appear

Make sure Bluetooth and WiFi are on in the old iPhone, both phones are unlocked and very close, and the old iPhone runs a recent iOS. Restart both phones and try again.

The Transfer Is Stuck or Very Slow

Move closer to your WiFi router, plug both phones in and avoid using them. If it stays stuck for more than 30 minutes, restart both and try a wired transfer or choose iCloud instead.

“Not Enough Storage” Appears

The new iPhone must be able to hold what you are moving. Delete large files on the old phone first, or move photos to iCloud, and check the space using our storage guide.

The Backup Is Old or Missing

Open Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup on the old iPhone and look at the last backup date. If it is not recent, tap Back Up Now before you start.

You Forgot the Encrypted Backup Password

An encrypted computer backup cannot be opened without its password. Use an iCloud backup instead or restore without that backup and set the phone up again.

Switching iPhones for Work or Events? Consider Renting

Many businesses and event teams in the UAE do not need to buy a new iPhone for every person. When a new model launches, when a team needs phones for a short project, or when you want to test the latest iPhone before you commit to buying it, renting is a practical option.

It also solves a data problem: a rented iPhone should not carry your personal photos, chats and banking apps. Instead of moving a full personal backup, set the rented device up fresh with a company account and only the apps the team needs, then erase it when the job ends.

If the newest model is the reason you are reading this, see how iPhone 17 rental Dubai works for launch periods, or compare IT equipment rental providers to choose a supplier. To check which iPhone models are available for your dates and quantities, contact our rental team.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transferring Data From iPhone to iPhone

How can I transfer everything from my old iPhone to my new iPhone?

The easiest way to transfer almost everything is Quick Start. Place the old and new iPhones together, follow the on-screen setup prompts and choose Transfer from iPhone. Your apps, photos, messages, settings and other compatible data can then move directly between the two devices without needing an iCloud backup.

How do I transfer data from my old iPhone to my new iPhone without losing data?

To reduce the risk of losing data, create a fresh backup before starting the transfer and keep the old iPhone untouched until you have checked the new one. Quick Start can transfer your data directly, while iCloud or an encrypted computer backup provides an alternative if the direct transfer is unavailable.

How do I transfer my settings from my old iPhone to my new iPhone?

Quick Start can carry many settings from your old iPhone to the new one during setup. This can include preferences such as network, privacy and other system settings. Some security features, including Face ID, Touch ID and Apple Pay cards, require fresh setup or verification on the new device.

How long does it take to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone?

An iPhone-to-iPhone transfer can take around 15 minutes to more than an hour, depending mainly on how much data you have and whether you use a wireless or wired connection. Large photo libraries, videos and apps can make the process considerably longer, so keep both iPhones connected to power until it finishes.