How to transfer app and data from old iPhone to new iPhone for model IOS17 and IOS18 above.

It always a headache for non tech savvy users to transfer their old iPhone app and data to new iPhone. 

Despite all the effort by Apple with well thought out UX design to make it as intuitive as possible for users to do it themselves. It is still a hair pulling feat to take on. The worse part is that I notice Apple UX do not like to explain anything in written words, they would expect that you follow the flow of UX intuitvely. Many if not majority of iPhone users would have problem doing this easily perhaps their intuition is not the same as Apple employee most of the time. I checked Apple website on how to do it, there is also no clear instruction how to do it. Their instruction is simply - "trust my program process, i will get you there somehow". There is no transparency in the instruction unless you walk to Apple store in your town and talk to Apple employee to guide you.

Comparing to Andoid phone, it seems like Apple are not so keen on helping their user to transfer data from old device unlike Android phone like Samsung. They have a very straightforward program - Smart Switch to guide user step by step with clear instruction. User can keep on trying the transfer themselves. 

For Apple, you need to learn this by browsing around Reddit, blogs and trial and error to find solution. At least that is how I able to get it done.

These are three methods that I tried and my findings, hope it would useful to you. I have succeed in transferring the data including WhatsApp data transfer as well. (the most important transfer) Whatsapp is the pain in the ass for any transfer if you ask experienced users due to Whatsapp design that they store their data in the phone and not in server. You need to migrate the message in WhatsApp otherwise your data would be gone in your old phone. 


I have tried these 3 methods to transfer old iPhone 11 data to iPhone 14. Here are my findings and steps.

Method 1 - Using iTunes to transfer your data from PC to your iPhone

1. Backup your data from old iPhone to iTunes. You would need to use iPhone cable to plug your iPhone with PC./Mac book. I found that this method only work correctly with MacBook and not PC.Windows 10 could not recognize Apple Mobile Device USB driver. If you check the status of the device after you plug in your iPhone. In Device Manager, it would prompt error (Code 10). 

I search for driver but it said already the best driver. Then I google a bit on the driver version. The most updated driver Apple made for Windows was 2014. That was 10 years ago. I doubt that iTunes would work correctly for PC for backup. I stopped wasting my time tweaking iTunes in PC to  backup iPhone and transfer. 

I believe iTunes backup only work in Apple Macbook. I move on to another method. 

If your iTunes working fine in PC that it can detect your device in iTunes. You can go to Device menu and perform back up there. Then, plugging new iPhone to PC and restore from PC to your iPhone. 

However, it does not work for me. I doubt it work since the driver was built 10 years ago before new Windows is released. I do not see anyone recommend this method either as this is the most obvious way for anyone but no one talk about it. My guess is that Apple do not allocate resource to maintain this method in PC.

Method 2 - Using WIFI to transfer your data iPhone to iPhone (direct transfer)

Second method is the most ideal method since it is the fastest by not going through thousands miles into internet (iCloud) and then come back to your new iPhone for the backup. It is within premise of your home WIFI direct transfer. Step below

  1. Old iPhone need to update with latest IOS patch for IOS17. No need IOS18 if your phone can't support it. Both old and new iPhone should have close version with each other.
  2. Put the old and new side by side. Then, start the new iPhone, Get Started screen appear.  Follow step to scan the QR code in new iPhone using old iPhone.
  3. It would prompt to transfer. Just proceed. 
    However, if you would get stuck on IOS upgrade for new iPhone for IOS18. (Seems like Apple did not test their IOS18 on the data transfer with large set of scenarios enough). I checked in Reddit, may users also got hang on IOS 18 upgrade.
  4. If you stuck on the upgrade. You know that  your phone is hang if the same screen still the same after few hours. Abandon the transfer. Proceed with normal setup for new iPhone first without data transfer. 
  5. For new iPhone. Manually update the IOS for IOS17 patch, then upgrade to IOS18. In the Settings check for updates.
  6. In new iPhone Then, go to Settings - General - Transfer or Reset iPhone - Erase All Contents and Settings. 
  7. Then, start all over repeat step 2 and 3. This time, it won't get stuck since your new iPhone has already upgraded to IOS18. It won't do the upgrade during data transfer this round. This causes hang last time.

 (NOTE: This method however does not work if you are using company managed phone. Because when you erase all contents and settings. Somehow your managed device would be de-registered from managed devices. I therefore also tried method 3, which is through iCloud. 


Method 3 - Using iCloud to transfer your data to your iPhone

This is the method preached by Apple because iCloud (>5GB) is a paid service if your data is  more than 5GB. Average users would have data more than 5GB.  Naturally, most people would think they can't use this. However, Apple on a good faith has allow users to temporary use the iCloud as backup if they are buying their new iPhone. This has started since IOS15. So, this should work in most newer model of iPhone with IOS15 above. 

Step below

 

  1. Old iPhone update with latest IOS patch for IOS17. No need IOS18
  2. Old iPhone need to store backup to iCloud. However, normal free iCloud only 5GB. Special offer by Apple for transfer, unlimited size. In old phone,  go to Settings - General - Transfer or Reset iPhone - Get Started - Continue (Extra iCloud Storage to Move Apps and Data). 
    This was introduced in IOS 15 above. 
  3. After backup done in old Phone in iCloud (after some timel like 4-5 hours above). Start the new iPhone, Get Started screen appear. Put the old and new side by side. It would scan the code in the new phone screen. 
  4. It would prompt to transfer to transfer over iCloud or over PC/Mac. Just select iCloud. Transfer over PC using iTunes not working, PC cant backup the iPhone to PC. 
  5. Since the Phone already IOS18 (last round update before reset). Proceed with with transfer using iCloud
  6. Proceed to transfer. Would take some time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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