[3 Ways] Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud

This guide will show you how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud, including ways to transfer everything or just selected contacts, photos, music, etc.

Lena

By Lena / Updated on June 9, 2023

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You know that you can use iCloud to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone: restore from an iCloud backup or turn on the iCloud sync. However, the restrictions of iCloud make you want to transfer data without iCloud.

● Limited Storage Space. iCloud only provides 5 GB of free storage space, which is far from enough to store all your important data.
● Requires Stable Internet Connection. iCloud requires a good Internet to work. If the network is poor, the recovery or syncing process may take a long time to complete.
● Can’t Easily Transfer the Data You Really Need. iCloud does not support selective transfer. You have no choice but to transfer everything, including some files you don't need.
● Risk of Data Loss. If you have already set up your iPhone, you need to erase the device to perform the restoration. This will cause you to lose your existing data.
● Can’t Transfer between Two Apple IDs. It only allows you to transfer data between two iPhones with the same Apple ID, while you want to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone with different Apple ID

News: Recently, some users have reported seeing strange photos and videos that don't belong to them when browsing library through iCloud for Windows. This has led many people to question the security of iCloud. Is that why you don't want to use iCloud to transfer data?

Fortunately, iCloud is not the only way for iPhone data transfer. Here in this guide, I’ll introduce 3 ways that can help you transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone without iCloud. All these methods can be applied to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone SE 2022, iPhone 13, iPhone 12.                                 

Here are some simple comparisons that may help you choose the right way.

 

Way 1. FoneTool

Way 2. Quick Start

Way 3. iTunes Restore

Full Transfer

Selective Transfer

×

×

Transfer Media Files

×

×

No Data Erase

×

×

Wireless Transfer

×

×

Way 1. How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud After Setup

If you have already set up your iPhone, you can let FoneTool help you transfer selected photos, videos, songs, contacts, messages, etc. to new iPhone without data erasing.

FoneTool is one professional iOS data management tool for Windows PCs. It can help you transfer data from iPhone to iPhone, from iPhone to computer, or from computer to iPhone.

This tool is also recommended if you want to transfer selected data from iPhone to iPhone without Wi-Fi or with different Apple IDs.

Steps to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud After Setup

Click the download button to get FoneTool. The tool supports all iPhone models and all iOS versions.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Two Steps: Transfer data from old iPhone to PC > Transfer data from PC to new iPhone.

Step 1. Transfer Data from Old iPhone to PC

  • Launch FoneTool > Connect old iPhone to computer via the USB cable.
  • On the home interface, click Phone Transfer > Select iPhone to PC option. Click Start Transfer to start it.

Transfer to Computer

  • Choose the data you need and click OK to continue. (Here we choose Contacts.)

Choose Files

  • Click Start Transfer > Select a path to save your data > Click Transfer to save old iPhone data to computer.

Transfer

Step 2. Transfer Data from PC to New iPhone

  • Unplug old iPhone and plug in new iPhone > Go to PC to iPhone this time.
  • Click anywhere in the box to select the data you exported from old iPhone.

Select Files

  • Finally, click Start Transfer to import data to new iPhone.

Transfer to New iPhone

Actually, besides selective transfer, you can let the iPhone to iPhone Transfer tool move all content and settings.

iPhone to iPhone Transfer

★Tips:
If there is only one USB data cable, you can use the "Full Backup" function in FoneTool to create a full iPhone backup, and then restore the backup to the new iPhone to realize the switch.
If you don't have any data cable to connect your iPhone to a PC, you can use FoneTool for iOS to transfer specific data between two phones wirelessly.

Way 2. Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud but via Quick Start

If both your old iPhone and new iPhone are running on iOS 12.4 and later, you can take advantage of Quick Start to move data wirelessly. It’s a good way to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without backup.

Notes:✎...
Please make sure Bluetooth is turned on on both iPhones.
The system version of the new iPhone should be higher than the old one.
If you have already set up your new iPhone, you should go to Settings > General > Reset (Transfer or Reset iPhone in iOS 15 and later) > Erase All Content and Settings to erase your device.

Steps to Transfer Data from Old iPhone to New iPhone without iCloud

  1. Turn on your new iPhone and choose your language and location.
  2. Place your new iPhone near the old iPhone and wait for the Quick Start screen appears on the old iPhone.
  3. Make sure that it's the Apple ID that you want to use, then tap Continue.
  4. When an animation appears on your new iPhone, capture it with your new iPhone. Then wait for it to activate your new iPhone.
  5. Enter the passcode on new iPhone and follow the instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID, iMessages, etc.
  6. On the Transfer Data from “iPhone” screen, tap Continue to begin.

Quick Start

Please keep your iPhones near each other and plugged into power until you see Transfer Completed page.

Way 3. Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud but via 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.

Steps to Transfer Data from Old iPhone to New iPhone without iCloud

  1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on computer.
  2. Launch iTunes and connect your old iPhone to computer.
  3. Choose Device tab > Go to Summary > Selelect This Computer > Click Start Backup to backup old iPhone.
  4. When the backup is completed, unplug old iPhone and plug in new iPhone. Go to Summary and choose Restore Backup to make it.

Restore Backup

Final Words

That’s all about how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud.

  • If you have not set up new iPhone, you can use Quick Start or iTunes to transfer everything to new iPhone.
  • If you have already set up your new iPhone, you can let FoneTool help you transfer selected files to new iPhone.

For any questions or feedback, please feel free to contact us!

Lena
Lena · Editor
Lena is an editor of AOMEI Technology, she covers backup & restore,hard disk & partitions management and cloud files transfer and so on for AOMEI. She enjoys helping people find solutions to their problems. She loves traveling, eating, reading and so on. She takes most of time with her family when she is not working.