[Full Guide] How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud

This guide will show you three ways to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud: sync iMessages only, transfer all iMessages & text messages via Messages in iCloud function or restore messages from iCloud backup.

Lena

By Lena / Updated on December 7, 2023

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The messages cover various conversions with others and some of them are quite important for you. Now you get one new iPhone, and instead of transferring all data to new iPhone, you just want to transfer those messages that you never want to lose. As a long iPhone user, you know that iCloud provides the way to sync data between iDevice so you want to rely on it to finish the job.

messages

Well, iCloud indeed can help you make it but it has disadvantages. For example, it only offers 5 GB of free storage space to save iOS data which may not enough for you. Next, I’ll detail how to transfer messages to new iPhone with iCloud. In addition to this, to avoid the shortcoming of iCloud way, I’ll also introduce another easier method to help you selectively transfer messages to new iPhone.

How to Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud

There are three ways you can try to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud. If you just want to transfer iMessages, you can turn on iMessage sync. If you want to transfer both iMessages and text messages, you can rely on Messages in iCloud or first make an iCloud backup and then restore it to the new iPhone.

Please make sure the two iPhone are using the same Apple ID, otherwise, it's impossible to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud. If you want to transfer messages between two different Apple IDs, you can go to Part 2 to get the method.

Way 1. Transfer iMessages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud

If you just want to transfer iMessages, you can turn on iMessage Sync on both devices to make it.

1. Go to Settings app > Tap Messages > Turn on iMessage.

2. Tap Send & Receive option > Make sure that the Apple ID used for iMessage is correct > Confirm the phone number and email address to send/receive messages.

Send and Receive

Way 2. Transfer Messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud Syncing

Since iOS 12, Apple has brought back iCloud syncing for Messages. If you turn it on, all your iMessages and text messages will be uploaded to iCloud and you can view them on any device using the same Apple account.

1. Connect your iPhone to a stable Wi-Fi network.

2. One old iPhone: Go to Settings > tap [your name] > iCloud.

3. Scroll down to find Messages > Toggle it on if it is not to move message to iCloud.

Turn on Messages Sync

4. Do the same above on the new iPhone and wait for the syncing.

◆ Note: You should know that if you enable Messages sync in iCloud, your Messages will be uploaded to iCloud and they aren’t included in your backup.

Way 3. Transfer Text Messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud Backup

To transfer both iMessages and text messages from iPhone to another, restore from iCloud backup is also a workable way. But its disadvantages may disappoint you:

● It will backup the entire iPhone content. Other data and settings will also be transferred to new iPhone.
● It only offers 5 GB of free storage space to store iOS data. The backup may fail if there’s not enough space.
● It will first erase all the existing data on the new iPhone and then perform the restore.

Besides, you may meet the messages didn’t transfer to new iPhone problem. If you still want to try this way, here is how to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone using iCloud backup:

→ Backup Old iPhone

1. Connect your old iPhone and new iPhone to the power source and Wi-Fi network.

2. On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.

3. Turn on iCloud Backup > Tap Back Up Now and wait for the backup to be finished.

→ Restore iCloud Backup to New iPhone

1. Turn on and set up your new iPhone until you see the Apps & Data screen.

Tip: If you have already set up the device, you can go to Settings > General > Reset (Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset in iOS 15)> Erase All Content and Settings to reset your iPhone.

2. Choose Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup > Enter your Apple ID and password and choose the right backup to restore from.

restore icloud backup

3. Wait for the restore and just be patient. The time it takes depends on the quality of the network connection and the size of the backup files.

◆ Note: Do not disconnect the power or Wi-Fi network until the process is done. Any interruption may influence the restore and it may never be resume.

An Easier Way to Transfer Text Messages and iMessages Selectively

From the above, you know how to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud. However, as you can see, it has many shortcomings so here comes another tool that can help you transfer iMessages and text messages the way you want. That’s FoneTool.

FoneTool is one easy-to-use iPhone backup and restore tool for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It offers a quick way to help you transfer messages between iDevices that use different Apple IDs.

Two steps to complete the transfer:
① Backup iMessages/text messages on source iPhone
② Restore the backup files to the target iPhone
You can select the messages you want to backup and restore. Most of all, there is no need to erase your new iPhone and it will not erase any existing data on device.

The tool supports all iPhone models from iPhone 4 to the latest iPhone 14/13/12/11/SE 2022/2020 and works well with the latest iOS 16. Get the tool now and follow the steps below to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone in a few minutes.

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

1. Connect your old iPhone to computer via the USB cable > Enter the passcode on iPhone so the software can access your device.

2. Click Selective Backup under More Features> Choose Messages to select the iMessages and text messages you want to transfer > Click OK to confirm.

Select Messages

3. Click Backup Storage Path to choose the storage path to save the messages > Click Start Backup to start backing up your messages.

Backup Messages

4. Unplug your old iPhone and then connect your new iPhone to computer > Go to the Backup History screen > Click the Restore option

Restore To Device

Note: Besides selective transfer, the iPhone to iPhone Transfer function of FoneTool can also help you send messages and other files from iPhone to new iPhone with one click. 

iPhone to iPhone Transfer

In addition, FoneTool supports you to manage your iCloud backups. If you want to upload data to your iCloud, delete the unnecessary iCloud files, or download iCloud data to PC with a fast speed, FoneTool will be a good choice for you.

how to transfer messages from iphone to iphone with icloud

Conclusion

Now you know how to transfer messages from iPhone to iPhone with iCloud. You can sync iMessages only, turn on Messages sync in iCloud to transfer iMessages/text messages or restore iCloud backup to transfer all messages as well as other iPhone content.

If you want to transfer messages selectively, then FoneTool is the way to go. It can also help you transfer contacts, photos, songs, videos to new iPhone without data erasing. Go download FoneTool and discover more.