Use iCloud to transfer data from your previous iOS or iPadOS device to your new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (2024)

FAQs

How do I transfer everything from my old iPad to my new iPad with iCloud? ›

Place your old device next to your new iPhone or iPad, and follow the steps on your old device to scan an animation with the camera. Continue on your new device when prompted and enter the passcode of your old device. When you reach the Transfer Your Data screen, tap Download from iCloud.

Once you have backed up your old iPhone into iCloud, turn on your new iPhone. Proceed in the setup process and connect the new iPhone to WiFi. In the “Apps & Data” -view, select “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in to iCloud. Choose the backup you want to restore and wait for the backup to finish.

If you download from iCloud, your apps and data download in the background so that you can start using your new device right away. If you transfer directly from your previous device, you'll need to wait for the transfer to complete on both devices before you can use them.

iCloud: Transfer your data and purchased content to your new device from your previous device's iCloud backup. Apple Devices app, iTunes, or the Finder: Transfer your data and purchased content to your new device from a backup you made with the Apple Devices app, iTunes, or the Finder.

When the transfer is complete, your current iPhone shows the Transfer Complete screen and the new iPhone restarts. On your current iPhone, tap Continue. The Erase This iPhone screen appears. Erasing your iPhone disassociates your Apple ID from it and removes your personal data.

Connect to Wi-Fi and set up cellular service

iPad automatically connects to the internet whenever you're home. If you have a Wi-Fi + Cellular model, you can activate cellular service on your iPad using an eSIM (go to Settings > Cellular Data). Or, install a nano-SIM provided by your carrier.

Poor internet connection as both iPhones need a stable Wi-Fi connection to move files. A minor glitch in either iPhone can also hinder the normal functioning of the Quick Transfer feature. Using an older iOS version on either device. Note that this feature is available for iPhones running on iOS 12.4 or later.

The easiest and quickest method to set up your new iPhone is to restore from a recent iCloud backup. As you walk through the initial setup process, tap Restore from iCloud Backup, sign in with your Apple Account (previously called Apple ID before iOS 18) and then pick the most recent backup of your old iPhone.

Does iCloud backup transfer everything? ›

iCloud backups include all the information and settings stored on your device that don't already sync to iCloud. iCloud backups don't include: Data that you already store and sync in iCloud, like Contacts, Calendars, and Notes.

Device storage is the available storage on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or other Apple device. iCloud storage keeps your photos, files, notes, and more, up-to-date and available across all your devices.

Steps to sync:

First, make sure you're logged into the same Apple ID account on both devices, and make sure both devices have Wi-Fi turned on. In the iCloud section of the Settings app, you'll see a list of apps that can be synced across all of your devices, and you can toggle syncing on or off for each individually.

Make sure you're signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on all of your devices. Then check you've turned on Contacts, Calendars and Reminders in your iCloud settings. Check that the date and time settings on your device are correct for your current location.

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Tap Drive, then turn on Sync this iPad.

The existing data on your new iPad won't be deleted. You can select what you wish to transfer from iPad to iPad. Besides iOS to iOS, the tool can also transfer data between devices running on different platforms (like iOS to Android).

To upload files from your iOS device with iCloud storage:

Select the files you want to synchronize. On the toolbar at the bottom, tap Copy to both keep the file original locally on your device and edit its copy on the cloud. Tap Move if you want your file to be stored and edited on the cloud only.