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Which method is best for transferring data to a new phone?

edswife1970

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Oct 23, 2015
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I’ve always set up a new phone via iCloud back up from previous phone. But I’m wondering how the migration method works?? Is it any faster and does it transfer everything? Apple Watch settings?

New phone will be here Friday (fingers crossed) so I’m preparing my “to do” list – LOL
 

Westiemom

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I wasn’t able to use the direct transfer from old phone to new because I had 13.1 beta on my Xs.
But the iCloud transfer went extremely well! No issues
 

Lee_Bo

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Set up mine last Friday and the wife's last night. Power new device on, sign into iCloud and then you get asked how you want to set up. We both selected "transfer from another device", or something worded like that, and it took less than 30 minutes for the transfer to complete. Not all the apps still had to download, which takes a while, but the actual transfer was pretty quick.
 

Annie_M

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Mar 2, 2016
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I’ve always set up a new phone via iCloud back up from previous phone. But I’m wondering how the migration method works?? Is it any faster and does it transfer everything? Apple Watch settings?

New phone will be here Friday (fingers crossed) so I’m preparing my “to do” list – LOL

Today's the day! Let us know how it goes! :D
 

edswife1970

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Oct 23, 2015
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Today's the day! Let us know how it goes! :D

I got it, set it up with no problems and I am currently using it! I haven’t really tried the camera yet though. Now I have to go through all my apps that need usernames and passwords and get them set up. But that can wait for a while!
 

Westiemom

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I got it, set it up with no problems and I am currently using it! I haven’t really tried the camera yet though. Now I have to go through all my apps that need usernames and passwords and get them set up. But that can wait for a while!

Congrats! Enjoy your new phone!
 

Quis89

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Feb 6, 2012
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When I do transfer my content I always use iCloud. Though any time I get a new phone I always set up as new.
 

vizagdude

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I was on 13.1 beta on my Xs Max. So I couldn’t do the transfer of data to my Pro Max.

But for my wife’s Xs to 11Pro direct transfer via WiFi, it was smooth. Took less than 15 mins for the transfer to complete and another 20 or so mins for the apps to update.

I heard if you have the Lightning to Lightening cable, it’s even faster. Never tried that.
 

BreakingKayfabe

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Sep 12, 2008
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I always use the iTunes encrypted backup/restore method when I can. iCloud is good but don’t like to have to re-input passwords on certain accounts.

The iPhone to iPhone migration is actually equivalent to an encrypted backup/restore of iTunes which is a very useful thing.
 

rambo47

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I used the built-in assistant to transfer everything from my old iPhone to the new one. Just set 'em side by side and let them do their thing.
 

Doug B

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I tried using the migration assistant but then then it forced an update which canceled the transfer. Had to just restore from iCloud. I’ve always transferred my phones that was so it’s not a big deal and only takes about an hour for everything to load.
 

bgl321

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Apr 1, 2011
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If I set up as new but sign in with iCloud will my health data and passwords come with it? I’d like to “start new” with everything but all my Apple data.
 

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