Merge iPhone Backups: 3 Easy Ways to Combine & Sync Data

Wanna know how to merge iPhone backups so that you won't lose anything after switching to another iPhone? Click to learn 3 easy ways to merge two iPhone backups and sync your data seamlessly.

Kelsey by Kelsey Updated October 27, 2025
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Why need to merge two iPhones backups?

Backing up iPhone data regularly is a habit for most users, and you may want to merge iPhone backups for these reasons:

• Upgrade to a new iPhone while preserving data from multiple devices
• Combine a work iPhone and a personal iPhone into one
• Prevent data loss when switching between iPhones
• Sync files, contacts, and messages between two iPhones for seamless access

This guide explores three effective methods to consolidate iPhone backups without losing your existing data.

 Modern iPhones transfer and merging process

Apple's native backup system doesn't provide a direct way to merge two backups into one. However, you can manually combine iPhone data by selectively restoring data from one backup to another. The following methods demonstrate practical workarounds.

Way 1. Merge iPhone backups with one-click

FoneTool is a user-friendly solution for managing your iPhone data, providing the most straightforward approach to merging iPhone backups, offering selective backup and restore capabilities without data loss.

All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

 

  • Completely free local backup without storage limits
  • Quick full or selective backup to PC
  • Preview and choose specific files to backup
  • Incremental backup saves time and space
  • Restore iPhone backup data without overwriting existing files

Easy steps to merge backups for iPhone

Step 1. Connect source iPhone > Open FoneTool > Phone Backup > Selective Backup > Get Started.

Choose Selective Backup on FoneTool

Step 2. Select file types to backup > Click OK to confirm.

Select all or part of files

Step 3. Cick the Backup Storage Path to choose backup location >Click Start Backup.

Start Backup to save iPhone files to PC

Step 4. Connect your target iPhone > Backup History > Find the latest backup > Click the Restore icon.

selective restore

💡 Pro Tip: FoneTool's iPhone to iPhone transfer feature can directly move everything to a new iPhone without backup limitations or Apple ID restrictions.

FoneTool's iPhone to iPhone transfer feature

Way 2. Combine backups on iPhone via iCloud

While iCloud doesn't directly merge backups, you can sync data across devices and use restoration to combine information.

Step 1. Enable iCloud sync on both iPhones: Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Toggle on data categories.

Enable iCloud sync on two iPhones

Step 2. Create iCloud backups: Settings > [your name] > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.

Turn on iCloud backup

Step 3. Reset target iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content.

 Choose Erase All Content and Settings to erase the iPhone

Step 4. Restore from iCloud: Setup iPhone > App & Data screen > Restore from iCloud Backup > Choose latest backup.

Choose Restore from iCloud Backup

📝 Note: After restoration, enable iCloud sync to ensure all remaining data transfers to the target device.

Way 3. Manual Merge of Two iPhones via iTunes

This iTunes method involves a three-step process: export target iPhone data, restore source backup, then reimport the exported data.To export & import iPhone data, you can utilize FoneTool mentioned in the Way 1. It helps you selectively transfer iPhone to iPhone, iPhone to PC, and vice versa.

Step 1. Export target iPhone data: Use FoneTool > iPhone to PC > Select files to transfer to computer.

On FoneTool to Choose iPhone to PC transfer files

Step 2. Backup source iPhone via iTunes: Connect source iPhone > iTunes > Device icon > Summary > Back Up Now.

Click Back Up Now to let iTunes backup your iPhone

Step 3. Restore to target iPhone: Keep target iPhone connected > iTunes > Summary > Restore Backup > Select source backup.

Click Restore Backup and select the backup to restore

Step 4. Reimport original data: FoneTool > PC to iPhone > Transfer exported files back to iPhone.

Choose PC to iPhone to transfer your target iPhone files

How to merge 2 iPhones together and sync data?

If you want to connect two iPhones together and make sure they sync automatically, you can consider using the following methods:

Three continuous iPhone sync solutions

🔹 iCloud Sync: Sign in with same Apple ID > Enable iCloud for contacts, photos, notes

🔹 Quick Start: Both iPhones running iOS 12.4+ > Use Quick Start for wireless data transfer

🔹 AirDrop Transfer: Enable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth on both devices > Use AirDrop for instant file sharing

Conclusion

Although Apple doesn't provide direct backup merging, these 3 methods on how to merge iPhone backups effectively:

  • FoneTool offers selective merging without data loss

  • iCloud provides syncing and backup restoration options

  • iTunes enables manual merging through export/restore/import

Choose the method that best fits your needs to ensure your data remains intact across devices. If you need further help, feel free to contact us or explore more iPhone management solutions!

FAQs on merging iPhone backups

FoneTool - All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

Transfer, backup and manage data on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in an easy way.

  • iOS 26 Compatible
  • iPhone 17 Supported

Free iPhone Manager - FoneTool

  • Full/Selective Backup iPhone
  • Transfer between iPhone and PC
  • 1-Click Transfer iPhone to iPhone
  • WhatsApp Backup & Transfer
  • Fully compatible with iOS 26
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