Transfer iPhone to iPhone Without iCloud (5 Easy Methods)
This guide introduces 5 ways on how to transfer iPhone to iPhone without iCloud. If you don’t want to use iCloud when transferring iPhones, try out the solutions in this post.
Can you transfer data to a new iPhone without iCloud?
When updating to a new iPhone, using iCloud makes it very easy to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone. However, plenty of users want to transfer iPhone to iPhone without iCloud. There may be the following reasons.
● Limited Storage: iCloud only provides 5GB of free storage. If your iCloud storage is full, you will need to pay for additional space.
● Network issues: iCloud only works properly on a good network. The unstable network may interrupt the sync or restore process, which makes the process painfully slow.
● Lack of Transfer Selectivity: iCloud doesn't support selectively transferring files. You have no choice but to transfer everything from your iPhone, including the needn't data.
● Data Loss Risk: Restore data from iCloud backup will erase your iPhone's existing data. Also when transferring iPhones, hackers can directly steal the contents of your iCloud backup.
● Apple ID Restrictions. iCloud only supports transferring data between iPhones with the same Apple ID, once you forget your Apple ID, you can't access your backups.
If these issues apply to you, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll show 5 methods on how to transfer data to new iPhone without iCloud easily.
How to transfer iPhone to iPhone without iCloud
There are several ways to transfer data from one iPhone to another without iCloud. Depending on your situation, choose one of the methods that works best for you.
Method 1. Transfer iPhone data without iCloud after set up
If you have already set up your iPhone, the easiest and safest way to transfer data is to use FoneTool, an intuitive and reliable data transfer tool. This software is perfect for moving data between iPhones without iCloud.
It allows you to transfer everything to new iPhone – photos, videos, contacts, messages, etc, without the need for a network connection, and ensures that no data is lost on your target iPhone.
- 1-Click transfer all data from one iPhone to another.
- Selectively transfer photos, WhatsApp, etc between devices.
- Transfer data to iPhone after setup without erasing data.
- 100% safe and reliable iPhone transfer solution, fast and easy.
- Support the latest iPhone and all iOS versions.
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Transfer All iPhone Data (1-Click Method)
Step 1. Launch FoneTool > Connect your iPhones to a computer.
Step 2. Click Phone Transfer > Go to iPhone to iPhone and click Start Transfer.
Step 3. Click Enable backup encryption to keep your private data safer.
Step 4. Click Start Transfer to start the transfer.
Selectively Transfer iPhone Data (e.g., Photos)
Step 1. Click Phone Transfer > Go to iPhone to PC > Click Start Transfer.
Step 2. Click the Photos icon to select the photos you want to transfer and select the storage path on your PC > Click Start Transfer.
Step 3. Plug in the target iPhone. Click PC to iPhone > Start Transfer > Select the photos you want to transfer.
Step 4. Click Start Transfer. The selected photos will be transferred to the target iPhone at a super fast speed.
Tip: You can also use the Full Backup function in FoneTool to backup iPhone without iCloud, then restore the backup to the new iPhone.
Method 2. Transfer data to new iPhone via Quick Start
If both iPhone devices are running iOS 12.4 or later, you can take full advantage of Quick Start to solve this issue of how to transfer setup to new iPhone. Refer to the steps below to see how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud.
- Notes:✎...
- Make sure the two devices stay close enough to each other.
- Turn on Bluetooth on both iPhones and try to choose a WiFi network to make sure the transfer is in a good network condition, otherwise, it will consume a lot of time.
- If your target iPhone has been set up, please erase your iPhone first. Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings to restart the setup process.
Step 1. Open your target iPhone and select your language and location.
Step 2. Bring the two iPhones close to each other and a quick start will appear on the source iPhone.
Step 3. Confirm that it is the Apple ID you are using and tap Continue.
Step 4. Enter the passcode on the target iPhone and follow the instructions to set Face ID or Touch ID, etc.
Step 5. On the Transfer Your Data screen, tap Transfer from iPhone to start transferring.
Method 3. Transfer data from iPhone to iPhone using AirDrop
iOS users usually use AirDrop, a built-in feature of iPhone, to share photos, music, videos, and other files, but there are often reactions that AirDrop always fails to transfer. Indeed, AirDrop is limited by many reasons, such as oversized files and interference from surrounding devices, which can cause transfer failure.
Now, let's take transfer contacts as an example and see how to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud.
Step 1. On both iPhones, turn on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and AirDrop and select Everyone.
Step 2. Go to Contacts app and select the contact you want to transfer > Click Share Contact > Tap AirDrop and select the target iPhone.
Step 3. Tap Accept to receive the contact on the target device and the contact will be transferred to the Contacts app.
Method 4. Transfer files from iPhone to iPhone wirelessly
You can use Quick Start or AirDrop to transfer iPhone data to another iPhone wirelessly, but both methods are limited by version. They will be useless if you are not running iOS 11 and above. At this time, you can use an iPhone app FoneTool for iOS. Follow the steps to figure out how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone wirelessly.
Step 1. Install FoneTool for iOS App on both devices from Apple App Store.
Step 2. Click OK to allow it to access Photos, Contacts, Apple Music and media library.
Step 3. Click Connect Device to search for other iOS devices, and select the target iPhone to establish a connection.
Step 4. Go to File Transfer, select the files you want to transfer and click Send.
Step 5. You can go to Transfer List to view the progress of receiving and sending.
Method 5. Transfer iPhone to iPhone with iTunes or Finder
Like iCloud, iTunes is a good alternative provided by Apple for how to transfer one iPhone data to another. Take transferring iPhone photos as an example, iTunes can help you fully transfer photos to new iPhone without iCloud. It will export photos from the source iPhone to your computer, and then sync them to the target iPhone.
It's worth noting that syncing iTunes photos may overwrite the target iPhone's current photo library. If you don't mind, follow these steps to transfer photos from old iPhone to new iPhone without iCloud.
How to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone using iTunes
Step 1. Connect the old iPhone to your PC via a USB cable. Transfer photos to the computer.
Step 2. Then connect the new iPhone to your computer. Launch iTunes. Click the device icon and select the Photos option.
Step 3. Check Sync photos and select Copy photos from folder.
Step 4. Click Apply to start syncing photos to your target iPhone.
How to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone using Finder
Meanwhile, Apple provides Finder for Mac users to replace iTunes. As in method 2, it works for iPhone that has not been set up yet, if done, please reset iPhone first. The steps are as follows.
Step 1. Connect your old iPhone to a computer running macOS and launch Finder.
Step 2. Click the iPhone icon and click Trust on your iPhone.
Step 3. Select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
Step 4. Click Back Up Now.
Step 5. Unplug the old iPhone and connect another iPhone to your computer.
Step 6. Set up your new iPhone until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
Step 7. Select Restore from Mac or PC.
Step 8. Then, follow the instructions to complete the rest of the steps to transfer data to another iPhone.
More iPhone Transfer & Management Solutions
Depending on your situation, one of these guides might be exactly what you need.
1. Moving only photos? Here's how to do it without iCloud
Maybe you don't want to move everything – just your photo library. iCloud makes you transfer all or nothing, but that's not your only option. This guide walks you through transferring photos using FoneTool (fast, selective, works with different Apple IDs), AirDrop (quick for small batches), and iTunes (free but clunky). It also covers how to do it wirelessly if you don't want to plug in a cable.
🔍Transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud – step‑by‑step for photos only.
2. AirDrop not working? Try these alternatives
AirDrop is convenient when it works, but it's picky about distance, file size, and connection stability. If you're trying to move photos and AirDrop keeps failing, you have other options. This guide compares FoneTool (fast, offline, no size limits), iCloud, iTunes, email, and shared albums – so you can pick the one that fits your situation.
🔍Transfer photos from iPhone to iPhone without AirDrop – 4 reliable alternatives.
3. Already set up your new iPhone? You can still move your data
Apple's official transfer tools (iCloud restore, Quick Start) only work during initial setup. If you've already clicked through the setup screens and later realize you need data from your old phone, don't reset and start over. There are better ways. This guide shows you how to transfer everything after setup using FoneTool (one‑click, works anytime), factory reset as a last resort, or Quick Start if you're willing to erase and begin again.
🔍Transfer data to new iPhone after setup – no need to erase and restart.
4. Need to move only your contacts? Skip iCloud entirely
Contacts don't take up much space, but iCloud's 5GB limit can still be annoying if you're using it for photos and backups. You can transfer contacts without iCloud using FoneTool (fastest, selective), iTunes, Quick Start, AirDrop, Bluetooth, SIM card, or Google Sync. This guide breaks down all 7 methods with pros and cons for each, so you can pick the one that fits your setup.
🔍Transfer contacts to new iPhone without iCloud – 7 proven ways, compared.
5. Transfer taking forever? Here's why and how to speed it up
A 100GB+ transfer can take 6 to 12 hours with iCloud or 8 to 10 hours with wireless Quick Start. That's frustrating, especially when you're excited to use your new phone. This guide explains why transfers slow down (large data, slow Wi‑Fi, outdated backups, old iOS versions) and shows you how to cut that time down to 30 minutes or less using FoneTool's USB transfer. It also includes practical tips like turning off iCloud sync and closing background apps before you start.
🔍Why does transferring data to new iPhone take so long? – reasons + faster solutions.
FAQs about transferring iPhone to iPhone without iCloud
On your source iPhone: Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Turn on iCloud Backup under Backup and tap Back Up Now.
On your target iPhone: After resetting the iPhone, start setting up the iPhone. Then click Restore from iCloud Backup.
You can still perform the transfer iPhone operation even if you don't have a backup in advance. For example, you can use a third-party iPhone transfer software FoneTool. It has a 100% security guarantee and an extremely high success rate, enabling you to transfer iPhone data to another iPhone quickly.
In the end
This guide introduces 5 methods on how to transfer iPhone to iPhone without iCloud. By contrast, you will find that the easiest and fastest way is to use FoneTool to safely transfer everything to your new iPhone without storage space limitations.
Furthermore, we also explain how to transfer iPhone to iPhone with iCloud. If this comprehensive guide is helpful, you can share it to help more people.
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Kelsey is an English editor at FoneTool, passionate about helping users solve tech issues. She specializes in iPhone data management, backup, and recovery. In her free time, she enjoys learning IT skills and spending time with loved ones.
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