How to Transfer Data from an Old iPhone to iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max

Did you just buy a new iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max? Then you probably want to start migrating your files from your old iPhone to the new one. Yes, it may seem like a daunting process, but you really have to do the iPhone data transfer, especially if you have plenty of contacts, messages, apps, notes, photos, and other personal stuff saved on your old phone.

Don’t worry because there are a number of ways to easily transfer data to a new iPhone.

Set Up Your New iPhone for Automatic Transfers

You can actually set up your new device to receive and transfer the previous settings of your old device that is in close physical proximity. Here’s what you should do:

1. On your new iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max, select your preferred language.
2. Press Continue on your new device. A message will pop up prompting you to set up your new iPhone with your Apple ID.
3. An image will appear on your new iPhone. Scan it with your old iPhone.
4. Enter the passcode you use on your old iPhone on your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max.
5. On your new smartphone, set up Touch ID.
6. Decide whether you want to reset your new iPhone from the most recent compatible backup.
7. Choose from the following options: restore your new iPhone from an iTunes or iCloud backup, transfer data from an Android device, or set up as a new iPhone or iPad.
8. Agree to all Terms and Conditions.
9. Go to Express Settings and select
10. Use the settings for Find My iPhone, Siri, and Location.
11. Complete the rest of the setup process for your new iPhone as you normally would.
12. That’s it!

Transfer Your Old Phone’s Data to Your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max via iCloud

If you are familiar with Apple’s online service, iCloud, feel free to use it to back up your iPhone. With it, you can conveniently back up your iPhone and transfer data wirelessly. However, you might need to trigger a backup manually before you can initiate a transfer. By doing that, you can guarantee that all your data are up to date.

Follow the steps below to transfer your old iPhone’s data to your new iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max:

1. Get your old iPhone and go to
2. Press the Apple ID banner and navigate to iCloud -> iCloud Backup -> Back Up Now.
3. Switch off your old iPhone once the backup process is completed.
4. Remove your SIM card from your old device if you still want to use it. You can also use a new one.
5. Once you are done, you can now keep your old iPhone.
6. Before you proceed with the next steps, be sure your new iPhone is switched off.
7. Insert your old or new SIM card.
8. Switch on your new iPhone.
9. Follow the instructions on your screen. Later on, you will be asked to choose your preferred language and set up a Wi-Fi network.
10. After that, choose Restore from iCloud backup.
11. Sign in to your iCloud account, using your Apple ID and password.
12. Press Next -> Agree -> Agree.
13. Select your most recent backup.
14. Wait until the backup process is completed. Depending on the size of the data that need to be re-downloaded, the process might take a while. As much as possible, stay on Wi-Fi to speed up the transfer.
15. During the transfer, your new iPhone might feel a bit warm and its battery life will be eaten up. But fret not because it’s normal. The processors are just working hard to get your data back in place.

Transfer Your Old Phone’s Data to Your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max via iTunes

Here’s what you should know. If you try to make an encrypted backup of your old iPhone via iTunes and restore it to your new iPhone, it will restore most, if not all, your account and password information with it. That means, you can save a lot of time and effort!

To complete the transfer, you will, however, need a Lightning to USB cable. You will also have to re-download all your apps because the App Store usually offers slightly different versions for every device. Each version has been optimized to run best on certain hardware.

Here’s how you transfer data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone via iTunes:

1. Be sure your iTunes is the most recent version.
2. Connect your old iPhone into your Mac, using the Lightning cable. It would be great if you have Outbyte Mac Repair installed on your Mac to make sure you don’t encounter performance issues while transferring data.
3. Open iTunes.
4. Click on the iPhone icon in your menu bar.
5. Select Encrypt Backup. You will then be asked to add a password, particularly if it’s your first time encrypting a backup.
6. Press Back Up Now.
7. If asked, just click Skip Backup Apps. They will have to be re-downloaded anyway.
8. Once you are done, disconnect your old iPhone from your Mac and switch it off.
9. Get your SIM card if you are still planning to use it.
10. Wait for the backup to finish before moving forward to the next step.
11. Insert your SIM card into your iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max.
12. Switch on your new iPhone.
13. Connect your new iPhone to your Mac, using the Lightning cable.
14. Slide up to initiate the setup process.
15. Follow the instructions on your screen. You will be asked to select your preferred language and set up a WiFi network.
16. Choose the Restore from iTunes backup
17. On your Mac’s iTunes, choose Restore from this backup.
18. Select your most recent backup from the list.
19. Press
20. If the backup file is encrypted, enter your password.
21. Make sure your new iPhone is plugged into iTunes throughout the transfer. You also have to connect to a WiFi until you have completely re-downloaded other files and apps. Depending on the amount of data that need to be restored, the process might take a while.
22. Again, do not panic if your new iPhone feels hot or warm. Do not also wonder why your battery life has significantly drained. All this is happening because your processors are working overtime to get the backup process done.

Conclusion

Transferring data from your old iPhone to your new iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max does not have to be a nightmare. The methods above should help you ease the process to give you ample time to enjoy your brand new smartphone.