How Long Does It Take to Transfer Data from One iPhone To Another?

Are you planning to transfer data from your old iPhone to a new one but unsure how long it will take? With so much conflicting information available, it's essential to clarify this process in greater detail.

In this guide, we will comprehensively answer your question and provide several ways to make the data transfer process smoother and faster.

How Long Does it Take to Transfer Data from One iPhone to Another?

It typically takes the average user 45 minutes to an hour to transfer data from one iPhone to another. Assuming your iPhone is functioning optimally and not running slower than usual, the transfer process shouldn't take much longer than this. However, According to Apple, the transfer times can vary based on factors such as network conditions and the amount of data being transferred.

How Long Does Each Step Take?

If your iPhone is brand new, here's a breakdown of how much time each stage of the setup and data transfer process might take:

• Transfer Apple ID and Accounts: This initial step takes no more than 5 minutes.
• Activate the iPhone: This process typically takes 5–10 minutes.
• Update iOS (if prompted): If you choose to update your iOS version, this will add another 15–20 minutes.
• Data Transfer: The final step, which can take 20 minutes - several hours, depending on the size of the data to transfer and the strength of the Wi-Fi network you're using.

Why Does Transferring to New iPhone Take So Long?

If your data transfer is taking more than an hour, several factors might be contributing:

• Data Size: Larger data transfers, especially those including many images and videos, will naturally take longer.
• Transfer Method: Different methods have varying transfer speeds.
• Network Quality: The speed of your Wi-Fi network (for iCloud transfers) or cable speed (for iTunes transfers) can significantly impact the transfer duration.
• Device Performance: If your iPhone is outdated, every process, including data transfer, will take longer.
• Device Settings: Encryption or active restrictions on either iPhone can hinder the transfer process.
• Background Processes: Running apps and processes can slow down the transfer; closing them can help.

How to Fix iPhone Data Transfer Taking Too Long?

Here are some ways to speed up the data transfer process:

Wait for a While

A poor internet connection or large data files might be the issue, so it may help to give the process more time. Plan the transfer when you don't need to use your device so it can take as long as necessary.

Check the Internet Connection

If waiting doesn't resolve the issue, check whether your network is functioning properly. A poor connection is a common cause of slow transfers. Ensure that your Wi-Fi icon shows a full-strength connection. If it doesn't, try turning Wi-Fi off and then back on again.

You can also run a free online speed test to find out your internet connection speeds. If your network signal is weak, try moving closer to your router, restarting your router, or switching to a stronger network.

Keep Both Phones Close Enough

When transferring data to a new iPhone or iPad using a wireless connection with Quick Start, in addition to ensuring that both devices are connected to Wi-Fi, you should also make sure that both devices are as close to each other as possible and that Bluetooth is turned on. Distance between the devices can slow down the transfer, so keeping them close together helps speed up the process.

Free Up iPhone Storage

If you're transferring a large amount of data, like 200 GB, it's no surprise that the process will take a long time. To minimize the data transfer time, you can try clearing out storage space on your original phone first. Start by identifying what's taking up the most space.

To do this, go to Settings, tap General, and scroll down to iPhone Storage. Select this option to see a breakdown of the files and media types that are consuming space on your iPhone. Apple may also offer suggestions on how to free up space, such as reviewing stored videos.

Consider storing your photos and videos in a third-party cloud storage service and deleting apps you haven't used in a long time. Additionally, clearing out your web browser cache can help free up space.

Update Your iPhone Before Data Transfer

As of 2023, many iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro users experienced their devices getting stuck on the Apple logo after attempting to transfer data. This issue is an officially acknowledged bug in the version of iOS 17 that comes pre-installed on the iPhone 15, which can cause data transfers from your old iPhone to fail.

Apple has published a support document with instructions to address this issue. After following those steps and restoring your device, you should update your device first and then restart your data transfer.

If your iPhone data transfer continues to freeze, to avoid encountering similar bugs, we recommend following Apple's guidelines to upgrade the iOS first before attempting to transfer data.

Picture source: 9to5mac.com

Restart Both iPhones, Free Up Storage, Reset Network Settings, then Try Again

If the above steps don't fix the issue, try the following before trying again:

Begin by restarting both of your iPhones to stop the data transfer process. Then, consider reducing the amount of data you're trying to transfer by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Review which apps or files are using the most space and decide what can be removed or backed up elsewhere.

Check your network and try to reset your network settings, if your network connection is part of the problem. To do this, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset your Wi-Fi connections, so you'll need to reconnect to your Wi-Fi network afterward.

After you've restarted both iPhones, optimized your storage, and reset your network settings, reconnect both devices to your Wi-Fi network. Then, try the data transfer again.

Conclusion

The time it takes to transfer data from one iPhone to another isn't fixed because it depends on several factors, most of which we've addressed in this article. The key points to keep in mind are the size of the data you want to transfer and the speed of your connection. By optimizing these factors, the transfer process will go more smoothly, though you may still need to wait.