How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone Without iCloud or iTunes

When it comes to transferring data from one iPhone to another, iCloud might be the optimal option for its simplicity, convenience, accessibility, and security. Apart from these great features, iCloud also comes with restrictions, such as limited storage space, heavy internet dependence, limited choices on transferring certain data, etc. All of these may prevent you from using iCloud.

No matter what the reasons for giving up using iCloud, here are some other plausible ways available for you to transfer everything from one iPhone to another. 

How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone Without iCloud in 5 Ways

Below are the five ways you can use to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud. All of them are organized in the order of ease to difficulty. Apply the one best suited to your needs.

Method 1. Use Third-Party Software to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone Without iCloud

Applies To: Photos, videos, contacts, audio files (music, ringtones, voice memos, audiobooks), books...

As long as your iOS devices are running iOS 8 or later, you can use the iOS data transfer tool - EaseUS MobiMover to transfer the supported files from one iPhone to another without iCloud or iTunes. With this software, you are able to transfer multiple or all files to your new device without syncing. Apart from that, this tool can also help you do things like:

• Manage iOS data as you want.
• Backup all or specific iOS data to your computer without hassle.
• Transfer WhatsApp messages between iPhones.
• Download wanted videos from any sites.

If you want to own these functions, don't hesitate to download this powerful tool on your computer to have a try. 

Step 1. Connect both of the iPhones to the computer and launch EaseUS MobiMover. Then click "Phone to Phone", check the transfer direction, and click "Next" to continue.

Step 2. Select one category or multiple categories that you want to copy, and click "Transfer".

Step 3. Wait for the tool to transfer selected files from one iPhone to another. When the process finishes, go to the corresponding apps to check the newly added files. 

With EaseUS MobiMover, you can also enrich the content of your iOS device by importing files from the computer (Mac or PC) to the iOS device or downloading videos from any site using URL to your iPhone/iPad.

Method 2. Transfer Data from iPhone to Another via AirDrop

Applies To: Photos, Videos, Websites, Locations, and More

AirDrop is another convenient option that allows you to share files between two AirDrop-supported iOS devices. If what you want is to transfer some photos, contacts, or other files from one iOS device to another, using AirDrop is a good choice.

Step 1. Make sure the two iPhones are within the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi range.

Step 2. Enable both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and make sure Personal Hotspot is off on the iPhones. Afterward, turn on AirDrop. (Set to transfer files to "Contacts Only" or "Everyone" accordingly.)

Step 3. Select the files you want to send, for example, photos, and click the "Share" button.

Step 4. Click "AirDrop" and select the target device.

Step 5. On the target iPhone, click "Accept" to receive the items.

It happens that AirDrop is not working on an iPhone/iPad. If you encounter this issue, learn how to fix it first or try one of the other workable ways instead.

The two methods above are more suitable for users who want to copy data to a used iPhone. If you are going to transfer data from an old iPhone to a brand new iPhone that hasn't been set up yet, either using QuickStart and iTunes/Finder is advisable. 

Method 3. Transfer Everything from iPhone to iPhone with Quick Start

Applies To: All of your iPhone data

If both your old iPhone and new iPhone are running iOS 12.4 and later, you can use the iPhone Migration feature in Quick Start, a utility in iOS 11 and later that can help to transfer information and data to a new device. Make sure your previous iPhone and the new iPhone are running iOS 12. 4 or later, then follow the steps below to set up your new iPhone and transfer all data to your new device wirelessly.

Step 1. Switch on Bluetooth on your previous iPhone and turn on your new iPhone.

Step 2. Place the new iPhone near your old iPhone and then you will see the Quick Start screen pops up on your source iPhone showing the option of using your Apple ID to set up your new iPhone.

Step 3. Make sure that's the Apple ID you want to use and click "Continue."

Step 4. Afterward, you can see an animation on the new iPhone. Hold the old iPhone over the new one, center the animation in the viewfinder, then you can see a message saying "Finish on New iPhone".

Step 5. Enter the passcode of the previous iPhone on the new iPhone.

Step 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up FaceID or Touch ID on the new device.

Step 7. Now click "Transfer from iPhone" to start transferring all data from one iPhone to another.

Step 8. When the process has done, you have transferred everything from your old iPhone to the new device seamlessly.

Method 4. Transfer Everything from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes Backup

Applies To: Almost all data and settings

An iTunes backup almost includes all the data and setting on the iOS device. But there are some exclusions, including content from iTunes and App Stores, content synced from iTunes, data already stored in iCloud, and more. (You can check the details from Apple here.)

Using iTunes backup is quite similar to using iCloud backup: To transfer data from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes, you need to back up the old device first, and then restore the new phone data from the iTunes backup while setting up the new device. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer. Then follow to transfer data to your new iPhone/iPad via iTunes:

To make a backup of the old device:

Step 1. Connect your previous device to the computer using USB.

Step 2. In iTunes, click the "Device" button and click "Summary".

Step 3. Click "Back Up Now" to start backing up your old iPhone.

To restore your new device from the backup:

Step 1. Turn on your new device and follow the setup steps until you see the Apps & Data screen.

Step 2. Choose "Restore from Mac or PC" and connect your new iPhone to the computer which you used to back up your old iPhone. 

Step 3. In iTunes, click the "Device" tab and select "Restore Backup".

Step 4. Choose the correct backup and wait for the process to finish. (If you have encrypted the backup, you will need to enter the password before the restoring process.)

Step 5. Finish the rest of the setup steps.

Method 5. Transfer Data to New iPhone via Finder

As we all know, iTunes is dead and Apple has replaced it with Finder on macOS Catalina computers. If you're a Mac user, using Finder is a nice option. The steps are similar to using iTunes, which are detailed below.

To make a copy of your old iPhone:

Step 1. Plug your old iPhone into your Mac running macOS Catalina.

Step 2. Open the Finder window.

Step 3. Under the Locations section, click on your iPhone icon.

Step 4. Click "Trust" if you're asked to trust this computer.

Step 5. Click on "Back Up Now."

To restore your new device from the backup:

Step 1. Unplug your old iPhone and plug your new iPhone into the computer.

Step 2. Set up your new iPhone until you reach the "App & Data" page.

Step 3. From this page, select "Restore from Mac or PC."

Step 4. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to finish the rest of the setup steps.

The Bottom Line

As long as you want to copy data from one iPhone/iPad to another, you can follow this guide to get things done. After commanding the methods here, you will know how to do it whenever you need to transfer photos, videos, contacts, and other file types. 

I hope this guide can help you as I expect.