How to transfer photos between iPhones?

Iphone Tips & Software
1

I just got a new iPhone and need to transfer all my photos from my old one. There are a lot of pictures, and I don’t want to lose any of them. Looking for the easiest and fastest way to get this done. Any tips?

2

If you’re switching to a new iPhone and want to transfer all your photos quickly and efficiently, iCloud is your friend. Here’s the easiest method:

Using iCloud Photo Library

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi: Make sure both iPhones are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
  2. Enable iCloud Photos: On your old iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and toggle on iCloud Photos. This will start uploading all your photos to iCloud, but it might take some time if you have a lot.
  3. Check Upload Status: Wait until all your photos are uploaded. You can check the status in the Photos app. Go to Photos > Albums > Recents and scroll to the bottom to see the upload status.
  4. Log In on New iPhone: Once everything is uploaded, log in to the same iCloud account on your new iPhone.
  5. Enable iCloud Photos on New iPhone: Again, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Photos and turn on iCloud Photos. Your photos will start downloading automatically.

Using AirDrop

If you prefer not dealing with the cloud or you just have a couple of photos, AirDrop is another option:

  1. Enable AirDrop: On both iPhones, swipe down from the top right corner to access the Control Center, then enable AirDrop for ‘Contacts Only’ or ‘Everyone.’
  2. Select Photos: On your old iPhone, open the Photos app, select the photos you want to transfer, and tap the Share button.
  3. Use AirDrop: Select your new iPhone from the AirDrop list that appears and accept the transfer on your new iPhone.

Using iTunes or Finder

If you’re looking for a more traditional approach:

  1. Connect Old iPhone to Computer: Use a USB cable and open iTunes (or Finder on macOS Catalina and later).
  2. Backup Your iPhone: Select your device and choose Back Up Now.
  3. Restore to New iPhone: After backing up, connect your new iPhone and restore from the new backup.

Other Apps

There are also third-party apps like ‘MobileTrans’ that offer direct, easy transfer options without iCloud. Just install the app on both devices and follow the on-screen instructions.

Using iCloud is my rec mainly ‘cause it’s seamless and backed by Apple’s ecosystem. But pick what suits ur convenience and tech savvy best.

3

Oh boy, switching iPhones. Takes me back to my early days with gadgets. But lemme tell ya a slightly different trick that works wonders and is fast.

Using Quick Start

Apple has a nifty feature called Quick Start that pretty much automates the whole process for you. If you haven’t already set up your new iPhone, give this a try:

  1. Place Devices Close: Ensure both your old and new iPhones are near each other.
  2. Turn on New iPhone: Turn on your new iPhone and place it near your old device that is already signed in with your Apple ID.
  3. Follow On-Screen Instructions: You’ll see a Quick Start screen on your old iPhone, and the new iPhone will show an animation. Center the animation in the viewfinder of your old iPhone and wait for the process to start.
  4. Authenticate: Follow the prompts to authenticate, and then choose your preferred method to transfer data.
  5. Transfer: Select “Transfer from iPhone” and keep both devices near each other, connected to power, and on Wi-Fi to ensure nothing stops mid-transfer.

This process not only transfers your photos but also apps, settings, and everything else, making the transition seamless.

External Storage

For those who like a more tangible approach:

  1. Get a Lightning to USB Adapter: Plug a USB drive into the adapter and then into your old iPhone.
  2. Copy Photos: Open the Photos app, select the images you want, tap the Share button, and then choose ‘Save to Files’. Save them to your attached USB drive.
  3. Transfer to New Device: Plug the USB drive into your new iPhone in the same way and use the Files app to transfer the photos back into your library.

Shared Albums

And if you’re okay with not getting every single photo right away:

  1. Create Shared Album: On your old iPhone, in the Photos app, create a Shared Album and add the photos you want to share.
  2. Invite Yourself: Send an invite to the iCloud account you’re using on your new iPhone.
  3. Download Photos: On the new iPhone, accept the invite, open the Shared Album, and save all photos to your device.

Shared albums use less iCloud storage and are good for gradual migration.

Honestly, I agree with @sterrenkijker that iCloud Photo Library is seamless, but these alternatives offer just the right balance if you’re low on storage or looking for another way.

Note on Third-Party Tools

Using tools like ‘MobileTrans’ isn’t bad, but frankly, Apple’s own tools are generally more foolproof for most users. You’re less likely to encounter issues or need additional troubleshooting.

One more thing, always double-check your data before fully switching to ensure you haven’t missed anything. Happy photo transferring!

4

Using iCloud and Quick Start are great options, but I’ve found that they sometimes have limitations, especially with large batches of photos or if the Wi-Fi connection isn’t stable. An underrated method I prefer is utilizing Google Photos. Yeah, I know we’re talking Apple here, but sometimes cross-platform tools can bring in that extra ease.

Using Google Photos

  1. Install Google Photos: Download Google Photos on both iPhones from the App Store.
  2. Backup Photos: On your old iPhone, open Google Photos and sign in with your Google account. Enable Backup & sync in the app settings. This will start uploading your photos to Google Photos.
  3. Check Upload Status: Similar to iCloud, you can monitor the upload status within the Google Photos app.
  4. Access on New iPhone: On your new iPhone, log into the same Google account in Google Photos. All your photos should appear there. You can decide to keep them in the Google Photos app or download them to your new iPhone.

Pros:

  • Doesn’t consume iCloud storage.
  • Cross-platform accessibility, you can even use them on other devices!
  • It’s quite fast and reliable.

Cons:

  • Some people don’t prefer involving Google in their Apple ecosystem.
  • Quality might be slightly reduced if you don’t select the original upload size.

Direct Transfer with a Computer

Don’t discount traditional methods just yet. Using a computer can actually be quite efficient.

  1. Connect Old iPhone to Computer: Use a USB cable and open Finder or iTunes.
  2. Import Photos: Import your photos to a folder on your computer.
  3. Connect New iPhone: Once the photos are on your computer, connect your new iPhone and copy those photos back using the same process. This can be done either via Finder/iTunes or through drag and drop if you’re using a Mac.

Pros:

  • Bypasses cloud storage issues.
  • Good to keep a backup on your computer.

Cons:

  • Not as seamless as cloud-based methods.
  • Requires access to a computer.

Other Tips

Always check and double-check that all photos have successfully transferred before resetting your old device. Sometimes, small syncing issues might leave a couple of photos behind.

Regarding @voyageurdubois and @sterrenkijker’s suggestions, while both iCloud and Quick Start are good, they can have drawbacks. iCloud might run into storage issues, and Quick Start sometimes hangs if the Wi-Fi disconnects. So having alternatives like Google Photos or a direct transfer method keeps you covered.

I hope these additional options help you decide which method fits your needs the best! Happy photo transferring!