Solved: Why Does Transferring Data to New iPhone Take So Long?

Learn why transferring data to a new iPhone takes so long in this article, it will discover the reasons and give faster methods to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone.

Clara by Clara Updated February 10, 2025
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Taking too long to transfer data to new iPhone

I have a new iPhone 16 Max Pro and have been transferring data from an iPhone 14. I have over 100GB of data and the iPhone says it will take me over 10 hours to complete. Why does transferring data to new iPhone take so long? Is there a faster way here?

- Question from an Apple User

Switching to a new device is exciting. But the long wait time when transfer data from iPhone to iPhone 16 is frustrating. In this article, we'll explore “why is my iPhone taking so long to transfer to a new iPhone”, and provide you with effective solutions to speed up the transfer process.

Why Does Transfer Data to New iPhone Take So Long

Before exploring the solutions to this problem, knowing how long should it take to transfer data from one iPhone to another and help you better plan your data transfer. Below we have listed 4 common methods and their corresponding time.

Data Size iCloud Quick Start (Wireless) Quick Start (USB) iTunes/Finder
1-5GB 20-45 minutes 30 minutes to 1 hour 10-20 minutes 15-30 minutes
20-50GB 1 to 4 hours 2 to 5 hours 20-40 minutes 30 minutes to 1 hour
100GB+ 6 to 12+ hours 8 to 10+ hours 40 minutes to 1 hour 1 to 2+ hours

Different migration methods require different amounts of time to migrate data. In addition to your transfer method choice, there are several factors that can cause transfer times to slow when setting up a new iPhone.

Large amount of data: If you have a lot of data (apps, photos, music, videos) on your iPhone, the transfer process will naturally take longer.
Slow Wi-Fi connection: If your connection is unstable or slow, data transfer over Wi-Fi may be delayed.
Old backup files: Outdated or fragmented iCloud backups can increase transfer times.
Outdated iOS versions: Compatibility issues between iOS versions can also cause delays.

[Fastest] How to Transfer Data to New iPhone with 1-Click

In the above content, we discussed the reasons why does transferring data to new iPhone take so long. If you have a lot of data, is there a way to shorten the data migration time?

Of course! FoneTool is a reliable iOS data transfer software and a good choice for users. It not only provides the function of selective transfer, but also allows you to transfer old iPhone to new iPhone in the shortest time with one click.

Data Size FoneTool
1-5GB 10-15 minutes
20-50GB 15-25 minutes
100GB+ 30 minutes or less

laughWhy Do You Choose FoneTool?
High-speed USB connection: FoneTool uses USB transfer, which is much faster than wireless methods or cloud services.
One-click transfer: With just a few simple clicks, you can easily move all your data to your new iPhone.
Selective transfer: Choose specific files (photos, messages, or apps) instead of transferring everything.
Stable transfer process: Compared with the wireless methods of iCloud and Quick Start, FoneTool transfer is less likely to be interrupted.
High compatibility: Supports all iPhone models and iOS versions, including the latest iPhone 16 and iOS 18.

Now, you can click the download button to install FoneTool on your computer, and follow the guide to learn how to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone quickly.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
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Step 1. Run FoneTool on your computer > Connect your iPhones to the computer with USB cables.

Step 2. Click Phone Transfer from the left panel > Choose iPhone to iPhone > Tap Get Started.

transfer iphone to iphone quickly

★Tips:
If you want to selectively transfer data to new iPhone, like transferring photos from iPhone to iPhone, you can tap the link to learn how to do it with FoneTool.

Step 3. If you need, you can check Enable backup encryption to keep your private data safer > Tap Start Transfer to start move data to new iPhone.

transfer data from iphone to new iphone

Tips to Avoid Transferring Data to New iPhone Take So Long

If you want to avoid long migration times, here are some practical solutions to help you reduce the migration time.

Tip 1. Use a Strong Wi-Fi Network

If the method you're using to transfer data requires Wi-Fi, make sure you have a stable, high-speed Wi-Fi connection before starting the transfer. This step can significantly reduce the transfer time.

Tip 2. Update the iOS to the Latest Version

Installing the latest iOS version on both iPhones ensures better compatibility and faster transfer speeds. Here are the steps to update your iPhone:

Step 1. Open Settings > General > Software Update on both devices.

Step 2. Tap Download and install the latest iOS update.

ios software update

Tip 3. Turn off iCloud Synchronization During Transfer

iCloud syncing can slow down the transfer process. You can follow the below steps to disable it temporarily.

Step 1. On your iPhones > Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.

Step 2. Turn off iCloud Backup and other sync options until the transfer completes.

turn off icloud backup

Tip 4. Close Unnecessary Apps

Running multiple background apps can slow down or interrupt the transfer process. To improve performance, close unnecessary apps from the Recent Apps menu. Simply swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Recent Apps, scroll through the app cards, and swipe up on any app you want to close.

close apps on iphone

Tip 5. Remove Unnecessary Data Before Transfer

Before transferring, you can delete large or unnecessary files on your old iPhone to free up space, such as some old photos, videos, and apps. Or clear app caches and temporary files.

Conclusion

That’s all about Why does transferring data to new iPhone take so long. In most cases, long transfer times are caused by large amounts of data, slow connections, outdated backups, or inefficient transfer methods. Knowing these factors, you can choose and adopt a faster solution to transfer your data. Use FoneTool, the most efficient way to transfer data in one click, making your transfer process simple and fast.

FoneTool - All-in-one iPhone Data Manager

Transfer, backup and manage data on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch in an easy way.

  • iOS 18 Compatible
  • iPhone 16 Supported

Free iPhone Manager - FoneTool

  • Full/Selective Backup iPhone
  • Transfer between iPhone and PC
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  • Fully compatible with iOS 18
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