iPhone Transfer Software Comparison: Moving Data to a New iPhone

Setting up a new iPhone — or replacing one after a restore — usually comes down to one question: how do you get everything from the old device onto the new one? For most people Apple's own tools do this for free, and this guide covers them first. Then it compares the third-party transfer apps worth considering, and where they genuinely earn their price. Note that this is about moving data between devices — not keeping a backup of one device, which is a different job covered in our iPhone backup software comparison. This is a research-based comparison of documented features, not a lab test.

Transparency: No affiliate links. The vendor links below are plain links — IPSW.io earns nothing from them.

Start here: what Apple gives you free

• Quick Start (iPhone → iPhone/iPad). Power on the new device next to your current one and follow the prompt. Quick Start migrates your apps, data, and settings directly device-to-device — no computer needed — over Wi-Fi, or faster over a wired connection. It occupies both devices during the transfer, so set aside time.
• Restore from an iCloud backup. During setup on the new iPhone, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" to pull down your most recent backup. Convenient, but bounded by your iCloud storage and connection speed.
• Restore from a computer backup. Restore the new iPhone from a Finder / Apple Devices app backup of the old one. An encrypted backup also carries over saved passwords and Health data.
• Move to iOS (Android → iPhone). Apple's official Android app transfers the core set — contacts, message history, camera photos and videos, mail accounts, calendars, and more — during setup, and adds matching free apps to your App Store. It does not migrate every Android app's data.

For the large majority of "new iPhone" situations, Quick Start or an iCloud restore is all you need, at no cost. A third-party tool is worth it only for the specific cases below.

When a third-party transfer tool actually helps

• Selective transfers — move only certain photos, messages, or contacts instead of the whole device.
• Cross-platform beyond Move to iOS — iPhone→Android, or moving chat histories from apps like WhatsApp, LINE, or Viber.
• Archiving to a computer — pull messages, photos, or attachments off the iPhone and keep them as files.
• Merging — add data to a device that already has content, rather than overwriting it as a restore would.

Comparison: legitimate iPhone transfer tools

Directions, platforms, and pricing structure are from each vendor's pages at the time of writing; exact prices change, so check the vendor for the current figure.

The tools, briefly

iMazing — selective, local device-to-device

iMazing can transfer contacts, messages, photos, music, apps, and settings from one iPhone to another without iTunes or iCloud, letting you pick exactly which datasets and apps to move. Because it transfers attachments and photos locally rather than re-downloading them from iCloud, it can be faster and doesn't touch your cloud storage. macOS and Windows; paid license with a free trial. See imazing.com.

AnyTrans (iMobie) — Phone Switcher and social chats

AnyTrans includes a Phone Switcher that moves data from an Android or iOS device to an iPhone, with selective restore and the option to pull content from iCloud or Google. It also backs up and transfers messages from apps like WhatsApp, LINE, and Viber. macOS and Windows; paid with subscription and lifetime options. See imobie.com/anytrans.

MobileTrans (Wondershare) — cross-platform transfer

MobileTrans is a dedicated phone-to-phone transfer tool covering iOS↔Android across a wide range of data types, including WhatsApp chats, plus backup and restore to a computer. It's aimed squarely at cross-platform switches. macOS and Windows; paid with subscription and lifetime options. See mobiletrans.wondershare.com.

What genuinely cannot be transferred

• DRM-protected content and data an app's developer doesn't allow to be exported won't move — some app data simply isn't portable.
• Android → iPhone loses some app data. Apps are re-downloaded as their iOS versions where they exist; their internal data generally does not migrate, and apps with no iOS equivalent don't come across at all.
• Face ID / Touch ID and your passcode are never transferred — they're re-created on the new device.
• A device that won't power on can't be a transfer source. If the old iPhone is dead, your data lives only in whatever backup you made earlier.

Transfer vs backup — and where restores fit

Transferring moves data between devices; backing up keeps a copy of one device you can restore later. They're complementary: a good backup is your safety net, and a transfer is how you populate a new phone. For the backup side, see the iPhone backup software comparison; if you've already wiped a device and need specific items back, see how to recover deleted photos or our data recovery guide. To restore firmware in the first place, start with signed IPSW basics and restoring with Finder or the Apple Devices app. Browse firmware on the iPhone downloads page.

Frequently asked questions

Does Quick Start move everything to my new iPhone?

It moves your apps, data, and settings directly between the two devices. Apps are reinstalled and most content comes across, though some app-specific data depends on the developer. Quick Start is the default, free method for an iPhone-to-iPhone move.

What doesn't transfer to a new iPhone?

DRM-protected media, app data a developer doesn't export, and your Face ID/Touch ID and passcode (which are re-created). From Android, apps are re-downloaded rather than migrated, so their internal data usually doesn't come across.

Can I move data from Android to iPhone?

Yes. Apple's free Move to iOS app transfers the core set — contacts, messages, camera photos and videos, mail, calendars — during setup. Third-party tools like AnyTrans or MobileTrans add options such as transferring WhatsApp chats.

Do I need a computer to transfer to a new iPhone?

No. Quick Start works directly between two iPhones with no computer, wirelessly or over a cable. A computer is only needed for restoring a Finder/Apple Devices backup or for third-party tools that run on a Mac or PC.

Is third-party transfer software necessary?

For most people, no — Quick Start and iCloud handle it free. Third-party tools help with selective transfers, cross-platform moves beyond Move to iOS, transferring chat apps, or archiving data to a computer.

What is the difference between transferring and backing up?

Transferring moves data from one device to another; backing up saves a copy of a single device that you can restore later. Use a backup as your safety net and a transfer to set up a new phone — see our backup comparison for the backup side.

Can I transfer WhatsApp chats to a new iPhone?

iPhone-to-iPhone, WhatsApp chats come across with a normal Quick Start or backup restore. For Android-to-iPhone or selective chat transfers, tools like AnyTrans and MobileTrans offer dedicated messaging transfer.

Can I transfer from an iPhone that won't turn on?

No. A transfer reads from a working device. If the iPhone is dead, your data is only recoverable from an existing backup — which is why keeping one matters.

Conclusion

Start with Apple's free tools: Quick Start for iPhone-to-iPhone, Move to iOS from Android, or an iCloud/computer restore. They cover most people at zero cost. Step up to iMazing, AnyTrans, or MobileTrans when you need selective transfers, cross-platform moves, chat-app migration, or to archive data to a computer — and remember that transferring is not the same as keeping a backup.