iPhone 15/Plus Do you have to be on WiFi to do the “new set up” from your old phone?

[martin2345uk]

As above, to do the east transfer thing where you scan the wobbly pattern on the screen and it copies stuff over, does that need WiFi to work?

 

[Shirasaki]

I believe so, as Bluetooth has no sufficient bandwidth for the job.

 

[Rnd-chars]

It’s possible Apple uses a peer-to-peer WiFi connection (like they do in AirDrop) to transfer the contents. It seems probable since some folks setting up new phones won’t have access to WiFi, which could result in extremely long setup scenarios and a poor out of the box experience (which has a profound impact on long-term customer satisfaction.)

 

[Shirasaki]

It’s possible Apple uses a peer-to-peer WiFi connection (like they do in AirDrop) to transfer the contents. It seems probable since some folks setting up new phones won’t have access to WiFi, which could result in extremely long setup scenarios and a poor out of the box experience (which has a profound impact on long-term customer satisfaction.)

While maybe, if airdrop quality on large files (or any files for that matter) is anything to go by, I’d much rather iOS hooks onto a wifi network than trying to transfer files via airdrop-like mechanism.

 

[Rnd-chars]

While maybe, if airdrop quality on large files (or any files for that matter) is anything to go by, I’d much rather iOS hooks onto a wifi network than trying to transfer files via airdrop-like mechanism.

Huh, I’ve transferred multi-gigabyte files via AirDrop between my Mac, iPad and iPhone and haven’t had any issues. It’s always been incredibly reliable for me.

 

[thecautioners]

Can you use a lightning to usbc cable to connect the phones and set up that way?

 

[Cyloncat]

Almost certainly, yes. Upgraged my spouse's phone a few months ago to a 13 mini, and both phones had to be on store wifi.

 

[Shirasaki]

Huh, I’ve transferred multi-gigabyte files via AirDrop between my Mac, iPad and iPhone and haven’t had any issues. It’s always been incredibly reliable for me.

The whole experience is the exact opposite for me. Guess YMMV. In fact, wireless file transfer experience overall for me has been awful and horrible. I am talking about LAN-based wireless transfer, not through internet.

 

[now i see it]

Apple says a wifi connection is required to phone to phone setup

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Yes