Here's How Apple's New iPhone to iPhone Data Migration Feature Works in iOS 12.4

[NickName99]

Speaking as a software developer, this is some really nice work. It looks like a simple, seamless and even aesthetically pleasing process. You don't even need an iCloud backup, it's way faster than an iCloud restore, it transfers everything on your iPhone, not just what's available from your iCloud backup and iTunes purchases. You probably don't even need to be on WiFi, it's just a device to device WiFi connection like with AirDrop. You could clone your old iPhone to your new iPhone on the drive home from wherever you bought it.

 

[Yumbo]

Does it include (synced) content, such as music and photos (not in iCloud)?

 

[doboy]

This is just me, but, I always start fresh (except for contacts/calendar/notes/reminders) when I get a new phone.

Sorry, but that just asinine.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

So basically Retina QR codes.

So basically, it's nothing like a QR code no matter how many different ways you want to call it a QR code.

 

[TrulsZK]

I'm curious about this as well. The migration feature might be good if you're in a store trading in your old iPhone for a new one and you want to get it up and running quickly. But an encrypted backup with a Mac is still the most thorough.

Yes this new option is as thorough as an iTunes encrypted backup transferring passwords, health data, HomeKit, etc.
That is the main reason I still use iTunes (Finder for MacOS Catalina) when backing up/restoring backups. Hope Apple create a way to backup to iCloud that is as thorough as an encrypted iTunes backup, possible encrypted with a key which Apple can not reset.

 

[marklemac]

This will make a huge difference for the in-store experience for when customers change phone. I think Apple will have the lightning cables a plenty to use on the launch days etc. This will speed up the whole process and take the burden off the wifi network.

 

[coolfactor]

This is great, except I can't get my XR to upgrade to 12.4. Stuck on "Update Requested..." / "Estimating time remaining...". Been this way for two days now, and yes, I've toggled Airplane Mode, done a hard restart, etc. Nothing has helped. First time EVER having trouble installing an iOS update, in 11 years.
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Does it include (synced) content, such as music and photos (not in iCloud)?

Yes, everything on your iPhone is copied over. It's a carbon-copy.

 

[nihil0]

Since this eliminates the need for iTunes backup and then restore, it is another step towards using iPad as computer - many users are hesitant to switch from Macs to iPads because they are unable to manage their phones from an iPad. Next step would be similar way to backup the iPhone contents to iPad storage - either wireless or via cables (when iPhones with USB-C are reality, for example).

 

[pika2000]

This is great! iCloud backup is great, but it relies a lot on the internet speed you're on, and sometimes that can be unoptimal.
This can also mean switching iPhones around to be more seamless.

I wonder how fast the process is when using wired vs wireless? Anybody tried both methods?
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That’s because Apple wants to make $$$ selling you an iCloud storage plan for photos

Sure, 99cents a month for 50GB is such a burden when you can afford a $1000 phone.

 

[Morgenland]

Finally! Last year it took forever to restore my iCloud backup when I got my new phone.

Last year's best option was iTunes backup

 

[AussieAdam26]

What is “random code”? You a windows user by any chance? There is no “cruft”. You have iOS and then apps. Apps run in their container. There is nothing more to it. There is literally no difference between you setting up a device as new and installing and downloading your old things to it or doing a full device restore.

Why is ‘Other’ so big in my iPhone storage then? It’s unexplainable and over 10GB+. Could be the cruft the previous commenter is referring to.

 

[ET007]

Luckily iTunes 12.6.5.3 still runs on my iMac with Mojave.

Please could you confirm that iTunes 12.6.5.3 does indeed work with Mojave. According to Apple’s website, this version does not work (is not supported) with Mojave. It has held me from upgrading to Mojave since I did not want to loose it once upgrading. I would greatly appreciate your response. Thanks.

 

[ksec]

Not impressed. Still doesn't sync photos over WiFi...

You means Photos aren't moved to new iPhone?

And still has to download the apps all over again when it can be done once on the computer with iTunes.

Yes, I think it is like iCloud Restore without the iCloud, All your user Data transfer. All Apps needs to be downloaded again. Depending on your Internet connection speed that is going to take some time. Not to mention Apple's App Store Speed hasn't improved much. Especially initial connection could defiantly do with some improvement

Watch the video. It looks like a moving, hi-res cloud of micro-dots. More sophisticated than QR.

That is a problem for some people with ( like me ) who has an old iPhone with Camera that doesn't work.

Does anyone know if this requires WiFi?
Smart Switch makes one of the devices become a mobile hotspot so you can do it anywhere.

Yes it requires both WiFI AND Bluetooth.

Speaking as a software developer, this is some really nice work. It looks like a simple, seamless and even aesthetically pleasing process. You don't even need an iCloud backup, it's way faster than an iCloud restore, it transfers everything on your iPhone, not just what's available from your iCloud backup and iTunes purchases. You probably don't even need to be on WiFi, it's just a device to device WiFi connection like with AirDrop. You could clone your old iPhone to your new iPhone on the drive home from wherever you bought it.

I have always thought AirDrop was Bluetooth only!. So I checked turns out it requires both. So this new functionality is basically AirDropping your old iPhone Data into new iPhone.

 

[jclardy]

I'm glad this is finally here, but this should have been technically possible for years now.

TBH...I kind of wonder if it is a result of new leadership on the retail side. If someone new comes in and looks at one of the dumbest things in Apple retail today, it is promoting their iPhone lease option but then making people wait for hours inside the store while their slow wifi connection restores data via iCloud. This feature will save lots of user frustration inside Apple retail and just less people standing around the apple store waiting for their phone's data to transfer so they can have a usable device.

It is a win on all fronts:
1. Customer no longer has to wait for a 100GB iCloud restore
2. Store no longer has 20 people waiting for a 100GB iCloud restore
3. iCloud no longer has to restore hundreds of thousands of phones simultaneously on launch day

 

[ikramerica]

What’s new to 12.4?

I set up a new iPad on Friday and my phone is 12.3.1. The iPad was also not 12.4. But it used this method. The iPad camera had to lock onto a symbol on the iPhone. Then it transferred all my accounts and settings to the iPad.

Is the difference now that it transfers music and movies this way too?

 

[nicho]

What’s new to 12.4?

I set up a new iPad on Friday and my phone is 12.3.1. The iPad was also not 12.4. But it used this method. The iPad camera had to lock onto a symbol on the iPhone. Then it transferred all my accounts and settings to the iPad.

Is the difference now that it transfers music and movies this way too?

The difference is, before it was doing it via iCloud backup/restore. Now it is doing it directly, and should be faster.

 

[GalileoSeven]

Interesting. Count me as one who would start fresh though (contacts & such could sync easily enough from the cloud, transferring music from iTunes is never a problem and I can never seem to bring myself to delete unused photos/apps).

 

[nepalisherpa]

Sorry, but that just asinine.

Why? I only upgrade every 2-3 years and this gives me a chance to start clean and minimal.
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How long does that take? Do you have a "system"? I tried that once but it was too much of a hassle.

Setting up phone with just contacts, calendar events, etc is quick since it is linked to iCloud. Then, I just install few needed apps and install others as I use my phone. I don’t restore any photos. They go to my backup hard-drives.

 

[mdwsta4]

Seems handy for people trading phones in store, but how is this any different than connecting my phone to my computer and restoring from backup?

 

[MisterSavage]

Yes this new option is as thorough as an iTunes encrypted backup transferring passwords, health data, HomeKit, etc.
That is the main reason I still use iTunes (Finder for MacOS Catalina) when backing up/restoring backups. Hope Apple create a way to backup to iCloud that is as thorough as an encrypted iTunes backup, possible encrypted with a key which Apple can not reset.

I completely forgot about health data, that they require to be encrypted.

Seems handy for people trading phones in store, but how is this any different than connecting my phone to my computer and restoring from backup?

That's not an option for a lot of people, including my parents.

 

[sldsnk]

do that mean police and customs can quickly copy an iphone content if they get the user to unlock it?

 

[jb-net]

Encrypted iTunes Backups are still the way to go!

 

[gregohb]

That’s because Apple wants to make $$$ selling you an iCloud storage plan for photos

Yes, photo storage is a headache. I truly believe Apple is trying to push people to iCloud. I use Lightroom, and can perfectly well organize my photos myself. But now many thousands are on Icloud, and every so often down load. They make it very unfriendly

 

[NickName99]

You means Photos aren't moved to new iPhone?



Yes, I think it is like iCloud Restore without the iCloud, All your user Data transfer. All Apps needs to be downloaded again. Depending on your Internet connection speed that is going to take some time. Not to mention Apple's App Store Speed hasn't improved much. Especially initial connection could defiantly do with some improvement



That is a problem for some people with ( like me ) who has an old iPhone with Camera that doesn't work.



Yes it requires both WiFI AND Bluetooth.



I have always thought AirDrop was Bluetooth only!. So I checked turns out it requires both. So this new functionality is basically AirDropping your old iPhone Data into new iPhone.

Just to be clear, this doesn’t require a WiFi network, but it requires that your WiFi not be disabled. As with AirDrop, it seamlessly uses Bluetooth to negotiate a device to device WiFi connection, over which it transfers your data at speeds dramatically faster than Bluetooth. You’ll probably want to have an internet connection just for authenticating into your accounts and so forth, but that will use very little data.
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That’s because Apple wants to make $$$ selling you an iCloud storage plan for photos

This new feature actually lets you transfer all of your photos (all of your data) without using iCloud. If anything, Apple has reduced reliance on iCloud with this update. It will reduce server load on iCloud, which saves them money, and it greatly speeds up the process, which saves users time. It’s a win-win.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

You means Photos aren't moved to new iPhone?

They are, but only during that migration process from one phone to another, not on a daily basis.

=> It's sad that iOS photos synchronization (aka iCloud Photos) can't be synced locally. If you have only 2 devices that's a minor inconvenience, but with 3+ devices having ONE device upload the picture to iCloud and transmit it to other iOS devices directly over WiFi would save all other iOS devices from downloading the entire picture from iCloud.

Current situation:

• iPhone sends 2MB photo to iCloud
• iPad downloads 2MB photo from iCloud
• Mac downloads 2MB photo from iCloud

That's 6MB traffic over internet.

Smart synchronisation:

• iPhone send 2MB photo to iCloud
• iPhone sends 2MB photo over WiFi or direct (AirDrop like) to iPad. iPad may validate file using its checksum against iCloud.
  
• iPhone sends 2MB photo over WiFi or direct (AirDrop like) to Mac. Mac may validate file using its checksum against iCloud.

That's like 2,1MB of traffic over internet.

The benefit of that becomes obvious when
...you have slow internet
...you have a lot of pictures or even 4K videos
...many devices
...limited dataplan (e.g. using a mobile hotspot)

Beyond that I strongly believe that Apple should offer an "iCloud (Photo) Server App" for OSX so you can just sync using your own hardware. But that way Apple can't make money using iCloud...