Resolved iPhone to iPhone USB C data transfer?

[yoheywut]

I’m a bit surprised I can’t seem to find a verified answer for this yet, but can anyone confirm that on Friday, when I pick up my new 16 Pro, I can do the restore from back up data transfer over USB C from my iPhone 15 Pro?

I know the traditional restore from backup routes are over local WiFi, or from an iCloud backup, or back in the day using a Mac and iTunes backups. But given this is the first year with a new and old phone having USB C, I was wondering if I can quickly transfer directly using a cable?

This support article discusses doing it from a lightning cable, perhaps it just needs to be updated…

 

[mystery hill]

Yes. iOS 18 supports USB-C cabled migration.

https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/pdf/iOS_18_All_New_Features_Sept_2024.pdf

 

[yoheywut]

Ahh, winner winner. I’m guessing they’ll update that article sometime this week too with iOS 18 release. That’s great, thanks! I wonder how speedy it will be, we shall find out.

 

[AbSoluTc]

Depending on how much data you have, it’s not “quick”. It’s faster than WiFi for sure but still takes some time.

 

[Diorama]

Yes. iOS 18 supports USB-C cabled migration.

https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/pdf/iOS_18_All_New_Features_Sept_2024.pdf

Wow, that was news to me! This is genuinely the best thing I’ve seen all day haha

 

[nippyjun]

I think the regular apple usb c cables transfer at usb 2 speeds which is slow. getting a usb c cable with higher transfer speeds would hopefully speed up the transfer process

 

[Diorama]

Would USB2 transfer speed (lightning - USBC) be quicker than tranferring wirelessly?

 

[The Doctor11]

Would USB2 transfer speed (lightning - USBC) be quicker than tranferring wirelessly?

Wondering this myself, temped to try it but think it might not be worth the trouble.

 

[FloridaScrubJay]

USB is quicker

 

[whsbuss]

Question: coming from 13 pro max to new 16 pro max tomorrow. I have an older Mac that I use to do backups of my iPhone without USB-C connections.

I do have a USB-A to C adaptor and I was wondering if I can restore the 16 pro max from my backup on the Mac using the usb-c cable and the adapter.

 

[caligurl]

Ya….. that’s why I just want to bring the new phones home and then take the trade in phones back next weekend!

 

[metsjetsfan]

If someone does this can they respond? My quesions:
-Do they have prompts if you want to use cable? Or do you just have to connect it
-Does one phone charge the other while it does it?
-what is max transfer speed does apple cap it?
-How hot does it get? Did you use fan or ice?

Thanks

 

[DeanL]

If someone does this can they respond? My quesions:
-Do they have prompts if you want to use cable? Or do you just have to connect it
-Does one phone charge the other while it does it?
-what is max transfer speed does apple cap it?
-How hot does it get? Did you use fan or ice?

Thanks

I am testing that as we speak, from 15 Pro Max to 16 Pro Max. I tried the Quick transfer by Wi-Fi, but I have 500gb of data and that was going to take 1h30. So I'm resetting to do the transfer via USB 3.1

 

[slippery-pete]

I am testing that as we speak, from 15 Pro Max to 16 Pro Max. I tried the Quick transfer by Wi-Fi, but I have 500gb of data and that was going to take 1h30. So I'm resetting to do the transfer via USB 3.1

I am in same boat. Please let me know your experience with wired data migration. Thanks!

 

[DeanL]

I am testing that as we speak, from 15 Pro Max to 16 Pro Max. I tried the Quick transfer by Wi-Fi, but I have 500gb of data and that was going to take 1h30. So I'm resetting to do the transfer via USB 3.1

I am in same boat. Please let me know your experience with wired data migration. Thanks!

At first it seemed faster, it said 22 mins, but then it jumped to 1 hour...
My 16 pro seemed a bit warm, so I put it on a block of ice. Hopefully it will speed up...

To start the wired transfer, you need to plug both phones before you start setting up anything. Then later when it asks to transfer data, you will see an icon representing two wired iPhones.
Make sure both phones are fully charged.

 

[Diorama]

If anyone has tried using a USB-C to Lightning cable to transfer from a pre-15 iPhone to a 16, can anyone confirm whether it is faster than doing so by WiFi?

I know USB2.0 isn’t exactly Speedy Gonzales, but it usually takes a while by WiFi as well (maybe an hour?). If anyone has real world data would be a big help!

 

[MrP90]

At first it seemed faster, it said 22 mins, but then it jumped to 1 hour...
My 16 pro seemed a bit warm, so I put it on a block of ice. Hopefully it will speed up...

To start the wired transfer, you need to plug both phones before you start setting up anything. Then later when it asks to transfer data, you will see an icon representing two wired iPhones.
Make sure both phones are fully charged.

Are you using the USB-C cable included with iPhone or different ? I am debating to use the included . I have an Apple Thunderbolt 3 but last year for some reason it took nearly 3 hours to restore a 150gb backup off a newer MBP .

 

[metsjetsfan]

Are you using the USB-C cable included with iPhone or different ? I am debating to use the included . I have an Apple Thunderbolt 3 but last year for some reason it took nearly 3 hours to restore a 150gb backup off a newer MBP .

yeah what im scared of. that wire is actually slower. also wifi 7 if u have it

 

[DeanL]

Are you using the USB-C cable included with iPhone or different ? I am debating to use the included . I have an Apple Thunderbolt 3 but last year for some reason it took nearly 3 hours to restore a 150gb backup off a newer MBP .

used an Apple Thunderbolt 3 cable.

 

[DeanL]

yeah what im scared of. that wire is actually slower. also wifi 7 if u have it

I have Wi-Fi 7 at home but not sure that helps as the direct wireless transfer is just iPhone to iPhone via Wi-Fi, but not through a router. And the iPhone 15 Pro Max is 6E, not 7.

 

[DeanL]

At first it seemed faster, it said 22 mins, but then it jumped to 1 hour...
My 16 pro seemed a bit warm, so I put it on a block of ice. Hopefully it will speed up...

To start the wired transfer, you need to plug both phones before you start setting up anything. Then later when it asks to transfer data, you will see an icon representing two wired iPhones.
Make sure both phones are fully charged.

Transfer took about 1h10 minutes for 300 GB

 

[DeanL]

But the apps didn't transfer... They are downloading in the background

 

[MrP90]

used an Apple Thunderbolt 3 cable.

I have the same cable, I think I will use it. After the transfer, how was the battery levels on both phones? I'm going to charge both to 100% in case

 

[smhk]

But the apps didn't transfer... They are downloading in the background

Ok that is a game changer. I was just about to start this (15pm-16pm Caldigit tb4) but if apps don’t transfer then where are they coming from? iCloud backups?

WhatsApp is 50gb for example…

 

[Diorama]

Transfer took about 1h10 minutes for 300 GB

Surely that’s not much faster than USB2?