Transfer iPhone to iPad (iOS to iPadOS)

When you get a new iPhone, you can just put it beside the old iPhone and choose the option “Transfer directly” to send over all your apps, their app data, your messages, call history, email accounts, etc. I just bought my first iPad, and instead of having to set it up as new from the ground up, can I transfer all of my iPhone data to the iPad to get some things set up automatically (like all mail accounts and system preferences would be nice, just as an example).

Posted on Oct 30, 2023 5:57 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 30, 2023 6:06 PM

These support pages should get you started with setup of your new iPad - and the methods of transferring your data from your existing iPhone or an existing iPad:

Set up your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

Transfer data from your previous iOS device to your new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support


If the donor iPhone/iPad, from which you are transferring your data precedes iOS12.4, QuickStart will not be available.


“Transfer” is rather a misnomer. In reality, your data and setup is merely cloned to the new device. Nothing is moved or removed from the original device.


An alternative is to restore either an iCloud or iTunes backup to the new device:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support



Apps are not directly transferred between devices. For Apps, the transfer process creates a record of the Apps that are installed on the donor iPad - and it is this record of installed Apps that is transferred to the target (new) device. For Apps that are still available for download from the App Store - and are compatible with the target device - the corresponding Apps are automatically downloaded and installed from the App Store.


Not all Apps will, necessarily, continue to be available. Apps may have been removed or retired from the App Store by the respective App Developer. Some Apps may have been abandoned - and may not be compatible with the new device. Where a compatible App is not available, you’ll not be able to transfer/install the App.


2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 30, 2023 6:06 PM in response to FilipOfficial

These support pages should get you started with setup of your new iPad - and the methods of transferring your data from your existing iPhone or an existing iPad:

Set up your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

Transfer data from your previous iOS device to your new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support


If the donor iPhone/iPad, from which you are transferring your data precedes iOS12.4, QuickStart will not be available.


“Transfer” is rather a misnomer. In reality, your data and setup is merely cloned to the new device. Nothing is moved or removed from the original device.


An alternative is to restore either an iCloud or iTunes backup to the new device:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support



Apps are not directly transferred between devices. For Apps, the transfer process creates a record of the Apps that are installed on the donor iPad - and it is this record of installed Apps that is transferred to the target (new) device. For Apps that are still available for download from the App Store - and are compatible with the target device - the corresponding Apps are automatically downloaded and installed from the App Store.


Not all Apps will, necessarily, continue to be available. Apps may have been removed or retired from the App Store by the respective App Developer. Some Apps may have been abandoned - and may not be compatible with the new device. Where a compatible App is not available, you’ll not be able to transfer/install the App.


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Transfer iPhone to iPad (iOS to iPadOS)

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