Overview
This guide reviews how to transfer your files from one iOS device to another—for instance, if you are switching to a new iPad and want to retain apps, photos, and/or other data from your old iPad. The amount of time needed for this process just depends on how much data you need to transfer.
This guide assumes you have already completed the initial setup for your new iOS device. If you haven't yet completed the initial setup for your new iOS device, please refer first to the following guide:
If you are transferring files between computers rather than iPads/iPhones, please refer instead to the following guide:
You must have an Internet connection in order to follow this guide. You can be either on the USC Network (Ethernet or Secure Wireless) or on a secure home wifi network, but not on public wifi. You do not need VPN.
Using Apple ID/iCloud vs using AirDrop or Google Drive
It's up to you whether you prefer to use your Apple ID/iCloud account or another method to transfer your files. Some considerations:
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Apple ID/iCloud: Use your Apple ID/iCloud account to copy over not just files but also apps and device settings. Be careful to comply with ITS's acceptable use policy and to keep your personal and professional data separate. For example, you can create a new iCloud account associated with your @usc.edu email address so that you aren't using your personal iCloud account.
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Alternatives to Apple ID/iCloud: These methods allow you to avoid signing into your work device with your personal Apple ID/iCloud account. Both of these methods allow you to transfer files but not apps.
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AirDrop: Use this method to copy files over from your old iOS device to your new iOS device. This is a direct transfer and, unlike the iCloud and Google Drive methods, a copy of the files will not be stored on the cloud.
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Google Drive: Use this method to back up files from your old iOS device to Google Drive. This is an indirect transfer and, unlike the iCloud and AirDrop methods, a copy of the files will not be stored on your new iOS device: instead, to access these files, you use your new device to sign into Google Drive.
Transferring apps and files using Apple ID/iCloud
This guide assumes you have already completed the initial setup for your new iOS device. If you haven't completed the initial setup for your new iOS device, please refer to the following guide:
Quick guide
Step 1: On your old iOS device, make sure you're signed into and syncing to your iCloud account.
- On your old device's home screen, tap on Settings.
- If you're not signed in already, tap on Sign in to your iPad (or Sign in, for iPhone) and enter your Apple ID credentials. Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Once you have successfully signed in, tap on iCloud.
- Tap on iCloud Backup.
- Tap on Back Up Now.
Step 2: On your new iOS device, sign into your iCloud account to start syncing.
- On your new device's home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap on Sign in to your iPad (or Sign in, for iPhone) and enter your Apple ID credentials. Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Once you have successfully signed in, Apple begins syncing apps and files to your new iOS device. You're all set!
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
Step 1: On your old iOS device, make sure you're signed into and syncing to your iCloud account.
- On your old device's home screen, tap on Settings.
- If you're not signed in already, tap on Sign in to your iPad (or Sign in, for iPhone) and enter your Apple ID credentials. Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Once you have successfully signed in, tap on iCloud.
- Tap on iCloud Backup.
- Tap on Back Up Now.
Step 2: On your new iOS device, sign into your iCloud account to start syncing.
- On your new device's home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap on Sign in to your iPad (or Sign in, for iPhone) and enter your Apple ID credentials. Follow the on-screen prompts.
- Once you have successfully signed in, Apple begins syncing apps and files to your new iOS device. You're all set!
Transferring files using AirDrop
Use this method to copy files over from your old iOS device to your new iOS device. This is a direct transfer and, unlike the iCloud and Google Drive methods, a copy of the files will not be stored on the cloud.
Quick guide
Step 1: On both iOS devices, turn on AirDrop.
- On the home screen, tap on Settings.
- Make sure that the device is connected to Wi-Fi and that Bluetooth is set to "On."
- Tap on General.
- Tap on AirDrop.
- Tap on Everyone.
Step 2: Select and transfer your files.
Follow the steps below for each app where you have files you want to transfer via AirDrop. For instance, to transfer files from Photos:
- On your old device's Home screen, tap on Photos.
- Navigate to the album/folder containing photos you want to upload, and select the photos.
-
To select an entire album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on the […] icon.
- Tap on Share Photos…
- Tap on AirDrop.
-
To select only certain photos from the album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on Select.
- To select photos, tap on them. A blue checkmark will appear on each photo you select.
- In the bottom left corner, tap on the
icon.
- Tap on AirDrop.
- The AirDrop screen appears. If the screen reads "No People Found," unlock your new device to wake it up.
- On your old device's AirDrop screen, tap on the new device to select it.
- On the new device, an alert message appears. Tap on Accept.
- The transfer begins. Once complete, on your old device, the AirDrop screen reads "Sent." Tap on Done to finish the process and select more photos or files to transfer.
Step 3: On both iOS devices, turn off AirDrop once transfer has completed.
- On the home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on AirDrop.
- Tap on Receiving Off.
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
Step 1: On both iOS devices, turn on AirDrop.
- On the home screen, tap on Settings.
- Make sure that the device is connected to Wi-Fi and that Bluetooth is set to "On."
- Tap on General.
- Tap on AirDrop.
- Tap on Everyone.
Step 2: Select and transfer your files.
Follow the steps below for each app where you have files you want to transfer via AirDrop. For instance, to transfer files from Photos:
- On your old device's Home screen, tap on Photos.
- Navigate to the album/folder containing photos you want to upload, and select the photos.
-
To select an entire album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on the […] icon.
- Tap on Share Photos…
- Tap on AirDrop.
-
To select only certain photos from the album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on Select.
- To select photos, tap on them. A blue checkmark will appear on each photo you select.
- In the bottom left corner, tap on the icon.
- Tap on AirDrop.
- The AirDrop screen appears. If the screen reads "No People Found," unlock your new device to wake it up.
- On your old device's AirDrop screen, tap on the new device to select it.
- On the new device, an alert message appears. Tap on Accept.
- The transfer begins. Once complete, on your old device, the AirDrop screen reads "Sent." Tap on Done to finish the process.
- You can now select more photos or other files to transfer via AirDrop.
Step 3: On both iOS devices, turn off AirDrop once transfer has completed.
- On the home screen, tap on Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on AirDrop.
- Tap on Receiving Off.
Transferring files using Google Drive
Use this method to back up files from your old iOS device to Google Drive. This is an indirect transfer and, unlike the iCloud and AirDrop methods, a copy of the files will not be stored on your new iOS device: instead, to access these files, you use your new device to sign into Google Drive.
Quick guide
Step 1: On your old iOS device, back up your files to Google Drive.
- First, if you do not have the Google Drive app installed on your old device, go ahead and install it:
- On your home screen, tap on App Store.
- Tap on Search and type Google Drive. Tap on Search.
- Google Drive appears at the top of the search results. Tap on Get.
- Apple asks you to sign in. Enter your Apple ID credentials and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Tap on Install. After a few minutes, the Google Drive app should be installed and appear on your Home screen.
- Next, make sure you're logged into your @usc.edu account on Google Drive:
- On your home screen, tap on Drive.
- If you are not already signed in:
- Tap on Sign in.
- Tap on Continue if prompted.
- Type your @usc.edu email address and tap on Next.
- The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC credentials.
- The Duo screen displays. Follow the on-screen prompt to complete authentication.
- Follow the steps below for each app where you have files you want to upload to Google Drive. For instance, to upload files from Photos:
- On your home screen, tap on Photos.
- Navigate to the album/folder containing photos you want to upload, and select the photos.
-
To select an entire album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on the […] icon.
- Tap on Share Photos…
- Tap on Drive. (If you don't see Drive, scroll horizontally through the icons until Drive appears.)
-
To select only certain photos from the album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on Select.
- To select photos, tap on them. A blue checkmark will appear on each photo you select.
- In the bottom left corner, tap on the icon.
- Tap on Drive.
- Make sure the upload settings are correct:
- (Optional) If the incorrect account is selected, tap on the account to switch Google Drive accounts.
- Choose your upload destination:
- Tap on Select Folder.
- Navigate to the location on your Google Drive where you want to upload the files.
- We recommend creating a new folder in which to store uploaded files. To do so, in the top right corner, tap on the [+] icon. Type a folder name and tap on Create.
- Google Drive creates and opens the new folder. In the bottom right corner, tap on Save here.
- In the top right corner, tap on Upload. Your files will begin uploading to Google Drive.
Step 2: On your new iOS device, sign into the Google Drive app.
- On your new device's home screen, tap on Drive. Drive is automatically installed on all new iOS devices so you don't need to install it yourself.
- If you are not already signed in, do so now:
- Tap on Sign in.
- Tap on Continue if prompted.
- Type your @usc.edu email address and tap on Next.
- The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC credentials.
- The Duo screen displays. Follow the on-screen prompt to complete authentication.
- Navigate to the location on your Google Drive where you saved your uploaded files. You're all set! (Note that as of this writing, there is not an easy way to download multiple files at a time from the Google Drive app onto your device.)
Detailed guide (with screenshots)
Step 1: On your old iOS device, back up your files to Google Drive.
- First, if you do not have the Google Drive app installed on your old device, go ahead and install it:
- On your home screen, tap on App Store.
- Tap on Search and type Google Drive. Tap on Search.
- Google Drive appears at the top of the search results. Tap on Get.
- Apple asks you to sign in. Enter your Apple ID credentials and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Tap on Install. After a few minutes, the Google Drive app should be installed and appear on your Home screen.
- Next, make sure you're logged into your @usc.edu account on Google Drive:
- On your home screen, tap on Drive.
- If you are not already signed in:
- Tap on Sign in.
- Tap on Continue if prompted.
- Type your @usc.edu email address and tap on Next.
- The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC credentials.
- The Duo screen displays. Follow the on-screen prompt to complete authentication.
- Follow the steps below for each app where you have files you want to upload to Google Drive. For instance, to upload files from Photos:
- On your home screen, tap on Photos.
- Navigate to the album/folder containing photos you want to upload, and select the photos.
-
To select an entire album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on the […] icon.
- Tap on Share Photos…
- Tap on Drive. (If you don't see Drive, scroll horizontally through the icons until Drive appears.)
-
To select only certain photos from the album for upload:
- In the top right corner, tap on Select.
- To select photos, tap on them. A blue checkmark will appear on each photo you select.
- In the bottom left corner, tap on the icon.
- Tap on Drive.
- Make sure the upload settings are correct:
- (Optional) If the incorrect account is selected, tap on the account to switch Google Drive accounts.
- Choose your upload destination:
- Tap on Select Folder.
- Navigate to the location on your Google Drive where you want to upload the files.
- We recommend creating a new folder in which to store uploaded files. To do so, in the top right corner, tap on the [+] icon. Type a folder name and tap on Create.
- Google Drive creates and opens the new folder. In the bottom right corner, tap on Save here.
- In the top right corner, tap on Upload. Your files will begin uploading to Google Drive.
Step 2: On your new iOS device, sign into the Google Drive app.
- On your new device's home screen, tap on Drive. Drive is automatically installed on all new iOS devices so you don't need to install it yourself.
- If you are not already signed in, do so now:
- Tap on Sign in.
- Tap on Continue if prompted.
- Type your @usc.edu email address and tap on Next.
- The Shibboleth login page displays. Log in using your USC credentials.
- The Duo screen displays. Follow the on-screen prompt to complete authentication.
- Navigate to the location on your Google Drive where you saved your uploaded files. You're all set! (Note that as of this writing, there is not an easy way to download multiple files at a time from the Google Drive app onto your device.)