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Ditch iCloud! Transfer Apps to New iPhone with iTunes

Switching to a new iPhone but don't want to use iCloud? No problem! This guide walks you through the process of how to transfer apps to your new iPhone with iTunes. We'll cover everything you need to know, making the transition to your new device a breeze.

October 23, 2024

Preface

It's true that getting a brand-new iPhone is exhilarating! But wait a second—all those apps on your previous phone that you painstakingly downloaded and customized? You don't have to start from scratch, so don't worry. Don't worry if you detest iCloud backups! This tutorial looks at the tried-and-true method of using iTunes to move apps to your new iPhone without iCloud. From configuring your iTunes for the transfer to the actual app migration on your new device, we'll guide you through every step of the process.

Transferring Apps to Your New iPhone with iTunes

While transferring all of your iPhone data via iCloud backups is convenient, some users may prefer other approaches. Maybe you just feel more comfortable utilizing a wired connection for the transfer process, or maybe your iCloud capacity is limited. For whatever reason, iTunes offers a dependable way to move apps from your old iPhone to your new one without using iCloud.

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let's ensure your iTunes is prepped for the task. Here's a quick rundown:

  • Download and install the latest version of iTunes: This guarantees optimal transfer performance and compatibility with your new iPhone model.
  • Connect your old iPhone to your computer using a USB cable: Make sure you have a reliable cable that's compatible with both devices.
  • Back up your old iPhone to your computer via iTunes: Even though moving apps is our main priority, having a complete backup gives you peace of mind. This enables you to recover more data, such as contacts, messages, and images, if necessary.

Prepare Your New iPhone

With iTunes primed and your old iPhone connected, let's get your new iPhone ready to receive its app bounty.

Power Up and Initiate Setup

  • After turning on your new iPhone, proceed to the "Apps & Data" page by following the on-screen directions. Here's where you select the setup method of your choice.
  • Since we're going the iTunes route, select "Restore from Mac or PC" to proceed. This option allows you to restore your new iPhone from a backup stored on your computer.

Transfer Apps Using iTunes

Now comes the exciting part – transferring those apps to your new iPhone! Here's where your iTunes connection comes into play.

Initiate the iTunes Transfer Process

With the backup chosen (or skipped if you're solely transferring apps), it's time to leverage the power of iTunes:

Step 1: Locate your new iPhone in the iTunes interface

Step 2: Click on "Restore Backup"

Step 3: Wait for the transfer process to complete

Transfer Specific Apps Without Backup

What if you don't want to restore from a full backup and just want to move a few particular apps? Although iTunes doesn't have an integrated feature for selective app transfer, there are a few options available to you:

  • App Store Redownloads: You may easily redownload your favorite apps from the App Store on your newly acquired iPhone if you can recall your Apple ID and password. The majority of apps allow users who have already paid for them to download them for free.
  • Third-Party App Transfer Tools (limitations apply): Tools from third parties are available that promise to make selective app transfer easier. Before use any of these tools, though, make sure you do your homework and proceed with caution because some may need access to private information or may not be totally trustworthy.

Transfer Large Apps or All Data

Using a wired iTunes transfer has various benefits if you're working with a large number of large apps or wish to move all of your data (such as contacts, messages, and images) to your new iPhone:

  • Speed and Reliability: When dealing with high data volumes, a cable connection typically offers better transfer speeds than Wi-Fi. Furthermore, a connected connection minimizes the possibility of disruptions throughout the transfer process by providing a more robust connection.
  • Peace of Mind:It can ease your mind to know that everything is being transferred straight from your computer to your new iPhone, especially for individuals who have sensitive data or are uneasy using cloud-based storage solutions.

However, it's worth mentioning a few considerations:

  • Convenience: Some customers may find it less convenient to utilize iTunes since it requires a physical connection to their computer, unlike wireless solutions like iCloud backups.
  • Limited Storage Space: It might not be possible to make a complete backup of your iPhone if your computer has limited capacity. In such circumstances, take into account substitute backup choices such as external hard drives or cloud storage services that provide bigger capacities through subscription plans.

Transferring large apps or all your data using iTunes can be a great option, but it's important to weigh the pros and cons based on your individual needs and preferences.

Pro Tip: How to Organize and Access Files across Different Clouds

Transferring apps to a new iPhone without using iCloud can be a bit challenging, especially if you prefer to use iTunes for the task. While iTunes provides a reliable way to back up and transfer your apps, you may find the process a bit cumbersome if you have a lot of data to manage.

This is where MultCloud can come in handy. While it doesn't directly transfer apps, MultCloud allows you to organize and access files across different cloud services effortlessly, ensuring that all your important documents and media are readily available.

By using MultCloud in conjunction with iTunes, you can create a smoother transition to your new device, keeping your digital life organized. Let’s dive into how to transfer apps to your new iPhone using iTunes and discover how MultCloud can enhance your overall file management experience.

  • Cloud Transfer: MultCloud can transfer files from one cloud service to another directly without downloading and re-uploading.
  • Cloud Sync: With MultCloud, you can easily sync two folders between different cloud services in real-time.
  • Cloud Backup: You can backup and restore data between different cloud services automatically.
  • Instagram Downloader: MultCloud can help you download Instagram videos, photos, reels and stories to local device or remotely upload them to your clouds.
  • Email Migration: You can directly back up and save Gmail emails as PDFs to your computer or cloud drive in bulk. 
  • Manage all cloud accounts in one place: Connect all your clouds to MultCloud and you'll find it so easy to access and manage multiple cloud storage files with a single login.

Quickly transfer, sync or backup files from one cloud to another.

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