Unofficial archive. This is a read-only, community-run archive of the Apple Support Community. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.
Londoniphoneuser
User level: Level 1 (4 points)

iPhone Quick Start transfer stuck and Wi-Fi disconnected

I’m struggling with my phone being stuck in quick start. With a time of 16 hours shown initially, it has been transferring for 8 hours, and is still showing 10 hours remaining.


I have a 1TB iPhone 15 Pro and I am transferring to the iPhone 18 Pro 2TB.


Usually when I have transferred between phones using quick start it’s taken about 7-8hrs (I have horrible wifi)


But now the phone has also disconnected itself from wifi, and is using the 1 bar of cell service I have at home to try and do this. I’m not sure whether to cancel and try again. I saw a method online of using the USB C cable to connect the two phones, which I tried about 6 hours in, but had to abort as I needed to charge the phone.


Is there a way to fix this or speed it up? Is it best if I cancel and retry?


I would rather not use iCloud for this transfer if it can be avoided

Posted on Sep 21, 2026 1:45 AM

2 replies

SravanKrA
User level: Level 10 (454,138 points)

Sep 21, 2026 6:36 AM in response to Londoniphoneuser

If you have already set up the new iPhone then the data created during this period will be lost if you use any of the three processes given below


iPhone to iPhone, there are three ways,

  1. Quick Transfer --> Use QuickStart to transfer data to a new iPhone, iPad or iPod ...
  2. Restore from iCloud Backup, When you buy a new iPhone or iPad, you can get temporary iCloud storage to transfer data from your current device to your new one. --> Restore or set up your device from an iCloud backup - Apple ... or use Get temporary iCloud storage when you buy a new iPhone ...
  3. Restore from iTunes backup --> Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in iTunes on PC ...


Instead, try transferring data manually. One by One

  1. If your old iPhone had iCloud enabled Optimised storage enabled then please do the same on the new device too. Check if you have enough iCloud Storage if you are using another Apple ID.
  2. Messages, Media, Voice Memo, Keychain --> Turn on Messages in iCloud & iCloud Photos, Voice Memo, Keychain, and your content is automatically stored in iCloud and is available on all devices that use the same Apple ID including iCloud Drive
  3. Contacts --> Contacts are not stored on an iPhone nor on SIM, they are synced to  Google, iCloud, AOL, Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo or any Other. Use the email account that is in your old iPhone.
  4. Notes, Reminders, Calendars --> You may sync all these from any of the email accounts that you have on your old iPhone. they can be synced using  Google, iCloud, AOL, Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo or any Other.
  5. Any Specific Files --> Upload to Cloud Drives (iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, DropBox, Flickr, box, AmazonDrive, Adobe Creative Cloud and Use Files app on your new iPhone too.
  6. Apps & Settings --> In any way they have to be redownloaded using the App Store. Even you had used any of the 3 processes mentioned earlier. Apart from the Apps following will also not get transferred.
    1. Content from the iTunes and App Stores or PDFs downloaded directly to Apple Books
    2. Content synced from iTunes, like imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos
    3. Data already stored in iCloud, like iCloud Photos, iMessages, and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages
    4. Face ID or Touch ID settings
    5. Apple Pay information and settings
    6. Apple Mail data
    7. Apple Music
  7. WhatsApp --> Take a backup of chats and media from within the WhatsApp App. Use the same Phone number as that of your earlier iPhone and activate the account in the new iPhone too. That's it. --> Transfer Whatsapp chat History from Andro… - Apple Community
  8. Shazam Account --> Access your Shazams on all your devices or online - Apple ...
  9. Airtag:
    1. Hold your AirTag near your iPhone or iPad, then tap Connect. · Name your AirTag, then tap Continue. · To register your AirTag with your Apple ID Add an AirTag in Find My on iPhone - Apple Support
    2. How to remove AirPods, AirTag, or another Find My network accessory or device from an Apple ID on iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Open the Find My ... If an item or device is connected to another Apple ID


Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256361720