You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Transfer data from old iPad to new

New iPad says I need IOS 14 to transfer data but instructions say you need IOS 11 or above! What is right? Does it mean that older iPads are unable to transfer. Also when that message doesn’t come up and I select transfer from old iPad nothing happens then after a short while it comes back to select how you want to transfer. Have reset to original settings and retried numerous times.

Windows, Windows 6

Posted on Nov 27, 2022 12:45 PM

Reply
6 replies

Nov 27, 2022 12:53 PM in response to JonPar1944

These support pages should get you started with setup of your new iPad - and the methods of transferring your data from old to new 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 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


Data transfer requires that the “target” iPad has an iOS/iPadOS version that is the same or higher than than of the “source” iPad. Put another way, you cannot transfer data and settings to an iPad that has an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS.


For information - when and if you are ready to do so, the best procedure for preparing you old device for disposal or reuse can be found here:

What to do before you sell, give away or trade in your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch – Apple Support

Transfer data from old iPad to new

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.