How to transfer data between old and new iPads but have different apple ids

Have a new iPad Generation 10 and would like to transfer data files from an older iPad Air but the iPads have different Apple IDs.

Could not send to iCloud since 2 different Apple IDs can a USB cable connected between the 2 iPads be used instead?

Posted on Sep 18, 2023 3:42 AM

Reply
Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Sep 18, 2023 3:52 AM

Consider that an AppleID account is intended to be used for life. If you need to change the primary email address that identifies your account, or your secondary (recovery) email addresses or trusted telephone numbers, you simply need to update your AppleID account as necessary.


Change your Apple ID - Apple Support

Change your Apple ID password - Apple Support

What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support

Change, add, or remove Apple ID payment methods - Apple Support


Few of us will have the luxury of forever keeping the same email addresses or telephone numbers - sometimes these needing to be changed for a variety of reasons. However, updating our AppleID account, maintaining access to our data and purchases, is easy and relatively straightforward - accommodating life’s many changes as they occur. Using a completely different AppleID account can introduce many complications and issues, not limited to losing access to paid Apps, subscriptions and services - these being forever tied to the AppleID account from which they were purchased.


Assuming that you accept the implications of using an entirely different AppleID account, the easiest way to move all your data and settings to your new iPad is to setup the new device using the original AppleID credentials - then perform the standard transfer or restore processes - and finally change the AppleID account...



Transfer


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



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, 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.



Change AppleID Account


If you do wish to change and use an entirely different AppleID, first ensure that you have disabled the Activation Lock that will otherwise cause difficulties in the future. You can disable the Activation Lock by disabling the Find My service from iPad/iPhone settings before trying to use a different AppleID account:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Find My > Find My iPad - set to OFF


Having disabled the Activation lock, you can now sign-out from your old AppleID:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Sign Out


Presumably you’ll want to keep any iCloud data that is locally stored on your iPad. If so, accept the opportunity to keep a local copy of your data (e.g., Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Keychain Passwords etc.) - as otherwise this data will be wiped from your iPad as you sign-out from iCloud. 


Also ensure that you have signed-out from Messages and FaceTime:


  • Settings > Messages > Send and Receive > [AppleID] - scroll to the bottom where you will find your signed-in AppleID highlighted in blue text; tap and select Sign Out


  • Settings > FaceTime > [AppleID] - again, scroll down the page to find your signed-in AppleID highlighted in blue text; tap and select Sign Out



After signing out, a restart of your iPad/iPhone is recommended:

Restart your iPad - Apple Support

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support


After restarting, you can sign-in to your new AppleID account from iPad settings - and also sign-in to Messages and FaceTime if necessary. Any iCloud data that you saved to your device during the previous sign-out will be merged with your new AppleID account.

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Sep 18, 2023 3:52 AM in response to Kimberlydannytom

Consider that an AppleID account is intended to be used for life. If you need to change the primary email address that identifies your account, or your secondary (recovery) email addresses or trusted telephone numbers, you simply need to update your AppleID account as necessary.


Change your Apple ID - Apple Support

Change your Apple ID password - Apple Support

What to do after you change your Apple ID or password - Apple Support

Change, add, or remove Apple ID payment methods - Apple Support


Few of us will have the luxury of forever keeping the same email addresses or telephone numbers - sometimes these needing to be changed for a variety of reasons. However, updating our AppleID account, maintaining access to our data and purchases, is easy and relatively straightforward - accommodating life’s many changes as they occur. Using a completely different AppleID account can introduce many complications and issues, not limited to losing access to paid Apps, subscriptions and services - these being forever tied to the AppleID account from which they were purchased.


Assuming that you accept the implications of using an entirely different AppleID account, the easiest way to move all your data and settings to your new iPad is to setup the new device using the original AppleID credentials - then perform the standard transfer or restore processes - and finally change the AppleID account...



Transfer


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



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, 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.



Change AppleID Account


If you do wish to change and use an entirely different AppleID, first ensure that you have disabled the Activation Lock that will otherwise cause difficulties in the future. You can disable the Activation Lock by disabling the Find My service from iPad/iPhone settings before trying to use a different AppleID account:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Find My > Find My iPad - set to OFF


Having disabled the Activation lock, you can now sign-out from your old AppleID:

Settings > [Your Name / AppleID] > Sign Out


Presumably you’ll want to keep any iCloud data that is locally stored on your iPad. If so, accept the opportunity to keep a local copy of your data (e.g., Calendar, Contacts, Notes, Keychain Passwords etc.) - as otherwise this data will be wiped from your iPad as you sign-out from iCloud. 


Also ensure that you have signed-out from Messages and FaceTime:


  • Settings > Messages > Send and Receive > [AppleID] - scroll to the bottom where you will find your signed-in AppleID highlighted in blue text; tap and select Sign Out


  • Settings > FaceTime > [AppleID] - again, scroll down the page to find your signed-in AppleID highlighted in blue text; tap and select Sign Out



After signing out, a restart of your iPad/iPhone is recommended:

Restart your iPad - Apple Support

Force restart iPhone - Apple Support


After restarting, you can sign-in to your new AppleID account from iPad settings - and also sign-in to Messages and FaceTime if necessary. Any iCloud data that you saved to your device during the previous sign-out will be merged with your new AppleID account.

How to transfer data between old and new iPads but have different apple ids

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