How do I resolve this problem:
My new iPhone 16 setup transfer from my old iPhone 12 didn’t work. The transfer phone number didn’t work. The new iPhone 16 asked to update software so I said yes, but then apparently the new iPhone 16 tried to transfer to my old iPhone 12.
Now I have an iPhone 16 that is set up with just the default apps and I’m not sure what the status of my old iPhone is.
iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 18
Apple Support had me restore the iPhone 16 to factory settings, keeping the eSIM, using Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Erase All Content and Settings.
Then I redid the setup, using the option to transfer from my old iPhone. When the setup said “Unable to transfer phone number” and said try again or contact Apple support, support said just hit Continue. After everything completed, my new iPhone works fine.
By the way, there was a glitch with the cellular Apple Watch in that during the transfer, that took over an hour so I left, my Watch would not work to make outgoing calls.
Apple Support had me restore the iPhone 16 to factory settings, keeping the eSIM, using Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [Device] > Erase All Content and Settings.
Then I redid the setup, using the option to transfer from my old iPhone. When the setup said “Unable to transfer phone number” and said try again or contact Apple support, support said just hit Continue. After everything completed, my new iPhone works fine.
By the way, there was a glitch with the cellular Apple Watch in that during the transfer, that took over an hour so I left, my Watch would not work to make outgoing calls.
Tghius may help --> 3 Ways to transfer data from an old iPhone to a New iPhone… - Apple Community
iPhone 12 to 16 transfer didn’t work, new iPhone 16 asked to update software
