How to transfer data to iPhone 5? – Best way to transfer data to iPhone 5 – transfer apps / photos to iPhone 5

You just got the new iPhone 5.  Congrats!  But, how do you transfer all of your data over?  You know, your photos, emails, apps, notes, videos, and movies.

Here’s the easiest way to transfer all your data to the iPhone 5:

Please perform the following steps on your old iPhone:

1. Go to Settings->General->Auto-Lock and select Never
2. Plug your iPhone into a wall outlet, not your computer.
3. Make sure you are connected to your nearest, strongest Wi-Fi network.
4. Go to:  Settings->iCloud-> and select all the data (i.e. Contacts, Bookmarks, Notes, Photo Stream, Documents & Data) that you want to back up.
5. On the bottom of the iCloud page, go to Storage & Backup->select Back Up now
6. After your back up is completed, turn off your old iPhone and turn on your new iPhone.
7. Go through the normal setup instructions for the new iPhone.
8. When prompted, choose Restore from iCloud Backup->Next->enter Apple ID and password
9. Select your latest backup->Restore
10. Your iPhone will restart when done and being re-downloading your apps in the background.

For email, if you use Gmail, Yahoo, a company Exchange server or another email that is already saved to its server, don’t worry about backing up emails or restoring them.  It will take too long and is too large.  If you’re not sure, and want to be safe you can just include them in the iCloud backup.

Doesn’t my iPhone backup automatically to the iCloud?  Keep in mind that backups do automatically occur overnight when your iPhone is locked, plugged in, and connected to Wi-Fi.  But, it is wise to perform this manual backup prior to switching over to your new iPhone to ensure you have a full backup.  Plus, automatic backups will not work if you don’t have enough iCloud space for your files.  If that’s the case, you’ll need to pay for more space easily through iCloud on your iPhone.  It will notify you.

Notes:  Another key note is that if you want to save your Notes, you’ll need to sign up for an iCloud email account which may easily be done when you select Notes to be backed up in the iCloud process.

Can’t find your apps?  Some apps may have to be re-downloaded which may easily be done by going to the Apple Store app on your iPhone and you’ll see purchased apps as a header.  Just go in there and re-download the apps you already bought or got for free on your old iPhone.

That’s it.  iPhone service experts or Apple genius bar folks need not apply here.  Very simple and straightforward process.