Unable to Complete Data Transfer on iPhone 13/Pro (Max)

If you receive the error message “Unable to complete data transfer” on your iPhone 13/Pro (Max), just try the solutions in this guide to fix it. Optionally, two alternative ways to transfer data to new iPhone are also available for you.

Demi

By Demi / Updated on September 20, 2023

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Unable to complete data transfer error

I just got a new iPhone 13 Pro Max and am trying to do an automatic transfer of all my data and apps from my iPhone 12 Pro Max. I have the phones sitting right next to each other, but after about 2 hours, the transfer fails. It gives an error message saying “Unable to Complete Data Transfer”. Any idea as to what I’m doing wrong?

- Question from Reddit

. After getting a brand-new iPhone 13 Pro Max, you may intend to transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone using Quick Start.

However, things may not always work well. When you are waiting for the transfer process to complete, you may suddenly receive the error message “Unable to Complete Data Transfer” on new iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max. How can you fix it? Keep reading this guide to find workable solutions.

Unable To Complete Data Transfer

Fixes to unable complete data transfer on iPhone 13/Pro (Max)

In this part, you can get five solutions to fix iPhone is unable to complete data transfer. You can try them one after another until your trouble gets solved. Optionally, to save your time, the next part offers you better solutions to transfer everything to iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Update the iOS on iPhone 13/Pro (Max)

One of the main reasons why the data transfer process is unable to be complete on iPhone 13 Pro Max is that the new iPhone is an older version of the OS than the current iPhone. Therefore, it is suggested to check and update the iOS on your new iPhone 13 Pro Max.

You can start over and set up the new iPhone without transferring any information over. Then, go to the Settings app > General > Choose Software Update. If there is a new version available, follow the onscreen instructions to update it.

Software Update

Restart the old iPhone

Chances are that since the old iPhone has been used for a long time, there might be some software glitches that prevent it from performing iPhone migration properly. You can restart your old iPhone and try again to see whether the issue is fixed.

Insert SIM card to iPhone 13/Pro (Max)

You may need to be noted that a brand-new iPhone cannot be activated without a SIM card. Therefore, you may need to insert your SIM card to iPhone 13 Pro Max before the migration process.

Plug both iPhones to power

During the transfer process, you need to make sure both of your iPhone are fully charged. Although it sounds tricky, it is reported that the transfer process can be complete after connecting the iPhones to power.

Try wired iPhone migration

Many factors can have an impact on a wireless procedure. In fact, Quick Start offers both wireless and wired data migration solutions. If Quick Start not working and you constantly receive the error message and cannot transfer data to iPhone 13 Pro Max, then, get a Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adaptor and a Lightning to USB cable to make it work in a wired way.

Lightning To 3 Camera Adapter

Alternative ways to transfer data to new iPhone 13 Pro Max

Quick Start is not the only tool you can rely on to transfer data to new iPhone. You can also choose to restore iCloud or iTunes backup to your new iPhone. Besides, you can make use of the third-party transfer software to transfer everything to new iPhone 13 Pro Max without backup. Choose one to get everything moved to the new iPhone.

Way 1. Restore iCloud/iTunes backup to new iPhone

If you have backed up your old iPhone using iCloud or iTunes, you can restore it to your new iPhone. To minimize the data loss, it is suggested you fully backup iPhone with iCloud/iTunes before restoring the backup file to your new iPhone 13 Pro Max.

How to restore iCloud backup to iPhone 13 Pro Max
Step 1. Start over your new iPhone > Follow the setup steps until you see App & Data screen > Choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

Choose Restore Option

Step 2. Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID > Choose a backup, then the restore start.

How to restore iTunes backup to iPhone 13 Pro Max
Step 1. Go over the setup process and choose Restore from Mac or PC when you get to the Apps & Data screen.

Restore From Mac Or PC

Step 2. Connect your new iPhone to the computer > Open iTunes > Choose your iPhone > Click Restore Backup.

Restore iTunes Backup

Step 3. Choose the latest backup version > Enter the password if asked > Click Restore and wait for the restore to finish.

Click Restore iTunes

Way 2. Transfer everything to new iPhone without backup

If you do have not enough iCloud space to save all data on your old iPhone or are not used to utilizing iTunes, you can try the transfer software - FoneTool to transfer everything to iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The transfer tool offers you two options to transfer files to new iPhone: full transfer or selective transfer, which is perfectly compatible with models of iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

Without a complicated setup process and steps, you can finish the migration process in one click within no more than 30 minutes.

Get the tool now and follow the steps below to transfer everything to new iPhone without backup.

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Step 1. Connect both your old iPhone and new iPhone to computer > You may need to click Trust This Computer on your iPhone if asked.

Step 2. Open FoneTool > Click iPhone to iPhone function from the bottom of its homepage.

iPhone To iPhone Transfer

Step 3. Make sure the source and target iPhone are in the right place > Enable Backup encryption to encrypt the data on your source iPhone if needed.

Backup Encryption

Step 4. Click Start Transfer to begin the transfer > Wait for the transfer to complete, and the new iPhone will be restarted automatically.

Start Transfer

Its transfer functions can also meet your daily demands to transfer wanted data from one Apple ID to another.

To keep your iPhone data safe, it provides you with two ways to backup iPhone to PC. The Selective Backup function helps backup selective files to computer. While the Full Backup keeps everything on your iPhone safe.

Conclusion

That’s all for the fixes to unable to complete data transfer on iPhone 13 Pro Max. Hope your problem can be fixed. Or you can try alternative ways to transfer data to new iPhone 13 Pro Max. If this guide helps you, please share it with others.