Transfer iCloud to iCloud With All Data: Step-by-Step Guide
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Apple does not provide a direct iCloud to iCloud transfer method – because iCloud stores multiple types of data, each requiring a different transfer method.
- iCloud Mail Emails: Can be migrated to another or a new account using a migration tool.
- Photos and iCloud Drive files: Can be transferred by downloading and re-uploading them.
- Contacts and calendars: Can be transferred by exporting and importing them on an iPhone, iPad & Mac OS.
Limitations: There are certain limitations when it comes to purchasing Cloud Backups and Health data. The guide offers step-by-step instruction for complete iCloud to iCloud migration.
Can You Transfer iCloud to a New iCloud Account?
Yes, you can move data from from one iCloud to another – but each data item has to be handled separately.
It is important to know that Apple does not have an official iCloud to iCloud transfer tool or any built in option.
Know the Difference Between Apple & iCloud Account, and iCloud Mail Address Before Transferring to a New iCloud Account?
| Apple ID (now Apple Account) | iCloud Account Data | iCloud Mail Address |
|---|---|---|
| It is a login medium to Apple services, access purchases, subscriptions and accounts. It can be any email address. | iCloud data attached to that Apple ID: photos, iCloud Drive, contacts, calendars, notes and backups – associated with the Apple Account | @icloud.com, @me.com or @mac.com mailbox attached to the Apple ID. Eg: [email protected] |
Important: If a user simply wants to change their primary Apple ID email address (e.g., updating [email protected] to another), Apple allows them to edit their existing Apple ID at account.apple.com without creating a new account or any need of iCloud to iCloud transfer at all.
Use Cases: Why Users Need an iCloud to iCloud Migration?
iCloud-to-iCloud transfer may be necessary when users switch Apple Accounts, lose access to an existing account, or need to consolidate data from multiple accounts.
Case 1: “My mother passed away earlier this year. I want to move my iCloud photos, drive and email data to mine and close my iCloud account. Is there an easy way to do this?”
Case 2: “I created a separate iCloud ID for my small business and now I want to transfer it to a new one iCloud account – as we are rebranding.”
Case 3: “When I got the new iPhone18 a month back I forgetfully created a new iCloud ID and now I want to get my old iCloud data in the new one. I have no wish for managing the two account separately”
Case 4: “My mum and I have had the same iCloud ID for years but since I got my own mobile – I need to transfer only my data from her iCloud account to mine? What is the way to do so?”
What Can and Can’t Be Transferred From One iCloud Account to Another?
| Transferable | Partially Transferable (Workarounds) | Non Transferable |
|---|---|---|
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If Optimize Storage is enabled, download the original, full-resolution photos to your device before transferring them.
Keep In Mind When You Carry Out iCloud to iCloud Transfer
- Apple gives you 5 GB of free iCloud storage – ensure your new iCloud account has free space.
- Ensure your device is connected to Wi-Fi throughout the restore process to avoid mobile data charges.
- Know that iCloud to iCloud migration can be time consuming based on the associated data – do not rush the process.
How to Transfer Emails From One iCloud Account to Another?
iCloud mail does not have a native option to move emails from old iCloud mail ID to new ID. You can drag and drop emails by adding both accounts in the Apple Mail application on Mac OS or a free emails client like “Thunderbird”. But the process is:
- Time Consuming
- Risks Missing Data
- Results in Broken Threading and Message IDs
- Bandwidth and Rate Limiting
- Leads to data Corruption
BitRecover Email Backup Tool for iCloud to iCloud Migration – both Mac & Windows OS enables users to bulk migrate emails between iCloud accounts, including existing emails, with support for automated migration of incoming emails, the security of app-password authentication and preserved folder hierarchy.
Try Now! Migrate 25 emails per iCloud folder to another iCloud account for free with a demo version.
- Download the iCloud to iCloud transfer tool.
- Select iCloud as the source from the email source panel on the left.
- Enter your source iCloud Mail ID & app-password (only created after enabling 2FA).
- Select the iCloud folders you want to merge with another iCloud account.
- Choose “IMAP” from the saving option drop down.
- Enter the destination iCloud server details:
- Incoming server: imap.mail.me.com
- Port and security: 993, SSL
- Email ID: Destination iCloud ID
- Password: App-Specific Password for destination
- Finally, click on the Backup button.
Once the iCloud-to-iCloud email transfer is complete, you can access the migrated emails in the destination mailbox through iCloud.com or any compatible email client configured with the destination account.
What Are the Advantages of Using BitRecover iCloud to iCloud Mail Migration Tool?
- Bulk Migration: Bulk migration from multiple iCloud accounts to new iCloud accounts via “Batch Mode” without any restriction on the mailbox size or any manual efforts.
- Complete Data Preservation: Preserves all iCloud email components including sender and recipient information, email folder structure, attachments, subject lines, message dates, email content, and metadata.
- Selective Email Transfer: Enable selective transfer of emails from one iCloud account to another based on – advanced filters like Date Range, Skip Empty Folders, Exclude Folders, Sender & Receiver addresses, and Subject Keywords.
- Incremental and Scheduled Backup: Automatically transfers only new incoming emails with “incremental backups” – without any duplicates on a scheduled basis.
Can I Transfer My iCloud Account to the New Apple ID?
No, the old @icloud.com address cannot move to the new Apple ID. But you can migrate emails from one iCloud account to another via BitRecover migration tool or via the email client.
Is It Possible That I Keep Receiving Mail from My Old iCloud ID in My New iCloud ID?
Yes, you can either use the Schedule + Incremental Backup option of the BitRecover migration tool. Or setup forwarding from the source iCloud account to the destination iCloud account. Forwarding works only while the old Apple ID and its mail address stay active, so do not delete the old Apple ID early.
How to Migrate Contacts, Notes, and Other iCloud Data to a New Account?
The device transfer method lets you transfer an iCloud account to another iCloud from your own iPhone, iPad or Mac. This allows users to simultaneously migrate contacts, calendars and events, reminders, Safari data such as bookmarks, and saved passwords by keeping a copy of your iCloud data and moving it to a new iCloud account.
Note: This merge of iCloud accounts cannot be undone or revoked.
- Open Settings and make sure you are signed into your old iCloud account.
- Tap your Name >> iCloud and under “Apps Using iCloud” click “Show All”.
- Turn off the toggle of Contacts, Calendars, Notes, and Reminders.
- Check the “Keep on My iPhone” option when prompted.
- Go back to the page Name >> iCloud and the “Sign Out” button at the bottom.
- Enter your Apple ID password, then select Turn Off to confirm.
- Sign in with your new iCloud account inside the main Settings app.
- Go to iCloud settings under your new account and turn ON Contacts, Calendars, Notes, and Reminders.
- When prompted click “Merge” to move locally stored data from old iCloud account to new iCloud account.
How to Transfer iCloud to Another iCloud? Photos, Videos & Drive
The download (from the old iCloud ID) and re-upload (to new iCloud ID) is a seamless way to migrate data from an iCloud account to another iCloud account. But this method is limited to details like – Photos, Drive and can even be applied to contacts & calendars.
Tip: Perform the transfer on a Mac and use external storage if needed to accommodate large amounts of data.
How to Migrate iCloud Photos to Another iCloud Account?
- Go to iCloud.com and sign in with the Apple ID associated with the source.
- Open Photos.
- Click on the Download icon on the top right and get a zip file.
- Extract the zip on your computer.
- Sign out the old Apple/iCloud ID and sign in with new/destination iCloud ID.
- Click on the Upload icon on the top left.
- Select the files from the PC and upload.
Optional: Remove duplicates in photos after an iCloud to iCloud transfer. On iPhone or iPad: Open Albums > Utilities > Duplicates and merge the pairs.
How to Transfer iCloud Drive Files to a New iCloud ID?
- Go to iCloud.com and sign in with the Apple ID associated with the source.
- Open iCloud Drive.
- Select the files you want to transfer from iCloud to iCloud.
- Click on the download icon (cloud with downwards arrow).
- Sign out the old Apple/iCloud ID and sign in with new/destination iCloud ID.
- Click on the upload icon on the top left.
- Select the files from the PC and upload.
How to Transfer iCloud Contacts to Another iCloud?
Although you can migrate contacts from one iCloud account to another iCloud account via the inbuilt merge option on iPhone or iPad. These steps helps you exclusively move contacts only:
- On your old iCloud.com account, go to Contacts.
- Click on Gear icon (on the right) and Export vCard.
- Sign out of your existing Apple Account, then sign in with your new Apple Account.
- In iCloud Contacts, click the gear icon and select Import vCard.
- Select the downloaded vCard file and click Open to import your contacts.
FAQs: iCloud to iCloud Transfer
Q1: Can you merge two iCloud accounts?
No, Apple does not allow users to merge iCloud accounts or Apple IDs, as they are treated as separate entities. However, you can transfer data from one Apple ID to another piece by piece.
Q2: Is it possible to migrate iCloud data to another iCloud account if my old device is not working?
Yes you can still move some data – due to iCloud live sync from one iCloud account to another. But you will need an Apple Account (Apple ID) email address and its password.
- On the “New” device.
- Go to Settings >> General >> Transfer or Reset iPhone >> Erase All Content and Settings.
- On the “Quick Start” screen choose Set Up Without Another Device.
- Connect to Wi-Fi.
- On the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen, select From iCloud Backup.
- Log in with the exact same Apple ID used on your broken phone.
Q3: Can you transfer iCloud data to another iCloud without a computer?
You can only partially transfer data without a computer. Specific data like – Photos, Drive and iCloud Mail Data require desktop. Contacts, calendars, notes, and other supported data can be migrated via iPhone or iPad.
Q4: Is moving to a new iPhone the same as moving to a new iCloud account?
No When you get a new iPhone, you log in with the same Apple ID and restore from your iCloud Backup or local backup. If you create a new account with iCloud that means you have a new Apple ID and you can’t transfer a backup.
Q5: Is there any addition cost to transfer data from one iCloud account to another?
Apple does not charge you to move your data manually from one iCloud account to another – without any added cost. But if you use third-party tools like BitRecover or any other reliable tool for ease and accuracy – they will account you for added cost.
Q6: Can App Store and media purchases be migrated from one iCloud to another?
No, Apple does not offer a way to transfer purchases from one Apple ID to another, as purchases remain associated with the Apple ID used to make them. However, eligible purchases can be shared with family members through Family Sharing.
Q7: Can I transfer iCloud+ storage plan to a new account?
No. You cannot share an iCloud+ storage plan between Apple Accounts. But you can share an eligible iCloud+ plan with up to five family members using Family Sharing so they can use the shared storage without changing the subscription.
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