Every time someone buys a new phone they are faced with the task of transferring data from their old phone to the new one.
Fortunately there are many different ways in which data can be transferred from one iPhone to another iPhone for instance.
In this post we have created calculators that helps estimate how long the transfer will take and a resource on file transferring methods.
The table below provides the time it takes to transfer 128 GB from one phone to another. Use the calculators below to specify filesize, transfer rates and technology.
| Transfer Technology | Time |
|---|---|
| USB 2 | 1 hours, 11 minutes |
| USB 3 | 5 minutes, and 41 seconds |
| Airdrop | 40 minutes |
| Nearby share | 40 minutes |
Table of Contents
Calculators
This first calculator provides the transfer time with the following inputs:
- File size (usually specified in kilobyte, Megabyte or Gigabyte)
- Transfer method or technology
The second calculator below is to be used if you know the connection speed. Enter
- File size in either kB, MB or GB
- Connection speed in either kbps, Mbps or Gbps
The tool will provide the transfer time.
File Transfer Methods
Cloud
To use this method for either Apple or Android phones, the first step is to back up your old phone to the cloud. Then transfer this data to the new phone. Here are the instructions for iPhones. In this case the transfer speed is determined by how fast your internet connection is. In the calculator above, we’ve provided three options:
- 10 Mbps
- 100 Mbps
- 1000 Mbps or 1 Gbps
USB Cable
Data can be transferred between two phones using a USB cable. Samsung has provided instructions here using their smart switch technology.
One important thing to keep in mind is that this method should only be used to transfer small amounts of data. The reason for this is – the phone cannot be charged while data is being transferred. For larger amounts of data transfer use one of the wireless methods on this page.
With an iPhone a lightning cable is required for this operation.
USB comes in two variants. The lower speed USB 2.0 version that provides a max throughput of 480 Mbps. In practice it is closer to 240 Mbps. A higher speed USB 3.0 version with an average practical speed of 3 Gbps.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth provides peer-to-peer short range wireless connectivity and is an ideal technology for transferring data between phones. The closer the phones are placed, the more reliable the connection and the faster the transfer. Average Bluetooth speed is around 2 Megabit-per-second.
Airdrop
AirDrop is a proprietary wireless service in Apple iPhone. It can be used to transfer files among supported iOS devices by means of close-range wireless communication. The underlying protocol itself is Wi-Fi. The two phones are able to create an ad hoc network (without the need for internet access) to facilitate file transfer.
Apple Reference: How to use AirDrop on your iPhone or iPad
Nearby Share
Nearby Share is a service developed by Google that allows data to be transferred between devices via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. It is available on Android phones.
Here’s a FAQ list you can use for an article on How long does it take to transfer data between two phones:
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it usually take to transfer data between two phones?
A: It depends on the transfer method, data size, and connection speed. For example, small transfers via Bluetooth may take minutes, while large transfers (100 GB+) using Wi-Fi or cable could take an hour or more.
Q: Is wireless transfer slower than using a cable?
A: Yes, generally. USB-C or Lightning cables are much faster than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, especially for large files like photos, videos, or apps.
Q: How fast is transferring with Apple’s Quick Start or iCloud?
A: Quick Start using a direct connection can take under an hour for most users. iCloud restores depend on Wi-Fi speed and data size, sometimes taking several hours.
Q: How long does Samsung Smart Switch take?
A: Usually 30 minutes to 1 hour for average data sizes (10–20 GB) via cable. Wireless Smart Switch may take longer, depending on Wi-Fi quality.
Q: Why is my phone transfer taking so long?
A: Common reasons include slow Wi-Fi, using Bluetooth instead of faster methods, large amounts of media files, or background apps running during transfer.
Q: Can I use my phone while data is transferring?
A: It depends on the method. Cable-based transfers often limit phone use, while cloud transfers (like Google Drive or iCloud) let you use the phone but may slow down the process.
Q: Does transferring apps take longer than photos or videos?
A: Yes, since apps may need to re-download from the app store, while photos and videos are direct file copies.
Q: How much data can I transfer at once?
A: In most cases, you can transfer everything (contacts, apps, photos, videos, messages) at once. The limit is usually determined by storage size and speed, not the transfer tool.
Q: Is cloud transfer slower than direct transfer?
A: Yes, because it depends on your internet speed. For example, uploading 50 GB to the cloud could take several hours on slow Wi-Fi, while cable transfer might take under an hour.
Q: How do I speed up phone-to-phone data transfer?
A: Use a USB cable instead of wireless, ensure both devices are fully charged, close unused apps, and transfer in smaller batches if needed.
References
[1] Comparison of Airdrop and Nearby Share speeds