How to Go to iOS Setup Assistant? How to Use It to Transfer Data?

Once we set up our iPhone, or any phone for that matter, it’s almost impossible to go back to the iOS Setup Assistant. You can do so only if you factory reset your device and set it up as new again. In this article, we will teach you how to go back to the iOS Setup Assistant and discuss 3 ways to use it to transfer data.

Author Avatar Joy Taylor Last Updated: Aug. 28, 2024

The excitement of getting a new iPhone is unmatched. However, sometimes, in this excitement, we want to breeze through the iOS Setup Assistant and start using our devices as soon as possible. Therefore, we quickly set up our iPhones with the wrong settings! It’s only when we start using our phones that we realize the incorrect settings that we set in a hurry.

The issue? The iOS Setup Assistant is a one-time affair, and you cannot access it whenever you please. However, there’s good news! In this article, we will show you how to get to iOS Setup Assistant. As a bonus, we will also discuss 3 ways to use this iOS assistant to transfer data from Android/iOS to iOS.

What Is iOS Setup Assistant?

iOS Setup Assistant is a built-in feature in Apple devices that helps you set up and configure your device with ease. The Assistant guides you through the whole process of setting up your preferred language, region, Wi-Fi network, Apple ID, and more so that you can start using your device in no time!

Following are some of the features the setup assistant helps us with:

  • Device Activation: It assists in activating your iOS device by connecting to a Wi-Fi network and verifying your Apple ID credentials.
  • Language and Region: It helps you set up your device’s language, date and time settings, and region-specific services.
  • Wi-Fi Setup: The assistant helps you connect to a Wi-Fi network.
  • Apple ID Sign-In: You can sign in with your Apple ID or create a new one during the setup process.
  • Data Transfer: The Setup Assistant allows you to transfer data from an old device to a new one.
  • Face ID or Touch ID Setup: If your device supports Face ID or Touch ID, you can set up these biometric authentication methods during the initial setup.
  • Privacy and Security Settings: It helps you configure privacy settings, such as location services, app permissions, and passcode settings.
  • Device Name: You can assign a name to your device during the setup.

However, if you have set up your iPhone, how to find iOS Setup Assistant again? Just go to the next section to find the answer.

How to Get to iOS Setup Assistant

Can you go back to iOS Setup Assistant? The answer is yes. As mentioned earlier, the iOS Setup Assistant only appears once when you are setting up your device for the first time. However, if you want to use iOS Setup Assistant after setup, the only way to do so is to factory reset your iPhone. Here’s how to open iOS Setup Assistant:

Step 1. On your iPhone, go to “Settings > General > Transfer or Reset Phone.”

Go to Transfer and Reset Phone

Go to Transfer and Reset Phone

Step 2. Now tap “Reset > Erase All Content and Settings” and enter your passcode to continue.

This will erase all the settings on your iPhone and reset it to the factory version. Now, when you switch on your device, the iPhone setup assistant will appear, and you can set up your iPhone as new.

Use iOS Setup Assistant to Transfer Data from Android to iPhone

If you’re a new iPhone user switching from Android, you can transfer data from your old Android device to the iPhone during the setup process. Here’s how to go about it:

Step 1. Turn on your iPhone and follow the on-screen prompts to set it up until you reach the “Apps and Data” part.

Step 2. You will see 5 options to restore your data from your old phone. Select “Move Data from Android.”

Step 3. On your Android phone, download and install the “Move to iOS” app from the Google Play Store.

Step 4. Tap “Continue” on both devices once the app is installed.

Move Data from Android to iPhone with Move to iOS

Move Data from Android to iPhone with Move to iOS

Step 5. Enter a 6-digit code displayed on the iPhone on your Android, and click “Connect > Continue on Android Device.” Your Android phone will now be paired with your iPhone via the same Wi-Fi connection.

Step 6. Select the data you want to transfer from your Android phone to the iPhone, like Contacts, Calendar, Camera Roll, Google Account, Messages, etc. Tap “Continue.”

Step 7. This will initiate the data transfer from Android to iPhone. It might take a few minutes to a couple of hours for the process to complete, depending on the amount of data; therefore, don’t use your phones during it.

Step 8. Once the process is completed, click “Continue” and finish setting up your iPhone.

And that’s how you use the iOS Setup Assistant to transfer data from Android to iPhone.

Use iOS Setup Assistant to Restore/Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone

You can also use the iOS Setup Assistant to restore or transfer data from your old iPhone to the new one. Here are the steps for it:

Step 1. Turn on your new iPhone and set it up till you reach the Quick Start screen.

Move Messages from iPhone to iPhone via Quick Start

Quick Start Interface

Step 2. Place both iPhones next to each other to proceed.

Step 3. Line up the image that appears on your iPhone with the circular window on your old iPhone.

Step 4. Once the Quick Start transfer is authenticated, you will receive a prompt on your new iPhone to enter the passcode of the old iPhone.

Step 5. You will get a “Transfer Data From Old iPhone” notification on your new iPhone. Tap “Continue: to proceed.

Step 6. Quick Start will notify you of all the data that is being transferred from your old iPhone to the new one, along with the estimated time. Tap “Continue” to begin.

Step 7. The transfer will begin with a progress bar showing you the remaining time.

These were the steps on how to use the iOS Setup Assistant to transfer data from iPhone to iPhone and Android to iPhone.

However, many users find it difficult to follow the steps, or they skip this section entirely during the setup. Plus, moving data from Android to iPhone via “Move to iOS” only works when you’re setting up a new iPhone.

But there’s no need to worry; you can always use an alternative method, like a third-party app, to move data across devices.

Transfer Data from Android/iPhone to iPhone After Setup [No Data Loss]

If you need a reliable and efficient way to transfer your data from your Android or iPhone to your new iPhone after setup, we highly recommend checking out AnyTrans – iPhone Data Manager.

It is a powerful iOS data manager and transfer tool for both Mac and Windows. It allows you to easily transfer data between iOS devices, Android and iOS, iOS and computer, and iCloud/iTunes. Even though you have set up your iPhone and cannot find iOS Setup Assistant, you can still use this tool to transfer your data to your iPhone. Just keep reading to see what AnyTrans can do for you in data transferring.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

  • Transfer everything – Photos, music, videos, text messages, contacts, WhatsApp, etc. All data types are supported to transfer.
  • Transfer easily, quickly, and selectively – Just click a button to transfer all your data in just a few minutes. Selective transfers are also allowed.
  • No reset and overwrite – No need to factory reset your iPhone. The transferred data will not overwrite the original data on the device.
  • No compatibility issues – AnyTrans supports all iOS devices running iOS 5 and above as well as Android devices running Android 5 and above.

Free download AnyTrans and make it much easier to move data from Android to iPhone. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to do so:

Step 1. Launch AnyTrans on your computer and select Phone Switcher from the interface.

Phone Switcher - Transfer data from Android/iPhone to iPhone or Apps to iPhone

Select Phone Switcher Mode

Step 2. Connect both your Android phone and iPhone to your computer using USB cables. Now, select the Phone to iPhone option.

Choose Phone to iPhone on Phone Switcher

Choose Phone to iPhone

Step 3. You will get a list of all the data that can be transferred. Select all the categories you want to move and click Next.

Select Messages to Start Transferring

Select Data to Start Transferring

Step 4. This will start the transfer process, which can take a few minutes to complete, depending on the amount of data.

Phone to iPhone Transfer Complete

Phone to iPhone Transfer Complete

Upon completion, all the data from your Android will be available on your iPhone.

The Bottom Line

Getting a new iPhone is quite exciting; therefore, many users want to cut to the chase and start using it immediately. This sometimes results in incorrect or incomplete settings during the setup process. However, in this guide, we have discussed how to go back to the iOS Setup Assistant to modify and reconfigure your settings. Besides, you can also free download AnyTrans to transfer your data to iPhone after setup in simple clicks.

Free Download

Free Download

* 100% Clean & Safe

Free Download * 100% Clean & Safe

Author Avatar
Joy Taylor Twitter Share Facebook Share

Senior writer of the iMobie team as well as an Apple fan, love to help more users solve various types of iOS & Android-related issues.

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