Quick Start Not Working on iPhone/iPad? Check 7 Fixes Here

User Concern

“I'm trying to use Quick Start to transfer data from my iPhone 11 to my new iPhone 15 Pro. What results is an endless loop of attempts. How can I fix this? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!”

You have just got a new iPhone 15 and wish to transfer data from the old iPhone to the new one?

Quick Start is a function provided by Apple to help you easily set up your new iPhone or iPad using your old device details. Also, you can directly transfer data from your old iPhone to your new device.

Although Quick Start is easy to use, you may still face problems setting up your iPhone. If, for some reason, the Quick Start is not working on your iPhone, don't worry. Here, we will introduce some effective ways to fix this problem. Keep reading.

How to Use Quick Start on iPhone

If your old iPhone is running iOS 11 or later, you can follow the steps below to quick start your new iPhone:

Step 1: Switch on your new iPhone and place it close to your old iPhone. The QuickStart screen will appear on the old iPhone, allowing you to set up the new iPhone using your Apple ID, confirm the Apple ID and tap "Continue."

If you don't see the option on your old iPhone, ensure that Bluetooth is enabled.

Step 2: Wait for an animation displayed on the screen of your new iPhone. Hold your old iPhone over the new device and center the animation in the viewfinder.

Step 3: When you see the prompt "Finish on New iPhone", you'll be prompted to enter your old iPhone's passcode onto the new device. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to set up Face ID or Touch ID on the new iPhone.

Step 4: When you see the option to "Transfer Data from XX's iPhone, tap "Continue" to transfer data from your old iPhone to the new iPhone.

Keep the two devices near to each other until the data transfer process is complete. If you encounter a problem with Quick Start, check out the solutions below to fix it.

Why is Quick Start on iPhone Not Working?

If Quick Start is not working on your iPhone, it could be due to various reasons. Here are a few common issues that may prevent Quick Start from functioning:

• If one or both iPhones are running an iOS version earlier than iOS 11, Quick Start may not be available.
• Quick Start will not work properly if Bluetooth is turned off on your iPhone.
• Weak or unstable network connections can also cause Quick Start to get stuck.
• The two iPhones are not close to each other for Quick Start to work effectively.
• You have already logged in to your new iPhone using your Apple ID and password.
• If the battery level of your iPhone is low, it may affect the Quick Start process.
• Some unknown errors and bugs with your iPhones.

How to Fix Quick Start Not Working on iPhone

No matter the reasons, you can follow the troubleshooting tips below to resolve the issue and successfully set up your iPhone using the QuickStart feature.

Ensure Both Devices Upgrade to iOS 11 or Later

As mentioned earlier, to use Quick Start, both your new and old iPhones must run on iOS 11 or later. Your iPhone Quick Start not working problem may result from your old iPhone being on an old iOS version.

A simple fix for this problem is to update your iPhone's iOS version by navigating to Settings, tapping General, and then Software Update. Tap Download and Install, the most recent iOS version will be downloaded to your iPhone.

Once the new iOS version has been downloaded, the problem of iPhone Quick Start will be solved, and you can try to use it.

Turn On Bluetooth & Wi-Fi on Both iPhones

People usually do not remember or know that iPhone Quick Start cannot work without Bluetooth and WiFi. If they are not enabled, Quick Start will not work.

So, if you are facing the iPhone Quick Start not working issue, check if you have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled on both devices. If not, go to Settings and turn on the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The problem should be solved after doing that.

Change the Lightning Cable

If you connect the 2 devices with 3rd-party lightning cables, the Quick Start may not work as expected since the devices may not be compatible with the USB cables.

So check whether the USB cables are original; if not, connecting the 2 devices with the original USB cables will solve this problem.

Restart the 2 iOS Devices

If your iPhone is on the latest iOS version and you have turned on the Bluetooth, but the Quick Start is still not working, you can try to restart the two iPhones.

• For iPhone X or later: Hold the Side button and either Volume button until the "slide to power off" appears on the screen.
• For iPhone 8 or earlier: Hold the Top or Side button until you see "slide to power off".

Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone. After that, hold the Side or Top button again to turn on your iPhone. Then Quick Start should work on both of them. If a simple restart doesn't do the trick for your iPhones, you should consider giving your phone a force restart.

Force Your iPhone to Quick Start

You won't see the Quick Start option if you've already logged in to your new iPhone with an Apple ID. In such a case, you can force your iPhone to return to the initial setup screen. Before proceeding, ensure to have a safe backup of your iPhone, as this will completely erase the device.

Then, factory reset your new iPhone by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Once you reach the Hello page after the reset, it will prompt you whether you want to set up your phone from a nearby device. Select that option and follow the provided instructions.

Fix Quick Start Not Working without Data Loss

Sometimes, the problem of iPhone Quick Start not working may not be solved with the solutions above. It could be a problem with your iPhone's iOS system issue, and you have to fix the problem using a third-party iOS repair tool.

We recommend using the FoneGeek iOS System Recovery program to fix this problem. It is one of the most effective software that ensures to fix various iOS issues without losing the data on your device. It is easy to use, user-friendly, and highly effective. Morever, it works well with all iPhone models and iOS versions, even the latest iPhone 15 and iOS 17.

Here's how to fix Quick Start not working on iPhone/iPad without data loss:

Step 1: Download, install, and run THE FoneGeek iOS Repair tool on your PC or Mac. Choose "Standard Mode" from the main interface to begin the process.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to the computer via a USB cable and click "Next". If the program doesn't recognize your device, you must put it into Recovery mode to get it detected.

Step 3: The software will detect your phone model and suggest the available firmware for your iPhone model. Click on "Download" to download the matching firmware package.

Step 4: When the firmware is downloaded successfully, click "Fix Now," FoneGeek will start repairing your iPhone.

Contact Apple Support

If the methods mentioned above do not work, your next option is to contact Apple Support to fix the problem. There might be a problem with your iPhone that only a professional Apple technician can help you to fix it. Check out Apple's website to find out how you can get in touch with an Apple support representative.

Conclusion

Quick Start is an impressive feature that makes switching between iPhones easy and seamless. But when faced with the problem of iPhone Quick Start not working, the solutions listed above should fix the problem. FoneGeek iOS System Recovery is one tool you need to fix any iOS software problems you might have on any of your devices. Download it and give it a try.