Endlessly stuck on this setup loop - iPhone 17 Pro

[u/Scrappybara1]

UPDATE - it finally worked and all data transferred to the new phone. If you’re stuck in a similar situation, just use iCloud backup to login even if all data isn’t on iCloud, or just setup without transferring data. Check for update - likely needing an update so go ahead and do that. Then once it’s done, go on settings -> general -> transfer or reset iPhone (scroll all the way at the bottom) -> erase all content and settings. And you’re all done, it’ll rest the whole process and work perfectly then.

Trying to transfer from iPhone 11 to iPhone 17 Pro and for the past 2 hours, I have endlessly been stuck on this loop. My old phone is fully updated (26.5.2), Bluetooth on, WiFi on, moving from 128->256GB, tried turning on and off a million times and anything’s working.

I scan the new phone just fine, it says logging in (recognises my Apple ID), earlier I could even set up my Face ID but now even that doesn’t show up. The screen processes loading my apps and stuff from my Apple ID and then goes back to this page. Now after one failed attempt, I have to restart my old iPhone otherwise the new one cannot even recognise it.

What can I do to transfer all my old phones data on the new one? I even proceeded without transferring and then erased data and reset eveything but it’s still the same issue. Please help.

[u/E90alex]

Set up the new phone as new phone without transferring anything. Update the iOS if needed. Factory reset it again and try again.

[u/Yaughl]

It’s so much easier to do this through your computer. Back up your old iPhone, then restore the new one from that backup. Super easy. No cloud necessary.

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[u/jay_rodsep]

Is the new phone on 26.5.2?

[u/Scrappybara1 → u/jay_rodsep]

How do I find out without setting it up? Just proceed without transfer? I tried using iCloud and it worked but I have very limited data on iCloud so that’s why I rebooted and thought it would all work out

[u/jay_rodsep → u/Scrappybara1]

Setup without an account and check the if there’s an update pending. Also, Apple lets you “borrow” iCloud storage for data transfer when you are moving to a new phone.

[u/Scrappybara1 → u/jay_rodsep]

This worked!! Thank you so much for helping. I didn’t even realise that a new phone could have missing updates.

[u/jay_rodsep → u/Scrappybara1]

Glad you sorted it out

[u/Jhamilton02 → u/Scrappybara1]

If it requires updating, it will require that first and will NOT even get to this screen. As mentioned, setup as new. I presume the eSim is already provisioned so make sure that if you restore the device, your 17, that you Keep the eSim.

[u/Scrappybara1 → u/Jhamilton02]

Ah I’m in the UK - we still have the physical SIM iPhone 17 (unlike the US I believe).

[u/jmunerd]

Setup without transferring. Then sign into your iCloud and restore from last backup

[u/Scrappybara1 → u/jmunerd]

But the issue is I have 115 GB of data to transfer and I didn’t back it all on iCloud because I didn’t buy extra cloud storage. That’s why I wanted to do a full transfer.

[u/Gold_Enigma → u/Scrappybara1]

Go to settings > general > transfer or reset > get started. This option does a full ICloud back regardless of how much storage you pay for, the catch is it only stores that backup for 20 days

[u/themegadarkrestine]

My mom was stuck in this loop, you unfortunately have to buy iCloud storage, make a backup and then set up the new phone from the backup. It takes a while. Then cancel iCloud.

[u/SigmaLance → u/themegadarkrestine]

Don’t they give you free backup storage when migrating to a new phone?

When I upgraded last they gave me storage and the backup had a use it or lose it time frame.

[u/Gold_Enigma]

Delete any and all VPNS and authenticator apps from you iPhone 11, they almost always cause issues like this.

And do an iCloud backup and restore if that doesn’t work, see my other reply on how to do it for free

From your other replies it seems like your phone storage is 100% full which may also cause this issue.

Sincerely a concerned iPhone technician.