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How to Set Up and Transfer Data to a New iPad mini

Use Quick Start, an iCloud or computer backup, or Move to iOS to transfer data to a new iPad mini. Learn what to prepare and what to do if setup is already complete.
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To move data to a new iPad mini, start at its Hello screen and choose the route that matches your old device: Quick Start from a nearby iPhone or iPad, a restore from an iCloud or computer backup, or Move to iOS from Android. Have Wi‑Fi and your Apple Account password ready. If the iPad mini is already set up, you’ll need to erase it before restoring a backup or using Move to iOS.

Choose the transfer method that fits your situation

Method Use it when What you need
Quick Start You have your old iPhone or iPad nearby and want to set up the new iPad mini from it. The old device, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, and both devices at the setup stage. You can transfer directly or download data from iCloud.
iCloud backup You have a backup in iCloud, or the old device is not available for direct transfer. Wi‑Fi, the Apple Account used for the backup, and the new iPad mini at the setup stage.
Computer backup You have a backup made on a Mac or PC. The computer and backup, plus the Apple Account password if prompted.
Move to iOS Your previous device is Android. The Android device and the new iPad mini at initial setup; start the transfer from the setup assistant.

Apple’s general iPad setup instructions apply to iPad mini as well; they do not specify a particular iPad mini generation. See Apple’s iPad setup and transfer guide.

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Prepare before you begin

  • Connect the old device to Wi‑Fi and have the Wi‑Fi details available for the new iPad mini.
  • Know the Apple Account and password used on your old Apple device or for the backup.
  • Make sure the source device or backup is ready. If the old device has insufficient iCloud space, eligible new iPad buyers may receive temporary iCloud storage for a transfer backup; Apple says it is available for up to three weeks. Check eligibility and instructions in Apple’s temporary iCloud storage guidance.
  • For direct Quick Start migration, keep both devices close together and connected to power. Both devices are unavailable for normal use during the direct transfer.

Transfer from an iPhone or iPad with Quick Start

Check compatibility and availability

For automatic setup, Apple lists an old device running iOS 11 or iPadOS 13 or later. Direct wireless transfer requires iOS 12.4 or iPadOS 13 or later on both devices, according to Apple’s Quick Start instructions. Quick Start cannot transfer from the current device when the new iPad is enrolled in Apple School Manager or Apple Business.

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Start Quick Start

  1. Connect the old iPhone or iPad to Wi‑Fi, turn on Bluetooth, and unlock it.
  2. Turn on the new iPad mini and place it near the old device.
  3. Follow the on-screen Quick Start prompts on both devices to configure the new iPad and authenticate as requested.
  4. When offered a transfer choice, select direct transfer to move data from the old device, or choose the iCloud download option if you want to begin using the iPad while apps and data continue downloading.
  5. For direct transfer, keep both devices near each other and plugged into power until migration finishes.

There is no dependable universal transfer-time estimate: Apple says timing varies with network conditions and the amount of data being transferred. Direct migration keeps both devices out of use until it completes; the iCloud-download choice lets you use the new iPad while content continues to download. Details are in Apple’s Quick Start article.

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Restore from an iCloud backup

  1. On the new iPad mini’s setup screens, connect to Wi‑Fi and proceed until the apps-and-data transfer choices appear.
  2. Choose the option to restore from an iCloud backup, then sign in with the Apple Account associated with the backup.
  3. Review the backup dates and sizes, and select the appropriate backup.
  4. Keep the iPad connected to Wi‑Fi and power while the restore and content downloads continue.

Apple’s step-by-step instructions are in Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup.

Restore from a computer backup

A backup made with Finder, Apple Devices, or iTunes can also be used to restore an iPad. Connect the new iPad mini to the computer that has the backup and follow Apple’s restore flow for that computer and its software. The iPad needs to be new or erased and at setup; have the Apple Account password available if requested. See Apple’s backup and restore instructions for the applicable computer method.

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Move data from Android with Move to iOS

  1. During initial iPad setup, continue to the “Transfer Your Apps & Data” screen and choose “From Android.”
  2. On the Android device, turn on Wi‑Fi, open the Move to iOS app, and follow its prompts.
  3. Continue through the instructions on both devices to complete the transfer.

Move to iOS is a setup-time route. If the iPad mini has already been configured, Apple says you must erase it to use this migration method, or transfer content manually instead. Apple’s iPad setup guide covers the Android option.

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If the iPad mini is already set up

Apple’s restore-from-backup flow starts from a new or newly erased iPad. If you need to restore an iCloud or computer backup after completing setup, first erase the iPad and return to the setup assistant. Move to iOS has the same initial-setup requirement. Before erasing, make sure any important content currently on the iPad is backed up; erasing removes its data. Follow Apple’s instructions to erase an iPad, then begin the chosen transfer method from the Hello screen.

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