"I cannot transfer my phone number from my old iPhone to my new one. It keeps telling me to retry or contact support. I outreach support, but I'm not sure they can call me given that my phone is halfway through the transfer process....help!"
- From Apple Community
When you eagerly switch to a new iPhone 16 but find that your phone number can't be transferred smoothly, it's undoubtedly frustrating. Faced with the issue of "iPhone transfer new phone number not working", don't worry. This article will provide you with a series of practical troubleshooting methods to help you quickly resolve this problem. Whether you're a tech novice or a seasoned user, you'll find a solution that suits you here.
There are several reasons why unable to transfer the phone number iPhone 14/15/16. Here are the most common causes:
If the SIM card isn't properly activated or the network is down, it may block the transfer.
Older SIM cards may be incompatible with newer iPhone models.
If your phone is carrier-locked, it might restrict certain functionalities, including number transfers. Also, carrier settings on your phone may need updating, or your carrier account might have restrictions.
If you're using iCloud to transfer phone numbers, you need to make sure that iCloud sync is enabled on both devices.
An outdated iOS version can sometimes interfere with the transfer process. Updating both devices to the latest iOS version can often resolve this issue.
Sometimes, residual network settings can interfere with proper SIM activation or iCloud synchronization.
Here are six of the simplest ways to tackle the issue of "iPhone 15/16 unable to transfer phone number". Next, let's go through these fixes one by one.
Your phone number could not be transferred to this iPhone? A stable network connection is essential for smooth data and number transfer. Check that your new iPhone has a stable cellular or Wi-Fi connection.
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Wi-Fi" to confirm connectivity.
Step 2. If the connection seems unstable, try toggling Airplane Mode on and off to refresh network connections.
Another way to tackle the issue of iPhone being unable to transfer phone numbers is by enabling iCloud sync for iPhone contacts through settings. When you enable iCloud sync for your contacts, iCloud will automatically upload your phone numbers to the cloud, and these numbers will be available on every device where you sign in with your Apple account, including your new iPhone 16.
Here's how to enable iCloud sync for iPhone contacts:
Step 1. Start by navigating to the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2. Scroll down and tap on your Apple ID name at the top.
Step 3. In the Apple ID menu, select "iCloud".
Step 4. Locate the "Contacts" option and toggle it to the "On" position.
Step 5. Repeat the steps on your new iPhone, then wait a few minutes for the sync to complete.
Can't transfer the phone number to the new iPhone 16? Sufficient storage is necessary to ensure that all contact information, including phone numbers, transfers properly.
Step 1. Open "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage" on your new iPhone.
Step 2. Check if you have enough available space. If storage is low, try deleting unnecessary files or apps.
Step 3. After freeing up storage, try transferring your phone number again.
Outdated iOS software can sometimes interfere with data and contact transfers, including phone number transfers. Here are the steps to update your iOS version:
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update" on your new iPhone.
Step 2. If an update is available, tap "Download and Install". After updating, attempt the transfer again.
Another quick solution to the "iPhone transfer new phone number not working" issue is resetting your new iPhone 16 network settings. Resetting network settings can fix hidden network-related issues without affecting your personal data.
Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Reset Network Settings".
Step 2. Enter your passcode if prompted, and confirm the reset.
Step 3. After the reset, reconnect to Wi-Fi and try transferring your phone number again.
If none of the above solutions work, there may be restrictions or issues with your carrier that prevent the transfer. Contact your carrier's support team, explain the issue, and request assistance with transferring your phone number. Your carrier may guide you through additional steps or ensure that there are no restrictions on your account.
If conventional methods fail, phone transfer tools like Coolmuster Mobile Transfer offer a user-friendly way to transfer contacts between iPhones. This program can transfer multiple types of files between mobile phones within minutes without needing to reset the devices or overwrite existing data.
Highlights of Coolmuster Mobile Transfer:
How to efficiently transfer phone numbers to iPhone 16 using this software?
01Download and install the Coolmuster Mobile Transfer software on your computer.
02Connect both the old and new iPhones to the computer using Apple cables. Click "Trust" when prompted if you "Trust This Computer".
03Before the transfer, ensure that the Source device (old iPhone) and Destination device (new iPhone) are on the correct sides. If not, click the "Flip" button to change their positions.
04Tick the desired content (contacts) in the list of transferable items. After that, simply click the "Start Copy" button to automatically initiate the transfer process.
Video guide
When confronted with the issue of "iPhone transfer new phone number not working", we've provided a variety of practical troubleshooting steps. From ensuring a stable network connection to enabling iCloud sync, and then checking storage space, updating the iOS version, resetting network settings, and reaching out to your carrier, each step is intended to assist you in resolving the problem. If none of the above methods work, utilizing third-party software like Coolmuster Mobile Transfer would be a good alternative. We hope this article brings you the help you need to successfully migrate your phone number to your new iPhone.
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