iOS Setup Assistant: How to Access It & Transfer Data Easily

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, why the “Apps & Data” screen sometimes doesn’t appear, and discuss the best ways, including 3 official methods, to transfer data using Setup Assistant.

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.”

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.

Can You Access iOS Setup Assistant Without Resetting?

No, the iOS Setup Assistant can only appear once during the initial activation of an iPhone. If the device has already been set up, there is no built-in option to reopen Setup Assistant without erasing the device. Apple designed the Setup Assistant strictly for first-time configuration, which means:

• You cannot reopen the “Apps & Data” screen after setup.
• You cannot trigger “Move Data from Android” again unless the device is erased.
• Quick Start can also not be launched manually once the device is already activated.

The only official way to return to the Setup Assistant is: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. After the reset, the iPhone will reboot into the Setup Assistant.

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.

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.

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

Why iOS Setup Assistant or the “Apps & Data” Screen Not Showing

Many users report that the Apps & Data screen does not appear when they expect it. Here are the most common reasons:

1. The iPhone was already set up before

Once an iPhone has been activated—even briefly—the Setup Assistant will not show again unless you reset the device.

2. Quick Start automatically skipped the screen

If your new iPhone is placed next to an old iPhone, Quick Start may automatically start device-to-device transfer and skip some setup screens.

3. The device restored an iCloud backup automatically

An automatic restore may skip the data-transfer options.

4. SIM card or Wi-Fi activation failed

Activation issues may cause the Setup Assistant to behave abnormally.

5. The device is not considered “new” by Apple servers

If the phone was used or returned previously, Setup Assistant may not appear without a reset.

To fix the iOS setup assistant not showing, you can erase the device to force the Setup Assistant to appear. You can also try the following method to transfer data to iPhone without factory reset.

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

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. See what AnyTrans can do for you in data transferring.

• 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.

Install AnyTrans and move data from Android to iPhone in an easier way. Here are step-by-step instructions:

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

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

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.

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

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

iOS Setup Assistant vs. Other Transfer Methods

Check the following comparison chart and view the differences among iPhone data transfer tools.

Method	Requires Reset	Best For	Limitations
iOS Setup Assistant	Yes	First-time setup; full device migration	One-time use, limited control
Move to iOS (Android – iPhone)	Yes	New iPhone users switching from Android	Often fails, slow, no selective transfer
Quick Start (iPhone – iPhone)	No	Full device-to-device transfer	Transfers everything; not selective
iCloud Backup Restore	Yes	Moving to a new iPhone	Overwrites existing data
AnyTrans	No	Selective transfer without resetting	Requires a computer

FAQs About iOS Setup Assistant

1. Where is the iOS Setup Assistant located?

It only appears automatically when the device is new or erased. There is no menu option to launch it manually.

2. Can I use iOS Setup Assistant without erasing my iPhone?

No. The Setup Assistant only appears after activation or factory reset.

3. Why can’t I find the Apps & Data screen?

The device is already activated, Quick Start skipped it, or an automatic iCloud restore happened.

4. Can I transfer data after skipping Setup Assistant?

Yes, with tools like AnyTrans or iCloud, but Setup Assistant cannot be reopened without a reset.

5. Does resetting the iPhone to access Setup Assistant remove Apple ID?

No. Resetting does not remove Apple ID unless you enter the password before erasing.

The Bottom Line

The iOS Setup Assistant is a powerful tool for activating and configuring a new iPhone, but you can only access it during the first setup or after a factory reset. If you skipped the Apps & Data screen or Move to iOS failed, you can still transfer your data later using alternatives like Quick Start, iCloud, or AnyTrans – all without erasing your iPhone.