How To Move your Game Progress from an iPhone to iPad

Evan Gower May 31, 2019

Getting a new iPad is always exciting, but what happens to your games and saves? Do you have to start all over again on a new device, or is there a way to transfer the saves from your iPhone to the iPad?

How To Move your Game Progress from an iPhone to iPad

Lucky for you, there are a few things you can do to transfer the files you need and pick up the game where you left off. This article will tell you how to do that.

Method 1: Transfer Game Files Manually

You can use this method to transfer files between any and all iOS devices. The method requires you to transfer the files manually, but only after creating a backup just in case. We used a program called iExplorer that makes the entire thing more manageable. It works on all iOS devices, and its role is to pull data from one device onto another. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Get the app you want to copy your progress to on the iPad.
Download the iExplorer app onto the computer.
Connect your iPhone to your computer.
Start iExplorer and wait for it to recognize your device in the file browser.
Click on the little arrow next to the name of your device.
Click the arrow next to Apps.
Find the app you want to transfer the data from and click on the arrow.
When you get inside the app’s main folder, look for a folder called Documents. You will find all of your saved data, including game saves there. Copy the content to your desktop computer.
Unplug your iPhone and plug the iPad in. Wait for iExplorer to recognize the iPad.
Copy the “Documents” folder from your desktop to the desired app’s main folder on your iPad using the iExplorer.

Keep in mind that some apps use multiple save files, so you might have to transfer several files from one device to the other. Most of them, however, have only one file you need to copy and paste.

What If the Transfer Doesn’t Work?

In some rare cases, the transfer won’t work. That usually happens if the app installed on both devices isn’t updated to the same version. You need to make sure that both devices run the same version of the game or app to be able to transfer the save data.

Also, some apps don’t keep their save files in the “Documents” folder. If that’s the case, you should copy the entire “Library” folder from one device to another. That could result in lost high scores, but otherwise, the saves will be transferred. Your save files should be working fine.

Method 2: Transfer Game Data Using iCloud Services

Most of the content on your iPhone is backed up on iCloud. Game files are not included, but you can find other game data there. That leaves you with an option to transfer game data to your new device by backing up your old iPhone. Restore the new device with the same files, and your save files will appear. Here is how you can transfer game data files using the iCloud backup.

Open “Settings” on your old device and tap “Apple ID banner.”
Tap “iCloud” and select “iCloud backup.” Tap “Back up Now.”
Now, that your iPhone is backed up, turn it off and remove the SIM card. Place the SIM card into your new device.
Switch the new device on and follow the on-screen instructions until you see “App & Data.”
Select the option “Restore from iCloud” and enter your Apple username and password. Tap “Next” and complete the process.
Your game data is now transferred to your new device.

Method 3 – Transfer Game Data Using iTunes

iTunes also allows you to make backups of your iPhone, and that includes game data and saves too. You can create a backup of your phone on iTunes and restore the data on your iPad. Here is how you can do that:

Launch iTunes from your PC and connect your iPhone.
Tap the Menu bar and select the iPhone icon.
Choose “Encrypt iPhone Backup” and enter the password. Tap “Back up Now.”
When the backup process is activated, remove your SIM card and place it into the new device.
Switch the iPad on and connect it to your PC. Set up the Wi-Fi connection and choose “Restore from iTunes.”
Enter the password from step three and restore the data from the encrypted iPhone backup made earlier.

Continue Where You Left Off

As you can see, there are multiple ways to transfer game data, including save games, from your iPhone to your new iPad. Methods 2 and 3 don’t always work for all games, but they mostly get the job done. So, instead of playing your favorite games all over again, you can now continue where you left off.