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fyun89

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 3, 2014
440
474
I haven't done clean install in ages. I'm looking to upgrade to iOS15 and am debating if I should just upgrade or perform a clean install.

Had anyone tried comparing the two methods? I'm having some nasty Carplay bug and frequent keyboard freezing issues... Curious if just normal upgrade would fix these small bugs or I should just do a clean install?
 

verdi1987

macrumors 6502a
Jun 19, 2010
655
416
I always start fresh whenever I get a new device.

Unless it's a dot release, I update iOS/iPadOS using my Mac and the full .ipsw.
 
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Velin

macrumors 68020
Jul 23, 2008
2,118
2,187
Hearst Castle
Many years of experience. When Apple releases a new iOS or OSX version, a clean install is, in my opinion, vastly, vastly superior to the incremental upgrade. No backups, no restore, no time machine -- a true clean install, followed by new app installs.

First, the iPhone/iPad/Mac operates as if it were new when I do a clean install. I never see any of the "sluggishness" or "slowdowns" that many people complain about with older devices. I can use an iPhone for five, six, seven years, and it feels brand new out of the box after a clean install. This is a testament to Apple's solid hardware/software integration and support -- indeed, this is the key reason we pay the Apple premium, because the products can be made to last a long time.

Second, almost no bugs, errors, or crashes after doing a clean install with a major OSX / iOS release. Again, users who incrementally update from one version to the next report issues, but I never see them when I'm doing a true clean wipe and restore.

I do incremental updates for the small releases, like security fixes and bug patches. But for any X.0 release, it's a clean install every single time, on every device. Yes, it takes time, but I'm always thrilled with the result, as well as the peace of mind that there is no detritus, permissions errors, driver problems, old app file conflicts, etc. -- all of that disappears with a fresh system install and downloading clean, updated apps. It's the only way to go, as I see it.
 

Jumpie

macrumors 68020
Jul 7, 2008
2,138
1,775
Atlanta
I haven't done clean install in ages. I'm looking to upgrade to iOS15 and am debating if I should just upgrade or perform a clean install.

Had anyone tried comparing the two methods? I'm having some nasty Carplay bug and frequent keyboard freezing issues... Curious if just normal upgrade would fix these small bugs or I should just do a clean install?
You might like this post ?
Post in thread 'iOS 15.1 Beta 1 ― Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements'
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...hanges-and-improvements.2312381/post-30314746
 
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Shirasaki

macrumors P6
May 16, 2015
16,261
11,761
Due to how my app data goes, clean install is never an option, unless I’m willing to set aside two to three days doing nothing but reconfiguring everything from scratch.

I don’t notice much slowdown if any, at least the degree that is perceivable.
 
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michael31986

macrumors 601
Jul 11, 2008
4,588
704
It’s all in your head. Fresh installs aren’t any faster.

I always use to do them and bf never has and his phone is just as speedy.

plus who has time to set up all the settings and apps

im assuming y’all mean fresh set up even on new devices or do you mean old devices too

edit. I think I confused fresh installs as set up as new.

You meant install iOS 15 fresh.

well iPhone 13 will have it fresh so I guess that’s what you all are referring too
 
Last edited:

Novius89

macrumors regular
Nov 1, 2020
248
142
I never did a clean install since 2016 or something ? had 3 new iPhones until now, and i just back it up.
No battery problems, so slow phone no hassle at all.
 

jamdex

macrumors 6502
Jul 8, 2012
255
250
Manchester UK
Cant remember ever doing a clean install. Always backed up from previous.

Never have a phone for more than 2 years, so dont know if thats why i dont experience sluggishness; the bump in processor speed upgrading every 2 years is a significant enough bump to make me feel its running faster ?‍♀️

Who's got time to set up all the apps and passwords anyway?!
 

Novius89

macrumors regular
Nov 1, 2020
248
142
Since I was a kid , I always had windows computers, always ready out of the shop, always problems with this and that. I learned a lot about computers those periods, but I did my fair share of fresh installs, and I am thankful that’s not necessary anymore.

iCloud backup, time machine, everything does its thing automatic, and whenever I need a backup phone or set up a fresh MacBook ( I didn’t have a lucky year with apple hardware to be honest) in an hour or so, everything is back how I want and am used to it . ??
 

SRLMJ23

macrumors 68020
Jul 11, 2008
2,321
1,421
Central New York
Many years of experience. When Apple releases a new iOS or OSX version, a clean install is, in my opinion, vastly, vastly superior to the incremental upgrade. No backups, no restore, no time machine -- a true clean install, followed by new app installs.

First, the iPhone/iPad/Mac operates as if it were new when I do a clean install. I never see any of the "sluggishness" or "slowdowns" that many people complain about with older devices. I can use an iPhone for five, six, seven years, and it feels brand new out of the box after a clean install. This is a testament to Apple's solid hardware/software integration and support -- indeed, this is the key reason we pay the Apple premium, because the products can be made to last a long time.

Second, almost no bugs, errors, or crashes after doing a clean install with a major OSX / iOS release. Again, users who incrementally update from one version to the next report issues, but I never see them when I'm doing a true clean wipe and restore.

I do incremental updates for the small releases, like security fixes and bug patches. But for any X.0 release, it's a clean install every single time, on every device. Yes, it takes time, but I'm always thrilled with the result, as well as the peace of mind that there is no detritus, permissions errors, driver problems, old app file conflicts, etc. -- all of that disappears with a fresh system install and downloading clean, updated apps. It's the only way to go, as I see it.

100% agree with you on this!

I swear it makes a huge difference, but others say it does not.

To each, their own!

:apple:
 

thecore762

macrumors 6502
Sep 20, 2014
380
216
I personally always do a clean install. Less headache. Things work better and smoother and also it gives me a chance to not download useless apps.
 
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