Can I load the same iCloud backup on two phones simultaneously?

[iHavequestions]

I have my old iPhone and my new one came in. Can I have both backups with full settings and exact mirror of the image running at the same time? Just in case I don't like the new phone size and need to go back to the old phone temporarily to get another size, I'm assuming I can do this?

If changes happen different on each phone, which one gets priority in terms of overwriting?

I want to verify here for any issues before I try and inadvertently mess up any settings.

BTW, my old iPhone 5S has iOS7 while the new one comes with iOS8.

 

[Agent-P]

iCloud sorts backups by device. What that means is you can use your 5s backup to restore onto your new 6. After that point if your 6 ever makes any new backups, iCloud will store it as a completely separate backup. So then your iCloud will contain s backup of your 5s AND a different backup of your 6.



As for restoring, you can restore from an older iOS version to a newer one, but not the other way around. (ex. iOS 7 backup can be restored into a device running iOS 8, but a backup made in iOS 8 cannot be restored to a device running iOS 7)

 

[KdParker]

I have my old iPhone and my new one came in. Can I have both backups with full settings and exact mirror of the image running at the same time? Just in case I don't like the new phone size and need to go back to the old phone temporarily to get another size, I'm assuming I can do this?

If changes happen different on each phone, which one gets priority in terms of overwriting?

I want to verify here for any issues before I try and inadvertently mess up any settings.

BTW, my old iPhone 5S has iOS7 while the new one comes with iOS8.

I wouldn't worry about keeping both device updated.

If you decide to change you phone, you could just update the OS on the old phone to i0S 8 and then restore from backup when you reactivate the old phone. (be sure to back up you new phone before you return it).

 

[iHavequestions]

iCloud sorts backups by device. What that means is you can use your 5s backup to restore onto your new 6. After that point if your 6 ever makes any new backups, iCloud will store it as a completely separate backup. So then your iCloud will contain s backup of your 5s AND a different backup of your 6.



As for restoring, you can restore from an older iOS version to a newer one, but not the other way around. (ex. iOS 7 backup can be restored into a device running iOS 8, but a backup made in iOS 8 cannot be restored to a device running iOS 7)

That's very useful. Thanks.
What about other issues? If someone calls you via Facetime or texts you on iMessage, do both phones get the message using this same account? Any other issues to be concerned about?

 

[iHavequestions]

I'm having a more complicated problem now with this. Somewhere along the lines, my fiancee and I have our accounts crossed and I can't get past the backup screen. I started a separate thread since this is a new, distinct problem.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=19866269#post19866269

 

[Agent-P]

That's very useful. Thanks.


What about other issues? If someone calls you via Facetime or texts you on iMessage, do both phones get the message using this same account? Any other issues to be concerned about?

There are four places in settings where you link your Apple ID. If you want to keep stuff in sync then make sure they're the same account on both devices. If you want to keep them separate then make sure there are different Apple IDs logged in on both devices. The four places are:



Settings > iCloud

Settings > iTunes & App Store

Settings > FaceTime

Settings > Messages > Send & Receive



On each of these pages trapping on the Apple ID gives you the option to sign out.