Do clean installs really help?

[Ultra AleM]

Hello guys. I am an iPhone 5 owner.
My first iPhone was a 3GS (2009).

I've used the same backup since 2009. iOS 8.3 runs great on my iPhone 5.

I just notice it has worse battery life compared to iOS 6, but I guess that's sadly normal.

I always read about clean installs (DFU restore setting the phone as new) to improve things. Would it improve my situation as well, even if I do not notice problems (but there may be...?)?

And, what would I definitively loose? Messages? App data? Gallery metadata? It would be boring to download everything again... thanks.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Some here swear to "clean installs" like a religion. I have also used my backups from many, many iPhones ago and never had a problem.

It can separate hardware from software problems but most the time it reminds of computer makers first thing out of their mouth and that is to reinstall your OS.

 

[Primejimbo]

I have done it both ways and it seems a fresh installs do help. I set up a new iPhone as new because I do some cleaning also. So many useless apps that done need to be on my phone don't get put back on.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Having used Android phones and several Apple phones (4s, 5, iPad 3, iPad Mini 2, iPhone 6+) --- I can say both worlds benefit greatly from a fresh install - especially after a major OS upgrade. I've seen too many of my family get a major iOS update (x.# were the X changes) that had problems until I had them do a fresh install. They dislike it at first but then they are happy after it fixes whatever problem they had. Android suffers from this far worse than iOS imo. I wouldn't think twice before telling an Android user to make sure to fresh install - my experience (Droid 1, HTC Thunderbolt, Moto X, Note 3, Nexus 7) shows a very noticeable difference when fresh installing.

Now I admit I'm not always right but ... I'd definitely recommend it. On Apple I noticed I can usually make it through 1-2 major iOS updates without needing to do a fresh install. But when I do one, I notice better standby and free space is better.

To each his or her own tho. Love to hear people's experiences.

 

[Ultra AleM]

Having used Android phones and several Apple phones (4s, 5, iPad 3, iPad Mini 2, iPhone 6+) --- I can say both worlds benefit greatly from a fresh install - especially after a major OS upgrade. I've seen too many of my family get a major iOS update (x.# were the X changes) that had problems until I had them do a fresh install. They dislike it at first but then they are happy after it fixes whatever problem they had. Android suffers from this far worse than iOS imo. I wouldn't think twice before telling an Android user to make sure to fresh install - my experience (Droid 1, HTC Thunderbolt, Moto X, Note 3, Nexus 7) shows a very noticeable difference when fresh installing.

Now I admit I'm not always right but ... I'd definitely recommend it. On Apple I noticed I can usually make it through 1-2 major iOS updates without needing to do a fresh install. But when I do one, I notice better standby and free space is better.

To each his or her own tho. Love to hear people's experiences.

Question: is there any difference between a clean install (DFU restore) and a clean install without loading the backup?

 

[BigMcGuire]

Question: is there any difference between a clean install (DFU restore) and a clean install without loading the backup?

I don't believe so but someone here with more knowledge than I will hopefully reply too.