How to Get Your iPhone and iPad Ready for iOS 11

[KeithJenner]

Two new iPhone 7, iCloud backups, no Health Data restored. Maybe if restored to same device it would work. Not for me when upgrading from SE. The only option was encrypted via iTunes. Maybe a bug, not a feature.

I think that the iCloud backup of health data is relatively new. It certainly didn't used to back it up to iCloud, but does seem to now. I haven't used it to restore from though, so wouldn't know from experience if it actually works.

The saving of health data to iCloud with iOS11 is a big step forward though. I had expected to need to restore from backup when I replace my phone, as it seemed to be the best way of getting health data across. If health data is being saved to iCloud then its will make a clean install, which is what I've always done previously, an option.

 

[nicho]

edit - oops.

 

[nburwell]

I'm keeping my SE on iOS 10.3.3 for the time being. My 7 already has iOS 11 installed thanks to the PB. I do want to update my Mini 4 as well, but I may wait or day or two, especially if the servers are bogged down.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Main downsides to clean install:

1. You will lose older messages in Messages app. Once Message in the iCloud arrives later this fall (iOS 11.1?), this will be a thing of the past.
2. You will lose most of the voicemails in Phone app.
3. You will need to reinstall apps, and place them where you want them.
4. Some apps and games do not store settings and data in the cloud. For games, this may mean losing all the progress.
5. All the customizations in Settings app need to be redone.

Has anyone attempted restoring messages using iBackupBot? This works in iOS 10.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Local backup with iTunes is better if you can do it. If you check the encrypted box like the article suggests it will save all your app passwords if you ever need to restore, saving you having to reenter them all. An iCloud backup won't do that.

Great tip!

Although everyone should KNOW and REMEMBER their passwords for services they use.

Prior to updating:

1. Check to see if there are any mission critical 32-bit apps. Launch the Settings app | About | Applications. If any are important, find a 64-bit replacement or wait for vendor to update the app.
2. Free up space if needed as recommended in this article.
3. Manually backup in iTunes as recommended in this article.
4. Make sure you know the iCloud password, especially when you are upgrading someone else's device.
5. Set aside 30-60 minutes for the update to complete.

After updating:

1. Launch the Phone app | Voicemails. If the list of voice mail is empty, restart the phone.
2. Launch the Settings app | Camera | Formats. Select High Efficiency to use HEVC (video) and HEIF (photos) format, which will cut storage space by about half.
3. Launch the Settings app | Photos | Transfer to Mac or PC. Use Automatic if use apps that do not support new file formats, Keep Originals otherwise (or if you primarily use Photos app and intend to upgrade to macOS High Sierra next Monday).
4. If you have family, consider upgrading to 200MB ($2.99/month) or 2TB ($9.99/month) iCloud plan and turn on iCloud Family Sharing. Launch the Settings app | top banner | iCloud | Manage Storage | Family Usage.

GREAT TIPS!

Curious how existing Bluetooth paired wireless headphones, mic's and AQ S2 will respond after an update installed and rebooted. I'll find out in 30mins.

 

[npmacuser5]

I think that the iCloud backup of health data is relatively new. It certainly didn't used to back it up to iCloud, but does seem to now. I haven't used it to restore from though, so wouldn't know from experience if it actually works.

The saving of health data to iCloud with iOS11 is a big step forward though. I had expected to need to restore from backup when I replace my phone, as it seemed to be the best way of getting health data across. If health data is being saved to iCloud then its will make a clean install, which is what I've always done previously, an option.

My advice to those with Healthcare Data and want to restore it, do an encrypted iTunes backup. IOS 11 restores the Healthcare Data, terrific, if not iTumes will.

 

[SteveW928]

That's DANGEROUS advice, because iOS, being the toy OS it is, doesn't have reasonable ways to get back app data.
Yes, if you had iCloud for the app activated or another cloud storage things will be fine, but to blatantly say "be ruthless, there is no risk" is straight up irresponsible to say.

I agree. Also, different apps handle how they store data and where (and if it gets backed up). You might delete an app, reinstall it, and discover your data doesn't come back.

It seems some people have taken this iDevice is easy and just works rough-generalization a bit too far. You still have to be careful, do backups, etc.

Get proper data storage.
Hell, even if you're cheap you can wait for a Synology NAS for under 150USD and get reasonable wireless (to the computer) storage that sets you free from a lot of things, the least of which is the tiny iTunes library you must have.
And you CAN mix storage locations for iTunes, because Apple didn't touch a lot of its inner workings to dumb it down like the rest of their apps. ...

Except that you can't tell iTunes where to store that iDevice backup easily. You have to mess with the command line and symlinks. There are instructions out there... but it's not an average user kinda thing. It's got nothing to do with being cheap... it has to do with Apple's lack of foresight.

Typical iDevice storage being larger than the storage in the laptops and desktops where you presumably keep backups, is quite a legitimate complaint.

Although everyone should KNOW and REMEMBER their passwords for services they use.

Yes! I can't stress enough the importance of using a good password manager (PasswordWallet by Selznick, or 1Password, etc.) and NOT some half-baked browser or OS capability. Your passwords and other secure data are the keys to your digital life... DO NOT treat them as an afterthought, or carelessly!

My advice to those with Healthcare Data and want to restore it, do an encrypted iTunes backup. IOS 11 restores the Healthcare Data, terrific, if not iTumes will.

Well, or at least that way it will be there somewhere if you need to get it via a 3rd party app, as you might not want to restore everything else. Apple's current backup/restore is pretty basic, and boneheaded. Again, it's one of those things that you just have to slap your forehead and wonder how Apple can get away with such half-baked functionality.

 

[Glassed Silver]

Except that you can't tell iTunes where to store that iDevice backup easily. You have to mess with the command line and symlinks. There are instructions out there... but it's not an average user kinda thing. It's got nothing to do with being cheap... it has to do with Apple's lack of foresight.

Typical iDevice storage being larger than the storage in the laptops and desktops where you presumably keep backups, is quite a legitimate complaint.

Good point, but I was more thinking about moving iTunes media off-computer, making room for the mobile backups which, I agree, would be nice to have off-device as well, but I think the reason this isn't enabled by default is to enable backups whilst you're away from home (and hence your external drive or NAS) as a laptop user.

iTunes library gets saved to system drive too after all.

Oh well...

Glassed Silver:ios

 

[SteveW928]

Good point, but I was more thinking about moving iTunes media off-computer, making room for the mobile backups which, I agree, would be nice to have off-device as well, but I think the reason this isn't enabled by default is to enable backups whilst you're away from home (and hence your external drive or NAS) as a laptop user.

iTunes library gets saved to system drive too after all.

Oh well...

Glassed Silver:ios

For sure, you can move your libraries off the main storage, and hopefully that would create enough space (though probably way more inconvenience than having backups off the main device).

I don't think there really is a good reason, other than Apple just hasn't thought it through (something increasingly common for Apple, the company that used to pride itself with the best UX/UI).

 

[Glassed Silver]

For sure, you can move your libraries off the main storage, and hopefully that would create enough space (though probably way more inconvenience than having backups off the main device).

I don't think there really is a good reason, other than Apple just hasn't thought it through (something increasingly common for Apple, the company that used to pride itself with the best UX/UI).

They still pride themselves with that and partially they are right, but only because the bar is quite low in many areas and they should be better not because others suck, but because "they get it".

Sadly they don't anymore and most of what works well merely does, because it hasn't been touched in ages.

Glassed Silver:ios

 

[SteveW928]

They still pride themselves with that and partially they are right, but only because the bar is quite low in many areas and they should be better not because others suck, but because "they get it".

Sadly they don't anymore and most of what works well merely does, because it hasn't been touched in ages.

Glassed Silver:ios

Well said. As a long-time Apple user, that is my experience as well. I want the 'old' Apple back in that regard. It seems like they still recognize that is what made them great. What I can't figure out, is if they have just scaled so big that they can no longer accomplish it. Or, if they'd rather just pretend they still are in their marketing materials. It seems like a mixture of both.

But, yes, a good part of the reason I'm still with Apple is that the bar really is that low. The alternatives are still far behind Apple even with all their newer flaws.

 

[KeithJenner]

My advice to those with Healthcare Data and want to restore it, do an encrypted iTunes backup. IOS 11 restores the Healthcare Data, terrific, if not iTumes will.

Yes, that's how I've done it before, but I also like to do a clean install when I get a new device. With health data now saved to iCloud as a matter of course, there should be no need to restore from backup to keep health data in the future.

When I get a new phone I will do what I used to do. Set up the new phone as a clean install whilst keeping my old phone to one side, and backed up. Check that everything important has come across via iCloud etc and if there are any problems I have the option of restarting the process and going to the backup route.