iOS 11 Makes Setting Up New Devices Super Easy

[MacRumors]

In iOS 11, Apple is implementing a new "Automatic Setup" feature, which is designed to make it much quicker to get a new device ready to go right out of the box.

As seen in the video below, Automatic Setup transfers over your preferences, Apple ID and Wi-Fi info, preferred settings, and iCloud Keychain passwords, streamlining the setup process for new iPads and iPhones.

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With iOS 11 installed, during the setup process, there's a new option to transfer settings from an existing device (which also needs to be running iOS 11). The two devices need to be held close to one another, and when nearby, you'll get instructions to pair them.

Pairing involves using the camera of the old device to scan an Apple Watch-style pairing image on the new device. After that, you'll be prompted to enter the passcode of the old device, which also becomes the passcode on the new device, and then the devices will need to remain near each other during the transfer.

The process sounds a bit complicated when explained, but it's straightforward with clear instructions that are simple to follow and it takes just a couple of minutes to complete.

After the two devices are paired and the settings are transferred, there's also a new simplified setup process for activating Touch ID and then enabling settings like Find My iPhone, location, and analytics all at once instead of individually. After that, you can set up Apple Pay and Siri, and then your device is ready to go.

Whether setting up a device as new or importing an iCloud backup, Automatic Setup in iOS 11 is quicker than the traditional setup method, provided you have an existing device on hand.

iOS 11 is limited to developers right now, but it will be provided to public beta testers later this month. For more on iOS 11, make sure to check out our full iOS 11 roundup.

Article Link: iOS 11 Makes Setting Up New Devices Super Easy

 

[Nimoy]

I don't understand how this is any easier than restoring from an iCloud backup!

 

[djcerla]

I don't understand how this is any easier than restoring from an iCloud backup!

Maybe because iCloud backup does not store any of those things?

 

[fmillion]

Now if only they could figure out how to speed up restoring all your apps while you stand in the Apple Store.

Show of hands: who has had to stand in Apple (or Verizon or Sprint etc) and wait and wait and wait for their overcrowded WiFi to redownload all their apps?

Keep your hand raised if you wish you could prioritize which apps download first, so you could at least have your most needed apps before you leave the store, rather than seeing it download The Elements or GTA San Andreas instead of the Gmail app.

 

[goobot]

Maybe because iCloud backup does not store any of those things?

And restoring from backup can bring bugs, especially when jumping between major os versions and to different devices.

 

[plastiqueusa]

Now if only they could figure out how to speed up restoring all your apps while you stand in the Apple Store.

Show of hands: who has had to stand in Apple (or Verizon or Sprint etc) and wait and wait and wait for their overcrowded WiFi to redownload all their apps?

Keep your hand raised if you wish you could prioritize which apps download first, so you could at least have your most needed apps before you leave the store, rather than seeing it download The Elements or GTA San Andreas instead of the Gmail app.

I just tell the Apple Store person helping me that I'll take care of setup after I get home.

 

[rshev]

Keep your hand raised if you wish you could prioritize which apps download first, so you could at least have your most needed apps before you leave the store, rather than seeing it download The Elements or GTA San Andreas instead of the Gmail app.

You can actually prioritise downloads even on iOS 10 by force-touching the app in a downloading state.

 

[Table Top Joe]

Now if only they could figure out how to speed up restoring all your apps while you stand in the Apple Store.

Show of hands: who has had to stand in Apple (or Verizon or Sprint etc) and wait and wait and wait for their overcrowded WiFi to redownload all their apps?

Keep your hand raised if you wish you could prioritize which apps download first, so you could at least have your most needed apps before you leave the store, rather than seeing it download The Elements or GTA San Andreas instead of the Gmail app.

Eh.....do it yourself at home no? It's not very difficult in fairness

 

[AppLearnStay]

This sounds similar to the android's device setup.
while setting up new device u just tap with NFC and the new device will download all from old device

 

[joeblow7777]

Maybe because iCloud backup does not store any of those things?

Forgive my ignorance, but what don't you retrieve when you restore from iCloud? Is it different if you restore from iTunes?

 

[44267547]

This is highly convenient. And it shows how Apples ecosystem is so strong and how It communicates with all its other devices to make the set up with very little effort. Seamless.

 

[MikeSmoke]

I go through the setup in store so I know I am taking home a working device.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

Forgive my ignorance, but what don't you retrieve when you restore from iCloud? Is it different if you restore from iTunes?

Restoring an encrypted backup from iTunes saves passwords. Other than that I think they are basically the same?

 

[DaPizzaMan]

Restoring an encrypted backup from iTunes saves passwords. Other than that I think they are basically the same?

And Health data.

 

[dannys1]

Bringing back the ability to transfer and restore apps in iTunes would be the biggest thing for me. It used to take me no more than 15 minutes to transfer to a new iOS device. Now it takes me about 30 hours on my connection due to the silly change that enforces all apps are redownloaded.

Yes I know lots of people were wasting diskspace syncing apps to the computer that just stayed their outdated but for those of us who knew what they were doing and have terrible internet connections it would be great if we didn't need to re-download 30 gigs worth of apps every time we restore...

 

[manu chao]

I don't understand how this is any easier than restoring from an iCloud backup!

According to the video, it is faster and takes less steps. It also helps all those people who don't have an iCloud backup (either said no to it during the setup process, or whose backup(s) wouldn't fit into the free 5 GB iCloud tier and didn't want to pay).

 

[Table Top Joe]

And Health data.

And Wi Fi networks and passwords

Link here https://support.apple.com/en-ie/HT205220


I set up devices as new these days myself, it's amazing how much crap you accumulate on a device when you've had it a year or 2

 

[dannys1]

I go through the setup in store so I know I am taking home a working device.

I make the UPS man wait 3 hours whilst I set it up outside so I know i'm receiving a working device.

/s

 

[NinjaHERO]

Sounds great. Bring it on.

 

[lunarworks]

Maybe because iCloud backup does not store any of those things?

And it's P2P. Nothing goes out over the net, and you're not limited by the speed of your connection.

 

[Elmo1938]

apps and app settings and data?

 

[Anony-mouse]

I don't understand how this is any easier than restoring from an iCloud backup!

The last time I did this at a store, I had to first setup the new iPhone (as per normal), where one of the steps was to authenticate iCloud login (with 2-FA enabled), which was a bit confusing as it sent the code via iMessage to my number which has been transferred to the new phone.

In addition, getting the new phone back up to speed without WiFi was pretty frustrating since the restore process needed to download a bunch of stuff and in the meantime the new phone was in a semi-functional state with no indication of how much of the transfer has been completed, not to speak of not being able to download Apps due to being on cellular.

So any improvements to the setup process to make life easier for existing iPhone users is welcome.

 

[szw-mapple fan]

Now if only they could figure out how to speed up restoring all your apps while you stand in the Apple Store.

Show of hands: who has had to stand in Apple (or Verizon or Sprint etc) and wait and wait and wait for their overcrowded WiFi to redownload all their apps?

Keep your hand raised if you wish you could prioritize which apps download first, so you could at least have your most needed apps before you leave the store, rather than seeing it download The Elements or GTA San Andreas instead of the Gmail app.

I thought you could 3D Touch on an app while it's downloading and prioritize it or pause it.

 

[Wanted797]

I set up iPads and iPhone son a daily basis and have become accustom to the questions you get asked.

This setup is no shorter or easier it still asks you about Touch ID, analytics, Siri and iCloud backup. Plus you have to pick up your phone and scan the screen.

They're all the same questions we have now.

 

[CausticSoda]

It would be good if you could back up iOS devices in full with Time Machine to an Airport Time Capsule (discontinued - thanks Apple) or similar. Maybe you can, but I don't know how?