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Restoring an iTunes backup without Internet access?

Morac

Morac

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Dec 30, 2009
2,415
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I'm picking up a 7 Plus tomorrow (AUP) and want to restore the encrypted iTunes backup from my current phone from my laptop while driving home so my laptop won't have Internet access. I'm not doing a restore, just a restore from backup. Is that something that can be done without Internet access?
 
Yes, it can.

Just make absolute sure that your iTunes has been updated to the latest version before you leave and you should be good!
 
Well actually since iOS9 I believe this cannot be done. Apps used to be backed up to your local drive during an itunes backup but due to app thinning etc. all apps are downloaded fresh from apple once the itunes base data restore is complete.
 
SidBoggle said:
Well actually since iOS9 I believe this cannot be done. Apps used to be backed up to your local drive during an itunes backup but due to app thinning etc. all apps are downloaded fresh from apple once the itunes base data restore is complete.
Click to expand...

Right, but the apps are downloaded via the phone's data connection, not the computer.

Everything else from the backup (app list, contacts, iMessages, photos, etc) should all sync up and then once that's done the apps will begin to download via LTE. Of course, by the time the backup is done OP will likely be home and able to us Wi-Fi anyway.
 
sdwaltz said:
Right, but the apps are downloaded via the phone's data connection, not the computer.

Everything else from the backup (app list, contacts, iMessages, photos, etc) should all sync up and then once that's done the apps will begin to download via LTE. Of course, by the time the backup is done OP will likely be home and able to us Wi-Fi anyway.
Click to expand...

That's true although in my case it would be tens of GB of apps to download and my data cap would not allow that. I also believe there is a 100MB limit per app over LTE? I guess a lot of the downloading would have to wait until you are back on WiFi.
 
SidBoggle said:
That's true although in my case it would be tens of GB of apps to download and my data cap would not allow that. I also believe there is a 100MB limit per app over LTE? I guess a lot of the downloading would have to wait until you are back on WiFi.
Click to expand...

Yes, that limit exists.

It wouldn't come without some ever so slight complications, but the the answer to the basic premise of OP's question is yes, they can restore from backup from a laptop on the way home without being connected to the internet AS LONG AS their iTunes has been updated to the most current version.
 
I can already state Apple's support article is at least partially wrong since they claim photos stored in the iCloud Photo Library aren't backed up in iTunes backups, but based on the size of the backup I know that's not the case.

As for apps downloading, I'm hoping it's smart enough to pause them if not on Wifi or if they can't download. I do have an unlimited data plan, but I'd rather download the apps via Wifi.
 
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