iPhone 13 Pro Restoring Backup to New iPhone 13 Pro Prior to Carrier Activation

[MacPerforma]

Hi everyone.

I have a new iPhone 13 Pro on the way, scheduled for delivery on Friday. Shortly before setting up my new phone, the plan is to update the backup of my existing iPhone XS on my MacBook (once a month or so, I hardwire my iPhone to my MBP and update my backup), which I'll then restore on the new iPhone 13 Pro. I've used this method in the past to copy configurations from an older iPhone to a new iPhone, and it has always worked like a charm.

Here's my question. This time around, for various reasons, I'm trying to minimize my downtime when activating and restoring a backup to a new iPhone. In the past, as I recall, I've first transferred carrier activation (T-Mobile) from my old iPhone to my new iPhone, then proceeded with restoring the backup on my new iPhone. Is it possible to do this in the reverse order? In other words, if I have my old iPhone backed up on my MacBook, can I first restore the backup to the new iPhone, then proceed with activation only after the backup has been uploaded to the new iPhone? If I first activate my new iPhone then proceed with restoring the backup, my phone will essentially be unavailable while I'm restoring the backup, which can sometimes take an hour or so. If my goal is to minimize downtime, is it possible to first restore the backup to the new iPhone, then switch activation from my old phone to my new phone only after the backup restore process is complete?

Thanks to anyone who might be able to provide any help or advice!

 

[MareLuce]

I am in exact same situation and have exact same question. But with ATT.

Could someone opinionated recap the ideal steps?

 

[MareLuce]

In other words, if I have my old iPhone backed up on my MacBook, can I first restore the backup to the new iPhone, then proceed with activation only after the backup has been uploaded to the new iPhone? If I first activate my new iPhone then proceed with restoring the backup, my phone will essentially be unavailable while I'm restoring the backup, which can sometimes take an hour or so.

If my goal is to minimize downtime, is it possible to first restore the backup to the new iPhone, then switch activation from my old phone to my new phone only after the backup restore process is complete?

I don't see why that would not be possible. I wish I could remember lessons learned from last upgrade.

My plan is to:

1) Thursday afternoon:
a) Final check of latest MacRumors posts for serious iOS 15 bugs
b) Upgrade iPhone 12 Pro Max from 14.8 to 15.0
c) Final iPhone backup

2) Figure out the order of next steps after watching for helpful replies to this thread
3)
4)


10) Figure out how to activate Google Authenticator on new phone. I do recall that being a PITA last time.

 

[now i see it]

When using a physical SIM card it's easy.
1. Back up the phone you want to clone to your Mac
2. Start the setup process on the new phone and choose Restore from Backup (computer backup)
3. Plug new iPhone into Mac
4. Choose Restore From Backup
5. Let it do its thing

It still will take some time since all the apps still have to be downloaded from App Store again (automatically). They're not actually included in the backup. Just references to them.
Then when it's done, swap the SIM card & you're ready to roll.
I just practiced the above procedure on s spare phone yesterday to see how it went. It went off with it a hitch.

 

[MacPerforma]

Thanks for the advice. If, when I get my new iPhone 13 Pro, I can proceed with restoring / cloning my backup to the new iPhone prior to activation, that's great. My only concern was that I couldn't remember at what stage of the initial configuration process (before or after restoring a backup to the new phone) activation is required.

Additionally, I've read that the iPhone 13 Pro does not need (or will not take) the SIM card in my existing iPhone XS, so I'm not sure if / how the new eSIM authorization factors into my question as well.

 

[rsday75]

Going from the 11 to the 12 last year, I did the thing where you leave the phones close together and let it transfer all settings. That was about the quickest and easiest I have ever had. (I did a backup to my computer just in case before starting.)
It even moved my eSIM & Watch over painlessly.

 

[MareLuce]

leave the phones close together and let it transfer all settings. That was about the quickest and easiest I have ever had.

I forgot about that. Wonder if that would be faster (part of the OPs need) than via the sloggy slow lightning connection.

 

[MacPerforma]

I had just assumed (incorrectly, perhaps) that the hardwired Lightning connection between my MBP and iPhone would yield much faster transfer speeds than using the wireless connection, especially for transferring apps and massive quantities of photos from one iPhone to the other.