Restoring from Backup

[PhillStew]

Hey guys, silly question here...

I've always started each new iPhone I've gotten as a "new phone" when prompted to restore from a backup, but this Friday, when my new Xs arrives, I would like to try to retain all of my phone settings, installed apps, app settings, and home screen organization (if possible) by using either restoring from my iTunes backup or a (yet to be created) iCloud backup.

In principle, I don't really have a problem doing either, but if all I had to do in order to save a few bucks per month was restore from a backup that's already on my MBP I would just assume to do it that way.

That being said, I've read some confusing iMore & Apple knowledge base entries that have kind of muddied the water for me since the removal of app management in iTunes.

So, my question is: What are the differences between setting up a new phone from an iTunes versus an iCloud backup?

As always, thanks for the responses!

 

[unashamedgeek]

I've been researching this as well and most guides also seem out of date since they talk about messages only coming over if you do a restore, but I don't think that is the case anymore since you can configure your messages to sync with iCloud.

One different I see between restoring and new is your apps. If you do a restore, all your apps will get installed. If you do new, you'll have to manually go install your apps.

Another thing I've seen, is if you restore from iCloud, that will miss some things that are only available with an iTunes backup. It seems to include health and homekit data which is only saved on local encrypted backups. I'm planning to do an iTunes restore at this point.

 

[Jumpie]

I always restore from a backup. I never set up as new so I don't have to re-enter all my passwords. Back up using iTunes but make sure to encrypt the backup. That's the only way to keep all your password, health data and stuff. The only thing that doesn't seem to back up is your frequently visited places which I find quite annoying. Other than that, I always use go from a backup.

 

[t0mat0]

https://www.tenorshare.com/ios-11/how-to-sync-restore-health-data-on-icloud-in-ios-11.html looks like Health data is synced to icloud - just ned to turn the setting on.

 

[unashamedgeek]

I always restore from a backup. I never set up as new so I don't have to re-enter all my passwords. Back up using iTunes but make sure to encrypt the backup. That's the only way to keep all your password, health data and stuff. The only thing that doesn't seem to back up is your frequently visited places which I find quite annoying. Other than that, I always use go from a backup.

Do you recall if the OS levels have to match? My 7 is still on iOS 11 and my XS will be on 12. Do I need to upgrade my 7 to 12 before doing the restore?

 

[Jumpie]

Do you recall if the OS levels have to match? My 7 is still on iOS 11 and my XS will be on 12. Do I need to upgrade my 7 to 12 before doing the restore?

As long as your current backup isn't greater than what's on the phone. So if you're running 12.1 beta, then you're outta luck until you upgrade the new with the 12.1 beta.