iPhone 16 Pro Max Set up as new or restore?

[Kalbo_kalbo]

I have a 14 pro max and expecting a 16 pro max next week.
The last 3 iPhones I have set up using restore from backup or iPhone to iPhone.

I don’t have a huge amount of apps, but have over 40GB only in messages.
If I understand correct, if I set up as new phone this time but using my iCloud, I can still get all my messages back.

The only benefit restoring is that I don’t need to manually download every app I want? What did you do and why?

 

[yeahtyeaht]

I always set up new devices as new without restoring. Just gives me a "cleaner" feeling using the device.

 

[3Rock]

Restore. Used to do clean install, but I got tired of messing with all that updates and passcodes, etc. etc. My restore from iCloud went quickly without a hitch.

 

[Kalbo_kalbo]

Restore. Used to do clean install, but I got tired of messing with all that updates and passcodes, etc. etc. My restore from iCloud went quickly without a hitch.

Will not passcodes be there in a clean install once you turn on your iCloud?

 

[fatTribble]

I’ve never read any factual benefit to setting up as new. I’ve heard people say they prefer to set up that way. I think the term clean install falsely implies restoring from backup is unclean.

I always to to take the happy path, the path that would be most common and likely most tested by Apple.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I set up my 16 Pro last night using direct migration from my 15 Pro. It took less than 15 minutes.

 

[thatJohann]

I did iCloud restore last night and it was a mess. Still recovering from the issues with photos and notes not syncing. First time this happens to me and I get an iPhone every year.

 

[3Rock]

Will not passcodes be there in a clean install once you turn on your iCloud?

You would think so, and most of them did, but 2 did not for me. Unknown why.