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bgrace

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 1, 2008
176
33
I generally like to set up an iPhone as new rather than restoring from a backup. Things just seem to run better when you start fresh. I hate to lose all of my iMessages, though. Is there any way to bring iMessage data to a new iPhone if you aren't restoring from an iCloud or iTunes backup?
 
Backup from iTunes not iCloud. I was having an iCloud issue and was on the phone with support and they said restoring from iTunes is the better option.
 
And does backing up with iTunes bring everything over to your new phone?

Does anything NOT get brought over to your new phone within iTunes back up?

Thanks for any replies :)
 
I went from 6S Plus to 7 Plus. iCloud backup worked so nicely. Providing both the iphone 6s plus and iphone 7 plus WERE both the same software versions.
 
And does backing up with iTunes bring everything over to your new phone?

Does anything NOT get brought over to your new phone within iTunes back up?

Thanks for any replies :)
If your backup is not encrypted, passwords on your iPhone keychain will not be restored. Apps will all be re-downloaded.
 
If your backup is not encrypted, passwords on your iPhone keychain will not be restored. Apps will all be re-downloaded.

Thanks, I do an ENCRYPTED backup. But what if my current iPhone is iOS 9.3.5, but the new iPhone is iOS 10. Will this create a problem in the restoring the backup on a newer version of iOS?
 
Honestly, the iPhone 7 is so fast now that I don't think a backup won't mess up performance anymore. But I could be wrong.
 
I ended up having to do a fresh install for the first time in a long time because my battery seemed off, and it made a world of difference. Guessing there was something corrupt in the original backup, and I already turned my old phone in so I couldn't attempt a new backup. There's no way to restore iMessages as far as I know. Losing that and all my health data was tough, but it feels pretty good to start fresh.
 
Thanks, I do an ENCRYPTED backup. But what if my current iPhone is iOS 9.3.5, but the new iPhone is iOS 10. Will this create a problem in the restoring the backup on a newer version of iOS?
Going from an old version to a new version should work fine; iOS handles any changes that need making.

The problem is if you go from a backup from newer version to an old one; you generally can't. And if you're successful, there are often errors that occur once it's restored.
 
Going from an old version to a new version should work fine; iOS handles any changes that need making.

The problem is if you go from a backup from newer version to an old one; you generally can't. And if you're successful, there are often errors that occur once it's restored.

Wow, such great help in this forum :)

So if I understand correctly, if I do an encrypted backup through iTunes using 9.3.5, I can restore it on a brand-new phone which has iOS 10, and EVERYTHING (100% clone) will be included ( identical copy) on the new iPhone?

Is my understanding correct?
 
Whenever I get a new phone each year, I like to do a clean install. I think it's a myth, but I have always felt that the phone works better starting fresh. It's odd, but I actually don't mind re-downloading all my apps and getting them set up. Helps me weed out all the unnecessary stuff.
 
Wow, such great help in this forum :)

So if I understand correctly, if I do an encrypted backup through iTunes using 9.3.5, I can restore it on a brand-new phone which has iOS 10, and EVERYTHING (100% clone) will be included ( identical copy) on the new iPhone?

Is my understanding correct?
Basically, yes! There may be little things where some apps need reauthorising but things like messages, Safari tabs and settings should all stick.

Good luck.
 
I do an annual fresh install. However, on my JB I did an encrypted restore and my battery was just the same. On my Matte, I have done a fresh install and the battery is stellar, much better. My back up was problem buggy and included the beta's.
 
Basically, yes! There may be little things where some apps need reauthorising but things like messages, Safari tabs and settings should all stick.

Good luck.


I keep hearing things about iMessage history & Health data, does this get transferred?
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I do an annual fresh install. However, on my JB I did an encrypted restore and my battery was just the same. On my Matte, I have done a fresh install and the battery is stellar, much better. My back up was problem buggy and included the beta's.

So setting up as "new", I would have to start from scratch and lose iMessage history, Health data, mail history, and re-install all my apps, contacts, and tweak apps & settings....? Seems like a lot of work (a few days worth)
 
Whenever I get a new phone each year, I like to do a clean install. I think it's a myth, but I have always felt that the phone works better starting fresh. It's odd, but I actually don't mind re-downloading all my apps and getting them set up. Helps me weed out all the unnecessary stuff.

I feel the same way and did the same thing. Started fresh, re-downloaded all my apps. Ended up getting rid of a few apps that rarely get used or not at all. At first I restored all my music to my phone from iTunes and then I switched to iCloud Music Library instead. I also have a 256GB model so don't know why I'm worrying too much.
 
I feel the same way and did the same thing. Started fresh, re-downloaded all my apps. Ended up getting rid of a few apps that rarely get used or not at all. At first I restored all my music to my phone from iTunes and then I switched to iCloud Music Library instead. I also have a 256GB model so don't know why I'm worrying too much.

Haha I have 256 and I have no idea why. I plan on putting my entire music library on my phone at some point, but there is no easy way to download everything. The phone gets very hot and laggy.
 
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