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Transfer to iPhone 5: Restore from backup?
- Thread starter JonMPLS
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When upgrading from 3Gs to iPhone 4, I ran a full backup via iTunes and then plugged the new iPhone into PC, let iTunes recognize it as new device and then chose the option of setting up as same username with backup data. Worked like a charm. Planning to do it the same way this time. 
I'd say the only reason to not restore from back up is because 1) you don't have any vital information on your phone (i.e. it's all apps with info restorable from the web) and 2) you'd like to start with a clean phone. (Admittedly I did this with my latest iPad).
Otherwise, restore from backup works fine. No reason not to do it.
Otherwise, restore from backup works fine. No reason not to do it.
I plan on skipping the update on the iPhone 4 because I have to wipe it anyway before passing it on to my son. iPhone 5 will come with iOS 6.
I realize that and I too want to skip the ios6 update on my iPhone 4 until I get the 5 and the iPhone 4 is then shut off.
I just don't know if the backup I create from the iPhone 4 will need to be on iOS 6 to be able to 'restore' the content onto the iPhone 5.
Maybe it doesn't matter what version iOS but would appreciate someone confirming this if possible.
It doesn't need to have the same version of the OS. A backup from a 4S on an older OS to the 5 on iOS 6 will work just fine. I've had every single model of the iPhone and iPad so far and in every case I've restored from a backup and in most cases the OS was older on the previous device.
Here's how you can transfer to iphone 5 with iTunes:
1.Back up your old device using iTunes and transfer your data from your device to your computer.
2. If your device uses a SIM card: Use the SIM-extractor tool or a paper clip to remove the SIM from your old device and insert it into your new device. If your carrier provided you with a new SIM card, use that instead.
3. Turn on your new device and complete the Setup Assistant by selecting your language and country, and choose whether to enable Location Services. When prompted, choose your Wi-Fi network.If you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection, you can also activate by tapping "Connect to iTunes".
4. When prompted to set up your device, select "Restore from iTunes Backup".
5. Connect your new device to iTunes (on the same computer you used to back up your current iPhone). iTunes will ask you to restore from backup or set up as new. Select the backup of your old device and choose Continue.
6. When the restore process is complete, your device will restart. Then it will be ready for use. You should keep your device connected to iTunes to sync data not contained in the backup (such as music, videos, apps, and so on). You can verify and change which data are synced by clicking the syncing tabs in iTunes.
You can also use iCloud to transfer information from old iPhone to new iphone 5, here's an article from Apple's Support: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2109
1.Back up your old device using iTunes and transfer your data from your device to your computer.
2. If your device uses a SIM card: Use the SIM-extractor tool or a paper clip to remove the SIM from your old device and insert it into your new device. If your carrier provided you with a new SIM card, use that instead.
3. Turn on your new device and complete the Setup Assistant by selecting your language and country, and choose whether to enable Location Services. When prompted, choose your Wi-Fi network.If you don’t have a Wi-Fi connection, you can also activate by tapping "Connect to iTunes".
4. When prompted to set up your device, select "Restore from iTunes Backup".
5. Connect your new device to iTunes (on the same computer you used to back up your current iPhone). iTunes will ask you to restore from backup or set up as new. Select the backup of your old device and choose Continue.
6. When the restore process is complete, your device will restart. Then it will be ready for use. You should keep your device connected to iTunes to sync data not contained in the backup (such as music, videos, apps, and so on). You can verify and change which data are synced by clicking the syncing tabs in iTunes.
You can also use iCloud to transfer information from old iPhone to new iphone 5, here's an article from Apple's Support: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2109
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