What is a "clean install" anyway?

[JohnnyW2001]

So many people like to ask "Did you do a clean install?" when someone has a problem with iOS7. But I'd like to know:

What IS a "clean install"?

According to Apple the correct procedure for upgrading major versions of iOS is:

1. Back up key elements of your device, such as settings, Contacts, Calendars, Notes, and your Camera Roll.
2. Update your device to the latest version of iOS software.
3. Restore your device from your most recent backup.
4. Restart your device. (Actually done automatically.)
5. Sync back media content from your iTunes Library to your device.

This is the only way I know of installing the GM. What's the other way? The "clean install" way?

 

[Armen]

So many people like to ask "Did you do a clean install?" when someone has a problem with iOS7. But I'd like to know:

What IS a "clean install"?

According to Apple the correct procedure for upgrading major versions of iOS is:

1. Back up key elements of your device, such as settings, Contacts, Calendars, Notes, and your Camera Roll.
2. Update your device to the latest version of iOS software.
3. Restore your device from your most recent backup.
4. Restart your device. (Actually done automatically.)
5. Sync back media content from your iTunes Library to your device.

This is the only way I know of installing the GM. What's the other way? The "clean install" way?

1. In this case you would download the full GM IPSW files which is 1.2GB
2. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone
3. Press SHIFT and click restore (will give you a browsing window)
4. Browse to the file you downloaded in step 1
5. After the restore is complete setup your iPhone as NEW (so it won't restore a backup)
6. Resync your apps, music.

 

[JohnnyW2001]

1. open iTunes and connect phone
2. Shift-Restore and browse to the full beta IPSW file (1.2GB in size)
3. After restore is complete, setup the phone as NEW (so it won't restore a backup).
4. Win

So... No contacts? No apps? No customization? You have to redo all this manually? Even though Apple says you don't need to?

 

[Tamagotchi]

Don't restore from back up, set up as a new phone - > this makes it default.

Restore from back up will just reinstall previous apps and one or two settings. You are not bringing old bugs into the phone. However, people prefer a clean install (with just default apps) to start all over again.

 

[JohnnyW2001]

Don't restore from back up, set up as a new phone - > this makes it default.

Restore from back up will just reinstall previous apps and one or two settings. You are not bringing old bugs into the phone. However, people prefer a clean install (with just default apps) to start all over again.

Yeah, I fail to see how that should make any difference. It's not like it's doing anything but remembering your WiFi password, background image, contact details, and apps.

 

[Armen]

So... No contacts? No apps? No customization? You have to redo all this manually? Even though Apple says you don't need to?

when you login to iCloud after the new install it will bring your calendar, contacts and icloud mail over automatically. Settings and such you would have to redo.

I have done this 7 times now..once every beta

 

[JohnnyW2001]

Thanks.

Some people are claiming to have done an update in-place for the GM.

 

[kamalaggi]

Thanks.

Some people are claiming to have done an update in-place for the GM.

I've done an update from beta 6. Haven't had any problems so far.

I did a reset all settings to clear my settings from beta 6 in case of any bugs leftover.

 

[Mtorrent]

I wonder what is the process to update from GM to the final release version. iTunes or OTA will show up the new version? I updated my iOS 6 to GM and didn't see "set as new device" option. It just upgrade to the new version with all setting and apps. I don't know, it was my first GM I installation.

 

[bbfc]

I wonder what is the process to update from GM to the final release version. iTunes or OTA will show up the new version? I updated my iOS 6 to GM and didn't see "set as new device" option. It just upgrade to the new version with all setting and apps. I don't know, it was my first GM I installation.

The GM is the public release - you won't need to update to the public release.

Set up as new is an option you get after restoring your device. You could also use the 'Erase all content and settings' option.