iPhone 12 What's the best way to set up a new iPhone with old one's contacts, notes, messages, etc.?

[definitive]

I'd like to set up a new iPhone, but only restore things like contacts, notes, messages, calendars, and maybe some app saves (Shazam, TV show app, package delivery tracking app)? (no photos) These things are backed up to iCloud regularly.

I'm thinking that I can restore stuff like contacts, messages, notes, and calendars once I log into iCloud through the new iPhone, but what about the app settings/data? Would those restore once I download them from the App store, or do I have to do a full restore for that to work?

 

[now i see it]

Setting up a phone is an all or nothing affair. Either you restore from a backup and get everything from the backup or set up as new and only get iCloud linked data. You can't pick and choose what particular app data you want to restore - it's all or nothing

 

[ericwn]

Either start fresh or transfer your existing backup, then delete the stuff you don’t want on the new phone.

 

[eyoungren]

Setting up a phone is an all or nothing affair. Either you restore from a backup and get everything from the backup or set up as new and only get iCloud linked data. You can't pick and choose what particular app data you want to restore - it's all or nothing

This is one of the reasons my mail is IMAP, my contacts are Google, my photos are Dropbox, my notes Google and my messages either carrier based (SMS) or iMessage.

Apple's services are an all in one convenience - until they aren't.

 

[matrix07]

This is one of the reasons my mail is IMAP, my contacts are Google, my photos are Dropbox, my notes Google and my messages either carrier based (SMS) or iMessage.

Apple's services are an all in one convenience - until they aren't.

You just complicate yourself. I never have problem move those Apple data from old phone to new one.

 

[eyoungren]

You just complicate yourself. I never have problem move those Apple data from old phone to new one.

No, I don't. Try moving Apple services to a PC or an Android. Or to a PowerPC Mac - all of which I own.

The way I do things is cross platform and as long as I have internet access I can access those services with any device.

 

[matrix07]

Try moving Apple services to a PC or an Android.

I don't have a PC or Android 😀. For what?

 

[eyoungren]

I don't have a PC or Android 😀. For what?

Then you don't have a problem - except if notes, mail, contacts and messages is all you want to move.

As has been said, it's all or nothing with Apple's services.

Sure, as has also been suggested, you can move it all over and then go and remove the stuff you don't want off the device. That's simple and easy right?

 

[matrix07]

Then you don't have a problem - except if notes, mail, contacts and messages is all you want to move.

As has been said, it's all or nothing with Apple's services.

Sure, as has also been suggested, you can move it all over and then go and remove the stuff you don't want off the device. That's simple and easy right?

My post was just a silly banter. 😀 If you're cross platform then it is very wise to not depend on Apple services. 😄

 

[EM2013]

I want to do this as well. I know if you use iCloud for contacts & messages you can get them back.

What will I be missing other than some app data (really only care for Real Racing) by starting new but signing into iCloud?