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ealexander

macrumors member
Original poster
May 13, 2020
62
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I personally did a fresh install on my new iPhones so I can set up my iPhones differently and not have to delete things and move apps around. What about you?
 
I no longer do fresh install but made sure to update to the latest before doing phone to phone migration. I don’t really like iCloud backup because sometime it hangs and takes awhile. I update using IPSW only.
 
I didn't buy a 13, but I do generally do a fresh install when I get a new phone. Major OS updates on the same phone get an OTA upgrade though. I like to go through the settings with a fine tooth comb when I get a new phone anyways, so I find it easier to just start fresh.
 
Just got mine, and I can't set it up at home due to limited internet capability, so I just put my SIM from my 12 in, and let my iCloud stuff setup.

I've never done this, so now I'm wondering if I have to fully wipe it and start over to do a restore from backup, or if I can just go in settings and somehow migrate my stuff over?

Also, assuming the new phones come with the new iOS, does that mean I need to update my old phone before restoring or transferring?

Sorry for hijacking the thread.
 
I didn't buy a 13, but I do generally do a fresh install when I get a new phone. Major OS updates on the same phone get an OTA upgrade though. I like to go through the settings with a fine tooth comb when I get a new phone anyways, so I find it easier to just start fresh.

Agreed and this is open thread to all iphone models so welcome
 
Just got mine, and I can't set it up at home due to limited internet capability, so I just put my SIM from my 12 in, and let my iCloud stuff setup.

I've never done this, so now I'm wondering if I have to fully wipe it and start over to do a restore from backup, or if I can just go in settings and somehow migrate my stuff over?

Also, assuming the new phones come with the new iOS, does that mean I need to update my old phone before restoring or transferring?

Sorry for hijacking the thread.

If your back up is in iCloud I believe all you have to do is go through the setup process and it’ll ask do you want to do a restore from back, as new etc so just choose backup on the 13. I don’t believe you have to update any other iPhone as I have all my iPhones on its original iOS version and I can transfer fine
 
I did phone to phone transfer on day one. For me everything felt off and did not have that new phone feel.

So did a clean install the next day and it’s been excellent! Smith, fast and awesome battery life.

I felt the same way when I restored my mini from a backup. I mean my wife and I are gorgeous but I don’t want our photo on every iPhone
 
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I initially restored from backup, but I was only getting 4-5hr SOT from my iPhone 11 Pro Max (95% battery health). The battery seemed to be similar on my 13PM throughout the weekend, even after things were all synced, so I've started fresh.

A PITA, but the battery seems to be doing better than before.
 
These comments are making me smile - yes! Finally someone gets me! (re: not new phone feel, different personalities :) I was in a rush Fri night to go out and just did a restore but it was anti climactic. Tomorrow when I have some time I'm going to go back and start totally fresh. It's time!
 
I personally did a fresh install on my new iPhones so I can set up my iPhones differently and not have to delete things and move apps around. What about you?
100% restored from iPad Pro back up. Its like having a MiniMicro iPad Pro with 120hz Pro motion and all my stuff.
 
Just got mine, and I can't set it up at home due to limited internet capability, so I just put my SIM from my 12 in, and let my iCloud stuff setup.

I've never done this, so now I'm wondering if I have to fully wipe it and start over to do a restore from backup, or if I can just go in settings and somehow migrate my stuff over?

Also, assuming the new phones come with the new iOS, does that mean I need to update my old phone before restoring or transferring?

Sorry for hijacking the thread.
You will want to do the software update before you do the setup. I did a iPhone to iPhone transfer this time and it worked great, very fast. Everything copied over and everything was placed how it was on the ild phone. It even setup the eSim on my phone, which I thought was very convient. Once you do the software update, do a erase all contents and then transfer over your data form your old phone.
 
I do a fresh install for every X.0 release. And I never have any problems, bugs, or downtime once I've done a clean install. iOS and OSX make it very easy to do.
 
I restored from an encrypted backup on my iMac, it takes way to long to transfer contacts images redo all my settings, and then I dont want to loose all my lists in Due for instance, or loads of messages or my journal etc. At the end of the day you are not re downloading your old OS you just are reinstalling your settings and all apps are downloaded again so its the same as a so called clean install in many ways but without the issues of lost data. I have to say I was glad I did it this way this time as I usually do a so called clean install and setting up email again and all the other settings is just a huge waste of time for myself, it used to take over 8 hours to get my old iPhone set up as a clean install with all the settings and redoing passwords etc.

With a back up and you are good to go so quickly, battery life is amazing too. I think like others here I used to like the idea of a new install on a new phone, but it really makes zero difference these days I imagine. Whatever makes you feel good for your phone though is fair enough so I'm not knocking those that do clean installs. Its just after last year as iOS becomes more complicated spending days setting up apps, health data etc and the phone itself, it just took to long for little perceived benefit tbh.
 
After reading about the weird bug with picture and storage after restoring from backup i may do a fresh install
 
does a fresh install help w battery life? i restored mine via bluetooth on my ip13 pro and was not getting great battery life. did a factory reset and only restored basic stuff from icloud like contacts and notes. i reinstalled the rest of my previous apps. am still not getting super battery life. this used up 80% battery life :/
0800EE44-6085-432F-A281-898A03935DE5.png
 
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I always do an annual fresh install, for a few reasons:

- I sometimes joint the Beta programs so want a fresh start

- Part of the fun of a new iPhone is going through all my settings and configuring them. There are often new settings that are part of new features that you can miss if you don’t do this such as Auto 5G etc that you may have not had on your previous device.

- Contacts, app data, messages, photos etc are all in iCloud so I don’t lose any data.

However, if I receive a replacement device mid-year, then I simply do a transfer. If I don’t set up as new, go through the above, then I often feel like I haven’t really upgraded etc.
 
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