Restore 6 to 4S and then back to 6?

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Paul1977

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# 181006 29-Sep-2015 09:55

I'm taking my iPhone 6 in for repair/replacement so will be backing it up and factory resetting first.

Question: Can I restore a backup of a my 6 (iOS9) onto a 4S, and then after the repair backup the 4S and restore the back onto the 6?

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clicknz

403 posts

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# 1396403 29-Sep-2015 10:17

Hi - yes - this is the way backups and restoring with iOS works. I personally use iTunes via a Mac computer, but it should work whether you use iCloud or a Windows machine. It's just about being patient and selecting the right options. Via iTunes I suggest selecting an encrypted backup as this should store your passwords etc.
Caveat - iTunes is becoming more & more bloated with 'features' and iCloud is reliant on a good steady data connection... things can get screwed up, but that seems to be something we have to accept these days (not living in the 'perfect world' yet).

Cheers,
Mike

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Batman

Mad Scientist
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# 1396414 29-Sep-2015 10:23

Do you have to download all the apps again after you restore? What is the "right" options to choose? Referring to iTunes backup

Involuntary autocorrect in operation on mobile device. Apologies in advance.

Behodar

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# 1396419 29-Sep-2015 10:27

The backup itself doesn't contain apps, only documents and settings. However, if you do a full synch with iTunes then all your apps will end up on your computer, separate from the backup. iTunes can then copy them onto the new phone as part of the synch/restore process.

Batman

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# 1396427 29-Sep-2015 10:29

That's what confused me. So you first have to i sync all apps with iTunes? LastTwo time s i tried something like that all apps just vanished from my wife's phone ... She wasn't impressed!

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Behodar

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# 1396433 29-Sep-2015 10:38

You don't *have* to, but it saves a redownload. Apps shouldn't disappear though; the only time that this will happen is if the computer isn't authorised for the Apple account used to purchase them. iTunes should warn you if that's the case.

Paul1977

2835 posts

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# 1396446 29-Sep-2015 10:57

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I'll backup and sync via iTunes with an encrypted backup. It was really just if there was going to be issues restoring to much older hardware and then back. Sounds like it will be fine.

But while we are talking about backups, another issue that can be a gotcha is that I believe it only backs up mail settings and not the actual emails. This can be a big issue of you use POP mail.

The above doesn't effect me (and no-one should be using POP mail, but plenty still do) so thought I'd add it since we are discussing backups.

MadEngineer

1928 posts

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# 1396450 29-Sep-2015 11:02

I've always done this over the air (wifi). The few times I had problems were when I was using iTunes.

Seems to go quicker instead of having iTunes make local copies of all the apps, just let the restoring phone download them over wifi.

tdgeek

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# 1396463 29-Sep-2015 11:17

joker97: That's what confused me. So you first have to i sync all apps with iTunes? LastTwo time s i tried something like that all apps just vanished from my wife's phone ... She wasn't impressed!

When you sync to the computer, it will first transfer any apps, app updates that are on the phone but not in iTunes to iTunes. Then it will backup, then it will sync.

If your wife lost her apps, I suggest that the iTunes app sync option was not checked, so it did actually sync the apps you want in iTunes (none) to the phone, thus also equals none.

itunes is great, sync, backup, restore, a one stop shop. But unless you know it, and ensure the sync settings are what you require, all of us have no doubt messed it up.
But you can't really mess it up permanently. If the sync etc doesnt give the required result, everything is still intact on the PC/iTunes to try again.

Paul1977

2835 posts

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# 1396550 29-Sep-2015 12:26

OK,

Well mine is not syncing any of the apps from the iPhone into iTunes.

I've done File/Devices/Transfer Purchases and it does nothing.

trig42

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# 1396556 29-Sep-2015 12:32

It shouldn't matter, when you restore the 4S, it should then just re-download all the Apps.

I just had to restore my Mother in Laws iPad (she somehow put a passcode on it when she upgraded to iOS9, then had no idea what the code was). After wiping the iPad, it restored from a cloud backup, and then re-downloaded all her Apps and kept the location of them on her homescreens the same (even still had login details for her email, facebook and internet banking saved in their respective apps).

Paul1977

2835 posts

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# 1396565 29-Sep-2015 12:44

trig42: It shouldn't matter, when you restore the 4S, it should then just re-download all the Apps.

I just had to restore my Mother in Laws iPad (she somehow put a passcode on it when she upgraded to iOS9, then had no idea what the code was). After wiping the iPad, it restored from a cloud backup, and then re-downloaded all her Apps and kept the location of them on her homescreens the same (even still had login details for her email, facebook and internet banking saved in their respective apps).

But will surely take longer, it it should be transferring my apps.

Paul1977

2835 posts

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# 1396574 29-Sep-2015 13:11

Brilliant, Find My iPhone was never turned off by the previous employee who had the old 4S. Aaaarrrggggghhhh!!!!!!

MadEngineer

1928 posts

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# 1396587 29-Sep-2015 13:26

Well, that's easy - forward their mail to yourself and reset their password. If their iTunes account is with a 3rd party email provider then slap your IT dept, then contact Apple armed with proof of purchase if the previous owner won't give it up.

Paul1977

2835 posts

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# 1396591 29-Sep-2015 13:31

MadEngineer: Well, that's easy - forward their mail to yourself and reset their password. If their iTunes account is with a 3rd party email provider then slap your IT dept, then contact Apple armed with proof of purchase if the previous owner won't give it up.

I guess I'll be slapping myself then.

I do set them up with their work address, but sometimes they change it themselves.

Anyway, I got hold of him and got him to remove it via iCloud.