backing up iphone for upgrade..

[computerbuildin]

Currently I have an iPhone 4s and im going to upgrade to the 5 the day it comes out. Now what I was wondering is that, I need to make a backup so I can backup contacts... apps.. music and especially pictures, but I thought when you do a backup for an apple device, that backup is for that device and that device only, you cant take a backup from an old iPhone to a new one, they are 2 different devices... Plus right now I only have sync apps, music and ringtones checked.. If you check a new one, doesnt it delete all the current ones on your phone and puts in the ones on your computer? cause I remember this happening me and it accidentally wiped everything, itunes really knows how to screw things up. Because what im going to do is backup everything on it, wipe all 16gb of things on it, then transfer.

 

[stlcardinals]

The phone generation does not matter with the backup. If there is something that pertains to only a certain model, it will ignore it then.

Since you are backing up from iTunes:

1. Turn on encrypt backup (this will transfer over passwords for mail accounts, wi-fi networks, etc.), it will ask you for a password to encrypt the backup with.

2. Backup your current phone

3. Plug new phone into computer and right click on it in the iTunes list on the left and select Restore from backup. It will ask you to input your password from your backup.

Alternatively, use iCloud to backup to backup your phone. When you turn on your iPhone 5 for the first time, it will ask you to connect to a wi-fi network, then it will give you the option to restore from a backup. If you use the iCloud backup, you will have to input all your passwords again.

 

[computerbuildin]

I meant its a different device, that would be like saying im gonna back up my ipod and when I get an ipad ill bring everything to it or whatever, because i thought those backups were for if you messed up your iphone or something like that you could restore from that backup.

 

[stlcardinals]

You said you were going from a 4s to a 5, right? Instead of going round and round trying to explain this, here is the Apple support article you need to read:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2109

 

[MotionMan]

1. Turn on encrypt backup (this will transfer over passwords for mail accounts, wi-fi networks, etc.), it will ask you for a password to encrypt the backup with.

My backups are not encrypted but do contain all my passwords, wi-fi networks, etc. I do not believe this step is necessary.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

I meant its a different device, that would be like saying im gonna back up my ipod and when I get an ipad ill bring everything to it or whatever, because i thought those backups were for if you messed up your iphone or something like that you could restore from that backup.

The backup can be transferred to a completely different device. For example, I used my 3GS backup to set up my 4. I used an iPod Touch (4th gen) backup to set up a 3GS. I used a 3G backup to set up an iPod Touch (4th gen).

The only issue you run into is, for example, some apps will run on an iPod Touch (4th gen), but not on a 3G. If you use a newer device's backup for an older device, you may not get all your apps.

(EDIT: FYI, one of the most helpful uses for backups is for when your device dies or is stolen/lost.)

MotionMan

 

[computerbuildin]

ok 2 things, how exactly do I sync my pictures over because I checked throughout my pictures and anywhere else pictures would be yet they arent on my computer, I can however drag them manually from the "Apple iPhone" drive on my computer. And one more question since I checked my pictures and contacts now... in that iphone backup on itunes, it has those? and pictures? so I dont have to worry about anything? Sorry im confused

 

[Durvelle27]

ok 2 things, how exactly do I sync my pictures over because I checked throughout my pictures and anywhere else pictures would be yet they arent on my computer, I can however drag them manually from the "Apple iPhone" drive on my computer. And one more question since I checked my pictures and contacts now... in that iphone backup on itunes, it has those? and pictures? so I dont have to worry about anything? Sorry im confused

are they in ICloud to

 

[MotionMan]

ok 2 things, how exactly do I sync my pictures over because I checked throughout my pictures and anywhere else pictures would be yet they arent on my computer, I can however drag them manually from the "Apple iPhone" drive on my computer. And one more question since I checked my pictures and contacts now... in that iphone backup on itunes, it has those? and pictures? so I dont have to worry about anything? Sorry im confused

On a Mac, they would either be in iCloud or iPhoto.

Are you trading in your old phone? If not, you can restore to your new phone and see what is missing (if anything).

MotionMan

 

[Eug]

How about a downgrade? Is it possible to restore a iPhone 4 (iOS 6) backup to an iPhone 3G (iOS 4)?

Why? The iPhone 4 is mine but my wife wants it. I was gonna buy the 5 but have decided to hold off, but she was expecting to get my 4 when the 5 came out. I'm playing with the idea that we can just swap phones for now. My 4 for her 3G for now, but then I'll upgrade to whatever (iPhone 5 or Android) in a couple of months... assuming I don't rip my hair out with the 3G.

 

[computerbuildin]

I dont use icloud because my family all has ipods ipads etc and an iphone and that would mean full access to whatever I put on there

 

[Tyranicus]

I dont use icloud because my family all has ipods ipads etc and an iphone and that would mean full access to whatever I put on there

Only if you all use the same iCloud account.

As others have said, backups can absolutely work on new devices. I've been running off the same series of backups from my 1st gen iPhone through four different 3GS models and 2 different iPhone 4s. I still have text messages that I sent and received back in 2007 on my original iPhone.

 

[MotionMan]

How about a downgrade? Is it possible to restore a iPhone 4 (iOS 6) backup to an iPhone 3G (iOS 4)?

Why? The iPhone 4 is mine but my wife wants it. I was gonna buy the 5 but have decided to hold off, but she was expecting to get my 4 when the 5 came out. I'm playing with the idea that we can just swap phones for now. My 4 for her 3G for now, but then I'll upgrade to whatever (iPhone 5 or Android) in a couple of months... assuming I don't rip my hair out with the 3G.

It should work, but you will probably lose some apps that will not work on iOS4.

MotionMan

 

[MotionMan]

I dont use icloud because my family all has ipods ipads etc and an iphone and that would mean full access to whatever I put on there

No it would not. You can all use different iCloud accounts, you can limit what is shared on each device or, you can use iCloud on your device but not on any others.

MotionMan

 

[ManBearPig]

Most people suggest NOT to set up a new phone and/or a phone with a new iOS iteration from a backup. A lot of people say it messes with the battery and other stuff. I think if you want your contacts, then, just sync the contacts, so on and so forth. Less chance of messing things up.

 

[MotionMan]

Most people suggest NOT to set up a new phone and/or a phone with a new iOS iteration from a backup. A lot of people say it messes with the battery and other stuff. I think if you want your contacts, then, just sync the contacts, so on and so forth. Less chance of messing things up.

That is an old wives tale.

MotionMan

 

[ManBearPig]

Pshhh...whatever! Well, I'm a big enough of a loser that I can just add my contacts back in manually (have them memorized), so I won't have to deal with it!

...

 

[Tyranicus]

It should work, but you will probably lose some apps that will not work on iOS4.

MotionMan

Out of curiosity, I just checked this using the three iOS devices I have on hand. I have at my disposal an iPhone 1 running iOS 3.1.3, an iPhone 4 running iOS 6.0, and an iPad 2 running iOS 5.1.1. (I'm waiting for an A5 jailbreak to upgrade)

The iPhone 1 will accept its own backup and its own backup only.

The iPhone 4 will accept the iPhone 1 backup, the iPad 2 backup, and its own backup, both 6.0 and an older 5.1.1 backup.

The iPad 2 will accept the iPhone 1 backup, the older 5.1.1 iPhone 4 backup, and its own backup.

From this data, I appear to have conclusively proven that you cannot in fact restore a backup from a newer version of iOS onto an older version of iOS.

 

[stlcardinals]

From the Apple support article i linked earlier

Additional Information
iTunes and iOS do not support installing backups of newer versions of iOS onto devices using earlier versions of iOS. If your backup was taken from a device that has a newer version of iOS installed, update your new device before transferring the information.

 

[MotionMan]

From the Apple support article i linked earlier

I wonder how the iPod Touch 4th Gen compares to the 3GS as I have transferred backups in between them many times recently, only losing a few apps that won't work from the Touch to the 3GS (and the phone apps that won't load on the Touch).

MotionMan

 

[Tyranicus]

I wonder how the iPod Touch 4th Gen compares to the 3GS as I have transferred backups in between them many times recently, only losing a few apps that won't work from the Touch to the 3GS (and the phone apps that won't load on the Touch).

MotionMan

If they are running the same version of iOS, it does not matter what device it is. iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads will all accept each other's backups.

 

[MotionMan]

How to Transfer Everything from Old iPhone to New iPhone 5 the Easy Way

MotionMan

 

[computerbuildin]

So that ipod photo cache is all my photos or what?
Plus, should I just wipe my iPhone entirely? Like just click Erase all content and settings? Because one way or another im gonna have to.
My family member is going to trade their phone in for the 5, then we swap it, so id have to wipe my phone for this, thats why im just making sure everythings on the computer