Set up a new iPhone

Glenn Fleishman reveals how you can set up a new handset by restoring it from an older device

iPad&iPhone readers are likely quite used to restoring their iOS devices. Sometimes, you’ll need to bring your iPhone or iPad in or ship it off for repair, and Apple has to reset or replace it. Other times, you might hit a glitch – a rapidly draining battery is a common one – where the ‘best’ remedy is backing up and restoring.

But reader Jim writes in with what I think is a common scenario for which there’s an extra step that isn’t exactly obvious: when you want effectively to

transfer the contents of an older iOS device with a newer replacement, but the newer iOS hardware is already set up and running, just not with your stuff.

First, Make sure you have a fresh back up of the older device, whether that’s through iCloud (Settings > account name > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and tap Back Up Now) or iTunes (connect via USB, select device icon, click Back Up Now). With iTunes, you can confirm the backup was made by looking in iTunes > Preferences > Devices and looking for the device name and the date and time of the last backup.

Next, when that’s complete, turn to the new device. Make sure that if the new device has been used to take pictures, record audio, or make any other unique media files or documents, that those have been copied or synced so they will be available to retrieve after erasing the device. (If you’re using iCloud Photo Library, for instance, all photos and videos should be synced to iCloud, and will simply sync back after the device is restored from the older iOS hardware.)

If you’re sure you have copied, synced, or don’t need data stored on the new device, you can now erase it. Turn off Find My iPhone/iPad before proceeding. If you want to erase via iTunes and USB, follow Apple’s detailed instructions at fave.co/2nvehXV. To erase directly via the devices, tap Settings > General > Reset, enter your password or Apple ID password if prompted, and then wait for it to finish. Now, you can perform a restore from the backup you made of the older device. If it’s an iPhone or a

cellular iPad, swap the SIM from the old to new device before performing the restore.

With iTunes

Power up the newer iOS device, and proceed through setup until you’re asking on the Apps & Data screen how you want to set up the device. Choose Restore from iTunes Backup. Connect the iPhone or iPad over USB to the computer on which you performed an iTunes backup. Click Restore Backup. Choose the backup you just made. Follow the remaining prompts until the restore is complete.

With an iCloud backup

Power up the newer iOS device, and proceed through setup until you’re asking on the Apps & Data screen how you want to set up the device. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign into the same iCloud account you used to perform the backup above. Choose the backup you made from the list that appears. Follow the remaining prompts until the restore is complete.