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Beta Installation - Best Practices

rui no onna

rui no onna

Contributor
Original poster
Oct 25, 2013
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So this is my first time trying to install a beta. I'll be using a spare iPad. :p

My current plan of attack is as follows:
  1. Run iCloud backup
  2. Create encrypted iTunes backup
  3. Factory reset
  4. Set-up iPad as new
  5. Install iOS 11 Beta

Anything wrong with the above plan? Any suggestions on better practices?

Thanks in advance! :D
 
That looks good. The only other thing I would make sure of is that iCloud backups are turned off on the iOS 11 installation, so your last backup from iOS 10 doesn't get overwritten.

Also, move the backup you made in iTunes aside so that IT doesn't get overwritten if you back up your iOS 11 iPad. Then you can safely back it up with iTunes without ruining the old backup.

I wish there were a way to "move iCloud backups aside" like you can with iTunes ones.
 
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I think in the iTunes 'devices' tab you can right click on a backup and select 'archive': in that way it shouldn't be overwritten by newer backups. In general though if you set up the device as new it won't get overwritten anyway, because it would be the backup of a different device.

source: I have like 15 backups archived in itunes for different devices and betas...
 
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zorinlynx said:
That looks good. The only other thing I would make sure of is that iCloud backups are turned off on the iOS 11 installation, so your last backup from iOS 10 doesn't get overwritten.

Also, move the backup you made in iTunes aside so that IT doesn't get overwritten if you back up your iOS 11 iPad. Then you can safely back it up with iTunes without ruining the old backup.

I wish there were a way to "move iCloud backups aside" like you can with iTunes ones.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that advice. I'm on Windows so archiving the iTunes backup would take a bit more effort. In any case, another option is to create backups on two different computers (laptop and desktop). :p

I'm hoping the factory reset and set-up as new iPad will take care of "archiving" the iCloud backup. Gonna have to verify that by trying to backup the factory restored iPad to iCloud while it's still on iOS 10 before I install the beta. :)
 
Last edited:
  • Disable "Find my iPhone" before reset
  • Make sure that essentials apps (WhatsApp mainly for me) have iCloud backup
  • Make sure that photos are backuped / transfered
  • Take screenshots of home screens to remember what applications are installed
 
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Will a factory reset also reinstall the non-beta IOS? I've had my fun with IOS11, time to go back and wait for the official release.
 
2centsjoe said:
What is everyone’s take on factory reset AFTER installing iOS 11?
Click to expand...
  • Go through all iPhone settings and configure as wanted (eg disable all iCloud sync except backup and find my iPhone)
  • Install Dropbox
  • Install 1Password (depends on Dropbox)
  • Install WhatsApp with restoring iCloud backup
  • Configure emails accounts
  • Reinstall other apps
Just did it, litteraly take HOURS ! But I like to start from a fresh install from time to time
 
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ed. said:
I think in the iTunes 'devices' tab you can right click on a backup and select 'archive': in that way it shouldn't be overwritten by newer backups. In general though if you set up the device as new it won't get overwritten anyway, because it would be the backup of a different device.

source: I have like 15 backups archived in itunes for different devices and betas...
Click to expand...

HUH! I've been using iTunes for years and didn't know about the "archive" option. I've just been moving them out of the way manually in the MobileSync directory.

Thanks for this info, now I don't have to go messing around in Terminal to archive backups. :)
 
lemimouth said:
  • Go through all iPhone settings and configure as wanted (eg disable all iCloud sync except backup and find my iPhone)
  • Install Dropbox
  • Install 1Password (depends on Dropbox)
  • Install WhatsApp with restoring iCloud backup
  • Configure emails accounts
  • Reinstall other apps
Just did it, litteraly take HOURS ! But I like to start from a fresh install from time to time
Click to expand...

So you factory reset your phone after the installation of iOS 11? I’ve factory reset on previous betas and it’s helped but I want to be sure with iOS 11.
 
2centsjoe said:
So you factory reset your phone after the installation of iOS 11? I’ve factory reset on previous betas and it’s helped but I want to be sure with iOS 11.
Click to expand...

"Factory Reset" is a misnomer. The correct term is "Erase all Content and Settings". This returns your phone to a like-new state, but preserves the currently installed version of iOS.

So if you install iOS 11 and then "Erase all Content and Settings" you'll start with an iOS 11 blank slate. You can also restore a backup from a previous iOS version if you like.
 
1. Backup using iTunes then go to "Prefs / Devices" and click Archive on that backup - it keeps it safe
2. Install the beta profile, reboot, install beta
3. Moan about battery drain and performance on Macrumours a few minutes after the upgrade completes.
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
The best practice is to not install a beta, unless you know what you are doing, and realize that very bad things can happen using a beta.
Click to expand...

I’ve seen the bugs myself and can pinpoint them but I read elsewhere, more with this beta than before, that if you elect to “erase all content and settings” many features do not work.
 
2centsjoe said:
So you factory reset your phone after the installation of iOS 11? I’ve factory reset on previous betas and it’s helped but I want to be sure with iOS 11.
Click to expand...

No I restored my phone as new using iTunes (clicked on "restore iphone" with cmd+click and selected the iOS 11 beta 1 ipsw file). I've been upgrading from beta to beta since iOS 10 beta and thought it would be a good time to start with a fresh installation without restoring from a backup
 
zorinlynx said:
"Factory Reset" is a misnomer. The correct term is "Erase all Content and Settings". This returns your phone to a like-new state, but preserves the currently installed version of iOS.

So if you install iOS 11 and then "Erase all Content and Settings" you'll start with an iOS 11 blank slate. You can also restore a backup from a previous iOS version if you like.
Click to expand...

Fully aware of all that. I just replied to someone else on why I ask this question. Just wanted to be sure since I will not have access to my back up phone until end of next week and wanted to just “refresh the OS, I guess”. [drops mic after that last line that rhymed]
 
Depends if you want to keep your settings and apps or want to reinstall everything. If you want to keep everything just make a backup and upgrade to iOS 11. Then complain about battery and performance of iOS 11 beta.

If you want to start fresh, restore as new with iOS 11, take a few hours to reinstall everything and then complain about battery life and performance :p
 
BasicGreatGuy said:
The best practice is to not install a beta, unless you know what you are doing, and realize that very bad things can happen using a beta.
Click to expand...
I'm aware hence why I'm installing the beta on the Air 2 (which is practically a mirror of my primary Pro 9.7).

Still, figured it would be better to have iTunes and iCloud backups of the Air 2 in its current state for when I get tired of playing with the beta.
 
Looks good! And charge your device to 100% too, just in case. Sometimes I also try to make sure it's not plugged in when installing (just because lol).
 
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zorinlynx said:
that iCloud backups are turned off
Click to expand...
This will delete iCloud backup in the process.
jazz1 said:
Will a factory reset also reinstall the non-beta IOS? I've had my fun with IOS11, time to go back and wait for the official release.
Click to expand...
No. It will retain your current version of iOS.
[doublepost=1496962320][/doublepost]I just do iTunes backup and then update. My rule is: you can fall back if there is no data or few data generated. You can’t if data is generated. Right now, I cannot fall back because much data is generated.
I hate huge difference between last backup and current state.
 
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