iPhone 13 Device-to-Device transfer vs restoring iCloud backup when switching iPhone?

[ThatSomeone]

- one app had to be re-installed

Did it get corrupt?

 

[minimo3]

Regardless of which method you use not all app settings will be brought over. E.g. some TOTP 2FA codes, banking app logins... You have to tap into each an every app to make sure it logs in correctly. And the no.1 thing that’s a PITA - Apple Watch. You must remember to unpair on your old device first and then re-pair on the new one. Takes at least an hour. If you just do a device to device transfer without unpairing first be prepared for a hassle.

 

[ericwn]

Regardless of which method you use not all app settings will be brought over. E.g. some TOTP 2FA codes, banking app logins... You have to tap into each an every app to make sure it logs in correctly. And the no.1 thing that’s a PITA - Apple Watch. You must remember to unpair on your old device first and then re-pair on the new one. Takes at least an hour. If you just do a device to device transfer without unpairing first be prepared for a hassle.

See post 15 for a different experience regarding Watch pairing.

 

[lexvo]

Did it get corrupt?

I don’t know. It was the Philips razor app. It couldn’t connect to my razor through Bluetooth anymore. Had to re-install it to get it working.

 

[powerslave65]

Most people haven't figured this out yet but if you have icloud on for everything just sign into to the new phone and literally everything starts to populate that's important and you can download your apps and add email accounts and done. The best thing is you can use your right away and bring the few remaining items online when it's convenient. You have the benefit of a fresh clean install and no garbage left over. Also you get the opportunity to improve your setup instead of using the old phones setup. Done this for 2 phones now and I will never restore from backup again.

 

[Bodhitree]

I’ve also used iPhone-to-iPhone transfer a few times now and had it work perfectly for me. It transfers things like your WhatsApp chat history, app login details, and so on. It does take a little while, about 20 minutes.

 

[ericwn]

Most people haven't figured this out yet but if you have icloud on for everything just sign into to the new phone and literally everything starts to populate that's important and you can download your apps and add email accounts and done. The best thing is you can use your right away and bring the few remaining items online when it's convenient. You have the benefit of a fresh clean install and no garbage left over. Also you get the opportunity to improve your setup instead of using the old phones setup. Done this for 2 phones now and I will never restore from backup again.

Lots of apps don’t necessarily back up to iCloud especially third party items and due to the storage restrictions of the free iCloud accounts not all your data might necessarily fit on there, hence I would proceed with caution on that route although I also enjoy occasionally setting up a device from scratch.