Do I have to upgrade before using Apple repair service?

[The_Auryn]

Hello everyone. This is my first post so I hope I'm in the right section. I have an iPhone 6S+ running 12.4.1. I need to take the phone into an Apple store to get the camera replaced (there's a problem with the stabilization). If I do a complete back-up to iCloud, then reset/wipe the phone, bring it in for service ... when I get it back, will I be able to download all of my programs and settings (including iOS 12.4.1) or will it force me to upgrade to 13.3.1? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

They may need to upgrade the OS during the repair process. Ask them when you bring it in.

However, if they don't upgrade it during the repair, you won't be forced to upgrade after the repair is done.

Whether you stay on 12.4.1 or are upgraded to 13.3.1, you'll still be able to restore from the backup and get back your apps. There's always the chance that one or two old apps may not be compatible with 13.3.1, but it's not very common.

 

[DinkThifferent]

My advice: always upgrade to the latest version otherwise you might be send away. How do I know? I have had the same experience. Was a clear hardware problem with my first iPhone 8 Plus and I had not updated to 11.0.3 but was still on 11.0.2 (or,something like that) the guy at the Apple store sent me away, I walked home, did the update, went back to the Apple store and they replaced my phone since the software update did not fix it.

 

[The_Auryn]

Thanks for the comments.