Does anyone know the official differences between icloud restore, local restore and phone to phone transfer?

[applevisionpro]

Between the 3 methods, are there any differences?

I used to only do local because local used to transfer everything including passwords but icloud did not.

Is that still the case?

Which method is the most complete copy of the phone?

 

[VineRider]

Backup methods for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

This article explains the differences. You should read and choose the method that best suits your needs.

 

[applevisionpro]

Backup methods for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

This article explains the differences. You should read and choose the method that best suits your needs.

Thanks but doesn’t compare directly to transfer

 

[VineRider]

Transfer from one phone to another is not really a backup, so not included in that article. I misread your question.

There is an article on the quick setup method of transferring data from one phone to another, but it doesn't go into detail about what is transferred like the backup article does.

I just had to reset my 15 Pro a couple days ago due to an issue with iOS 18 update. I did an iCloud restore and everything transferred fine. Didn't have to reenter any passwords other than re-setup my Microsoft authenticator app and sign back in to my Password manager app.

 

[whiteshadoww]

I tried the phone to phone (14PM to 16PM). I'll NEVER do that again. It took 1.5 hours and then when done only native apps where installed - NONE of the third party apps moved over. Granted the transfer speed was limited because of my 14 PM (480). I still think restore from new is the fastest for me and arguably cleanest. For me second option is iCloud restore BUT at home and not the Apple store.

 

[applevisionpro]

I tried the phone to phone (14PM to 16PM). I'll NEVER do that again. Granted the transfer speed was limited because of my 14 PM (480). I still think restore from new is the fastest for me and arguably cleanest. For me second option is iCloud restore BUT at home and not the Apple store.

Other than slow, how was it?

 

[whiteshadoww]

Other than slow, how was it?

I edited my answer and added slow (1.5 hours) and no third party apps moved to the 16 PM! Crazy.

 

[beach bum]

I tried phone-to-phone once and will never do it again.

I've always done and encrypted backup on my Mac and then used restore from backup to the new phone. I just have to reactivate the cards in my wallet and sign in to some apps, but all of my information/apps/music/health/passwords, etc are there with nothing lost. The other boon is that my AW will port over to the new phone also without having to unpair from the old phone and re-pair to the new.

I've never tried backing up to the iCloud and restoring to the new phone so I can speak on the effectiveness of using that as an option.

 

[dave006]

Between the 3 methods, are there any differences?

Yes and your most complete backup / restore to a new device will be using a local Encrypted backup/restore to your PC or Mac.

I used to only do local because local used to transfer everything including passwords but icloud did not.

iCloud can move all but security app passwords if you have iCloud Keychain enabled on your iPhone and make a new backup and make sure you have iCloud set to "On" for Passwords and Keychain. You should also double check all your Saved to iCloud setting as set to what you actually want to save to iCloud.

1. Tap Settings, tap your name, then choose iCloud.
2. Under Saved to iCloud, tap Passwords. In iOS 17 or earlier, tap Passwords and Keychain.
3. Tap Sync this [Device] to turn on iCloud Passwords & Keychain. You might be asked for your passcode or Apple Account password.

Dave

 

[thecautioners]

I used iCloud restore for the first time and it was extremely fast, maybe 20 minutes. I had to log back into all my apps but everything transferred completely seamlessly. In the past I transferred over WiFi and it took at least an hour and a half with the same results.

 

[GDMcG]

I tried the phone to phone (14PM to 16PM). I'll NEVER do that again. It took 1.5 hours and then when done only native apps where installed - NONE of the third party apps moved over. Granted the transfer speed was limited because of my 14 PM (480). I still think restore from new is the fastest for me and arguably cleanest. For me second option is iCloud restore BUT at home and not the Apple store.

I did a Quick Setup device to device transfer wirelessly and move over 400 GB of data in about 3 hours. This also successfully moved my Authy Authenticator app with my login intact as well as my ID.me Authenticator and almost all other account passwords etc.

 

[GDMcG]

I edited my answer and added slow (1.5 hours) and no third party apps moved to the 16 PM! Crazy.

This makes sense if you used wired method as the older iPhone 14 only connects at USB 2.0 speeds via the Lightning port.