Erasing iPhone - Uploading Data to iCloud?

[scouser75]

Hi guys, I'm trying to reset my iPhone running the latest FW. One of the first steps states "Uploading Data to iCloud". What does this backup do? I have a backup of my iPhone on my Mac, so do I need to go through this process?

Also, do I need to do this if I have iCloud backup for Messages, Calendar, Notes etc?

 

[Apple_Robert]

It sends the current (specific items listed) data to iCloud. I usually don't bother doing that step because I know there are also current iCloud backups with my other devices.

Just beware that it is theoretically possible not doing the iCloud backup of the items listed, before wiping the phone could result in some missing data. I haven't had that happen to me but, wanted to make you aware.

 

[scouser75]

It sends the current (specific items listed) data to iCloud. I usually don't bother doing that step because I know there are also current iCloud backups with my other devices.

Just beware that it is theoretically possible not doing the iCloud backup of the items listed, before wiping the phone could result in some missing data. I haven't had that happen to me but, wanted to make you aware.

Hi mate, thanks for the tip.

I don't know why I'm panicking this time round. I've done a kerzillion iphone wipes but something this time round feels different.

So, just in case I mess up, as I'm backing up my Messages, Calender, Reminders Notes, Wallet etc to icloud already, AND I done a full iPhone back up on my Mac, can I skip the Uploading Data to icloud bit?

Will all my messages, calendar entries etc appear on my phone after I set it all up again via my icloud backup?

 

[winxmac]

My take:

If you already backed up locally using a Mac and no new content was added before you received the backing up to iCloud message, I believe you should be safe to fully wipe the iPhone and restore using the local backup. However, if you restore using an iCloud backup, it's best to allow the process to finish no matter how long it takes.

I never backup to iCloud and I always set up an iPhone as new. As for photos and videos, I AirDrop them to a MacBook Pro then I copy them to an external drive. I stopped uploading to iCloud for about 8 years now. Only Notes and Contacts are saved on iCloud.com aside from the email messages sent to my Apple ID.

 

[scouser75]

My take:

If you already backed up locally using a Mac and no new content was added before you received the backing up to iCloud message, I believe you should be safe to fully wipe the iPhone and restore using the local backup. However, if you restore using an iCloud backup, it's best to allow the process to finish no matter how long it takes.

I never backup to iCloud and I always set up an iPhone as new. As for photos and videos, I AirDrop them to a MacBook Pro then I copy them to an external drive. I stopped uploading to iCloud for about 8 years now. Only Notes and Contacts are saved on iCloud.com aside from the email messages sent to my Apple ID.

I'm quite certain the backing up to icloud is a standard process for everyone one now who is looking to wipe their phone.

Like you, I always set my phone up as new and let icloud update my emails, calendar, notes, WhatsApp one the phone is up and running again.
And please do tell me more about air dropping to mac book.

I currently use the photos app and connect the phone and import to my mbp. Then every so often back up everything to an external drive.

 

[winxmac]

I'm quite certain the backing up to icloud is a standard process for everyone one now who is looking to wipe their phone.

Like you, I always set my phone up as new and let icloud update my emails, calendar, notes, WhatsApp one the phone is up and running again.
And please do tell me more about air dropping to mac book.

I currently use the photos app and connect the phone and import to my mbp. Then every so often back up everything to an external drive.

Photos and videos I have taken using my iPhone, I AirDrop them by the end of the day to my MacBook Pro. Both my iPhone and MacBook Pro use the same iCloud account or Apple ID, and the photos and videos get saved to the Downloads folder. I have not tried opening them with the Photos app but I just preview them by selecting a photo or video then pressing the space bar. Once the photos and videos are saved to my MacBook Pro, I transfer them to an external drive.

I also use Send Anywhere to transfer photos and videos and other files from iPhone or MacBook Pro to my Windows computer. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the transfer is going to involve two android devices, connecting to the same Wi-Fi network is not a requirement although there is a toggle in the app to only transfer when connected to Wi-Fi.

I fully erase the iPhone and set up as new but I never perform restore from iCloud backup or local backup. I always download apps from the App Store and sign in manually.

 

[scouser75]

Photos and videos I have taken using my iPhone, I AirDrop them by the end of the day to my MacBook Pro. Both my iPhone and MacBook Pro use the same iCloud account or Apple ID, and the photos and videos get saved to the Downloads folder. I have not tried opening them with the Photos app but I just preview them by selecting a photo or video then pressing the space bar. Once the photos and videos are saved to my MacBook Pro, I transfer them to an external drive.

I also use Send Anywhere to transfer photos and videos and other files from iPhone or MacBook Pro to my Windows computer. Both devices must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If the transfer is going to involve two android devices, connecting to the same Wi-Fi network is not a requirement although there is a toggle in the app to only transfer when connected to Wi-Fi.

I fully erase the iPhone and set up as new but I never perform restore from iCloud backup or local backup. I always download apps from the App Store and sign in manually.

May I ask why you don't use the import to Photos method? Is there a benefit doing it the way you do it? And does it retain full picture quality?

Also, is there a max number of photos you can air drop? My Mac and iPhone are also both on the same Apple ID.

I also was given the Photo Drop option yesterday but have non idea what that is.

 

[okkibs]

You can abort and then go to iCloud settings on your iPhone and sync each item manually and refresh the backup too. If you reset after doing all that the final upload step before wiping should either be skipped automatically or take very little time.

 

[winxmac]

May I ask why you don't use the import to Photos method? Is there a benefit doing it the way you do it? And does it retain full picture quality?

Also, is there a max number of photos you can air drop? My Mac and iPhone are also both on the same Apple ID.

I also was given the Photo Drop option yesterday but have non idea what that is.

I'm a long time Windows user but have been using iPhones since 2016. I only got a MacBook Pro in 2023 but tried Hackintosh for a short time.

I got used to the Windows way of having the photos and videos immediately accessible in Windows/File Explorer which is the counterpart to Finder. I don't know if AirDropping photos and videos in the past always get saved in the Downloads folder but that is what I have been doing.

The only time I use a cable connection from the iPhone to a Windows or macOS computer is when I need to upgrade or downgrade iOS version.

I am not aware of the maximum number of photos and videos within an AirDrop session but whenever I AirDrop videos, I usually transfer smaller ones in one go but the larger ones individually.

The PhotoDrop mentioned to you might be an app for Windows to use with an iPhone or iPad for transferring photos and videos without a cable connection. Check here.

The app/software I mentioned earlier Send Anywhere is available for multiple operating systems and devices. It is free but with ads. You just need to pay to get rid of the ads.

 

[scouser75]

Thanks guys for the tips.

I started off real bad with photos when I first started importing them via the Photos app and now have over 13,000 pictures that aren't in folders and most of which just need to be deleted. But just can't bring myself to go through them all 😩

I did contemplate going the route you guys do with AirDropping, but wondering now that I've started with the whole Photos app thing, should I really change my method!

Oh and the PhotoDrop thing is via Mail - I tried sending a whole load photos from my iPhone to Mac via mail and was informed on the phone the file size was too large and to consider PhotoDrop, which I did. And it didn't work either 🤣

 

[scouser75]

Right, I'm back up and running with Mail, Calendar etc all syncing well.

The only issue I'm having right now is that when I'm adding my second Apple ID for email (****.****@iCloud.com), I get a message stating Invalid email. This email is not available. Choose a different address.

I know it is available as it was on my phone previously. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Right, I'm back up and running with Mail, Calendar etc all syncing well.

The only issue I'm having right now is that when I'm adding my second Apple ID for email (****.****@iCloud.com), I get a message stating Invalid email. This email is not available. Choose a different address.

I know it is available as it was on my phone previously. What am I doing wrong?

It sounds like you are on the create a new email instead of adding an account.

 

[scouser75]

I went into Settings / My Name / My Name / Sign in & Security / Add email or phone number / Existing Email Address

 

[Apple_Robert]

I went into Settings / My Name / My Name / Sign in & Security / Add email or phone number / Existing Email Address

Open the Mail app > Add Account > tick iCloud option > input account address etc.

 

[scouser75]

Open the Mail app > Add Account > tick iCloud option > input account address etc.

I have added my main email so I can't see the option to add a new email address.

Also, for some reason, when I open emails, if there are any pictures within the email (advertising pictures etc) I only get a box with a ?

Why would this be happening?

 

[okkibs]

I don’t understand what you’re trying to do. You use the image capture app on your Mac to download and backup your iPhone photo library.

 

[scouser75]

What I'm trying to do is add my second cloud email address to the Mail app. But when I enter the email address it states "invalid email. This email address isn't available".

And I can't find a way to add it from the mail app itself as I already have my .mac email added. I now need to add another icloud email address.

 

[okkibs]

I see. This is a common issue with Apple accounts used exclusively for e-mail and not fully logged in on any device. Apple repeatedly disables them. Sign in through iCloud.com and you might find that you have to go through recovery steps first. In any case, you’ll remain at risk of losing access to that e-mail address if it’s not your main Apple account and thus I suggest either connecting some old iPhone to it by fully logging in or migrating everything away from the address so if you do eventually lose it nothing is actually lost.

 

[scouser75]

I see. This is a common issue with Apple accounts used exclusively for e-mail and not fully logged in on any device. Apple repeatedly disables them. Sign in through iCloud.com and you might find that you have to go through recovery steps first. In any case, you’ll remain at risk of losing access to that e-mail address if it’s not your main Apple account and thus I suggest either connecting some old iPhone to it by fully logging in or migrating everything away from the address so if you do eventually lose it nothing is actually lost.

A big thank you guys for all your help on all of the questions I asked.

I'm finally breathing again after holding my breath as I went through the reset.

I sussed out how to add the other mailbox. It had to be done via the Mail app settings. Other than needing to key in my PW a 1001 times as I just couldn't remember it, it worked out well.

I now need to remember another 1001 PWs for all my other apps 😩