fightswithappledevices

Q: restore backup = no apps & hello screen loop

I'm having a problem with the restore from backup.  I have a replacement iPhone that I have wiped 3 times and restored from backup 3 times.  I tried two backup restores via iTunes, and also a restore initiated through the phone. It will not copy my apps and furthermore, once the restore is finished, the phone returns to the "Hello" screen that one sees when a phone has been erased and reset.  This is an endless loop.    A full backup was was saved, apps transfered, etc, less than two weeks ago.

 

A step further, as the restore has been completed,  I can only choose "set up as a new phone"  from the "Hello screen" menu to break the loop.  I have found that my contacts, texts, and photos are on the phone, but none of my apps.  I also tried syncing, after restore from backup, and nothing happened.  After a restore is completed, I shouldn't be seeing the "Hello" screen.  Having initiated from iTunes AND the iPhone, it means that I've already answered the Hello screen questions and it's looping.  I also can't see why it should matter whether the restore was initiated via iTunes or the phone.  I have never used iCloud and I don't expect that I can transfer an exisiting backup file into iCloud as the source is no longer functonal.

 

Questions:

1) Can anyone explain why this "too simple to fail" process is failing and how to resolve it?  Like every other instance I've seen, the apps should be installed with the backup restore.

 

2) I am resentful of the idea of having to manually install my apps and also concerned that data within my apps that should have been transfered in the backup restore will be lost if I manually transfer.  How do I avoid this?

 

 

Specifics:

Original setup: A solid iPhone 4 using beautiful iOS 4.3.5, backed up using iTunes 10 about 2 weeks ago.  Full backup, sync, purchases transfered.  Apps listed in iTunes.

 

Phone tragically got wet on holiday.

 

Replacement: An iPhone 4 with super butt ugly iOS 7.0.3, restored using iTunes 12.1.1.4.  Apps are still listed in iTunes, backup from previous phone recognized.

 

(Unsolicited opinion: I really resent the new version of iTunes and iOS, both tributes to bad computer fashion and graphic design.)

iPhone 4, iOS 7.0.3, null

Posted on Feb 25, 2015 3:13 AM

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Q: restore backup = no apps & hello screen loop

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  • by JimHdk,

    JimHdk JimHdk Feb 25, 2015 4:48 AM in response to fightswithappledevices
    Level 7 (28,565 points)
    iPad
    Feb 25, 2015 4:48 AM in response to fightswithappledevices

    Presumably you are using the same Apple ID that the Apps were purchased under?

     

    Where did the replacement come from? Same storage size? Perhaps it has a H/W or S/W problem?

     

    If this happens repeatedly two possible explanations are that your new iPhone 4 has a H/W or S/W problem or that your backup file is corrupted in some fashion. You can check to see if there are older backups saved in iTunes (or the Trash).

     

    Another approach: Assuming that the iOS on your replacement is bad, setup the replacement iPhone as new, if possible, and then restore it to Factory Settings with iTunes. This should get you a fresh copy of iOS 7.1.2. Then try to restore to your backup.

     

    Good luck with this.

  • by fightswithappledevices,

    fightswithappledevices fightswithappledevices Feb 25, 2015 8:17 AM in response to JimHdk
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 25, 2015 8:17 AM in response to JimHdk

    Same ID.

     

    Relative's phone.  Fully functional.  No history of issues.  Same memory size of 32 GB.

     

    I appreciate your thoughts, but I am not inclined to believe the backup is corrupted as it obviously copied other information.  However, I feel fairly confident that it is actually an iTunes restoration problem, but will await for more people to assess my query.  I'm under the impression that the software was inadequately programmed for my situation and therefore it just crapped out without further ado or explanation.  I have checked my backups and this is the best option.

     

    I mentioned that the phone was wiped 3 times, but I should add that it was done through the iPhone - therefore setting it up as factory reset.  It is iOS 7.0.3.  Although 7.1.2 is available to iPhone 4 users, I am not yet keen to obtain it.  I will keep it in mind though.

     

    Did you have any thoughts on my 2nd question? 

  • by William Rivas,

    William Rivas William Rivas Feb 25, 2015 8:38 AM in response to fightswithappledevices
    Level 5 (4,254 points)
    Feb 25, 2015 8:38 AM in response to fightswithappledevices

    I had the same issue. I worked on resolving it for 12 hours. Here's what worked for me:

     

    I wiped the iPhone, Reset under General Reset Erase All Data.

    Setup as a new phone.

    Restored latest backup.

     

    Like yourself I tried the restore over and over to no avail.

     

    I did lose some apps, paid for.

     

    Called Apple Care.

     

    They told me under what Apple ID I used to re download the apps.

     

    This was the only way to get all my stuff back.

     

    Call Apple Care. Don't beat yourself up like I did.

     

    Best of Luck,

     

    AppleWill.png

  • by JimHdk,

    JimHdk JimHdk Feb 25, 2015 8:37 AM in response to fightswithappledevices
    Level 7 (28,565 points)
    iPad
    Feb 25, 2015 8:37 AM in response to fightswithappledevices

    Regarding your second question, if you manually restore the Apps you will lose App data.

     

    There could, of course, be an iTunes bug in trying to restore an iOS 4.3.5 backup to an iOS 7.0.3 based device.

     

    Note that if a bug is the cause it would be best to make sure that you are using the latest iOS and iTunes S/W versions.