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
