Q: Resorting iPhone as a new device without losing Health data

sabester wrote:

 

Am I correct that the only way to preserve Health data is to restore from an encrypted backup, which doesn't seem feasible if I need to start fresh?  Any other solutions?

You are correct. Encrypted backup in iTunes or backup in iCloud, which is encrypted by default, are the only way to restore Health data.

No iCloud doesn't store Health data. Health data is sensitive in nature and Apple has set to protect the information by keeping it local on your device and only alowing it to be stored off device if it's encrypted and in a backup. You can at any time manually enter the Health data through the Health app but depending on the amount of information that you have this can be a tedious task.

sabester wrote:

 

Is there a way to do a clean, fresh install of iOS without losing all health data?

Hi

To achieve your goal, you may wish to consider installing a fresh copy of iOS by factory restoring your iPhone (via iTunes) and then restoring only your Health data by using Decipher Activity Transfer (a third-party app).

When initially backing up your iPhone, be sure to check the option in iTunes to "Encrypt iPhone backup". Your Health data will not otherwise be included, so would not be available for restoring via the selective, duplicate backup that the third-party app creates.

More information:

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Use iTunes on your Mac or PC to restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support

https://deciphertools.com/decipher-activity-transfer.html

The following steps should do it. They assume that all of the content you want on the device is in your library ready for restoring. If it isn't see Recover your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device first.

1. With your device connected to iTunes make sure the option to encrypt the backup is selected, then backup the device. Switching to and from an encrypted backup takes a little time. Back up again after changing just to ensure the health data really has been captured.
2. Restore as a new device.
3. Restore the backup you made earlier.

tt2

iCloud backups are encrypted, and DO store Health App data. Encrypted iTunes backups do also (but not unencrypted iTunes backups).

See: About backups for iOS devices - Apple Support

However, if you are trying to solve a battery drain problem restoring any backup will defeat the purpose of restoring iOS, as whatever battery problem you have is caused by data stored in the backup. So you should try to solve the battery problem without restoring iOS first.

Might not necessarily be so. A while back Siri ceased to be functional on my iPhone, unable to ring any contact or play any of my music. The exact set of steps given above resolved it, and I retained all health data.

tt2

Hi Lawrence

Whilst Health data is included within encrypted backups, it is not "saved onto" / stored in iCloud. By referencing this, I believe sabester was observing that it can't (normally) be selectively restored after a factory restore as can data (like iCloud Notes and Contacts) that is both stored in iCloud and excluded from encrypted backups.

I believe that this distinction - and a line of reasoning similar to your own - formed the basis of the question.