iPhone backup SMS messages.

Question

Level 1

5 points

iPhone backup SMS messages.

I accidently deleted a very important SMS conversation on my 3G iPhone, 8GB. Before I deleted it, I had it backed up on my computer. I know where it's backed up and I know that SMS conversations ARE infact backed up, but I was wondering if there was anyway to get all of the backup information from the last backup onto my phone? Is there? If you don't get me, just tell me. Thanks.

Posted on Jun 1, 2009 2:11 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jun 1, 2009 2:16 PM in response to lesleybesly

Yes.

Do not sync your iPhone with iTunes or your iPhone's backup will be updated to reflect the deleted SMS conversation.

Without syncing or updating your iPhone's backup, restore your iPhone with iTunes from your iPhone's backup. When selecting Restore under the Summary tab for your iPhone sync preferences, if you are prompted to update your iPhone's backup, decline.

This will completely erase your iPhone followed by reinstalling the firmware. After the firmware is reinstalled, you will be prompted to restore your iPhone from your iPhone's backup, which is the default selection. This must be followed by a sync to retransfer your selected iTunes content and any photos from your computer to your iPhone.

Reply

Answer 2

lesleybesly Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 1, 2009 8:48 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Will I still be able to get the information from the backup though? The last backup? Cause it asks if I'm sure I'd like to restore the factory settings, with restore or cancel. And then how will it show me to restore my iPhone from my iPhone's backup?

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 1, 2009 9:01 PM in response to lesleybesly

When restoring your iPhone with iTunes, your iPhone will be erased first followed by the firmware being re-installed. After the firmware is re-installed, you will be prompted to restore your iPhone from your iPhone's most recent backup, which is the default selection along with your iPhone's most recent backup selected.

Do not sync your iPhone with iTunes before restoring, and if you are prompted to update your iPhone's backup after selecting restore, decline.

Reply

Answer 4

lesleybesly Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 1, 2009 9:11 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Thank you- I've been prompted to restore it as the backup, but I've only synced it with one phone, and it has two choices. Do I leave it as the one it chose? It's second in the list, but I also remember having to folders of backup information. They have the same name, too. Which should I chose?

Reply

Answer 5

lesleybesly Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 1, 2009 10:17 PM in response to lesleybesly

Nevermind, thank you veryyyy much, I got it to work. 🙂

Reply

Answer 6

Jun 15, 2009 9:24 AM in response to lesleybesly

Does this also apply if one is changing their phone?

e.g. If I upgrade from the iPhone 3G to the 3GS and want to have my text messages from the 3G appear on the 3GS.

Thanks!

Reply

Answer 7

Jun 15, 2009 9:29 AM in response to WACH_jMOD

When you connect a new iPhone to iTunes for the first time that is/was being used to sync an existing iPhone, you will be prompted to transfer the backup from the existing iPhone to your new iPhone.

Reply

Answer 8

colebg

Level 1

0 points

Jun 19, 2009 12:08 PM in response to Allan Sampson

What happens if you don't restore the backup at that time. Is there another way to get them after you have modified the contents of the new phone without a wipe and reset to what is now a 2 generation old backup?

Thanks

Reply

Answer 9

Jun 27, 2009 2:32 PM in response to lesleybesly

Hi
If I update my iPhone from version 2.21 to 3.0 from the Update button in iTunes, will i be able to restore my text messages to the new version as well?

Reply

Answer 10

Jun 27, 2009 3:06 PM in response to navdeepsfriends

Yes.

Firmware update 3.0 is a simple update or upgrade - your iPhone will not be erased first along with the current firmware version being erased before 3.0 is installed.

Your iPhone's backup should be updated as the first step during install process for 3.0, and text messages are included with your iPhone's backup. If something goes wrong with the install process, you can restore your iPhone with iTunes from your iPhone's backup.

Reply