IPhone xs max ios 12.3.1 wont restore off an iphone 8 plus ios 12.3.2 file

Sorry, but 'not that many that upgraded from an 8 plus to an iPhone XS Max', that is kind of in ignorant statement. Those of us that did, were never warned we would have this issue. I did get contacts, but all of my texts and mobile/cell contact numbers are gone. This is NOT right, Apple really disappointed on this one.

If it's not more than a million than it's not that many. It's estimated over 700 million iPhone 8 & iPhone 8 Plus sold and is still selling. Why is that statement ignorant?

You stepped in a hole, there's nothing we can do for you.

The iOS 12.3.2 update is specifically for iPhone 8 Plus only.

You have to wait till next iOS releases or do the suggestion found in this thread.

Thanks, Lawrence. But my Mac doesn't have enough space to backup on, so I do the backup in iCloud. This workaround doesn't help me. I'm going to try the signing up for beta version. Thanks again!!

An iTunes backup is typically just a couple of GB, as it does not include anything that can't be downloaded again like music and apps. All it contains is system data and app data. So unless your Mac is down to its last couple of GB it should be able to hold an iTunes backup. My 256 GB iPhone that's about half full has an iTunes backup size of 1.9 GB.

Beta.apple.com

I downloaded it from there onto the old phone. Then was able to apply the restore from backup from the iPhone 8 to the XS. I won’t say the beta isn’t glitchy because it is. But I didn’t lose any of my stuff. Hopefully it works soon!

I don't have the old phone. I traded it in, usually I wait for the backup to start in the store, but it was about 15 minutes to close and I never have a problem....can I do the beta and get the backup, do you know?

iPhone XS Max. So, you think if I join the beta testing thing I could do it. Questions, in the contract, its long, is there a timeframe you have to be a part of it? How often are there glitches? So many questions! hehe

Yes, or instead head to page 1 of this Post and do this:

"Now use the File Explorer and go to:

C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\<60ea0d293332c1db596d8955c9d6a262954ea86e>

At least at my computer the last folder name was <60ea0d293332c1db596d8955c9d6a262954ea86e>, but it may or probably is a different folder name with you.

(Please note that I have a Windows PC, it may be in a different location on e.g. an Apple computer? I don't know, because I don't have one, so can't check. On an Apple you then need to find the location on your own I guess?)

In that folder look for a file named Info.plist.

Open that file with the Notepad app, which is a file editor that will not change the format of the file.

Look into the file and then search for Product Version (Tip: use Ctrl F), and you'll find a section that looks like this:

<key>Product Type</key>

<string>iPhoner10,5</string>

<key>Product Version</key>

<string>12.3.2</string>

<key>Serial Number</key>

<string>XXX</string>

Then change 12.3.2 to 12.3.1 (make sure that you only change the 2 in a 1) and then save the file.

Now you can set up your new iPhone Xs (Max) / Xr the usual way without losing any data that was on your old iPhone 8 plus by setting it up not as a new phone but at a certain point in the proces restoring it from a backup in iTunes. By selecting Restore from iTunes, then connecting the new iPhone Xs (Max) / Xr to your computer and let it connect to iTunes, next select the most recent (just slightly modified) backup files and then it will work. Your Xs / Xr will start restoring from the iPhone 8 plus backup!!!

The only thing I still had to do was to login again in various e-mail accounts and Whatsapp with my respective passwords to make contact again and have e-mails, Whatsapp messages etcetera copied to or make accesible again at the new Iphone Xs.

For me it did work perfectly. I hope other people may benefit from it too."

This solution is from another member of this forum, i will not take any credit from it.

I went to the apple store with this issue and they told me this GREAT solution.

•Sign up for the public beta version on your new XS max, it might take a while to download but it’ll be so worth it!!

•Once you downloaded the 12.4 or 13 beta go on Settings -> General -> Erase all content and settings and wait for your phone to reset

•Back up your old phone on iCloud

• Restore your new XS max from the icloud back up!!

Since the beta is technically a newer version of IOS it’ll let you restore it from the 12.2.3

I traded in my phone 8 plus for the xs and have now lost all of my contacts and then some since I can’t restore from my 8 plus backup. What’s a workaround for someone who backed up from iOS 12.2.3 on the 8 plus that no longer has the phone?

Thank you, but I don't have the phone so I can't backup to iTunes. I didn't know of this issue until after I got home. I followed the instructions for Mac to find the backup file in hopes that it'd be there since I did a back-up to icloud, but it's not.

I encountered the same problem, and it was very frustrating what I couldn't restore from a backup because my Iphone 8 plus was running IOS 12.3.2

What worked for me is, I restored an older backup from the time machine prior to 12.3.2 and run restore from the older backup version. Itunes showed me a message that there is a newer version of a back up, just ignore it.

It worked for me though it took some time to figure it out. Hope it helps.

Apple support said there is nothing that can be done....

I am in the process of updating both phones to the 13 beta. Once they are updated, I will do a back up and try and restore in to the new phone. If i have any problem with the 13 beta I could uninstall the beta and all the data and settings should be there.

Rather disappoint to say the least.

Just went through this stupid issue with my wife’s phone. Purchased the phone from an Apple Store and they did not tell us about the issue. Took the phone home, started the transfers process and had the same result. After 1+ hour on phone with Apple (who told me to deal with it or return the phone which I did), then a trip to the AT&T store to revert my service back to her old 8 , then back to the Apple store to return the useless phone. Aa&t store manager had no idea about the issue and the Apple guy that helped us return the phone said all Apple employees know about this Ouse and should have told us when we bought the phone. Unfortunately we picked the phone up 10 minutes before closing the salesperson I guess decided not to complicate the sale and didn’t tell us. Supper frustrating that Apple doesn’t seem to think this is a problem and no one at Apple knows when it will be fixed.

My my wife and I were saying there’s got to be thousands of people going through this crap. Maybe we need to get this info to the press and have them run a story how iPhone 8 users can’t buy new iPhones for $1,300 bucks.

Hey iPhoneGuy, If you had bothered to read this thread that you posted to you would have learned about the simple workarounds (yes, more that one) to move your iPhone 8 content to the iPhone you purchased.

Yes, Apple screwed up on this one, but resourceful other users in this forum found at least 3 ways to get around it.