Can I set up a new iPhone XR as “New phone” rather than restoring from a backup - then sign into my account and download previously downloaded apps etc.?
The reason for my question is that my Mac OS / iTunes and iOS on my old phone are apparently too old to do a “restore” from iTunes backup.
I was trying to set up my new iPhone XR from an iPhone 5.
iPhone XR
Of course you can do it.
Turn on your device
You'll see "Hello" in many languages. Follow the steps to get started. If you're blind or have low vision, you can turn on VoiceOver or Zoom from the Hello screen.
When asked, choose your language. Then tap your country or region. This affects how information looks on your device, including date, time, contacts, and more.
Get help if your device won't turn on, or if it's disabled or requires a passcode.
If you have another device on iOS 11 or later, use Quick Start
If you have another device that's running iOS 11 or later, you can use it to automatically set up your new device with Quick Start. Bring the two devices close together, and then follow the instructions.
If you don’t have another device with iOS 11 or later, tap "Set Up Manually" to continue.
Activate your device
You need to connect to a Wi-Fi network, a cellular network, or iTunes to activate and continue setting up your device.
Tap the Wi-Fi network that you want to use or select a different option. If you're setting up an iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular), you might need to insert your SIM card first.
Get help if you can't connect to Wi-Fi or if you can't activate your iPhone.
Set up Face ID or Touch ID and create a passcode
On some devices, you can set up Face ID or Touch ID. With these features, you can use face recognition or your fingerprint to unlock your device and make purchases. Tap Continue and follow the instructions, or tap "Set Up Later In Settings."
Next, set a six-digit passcode to help protect your data. You need a passcode to use features like Face ID, Touch ID, and Apple Pay. If you'd like a four-digit passcode, custom passcode, or no passcode, tap "Passcode Options."
Restore or transfer your information and data
If you have an iCloud or iTunes backup, or an Android device, you can restore or transfer your data from your old device to your new device.
If you don't have a backup or another device, select Set Up as New [Device].
Sign in with your Apple ID
Enter your Apple ID and password, or tap "Forgot password or don't have an Apple ID?" From there, you can recover your Apple ID or password, create an Apple ID, or set it up later. If you use more than one Apple ID, tap "Use different Apple IDs for iCloud and iTunes?"
When you sign in with your Apple ID, you might be prompted for a verification code from your previous device.
Of course you can do it.
Turn on your device
You'll see "Hello" in many languages. Follow the steps to get started. If you're blind or have low vision, you can turn on VoiceOver or Zoom from the Hello screen.
When asked, choose your language. Then tap your country or region. This affects how information looks on your device, including date, time, contacts, and more.
Get help if your device won't turn on, or if it's disabled or requires a passcode.
If you have another device on iOS 11 or later, use Quick Start
If you have another device that's running iOS 11 or later, you can use it to automatically set up your new device with Quick Start. Bring the two devices close together, and then follow the instructions.
If you don’t have another device with iOS 11 or later, tap "Set Up Manually" to continue.
Activate your device
You need to connect to a Wi-Fi network, a cellular network, or iTunes to activate and continue setting up your device.
Tap the Wi-Fi network that you want to use or select a different option. If you're setting up an iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular), you might need to insert your SIM card first.
Get help if you can't connect to Wi-Fi or if you can't activate your iPhone.
Set up Face ID or Touch ID and create a passcode
On some devices, you can set up Face ID or Touch ID. With these features, you can use face recognition or your fingerprint to unlock your device and make purchases. Tap Continue and follow the instructions, or tap "Set Up Later In Settings."
Next, set a six-digit passcode to help protect your data. You need a passcode to use features like Face ID, Touch ID, and Apple Pay. If you'd like a four-digit passcode, custom passcode, or no passcode, tap "Passcode Options."
Restore or transfer your information and data
If you have an iCloud or iTunes backup, or an Android device, you can restore or transfer your data from your old device to your new device.
If you don't have a backup or another device, select Set Up as New [Device].
Sign in with your Apple ID
Enter your Apple ID and password, or tap "Forgot password or don't have an Apple ID?" From there, you can recover your Apple ID or password, create an Apple ID, or set it up later. If you use more than one Apple ID, tap "Use different Apple IDs for iCloud and iTunes?"
When you sign in with your Apple ID, you might be prompted for a verification code from your previous device.
Yes, you can set it as a "New iPhone" and then install all the apps you previously had from the AppStore.
Note that you will lose all the data from the apps if you didn't activated the data backup on iCloud (go to Settings > tap on your name > iCloud > choose the apps/data you want to backup).
Thank you everyone for the responses. I ended up pushing through an OS upgrade on my aging iMac so I could download and install Itunes 12.8. -
For the sake of future readers who might be in a similar predicament:
I have a 2011 iMac which was still running Mavericks and iTunes 12.2 - It would not recognize my iPhone XR.
I had barely enough space in my 5 gig iCloud account to back up the iPhone 5 but again, I couldn't get the new iPhone XR to see my iCloud account.
I had a full install of El Capitan backed up. (I read somewhere that El Capitan was the last really stable upgrade for my iMac)
Once I made it through the system upgrade I downloaded iTunes 12.8, backed up my iPhone 5, plugged in my new iPhone XR and Bob's your uncle.
I updated my apps and now, two days later, life is good again.
Onward !
Yes.
You can do it on your new XR, restoring it to factory settings and, in the end, setting it up as new. This procedure installs a fresh copy of current iOS on your device. These are the steps to follow:
Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support
Regards
Giulio
Set up a new iPhone XR as “New phone” rather than restoring from iphone 5?
