Temporarily changing phones - worried about iCloud restore

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Level 1

6 points

Temporarily changing phones - worried about iCloud restore

Hi

so this is a bit of an odd one but…

I’m currently using an iPhone 12 Pro 512 fb with around 200gb storage used.

I have to send this phone back for replacement and I’ll be sent a replacement. But as it may take some time and I use my phone for work I am borrowing my brother’s old iphone to use while I wait.

The issue is his has less storage than mine. So I’m concerned about what will happen when I set up that other phone? And what will happen when I then set up the new phone?

if the storage amount is different will I risk losing stuff by temporarily switching to a different phone?

and when I go back to the replacement 512gb phone will it only restore the limited amount of data etc?

essentially I want to be able to just switch phones seamlessly from the current one to the temp one and to the replacement without losing anything

thanks

nancy :)

iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 15

Posted on Apr 19, 2022 11:58 PM

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Answer 1

Miche11e_P

Community Specialist

Apr 21, 2022 7:21 AM in response to DrNancyP

Hi Nancy,

Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!

We understand that you need to temporarily switch to another iPhone which has less storage than your current iPhone.

The data stored in iCloud won't be impacted so you will be able to restore your iCloud backup when you receive your replacement iPhone. You can also create a backup of your iPhone on your computer: Back up iPhone - Apple Support

Another option is to archive your iCloud data to ensure that you can restore it to your replacement iPhone: Archive or make copies of the information you store in iCloud - Apple Support

If there isn't enough storage space on the iPhone you'll be borrowing, you may not be able to restore your iCloud backup to it. You can check the storage of the temporary iPhone as outlined here: How to check the storage on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

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Answer 2

SnickZ.

Community Specialist

Apr 21, 2022 7:57 AM in response to DrNancyP

Hi DrNancyP,

When using your brother's old iPhone, you'll want to set it up as a new phone in order to use it. You can follow the steps here: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support -- You can restore the iCloud backup you’ve made of your iPhone to your brother’s afterwards.

Change the name of your iPhone - Apple Support -- You'll want to give your brother's iPhone a different name than the one you've been using. This page of the iPhone User Guide explains how.

Set up iCloud on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support -- You'll want to turn on the iCloud settings on his old phone that you want to use in the interim.

What does iCloud back up? - Apple Support -- iCloud is primarily a syncing service. Anything that you're syncing with iCloud isn't included in a backup.

How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support -- Once you get your new iPhone, you'll need to decide which iCloud backup you want to use. Depending on the length of time between using the interim phone and your new iPhone, you may have more information included in the backup of your old iPhone. Please be aware that anything new that's been added to your device since the date of the backup will be overwritten by the contents included in the backup you choose to use.

You want to make sure that you have enough iCloud storage space for your original data. For whatever is on your current iPhone, you can move it to a new iPhone using Quick Start: Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Hope that helps.

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Answer 3

JessS19

Community Specialist

Apr 21, 2022 8:30 AM in response to DrNancyP

DrNancyP,

With iCloud, you can get temporary storage, which will keep your photos secure.

“You have 21 days to restore your temporary backup to your new iPhone or iPad before your temporary iCloud storage expires and your backup is permanently deleted.

Do not erase your current iPhone or iPad until you restore your temporary backup to your new device.

If your new iPhone or iPad doesn’t arrive within 21 days, you can get an additional 21 days to restore your temporary backup before it’s deleted. On your current iPhone or iPad, open Settings and tap Keep My Backup Longer.

To request additional time to restore your temporary backup before it's deleted, contact Apple Support.” Get temporary iCloud storage when you buy a new iPhone or iPad

Do you know if you’ll have your replacement back within 21 days?

Also, when restoring, you’d just need to be cautious of the date you choose to restore: View and manage iCloud device backups

We hope this helps!

Sincerely.

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Answer 4

hc1111

Community Specialist

Apr 21, 2022 8:46 AM in response to DrNancyP

Thanks for the reply.

As long as you have iCloud Photos enabled, new photos and videos will automatically be uploaded to iCloud. To make sure your WhatsApp conversations are saved, use the steps below:

Go to WhatsApp > tap More options > Settings > Chats > Chat backup > BACK UP.

For additional details regarding WhatsApp chats, use their support article here: WhatsApp Help Center - How to save your chat history

All the best.

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Answer 5

DrNancyP Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 21, 2022 7:28 AM in response to Miche11e_P

Thanks

Backing up to a computer isn’t an option sadly but I assume any iCloud backup from the temporary phone won’t overwrite the original phone one will it? Because they’re diff devices?

I guess my main concern is what will happen. So I get the temp phone and I set it up using the quick set up method of using my current phone. At that point is any data transferred?

if I then sign in to iCloud on the temp phone it will obvs try to restore from the back up? When it fails what happens?

in the meantime what happens to the original phone back up?

Then when I get the phone repaired and I set it up from the temporary phone… then what happens? Will I then be able to restore from the original back up?

what happens to any notes/photos etc I take on the temporary phone - how do I ensure they also end up back on the new phone and not just the original back up?

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Answer 6

DrNancyP Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 21, 2022 8:21 AM in response to SnickZ.

Hi

Thanks that does help - except I’m still not clear on what happens to say photos I take on my brother’s phone?

I know I won’t be able to restore my whole iCloud to his phone and photos are optimised but take up the majority of the back up….

so if I restore my original phone back up to my repaired phone then do I lose any photos taken on my brother’s phone in the intervening time? Same for any notes etc?

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Answer 7

DrNancyP Author

Level 1

6 points

Apr 21, 2022 8:39 AM in response to JessS19

Hi

Thanks - I’ve got plenty of iCloud storage

my concern is that I need to use the temp phone while I wait for the replacement. And I take photos for work so it’s those photos I take for say the 2 weeks I’m waiting and any notes/WhatsApp conversations etc that may be lost?

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Temporarily changing phones - worried about iCloud restore

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