iOS 17 is a restore from backup nightmare
This is significantly more difficult than previous OSs if you've already gotten rid of the old phone or if it's dead. (if you still have the phone and it;s not wiped yet it's easy because you can restore from the old phone itself -- it's iCloud backups that are Microsoft-level complicated: Here are some challenges to look out for:
- Initially, you must setup WiFi from a wired modem/router setup. Your new phone will not recognize a hotspot from your old phone. Essentially don't try to set up the new iPhone on your way home from the store. Just wait until you get home because it will not see the hotspot in the list of WiFis.
- If you've already updated the OS to 17.1.1, then you cannot restore from backup. Not on the first try.
-First, set up the phone as new, don't bother setting anything up because you're just going to delete it in 20 min.
-DO NOT start with restore from backup. This is why this is Microsoft UX -- makes no gd sense.
-if you do start with a "restore from backup" you will inevitably get to a screen with one option "Back" becuase it will not restore a 17.1.1 OS on 17.0 -- this makes sense, but unlike previous OSs Apple forgot to include an OS update in the setup. If you got here as it says 17.x.x required, your only option is to start over and go back < back < back < back to the beginning and set up as new.
- Once you set up the phone as new, immediately turn off icloud backup so you don't have multiple useless backups
- then upgrade the OS
- then delete all content and settings just like you're selling the phone
- then you can start over -- at this point it should behave correctly and you can restor from a backup
At some point iOS 17 had a very confusing screen asking for your spouse's Apple ID to restore apps purchased by their account. Nerither I nor Apple Support has any idea how her purchaces could be on my phone, which as always associated with my Apple ID and never hers. I guess ignore that, but I honestly have no idea how this can happen.
I'm also providing feedback to Apple because this is the worst UX I've seen from them since the Apple TV physical remote. Perhaps the UX team accidentally hired an ex-Microsoft engineer who thinks they are a designer.
