Greetings,
I've had the misfortune to have the 17.1.1 iOS update and need a way out. Specifically the undesirable changes to the Messages app. Would it be possible to buy a new iPhone SE with an iOS in the 16.X range and simply transfer the data from iPhone to iPhone? Thanks in advance.
iPhone SE (3rd generation)
Unfortunately, it's not possible. Your backup is tied to the current iOS version used when you created it, so you won't be able to backtrack, only install it to future iOS versions. If you try to restore from backup, it will show up as incompatible (when running iOS 16) or try to install the compatible iOS version (when running iOS 17). Hope this helps!
In most cases, i.e. if you're not using the device to device local transfer, you'll make/use a backup. Device to device local transfer will still require the same or later iOS version on the target device. Backups work the same way, except if you have a leftover backup of the iOS 17 device before you updated to iOS 17.
That's probably why the Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support article mentions Back up your device using iCloud or your computer as the first step; always comes handy.
Greetings,
I'm not referring to a backup but a transfer from phone to phone using quick start. The source data lives on an iPhone SE with iOS 17.1.1 and the target iPhone SE with iOS 16.X
Thank-you kindly for chiming in. Yes, I deeply regret not creating a backup before the upgrade.
Transfer iphone se data to new iphone se
