Restore iPhone from iTunes backup

Question

Level 1

13 points

Restore iPhone from iTunes backup

I feel like I'm beating a dead horse with this issue but I need a definitive answer since there are conflicting views on what I want to do. Please read carefully before responding:

I have a 128Gb iPhone SE2, I created an iTunes(Windows PC) backup(iOS 16.6) a few weeks ago and tragically I consented to upgrade iOS to 17.1.1 AFTER the backup. There's clearly no downgrade path for my current phone at this point.

I have another virgin 128Gb iPhone SE3 that has iOS 16.6 and I'm wondering if I can plug this 'new' phone into iTunes and use that two week old iOS 16.6 backup to restore this phone to be like my old phone BEFORE the 17.1.1.update?

I'm asking this because there's conflicting information on the restore doing an iOS update during the restore and I DO NOT want that to happen. Even if the restore failed for any reason I would want this phone to remain at iOS 16.6 so I can simply start fresh.

Thanks in advance.

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

Posted on Nov 25, 2023 6:44 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

lobsterghost1

Community+ 2025

Level 10

182,753 points

Nov 25, 2023 7:07 AM in response to crimso911

Sorry for misunderstanding. If the backup was made on iOS 16.6 and the phone you want to put that backup on is on 16.6, then you should have no issue restoring that phone with the backup. You are setting yourself up here as you'll never be able to update that iPhone on 16.6 for security updates, which will leave you vulnerable going forward, but that's up to you.

Reply

Answer 2

Nov 25, 2023 7:25 AM in response to crimso911

As long as you don't update the phone, it won't update. Since you want to remain on iOS 16.6, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Turn OFF Automatic Updates

I cannot guarantee the phone won't ever update. I have read posts where some have seen that even with Automatic Updates turned off, their phone updated.

I have owned just about every iPhone model released since iPhone 3G and never have I ever had issues with updates causing me issues. I make sure I update my phones as soon as updates are released, because updates usually included security updates and fixes that benefit us.

Reply

Answer 3

crimso911 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 25, 2023 7:56 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Thank-you for your time, very much appreciated.

Being a Linux cluster admin and developer I definitely understand the importance of updates but in my world they are generally restricted to underlying sftwr and frmwr so user interfaces are generally left alone.

For me personally they made some questionable interface changes. I will admit I'm older and less adaptable to these sort of things. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Classic example is the iMessage change, that plus sign is perplexing. Prior to iOS 17 I could call up a text thread, hit the camera and send the pic I needed to. Now I have to select the camera from another menu. Same with the camera roll albeit you can long press the plus sign but again, it's the extra effort in the process that I found annoying. Before 17 I could call up a text thread and the three things I use most often were right there, text bar, camera and camera roll. Now two of the three are 'gone' from immediate access. The drag and drop feature in the sub menu is nice but it would have been even nicer if you could drag and drop them back on the text thread screen where they used to exist.

Reply

Answer 4

Nov 25, 2023 8:05 AM in response to crimso911

Every year, when the newest iOS version is released, things change. Whether anyone likes them, is another matter. I'm Senior too, but I somehow adapt pretty well to the changes. I also hang out on this forum a lot and learn some of the changes from other users. Overall though, I don't seem to find the changes difficult to become familiar with and often forget how things once were.

I honestly can't in good conscience recommend not staying updated. That is entirely your choice, but you are putting yourself at risk in doing so.

Reply

Answer 5

crimso911 Author

Level 1

13 points

Nov 25, 2023 8:24 AM in response to lobsterghost1

I understand and I've adapted to many changes over the years but I have to admit that iMessage change does not appear to have added any value to the app or experience and from my perspective it was a regression. Anyways my phone holds nothing deeply personal and for me it's little more than a communication device. I do all of my 'sensitive' activities on my Linux laptop.

Thanks again for your counsel as it has been appreciated.

Reply