Going back to a older ipad using a backup from my new one

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Going back to a older ipad using a backup from my new one

Hello! I apologize if these are maybe silly queastions, I'm not too familiar with apple devices and I've had a lot of struggles with my ipads already. My latest iPad pro, a 2021 12.9 inch ipad stopped turning on and charging, so I went back to my old smaller ipad pro from 2018 - 2019? I only just recently got that new iPad but that isn't the main issue, I'm mainly worried about moving that new backup to this old iPad. Luckily it does have a backup from just earlier this month, there shouldn't be any issues with downloading it on this iPad right? This current iPad isn't backed up and I'm scared to back it up because it could erase that new backup of the iPad I used, but if it doesn't work and I reset my iPad, I lose a lot! I mainly only care for my procreate drawings lol, everything else can go admittedly, I just wanted to make sure that everything should be fine to erase everything on this iPad and try downloading that icloud backup from the newer iPad on this one?

Again I apologize if the queastion is silly!

iPad Pro, iPadOS 17

Posted on Dec 17, 2024 2:16 PM

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Answer 1

imobl

Level 7

21,224 points

Dec 17, 2024 2:41 PM in response to Morioh

If the 2021 iPad had a later version of iPadOS than the

2018/19 iPad when the backup was made, you will not

be able to use that backup on the older iPad. If both

iPads are on the same version of iPadOS or you are able to

update the 2018/19 to the same version as the 2021,

then you should be able to use the backup on the older iPad.

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Answer 2

LotusPilot

Level 10

320,284 points

Dec 17, 2024 4:08 PM in response to Morioh

Assuming that both devices are using the same AppleID, you can find the installed versions of iOS/iPadOS for each of your devices from settings of the device to which you do have access...

Settings > [Your Name / Apple Account] >

Scroll down to see your list of devices, then tap the corresponding entry to see the device details.

To restore your backup created with unserviceable iPad (iPadOS 17.6.1), you must update the iPad that has iPadOS 17.3.1 to the most recent available version; depending upon the ipad model, this will either be iPadOS 17.7.3 or iPadOS 18.2. Intermediate versions are not available.

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Answer 3

LotusPilot

Level 10

320,284 points

Dec 17, 2024 3:10 PM in response to Morioh

You can only transfer or restore an iCloud or iTunes backup to a target device that has the same or later version of iPadOS as the source that created the backup.

As such, if your older iPad cannot be updated to the same or later version of iPadOS as is installed on your newer iPad, you'll not be able to use the backup to transfer locally stored data and settings.

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Answer 4

LotusPilot

Level 10

320,284 points

Dec 17, 2024 4:30 PM in response to Morioh

Absolutely. If [for some unanticipated reason] the subsequent restore process were to fail, you are in no worse position than you are now.

However, as belt-and-braces, I would suggest that you ensure that you have created a backup of your current working iPad before you start. If all goes as it should, you'll not need to restore this additional backup or your current working iPad - but for now will have preserved the opportunity to do so.

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Answer 5

LotusPilot

Level 10

320,284 points

Dec 17, 2024 4:56 PM in response to Morioh

Each device has its own backup.

After you have restored the intended backup from your inoperable iPad to the older iPad, assuming that all is well, the next time that the iPad performs a backup to iCloud, the precautionary backup becomes redundant.

The additional backup is just a precaution - simply providing a temporary way back to where you are now if anything were to go awry.

You have no cause for concern.

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Answer 6

Morioh Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 17, 2024 3:48 PM in response to imobl

Right okay, is there any way for me to check the version update that my 2021 ipad is on on this ipad? Since i can't turn on my other ipad at the moment.

Okay in the middle of typing that I beileve i did find it? Since my two ipads are kind of connected I can see it over my apple id in settings. It says that the 2021 ipad was on "IpadOS 17.6.1" and this Ipad is on "IpadOS 17.3.1" but i can update it to 18.2 right now, but that's a later version then my 2021 one, so I'm not sure if that will work?? Is there any way to download 17.6.1 in particular? Or would 18.2 work?

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Answer 7

Morioh Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 17, 2024 4:34 PM in response to LotusPilot

That is what i was thinking of doing but I had heard talk about it only saving one backup at a time and that it may delete the last backup, that being the one from my 2021 ipad with all of my new stuff, so I was a bit scared to do so-! Some people said it saved 3 at a time and some other places said it overwrite that last one haha

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Answer 8

Morioh Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 17, 2024 5:05 PM in response to LotusPilot

Okok, so if i make a backup right now, it'll be this ipads backup, and it won't get rid of the backup from the other ipad then.

Thank you very very much for all of your help! I will make a backup of this ipad right now before resetting it, and hopefully I should be able to restore the backup from the 2021 ipad

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Answer 9

Morioh Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 17, 2024 4:18 PM in response to LotusPilot

Okay awesome, yeah it says the next update is 18.2. So if i update to that, then go on with resetting my ipad and then trying to use that backup from my other ipad, it should go smoothly?

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Going back to a older ipad using a backup from my new one

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