HT204686: How to erase your iOS device and then set it up as a new device or restore it from backups

Learn about How to erase your iOS device and then set it up as a new device or restore it from backups
Sue Camins

Q: How do I import contacts and photos to my new iPhone 5 from my iPad 2. ICloud is set up, I've tried a restore and backup and nothing seems to be coming over to the iPhone.

I just bought a new iPhone 5 and have set it up with iCloud. I want to import my mail, contacts, photos and calendar from my iPad 2. It's not happening. I've tried erasing everything on my new phone and restoring from iCloud backup on my iPad as per HT4137:IOS. Both devices fully updated.  Still nothing.

 

My computer at office is a PC and does not have iCloud on it.

 

Hope you can help!

Posted on Jan 27, 2013 8:51 PM

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Q: How do I import contacts and photos to my new iPhone 5 from my iPad 2. ICloud is set up, I've tried a restore and backup and nothi ... more

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  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jan 27, 2013 9:19 PM in response to Sue Camins
    Level 8 (40,210 points)
    Jan 27, 2013 9:19 PM in response to Sue Camins

    Instead of thinking about restoring from an iCloud backup, think instead about sharing iCloud data.

     

    Presumably your iPhone 5 and iPad 2 are using the same Apple ID and password.  So as soon as you go to Settings > iCloud on your iPhone and turn on Contacts (assuming your iCloud account is properly set up on your iPhone), voila, your contacts will appear!  Regarding photos, the same logic applies to Photo Stream.

     

    Mail would be the same if you're using iCloud mail.  Otherwise, it would be more difficult.

  • by Sue Camins,

    Sue Camins Sue Camins Jan 27, 2013 9:49 PM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 27, 2013 9:49 PM in response to sberman

    That is the mystery. ICould is set up exactly the same on both devices. I've checked numerous times. I compared the settings with my husbands iPhone and iPad. His works fine... Like it is supposed to... Mine is syncing nothing! No Mail, no Messages, no iCal, no Contacts, etc.

     

    I know it is supposed to work with iCloud but I dunno in this case. The iPad is a year old, the iPhone is a day old.

     

    Thanks for your answer, sberman. Any other ideas!

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jan 27, 2013 10:00 PM in response to Sue Camins
    Level 8 (40,210 points)
    Jan 27, 2013 10:00 PM in response to Sue Camins

    You say you compared settings to your husband's, and that your iPhone is a day old.  When you got your iPhone, was it set up as a brand new device, or might it have had some history using someone else's Apple ID?  Is your Apple ID different from your husband's?  I recommend keeping them different.

     

    Anyway, if the iPhone has some history with someone else's Apple ID, and you're too far along into the process to start over by erasing the iPhone, check the Apple ID here:

    Settings > iCloud (you did this already, I believe)

    Settngs > iTunes & App Stores

    Settings > FaceTime

    Settings > Messages

     

    Unrelated, but also check the phone number at Settings > Phone > My Number

  • by Sue Camins,

    Sue Camins Sue Camins Jan 27, 2013 10:30 PM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 27, 2013 10:30 PM in response to sberman

    I erased the iPhone which I had used for a day waiting for the Contacts to show up and set it up again using the iPad backup data from several hours ago. That has been fruitless. Shall I erase again and set up as a new device!

  • by Sue Camins,

    Sue Camins Sue Camins Jan 27, 2013 10:31 PM in response to Sue Camins
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 27, 2013 10:31 PM in response to Sue Camins

    Meant to ask as a question, not exclamation... Sorry.

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jan 27, 2013 10:55 PM in response to Sue Camins
    Level 8 (40,210 points)
    Jan 27, 2013 10:55 PM in response to Sue Camins

    Sure.  Set it up as a new device, make sure it has your personal information in the early parts of setup (Apple ID), and then you could consider restoring from backup if you need things like songs, apps, etc. (although if they're in someone else's Apple ID you'll have to deal with that by authorizing the computer).

     

    Anyway, if you're not too concerned about that and more interested in contacts and photos (and the photos are in Photo Stream), then try erasing doing these three things:

    1. Check Settings > FaceTime and set the correct Apple ID
    2. Check Settings > Messages and set the correct Apple ID
    3. Do Settings > General > Reset > Erase all content and settings
  • by Sue Camins,

    Sue Camins Sue Camins Jan 28, 2013 6:06 AM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 28, 2013 6:06 AM in response to sberman

    Thanks again, sberman. I'm going to see a Genius today. Everything checks out fine but still no sync. I appreciate your help.

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jan 28, 2013 12:26 PM in response to Sue Camins
    Level 8 (40,210 points)
    Jan 28, 2013 12:26 PM in response to Sue Camins

    If you think of it, it would be interesting to see how the Genius resolved the issue if you wouldn't mind posting that.

     

    Thanks.

  • by Sue Camins,Solvedanswer

    Sue Camins Sue Camins Jan 29, 2013 7:30 AM in response to sberman
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 29, 2013 7:30 AM in response to sberman

    In truth, the new iPhone is for my husband who finally decided to give up his Blackberry. He has had an iPad for over a year and is very tech challenged. He uses several email addresses on Microsoft's Exchange mail and the addresses have several servers. None are iCloud. I'm an "Apple Addict" using nothing but Macs since 1984 and I've never heard of Exchange. Neither had my husband since he relies on his IT guy who is not an Apple fan.

     

    Anyway, that was the problem. Exchange. Microsoft again! Once the Genius entered the correct email addresses, etc. the sync was immediate.

     

    Always a good day when I learn something new!

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jan 29, 2013 2:36 PM in response to Sue Camins
    Level 8 (40,210 points)
    Jan 29, 2013 2:36 PM in response to Sue Camins

    Fascinating.  Thanks.