How do I get a complete backup of my iPhone?

Question

How do I get a complete backup of my iPhone?

I am sure that somewhere this is answered completely...i just havent found it yet.

I plugged my phone into iTunes, did a sync and backup, then restored my phone to original state, then tried to install everything from a backup.

All of my apps are missing.

Did I do something wrong?

I need clear instructions...an explanation of the difference between a sync and a backup, and how do I completely wipe a device then reinstall exactly what i had.

TY in advance..

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.1

Posted on Aug 30, 2013 10:49 AM

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Answer 1

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,429 points

Aug 30, 2013 10:51 AM in response to thomasfromplainview

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4946

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Answer 2

razmee209

Level 10

191,376 points

Aug 30, 2013 10:52 AM in response to thomasfromplainview

how to backup http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1766 note: music and apps aren't part of the backup, only the app data is. You can go to the appstore on your phone - purchased - download - all or not on this phone - then click on the cloud to redownload your apps.

syncing with itunes http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1386

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Answer 3

Aug 30, 2013 10:56 AM in response to thomasfromplainview

is this the same for an older ipod too?

I tried backon one of those up and lost all the apps as well

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Answer 4

KiltedTim

Level 10

195,429 points

Aug 30, 2013 11:00 AM in response to thomasfromplainview

Yes. Backups work the same on any iOS device. Apps are not part of the backup as they should already be in your iTunes library or can be re-downloaded from the app store at no charge. (In app data is part of the backup.

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Answer 5

Aug 30, 2013 11:33 AM in response to thomasfromplainview

I'm trying to redownload all of the apps...the only thing...under the "purchased" list is every app I've every downloaded...***** that I have to root through a four year old list of apps go find the one I had oin here

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Answer 6

rawitten

Level 1

10 points

Dec 29, 2015 9:20 AM in response to thomasfromplainview

Agreed. The backup/restore process is miserably out of date. There is no way to remove all the apps that are crap, that had to be downloaded in order to discover they are crap, so they're now in the list of purchased apps forever. Obtaining a full backup so that the phone or a new phone can be set up just how it was appears to be impossible. It's starting to be an unacceptable ecosystem. I'm really starting to consider Android.

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