daemontrances
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Getting a new iPhone tomorrow - help?

Hi everyone!

 

So I have owned an iPhone 4s for a few years now, probably about 5 or so. All these years that I've owned it I haven't upgraded the software or anything to iOS7 or higher, so it's still running the latest version of iOS6 (which I LOVE, but since my phone stopped working at being a phone I reluctantly have to upgrade).

 

My computer is a white, unibody 2010-ish MacBook running OSx Snow Leopard (10.6.8) and has iTunes 11.4.

 

Tomorrow I'm going to be making a trip to my local AT&T to get a new device (probably an iPhone 5) and I just have some questions regarding the transfer of data between the old device and new one.

 

1. I have seen some posts on here and on the official Apple support article that supposedly I can restore my new device from a backup of my 4s (which is backing up as I'm typing this), but what exactly will be included in this backup? I know apps will come back but will I get my photos back? My notes? My text messages (these aren't terribly important if they're lost, I'm just wondering)?


2. If my notes aren't gotten in the backup, how do I transfer them from my 4s to my new device, or back them up or something? I don't have my notes synced to iCloud, they're all ON my phone, if that makes any sense, and there are a lot of notes. I'd like not to lose these, if possible.

 

3. If I get a newer phone, will I still be able to use it with my laptop and everything? I remember seeing a long time ago that some iphones can't sync or backup if the version of iTunes on the computer is too old, and I was wondering if that applies to me. My mother is also getting a new phone tomorrow but she'll have no problems, she has a MacBook Pro running Yosemite. Me with my old software/operating system though I'm kind of worried. Will I still be able to manage my new iPhone 5 if I have Snow Leopard and iTunes 11.4? Or will I be forced to upgrade my computer too (which I'd love to avoid if at all possible)?

 

4. Piggy-backing off of question number 3, If I were to update my computer, I'd probably upgrade it to Lion, not as far as Mavericks because the interface and settings of the newer operating system really bug me. A lot of the visual things just don't appeal to me/I can't see things very clearly (like windows and things) because of the transparency and making the top bar black just doesn't look all that great. If I upgrade to Lion, I still have the same question--would I be able to upgrade my iTunes to the latest version and would I be able to manage my device with it?

5. I know I said earlier in this post that it's not terribly important for me to keep my text messages, but just thought I'd ask--is there a way to keep these/transfer them over? Or no?

 

Thank you for bearing with me, I tend to type a lot/am long-winded.

iPhone 4S, iOS 6.1.5, null

Posted on Jun 14, 2016 8:55 PM

by ckuan,Apple recommended
ckuan ckuan
Level 7 (33,190 points)
A:

Q 1, 2 & 5

iTunes backups

From your Mac or PC, you can make a backup of your device in iTunes. Syncing your device with your computer isn't the same as making a backup.

An iTunes backup includes nearly all of your device's data and settings. An iTunes backup doesn't include:

  • Content from the iTunes and App Stores, or PDFs downloaded directly to iBooks (You can back up this content using Transfer Purchases in iTunes.)
  • Content synced from iTunes, like imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos
  • Photos already stored in the cloud, like My Photo Stream, and iCloud Photo Library
  • Touch ID settings
  • Apple Pay information and settings
  • Activity, Health, and Keychain data (To back up this content, you'll need to use Encrypted Backup in iTunes.)

Learn how to make backups in iTunes, how to find them on your Mac or PC, and how to delete backups you no longer need.

Q 3 & 4

If your new iPhone has iOS 9.x then

you'll need to update your Mac OS X to 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) or later

then update your Mac Tunes to 12.3.x or later.

Posted on Jun 14, 2016 9:03 PM

Close
daemontrances

Q: Getting a new iPhone tomorrow - help?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jun 14, 2016 8:56 PM in response to daemontrances
    Level 8 (38,965 points)
    Jun 14, 2016 8:56 PM in response to daemontrances

    Yes, your post is long-winded.

     

    So I'll address two major issues, and let you ferret through the reading material to get what you need.

     

    First, I strongly recommend in the future, you always keep your software current.  If you don't, then among the difficulties you'll encounter (there are many others) is that when upgrading hardware as you are doing now, you will be required to make huge leaps in software.

     

    In particular, you need to install OS X El Capitan on your Mac now, as Snow Leopard cannot interface to iOS 9.

    https://www.apple.com/osx/how-to-upgrade/

     

    Fortunately, your Mac is recent enough that it can install El Capitan.

     

    Second, you need to back up your old iPhone and restore it to your new iPhone.  Here are articles explaining how, and what is captured.

    How to back up your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

     

    Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support

  • by ckuan,Apple recommended

    ckuan ckuan Jun 14, 2016 9:03 PM in response to daemontrances
    Level 7 (33,190 points)
    Jun 14, 2016 9:03 PM in response to daemontrances

    Q 1, 2 & 5

    iTunes backups

    From your Mac or PC, you can make a backup of your device in iTunes. Syncing your device with your computer isn't the same as making a backup.

    An iTunes backup includes nearly all of your device's data and settings. An iTunes backup doesn't include:

    • Content from the iTunes and App Stores, or PDFs downloaded directly to iBooks (You can back up this content using Transfer Purchases in iTunes.)
    • Content synced from iTunes, like imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos
    • Photos already stored in the cloud, like My Photo Stream, and iCloud Photo Library
    • Touch ID settings
    • Apple Pay information and settings
    • Activity, Health, and Keychain data (To back up this content, you'll need to use Encrypted Backup in iTunes.)

    Learn how to make backups in iTunes, how to find them on your Mac or PC, and how to delete backups you no longer need.

    Q 3 & 4

    If your new iPhone has iOS 9.x then

    you'll need to update your Mac OS X to 10.8.5 (Mountain Lion) or later

    then update your Mac Tunes to 12.3.x or later.

  • by Rysz,

    Rysz Rysz Jun 14, 2016 9:03 PM in response to sberman
    Level 7 (20,202 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 14, 2016 9:03 PM in response to sberman

    Just to add...

     

    After you you update your system software you need to sync and/or import all your data, photos, music documents, etc, with apps on your computer. Apps will be re-downloaded from the App Store, but things like photos need to be on your computer. Only very recent images are part of a backup.

  • by sberman,

    sberman sberman Jun 14, 2016 9:21 PM in response to Rysz
    Level 8 (38,965 points)
    Jun 14, 2016 9:21 PM in response to Rysz

    Yes.

     

    As I implied, I did not read or plan to respond to every detail of the original post.  I'm sure your added detail will help the OP.

  • by ChrisJ4203,

    ChrisJ4203 ChrisJ4203 Jun 14, 2016 9:33 PM in response to daemontrances
    Level 9 (57,056 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 14, 2016 9:33 PM in response to daemontrances

    daemontrances wrote:

     

    Hi everyone!

     

    Tomorrow I'm going to be making a trip to my local AT&T to get a new device (probably an iPhone 5)

     

    Thank you for bearing with me, I tend to type a lot/am long-winded.

    TL;DR; You will not be able to purchase a new iPhone 5. They are no longer being sold.

     

    Yes, that was a long winded post all right.

  • by daemontrances,

    daemontrances daemontrances Jun 15, 2016 12:05 AM in response to daemontrances
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 15, 2016 12:05 AM in response to daemontrances

    Thanks for all of your help guys, I really am somewhat of a dunce when it comes to this kind of stuff.

  • by Briansyddall,

    Briansyddall Briansyddall Jun 15, 2016 12:35 AM in response to daemontrances
    Level 6 (8,127 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jun 15, 2016 12:35 AM in response to daemontrances

    Hio this

    You need to download new software 9.3.2 on your iphone4s

    Go to settings- about - software update .

    Do this update over your WiFi .

    Then go to settings iCloud back up now.

    When you set up your new iPhone is will ask if you want

    To use iCloud back up say yes then you will get all your

    Apps & data on your new iphone.

    Use same apple ID /password .

    Cheers

    Brian