iPhone Clean Install vs Backup

[giancoes]

So I just got word my new iPhone is at home so when I get home from work I was thinking of setting it up as a new phone and just turning on iCloud and let it manually download everything but now I’m thinking I might put a back up on it. What’s generally the best way to go about this?

 

[MisterSavage]

Some people do a fresh install every time they get a new phone. I restore from a backup every time. I haven't encountered problems doing this.

 

[giancoes]

Some people do a fresh install every time they get a new phone. I restore from a backup every time. I haven't encountered problems doing this.

I usually do a backup install as well but since iCloud now basically covers all the essential information from a backup I’m thinking this year it might be better to do clean install.

 

[ghc]

I've actually been thinking the same thing.....getting my phone today and have always done the backup/restore option...with all of the issues with 13/13.1, wondering if starting 'fresh' may help...guess it can't hurt....

 

[giancoes]

I've actually been thinking the same thing.....getting my phone today and have always done the backup/restore option...with all of the issues with 13/13.1, wondering if starting 'fresh' may help...guess it can't hurt....

That’s exactly my thinking 13.1 is running smooth on my X but i think clean install with iCloud is the way I’m going just to avoid any problems.

 

[newellj]

1. I don't think it makes a difference at this point. At least it hasn't for me.
2. I understand starting new as a way to eliminate things you don't use, but I have some apps that do not back up their data anywhere, and I'd lose that data, in some cases many years of data. And there's always the offload apps function, either done by iOS or done manually by the user. FWIW, when you offload an app, it keeps the app data locally and leaves an app icon with a little download arrow so that you can easily reinstall the app if you need it - and maybe also so you don't forget that you offloaded it.

 

[MacNut]

Always done it from backup. A clean install just adds more work.

 

[one more]

Is there any difference between restoring an iOS device with iTunes vs just installing iOS 13.1 OTA? As I was running a series of betas, I would like a fresh installation. At the same time, however, I would not like to lose hours tweaking everything back into place.

 

[TrenttonY]

Maybe every time you upgrade to a new device (hardware upgrade). So like every 2-3 years.
Clean restore every year for an iOS update is too much of a pain.

 

[white4s]

Clean install only when I upgrade.

 

[tarsins]

Have been restoring since my 3GS. Never had a problem.

 

[jamdex]

I have never done a clean install on any iPhone in the last 10 years. Even when i had a 'year off' trying Android, my old iCloud backup got used. Everything rock solid as it should be.

Edit: Do do occasional Soft Resets, seems to keep things zippy.