Moving ALL data to new iPhone 4

My iPhone 4 will be here soon and I'll be upgrading from the 3G. I've never gone through an iPhone or iPod transition before, so I wanted to make sure I don't screw up my data transfer between devices.

I've searched around and found some tips but I'd like your comments too if I missed anything or if there are other pitfalls to watch for! The main thing I want to keep is the database of my text messages.

1. First, do a backup of the 3G (In iTunes, right click device and choose "back up") This should gather all app data (like game saves and in-app purchases), address book, call history, text messages (both SMS and MMS), camera roll, mail preferences and settings, network settings, notes and more, but NOT the apps themselves, nor music, videos, etc.
   
2. Next, to be safe, make a copy of the backup folder because iTunes only keeps one backup and previous backups are overwritten. The path to this folder on windows 7 is here: C:\Users\<your_user_id>\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup (yes, we're backing up the backup!)
   
3. Plug in iPhone 4. In iTunes, right click the new device and choose "Restore from backup." (Should the phone be activated first?)
   
4. Once the restore is done, all that data should be on the new iPhone. Next step is to do a sync so that apps, music, videos and the rest get transferred to the device.

Is it that easy?

My big unanswered question... can I transfer the data from OS 3 on my 3G to iOS 4 on the iPhone 4?

Please share your experiences! I'll be doing this later tonight. Thanks

I had a backup save of my 3g when I put os4 on it. I just used that. So for your big unanswered question I can't comment

I went to ATT store during the day yesterday to activate it because I didn't want to have the phone all day and not use it. When I got home I just plugged it in, Itunes started to restore it without even asking me.

Then it synced apps/audio/videos/pictures on it.

That was pretty much it. Took about an hour total. I had to sync again after because while it was installing apps a few like pandora were DLing updates at the same time which failed the install on the phone. I just let it finish and it was fine from then on out.

It was pretty painless I must say.

Thanks Harkov! Did your text messages survive the transition?

Yes, backing up the old phone and then restoring from that backup when plugging in the new phone is the way to go. That's exactly how I upgraded from my 3GS to my 4, and how I upgraded a family member from their old 3G to my old 3GS.

Texts and general system settings survive the backup and transition process. Passwords (voicemail, email, wifi) do not.

Terpfen said:

Yes, backing up the old phone and then restoring from that backup when plugging in the new phone is the way to go. That's exactly how I upgraded from my 3GS to my 4, and how I upgraded a family member from their old 3G to my old 3GS.

Texts and general system settings survive the backup and transition process. Passwords (voicemail, email, wifi) do not.

Click to expand...

This.

Perfect. Thanks so much everyone!