How to restore your old apps, files and settings to your new iPhone 4

Congratulations! You're one of millions of giddy iPhone fans who purchased Apple's latest and greatest offering, the iPhone 4.

If you're upgrading from an older model -- the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G or first-generation iPhone -- you'll be happy to learn that it's extremely easy to move all of your current apps, music, movies, photos, files and settings from your old iPhone to your shiny new iPhone 4.

In fact, thanks to the iTunes backup and restore feature, getting all of your data onto your new handset can be accomplished in a few quick clicks.

Get ready

First, it's a good idea to ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed.

• If you're using a Windows PC; open iTunes and click on Help in the top menu, then select Check for Update.
• If you're on a Mac; open iTunes and click on iTunes in the top menu, then select Check for Updates...

Now simply follow the on-screen prompts to update iTunes.

Before you move all of your data over to the iPhone 4, it's also a very good idea to ensure that your current iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G or iPhone has the latest iOS version available.

1. Open iTunes on your Windows or Mac PC
2. With your iPhone powered on, connect it to your computer using the supplied USB cable
3. After a few seconds, your iPhone will appear in the middle of the left-hand iTunes column under Devices -- click on it
   1. If your iPhone currently has an older version of iOS, you should automatically be prompted to update
   2. If you are not prompted; click Check for Update, then follow the on-screen prompts to update iOS
4. Now, simply follow the on-screen prompts to update iOS on your iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G or iPhone

Back up your current iPhone

Your iPhone was likely backed up during the update process, but you should create another backup file now that your iOS version has been updated.

1. With your iPhone still connected to your computer, right-click it in the left-hand iTunes column under Devices
2. Select Back Up

Your iPhone will now be backed up and all apps, games, music, movies, settings and other date will be saved to the new backup file

Set up and restore your new iPhone 4

Here's the really easy part. When you first connect your new iPhone 4 to iTunes, you will be walked through the setup process.

Near the end of the setup process, you will see the following message appear:

An iPhone has been previously synced with this computer.

Beneath this message, select Restore from the backup of: and choose your old iPhone by name from the drop-down menu.

Click Continue, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process.

That's it!

Your iPhone 4 will now be restored and all of the apps, games, music, movies, photos, settings and other files from your old iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G or iPhone will be loaded onto your new device.

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