How to speed up a slow iPhone backup (via OS X Daily)

I recently tried to update my iPhone to version 4.0 but the backup process of the update was taking FOREVER!

I assumed that the only way to speed it up was to clear out any non-vital data, such as text messages, pics, and etc. I backed up my pics to my Mac using iPhoto and deleted them form the iPhone once done. I deleted all text messages, old voicemails, and removed a bunch of apps i never use and don’t really want/need. Then I shut it down and back on again and put it in airplane mode.

Now the backup portion of the update seems to be going faster, but still horribly slow. Apparently it is doing a full backup without exception (meaning it backs EVERYTHING up even if it was backed up previously and unchanged since).

If you have any tips feel free to post them in the comments below. Otherwise all I have to offer is what I typed above and this link I found: here.

***UPDATE***

I have noticed this seems to be quite a popular post (based on the results I am seeing on StatPress), so I think it important to update you all on how everything went.

I have a friend who works in Technical Support for AT&T. She offered some extra help in figuring out the problem. To make a long story short, this is in fact a problem associated with older phone models (such as the 3G) and here is the process that worked best for me (your mileage may vary)…

What to do

Step 1: Backup your purchases to iTunes. File->Transfer Purchases from |your phone’s name here|

Step 2: Backup your photos. Since I was performing this upgrade on my Mac at work, I used iPhoto to do the backup.

Step 3: Delete all photos from your phone (don’t worry, you already backed them up in step 2 right?).

Step 4: Delete any old/unused apps from your phone. This will decrease the amount of data on your phone which will speed up the upgrade process.

Step 5: Delete any old/nonessential text messages, emails, voicemails, and etc.

Step 6: If you have a ton of music/video on your phone, as long as it is safely backed up to iTunes, go ahead and remove it from your phone.

Step 7: Put your phone in airplane mode. Settings->Airplane Mode->On (this will prevent anyone from calling/texting you which might interrupt the Sync).

Step 8: Turn Off Notifications. Settings->Notifications->Off (this will prevent your apps from sending you push notifications which could interfere with the Sync).

Step 9: Begin the Upgrade process. It should begin by doing a full backup of your iPhone, then proceed to install the new OS, then if everything goes well it will restore your data and apps to your phone.

Step 10: Turn your notifications back on and turn off airplane mode.

Other Notes

If for some reason your phone does not have the data and/or apps on it after the upgrade, first ensure that the upgrade was in fact successful. Go to Settings->General->About->Version and it should say 4.0 (followed by some numbers and/or letters in parentheses). If it says something else, restore the phone to factory settings and try again.

If your phone is upgraded to 4.0 and you are still missing your data/apps then simply re-sync your phone with iTunes and you should be all set.

Another problem people have been having is connection to the network (AT&T phone service and/or 3G/WiFi). My phone had this problem and my friend informed me that this was actually the most common complaint they had.

To fix this, simply put your phone in back in airplane mode, wait a few seconds, then turn airplane mode off again. If this doesn’t work, try powering off your phone then back on again.

Alex's Antidote - favicon.png

OK so today I was showing off my new mobile theme on my iPhone while at work. My buddy Bran was checking out the icon I made (with a little help from GIMP and the logo Bran had made for my website — thanks again man) and he made a great suggestion… why not use use the icon for my favicon on my main website?

So I did…

If you have a website, want a custom favicon, but don’t know how to go about it, then you’re in luck because it’s really quite easy.

Step 1: Make an icon

It should be 32 x 32 (pixels) and 32 bit color.

You can use GIMP (or some other program) to make the icon, save it as a PNG.

You can name it whatever you want, but I recommend going with something simple and clear like: favicon.png

Step 2: Upload the icon/image to your website

via FTP or SSH. Be sure to put it in a place that’s easy to remember… like the root of your web directory…

Step 3: Edit your template’s header

Between the <head> and </head> tags and paste the following code:

<link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="/wordpress/favicon.png" />

Save (and upload if you cannot dynamically modify your template).

Alex's Antidote iPhone icon

That’s right folks, my website is now iPhone friendly. (Note: from what I understand it should also work in certain other fancy phones too)

Here’s how it goes:

Step 1 – Open Safari -> Navigate to: alexsantidote.com

find Alex's Antidote in iPhone's Safari Browser

Step 2 – Check out my fancy mobile theme

New Mobile Theme

Page Menu

Step 3 – Bookmark for future reference

Bookmark Options

If you’re really awesome you’ll bookmark it to your Home Screen

Bookmark to iPhone's Home Screen

And you’ll see a nice shiny icon that will take you straight to this website when you touch it!

Shiny Bookmark Icon!

How’d I do it?

• Install the WordPress plugin called: WPtouch Mobile Plugin + Theme for WordPress
• Make a custom icon in GIMP (sudo apt-get install gimp)
  • The icon should be saved in .png format.
  • You will need 2 different sizes: 57 x 57 and 32 x 32
    • Name the 32 x 32 icon something that reflects the name of your blog (I used: Alex`s Antidote)
    • Name the 57 x 57 icon “apple-touch-icon.png” without the quotes.
• In WordPress Settings you will find a menu called: WPtouch, upload the 32 x 32 icon there (look around, you’ll figure it out), then make necessary adjustments below (lots of settings to play with).
  • Be sure to save!
• FTP/SSH into your root (and/or wordpress) directory for your blog and copy over the 57 x 57 icon you named “apple-touch-icon.png”
• Done!

Let me know what you think in the comments (if you have time).