FW Update Sequences : iTunes & FW Version Compatability Issues?

This chart shows the Release Sequence with dates and version numbers for iTunes and iPhone Firmwares:


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Typical Update Process involves the following steps-

• SyncBackup of iPhone FW A by iTunes X
• JB/Unlock by some Tool
• Restore FW B by iTunes X
• SyncRestore iPhone FW B by iTunes X

Now here there is a huge gap between what I currently have & where I need to go.

iTunes: 8.2
iPhone 2G: 2.2

Now, I know 8.2 can handle Backups for 2.2.

My fear is there might be some issues / incompatibility between iTunes versions / iPhone FW that are too far apart.
Now, I am wondering if it might mess up my
• iPhone
• Backups
• Cydia Apps
• Any other Settings / Data

I am wondering which of the following is what I need to do:

1) I update to iTunes 9.0.3 / 9.1 assuming and hoping it safely works with 2G 2.2
(I am wondering if that would be with / without apps).
Anyone experimented with that?

• Update iTunes X > Y
• SyncBackup of iPhone FW A by iTunes Y
• JB/Unlock by some Tool
• Restore FW B by iTunes Y
• Sync Restore iPhone FW B by iTunes Y

2) I update to iTunes 9.0.3 / 9.1 in the middle assuming & hoping it does no mess the SyncBackups & SyncRestore Data i.e. SyncDATA is handled / managed across versions
(I am wondering if that would be with / without apps)

• SyncBackup of iPhone FW A by iTunes X
• JB/Unlock by some Tool
• Update iTunes X > Y
• Restore FW B by iTunes Y
• Sync Restore iPhone FW B by iTunes Y

OR

3) Do I need to do some R&D to determine which special sequence involving multiple versions of iTunes works best? Especially given the order of / releases and Release dates of iPhone FW & iTunes.

Newest version of iTunes should allow you to upgrade to the latest version of the firmware, irrespective of the firmware version on your device. From the perspective of upgrading, all current iTunes versions are compatible with previous firmware. While some will not sync, due to differences in how the library is created, and Apps may not install, due to differences in how that is handled, ultimately, the upgrade itself can really be done with any version of iTunes.

That said, when coming from 2.x to 3.x, it is NOT recommended that you restore the iPhone from your 2.x backup -- it is better to make a copy of the sqlite databases for your SMS history / Call history / etc., then copy those to the new phone. This will save you from a lot of difficult to troubleshoot issues.

Originally Posted by n1ckn4m3

Newest version of iTunes should allow you to upgrade to the latest version of the firmware, irrespective of the firmware version on your device. From the perspective of upgrading, all current iTunes versions are compatible with previous firmware. While some will not sync, due to differences in how the library is created, and Apps may not install, due to differences in how that is handled, ultimately, the upgrade itself can really be done with any version of iTunes.

That said, when coming from 2.x to 3.x, it is NOT recommended that you restore the iPhone from your 2.x backup -- it is better to make a copy of the sqlite databases for your SMS history / Call history / etc., then copy those to the new phone. This will save you from a lot of difficult to troubleshoot issues.

Agree with the not restoring from backup. Best to restore what you need manually as n1ckn4m3 says. The format of some of these files that are databases (SMS history, call history) has changed in 3.0, however the conversion from 2.x to 3.x format for these databases seems to be handled fine by the iPhone OS 3.x. Have seen reports going from 1.x to 3.x for SMS.db did not work.

One point to note: Apple changed the restore protocol with iTunes 8.2 and OS 3.0, I don't believe it is possible to restore 3.0 or higher with an older version of iTunes.

Replies inline First, thanks a lot for taking the time to respond. Love the help..

Originally Posted by n1ckn4m3

Newest version of iTunes should allow you to upgrade to the latest version of the firmware, irrespective of the firmware version on your device. From the perspective of upgrading, all current iTunes versions are compatible with previous firmware.

** This I guessed was the case.

While some will not sync, due to differences in how the library is created, and Apps may not install, due to differences in how that is handled, ultimately, the upgrade itself can really be done with any version of iTunes.

** I know the upgrade / restore can be done. Simple question.. and if its something you can experiment with..
Can iTunes 9.xx SYNC regularly & normally with iPhone 2G 2.2?

I wonder and wish someone had a spare iPhone to just that out..

I might even post that as a separate question to see if someone can help / experiment with that.

Mod O - I did post that in the prev forum. If you think there might be better / more responses here as compared to there, please feel free to move / copy.


That said, when coming from 2.x to 3.x, it is NOT recommended that you restore the iPhone from your 2.x backup -- it is better to make a copy of the sqlite databases for your SMS history / Call history / etc., then copy those to the new phone. This will save you from a lot of difficult to troubleshoot issues.

** Gotcha! Do guide me here..
- Best tutorial to figure out which paths and best ways to do manual backups.
How do I get the ultimate list of folders to "Backup" and ways to "Best" backup & restore them?

Originally Posted by Olethros

Agree with the not restoring from backup. Best to restore what you need manually as n1ckn4m3 says. The format of some of these files that are databases (SMS history, call history) has changed in 3.0, however the conversion from 2.x to 3.x format for these databases seems to be handled fine by the iPhone OS 3.x. Have seen reports going from 1.x to 3.x for SMS.db did not work.

** So whenever the iPhone 3.x firmware opens an old 2.x SMS DB it will automatically know to convert it? Will do so.. ?

One point to note: Apple changed the restore protocol with iTunes 8.2 and OS 3.0, I don't believe it is possible to restore 3.0 or higher with an older version of iTunes.

** I already have 8.2.0.23 iTunes on my Win XP Machine.

I also recently got iPC OSX 10.5.6 Hackintosh working on my old Dell 9300. Should I try some experiments with that?

PS: Should I use Pwnage / RedSnow on the OSX or RedSnow on my main WinXP thinkpad ?

Originally Posted by crashnburn

PS: Should I use Pwnage / RedSnow on the OSX or RedSnow on my main WinXP thinkpad ?

Does not matter really. If you had a 3g or 3gs I would say use pwnagetool but on 2G either restore, jailbreak with redsn0w, set up as new. Or make custom ipsw with pwnagetool, restore and set up as new.

Both approaches work equally well.

Thanks.

Can you please answer the questions / comment on the stuff I had made BOLD in the last post?

Originally Posted by crashnburn

So whenever the iPhone 3.x firmware opens an old 2.x SMS DB it will automatically know to convert it? Will do so.. ?

I have not tested it, but I believe it only occurs when you have just restored from iTunes backup or when you have just upgraded from OS 2.x

Originally Posted by crashnburn

I already have 8.2.0.23 iTunes on my Win XP Machine.

I also recently got iPC OSX 10.5.6 Hackintosh working on my old Dell 9300. Should I try some experiments with that?

I think you are really worried over nothing and are over complicating the problem.

Here is how I would do the upgrade.

1. Have iTunes 8.2 on your machine (mac or win does not matter)
2. Sync your iPhone and make sure this includes a full backup. Check in the filesystem to ensure that the filestamps and size reflect this. Call this backup the 2.x backup
3. Copy (and rename) or zip up (or some other way of making a copy) the whole backup (the folder and it's contents)
4. Upgrade to 3.1.2 with an unmodified IPSW via iTunes. This will definitely upgrade the databases.
5. Jailbreak with redsn0w 0.9.2
6. Sync your iPhone and make sure this includes a full backup. Check in the filesystem to ensure that the filestamps and size reflect this. Call this backup the 3.x (upgrade) backup.
7. Copy (and rename) or zip up (or some other way of making a copy) the whole backup (the folder and it's contents)
8. Put your iPhone into DFU mode and restore to unmodified 3.1.2
9. Jailbreak with redsn0w 0.9.2
10. Set up your phone as new (this will remove the your 3.x upgrade backup so it is important to have copied/zipped it earlier)
11. Install Open SSH
12. Sync your apps, music, contacts etc from iTunes again.
13. Use a backup extractor tool to manually extract from the 3.x (upgrade) backup the files you want to preserve.
14. Copy them back to your iPhone with iFunBox or similar. Use SSH/SFT to verify that the permissions are the same.
15. Once you are satisfied with everything. Upgrade iTunes to 9.1

This might seem to be a long method but includes backups to keep things safe.

Your quoting method really sucks by the way. It is impossible to reply and include context in an easy way.

Originally Posted by Olethros

I have not tested it, but I believe it only occurs when you have just restored from iTunes backup or when you have just upgraded from OS 2.x



I think you are really worried over nothing and are over complicating the problem.

Here is how I would do the upgrade.

1. Have iTunes 8.2 on your machine (mac or win does not matter)
2. Sync your iPhone and make sure this includes a full backup. Check in the filesystem to ensure that the filestamps and size reflect this. Call this backup the 2.x backup
3. Copy (and rename) or zip up (or some other way of making a copy) the whole backup (the folder and it's contents)
4. Upgrade to 3.1.2 with an unmodified IPSW via iTunes. This will definitely upgrade the databases.
   
5. Jailbreak with redsn0w 0.9.2
6. Sync your iPhone and make sure this includes a full backup. Check in the filesystem to ensure that the filestamps and size reflect this. Call this backup the 3.x (upgrade) backup.
7. Copy (and rename) or zip up (or some other way of making a copy) the whole backup (the folder and it's contents)
8. Put your iPhone into DFU mode and restore to unmodified 3.1.2
9. Jailbreak with redsn0w 0.9.2
10. Set up your phone as new (this will remove the your 3.x upgrade backup so it is important to have copied/zipped it earlier)
11. Install Open SSH
12. Sync your apps, music, contacts etc from iTunes again.
    
13. Use a backup extractor tool to manually extract from the 3.x (upgrade) backup the files you want to preserve.
14. Copy them back to your iPhone with iFunBox or similar. Use SSH/SFT to verify that the permissions are the same.
15. Once you are satisfied with everything. Upgrade iTunes to 9.1

This might seem to be a long method but includes backups to keep things safe.

Your quoting method really sucks by the way. It is impossible to reply and include context in an easy way.

At that "red" marked step can I do ONLY a jailbreak / and unlock? It asks for the Firmware IPSW at the start..? Will that rewrite the IPSW on top of the Upgraded/Updated 3.1.2 ? Pls tell ASAP. Stuck in between?

PS: What are good Backup Extractors I could use?
I did the 2.x Backup.. and 3.x Backup is happening right now.. But its damn slow.. and stuck at almost complete in iTunes but wont go further to full?

Originally Posted by crashnburn

At that "red" marked step can I do ONLY a jailbreak / and unlock? It asks for the Firmware IPSW at the start..? Will that rewrite the IPSW on top of the Upgraded/Updated 3.1.2 ? Pls tell ASAP. Stuck in between?

If you are currently using another carrier than the one your iPhone was originally sold locked to then you are already unlocked at 2.2 and that is permanant. You need to hacktivate (which requires jailbreak) so you can sync/backup the iPhone with iTunes.

Originally Posted by crashnburn

What are good Backup Extractors I could use?
I did the 2.x Backup.. and 3.x Backup is happening right now.. But its damn slow.. and stuck at almost complete in iTunes but wont go further to full?

Restore lost and deleted iPhone files with the iPhone Backup Extractor windows
iPhone / iPod Touch Backup Extractor mac

Crap.! I posted a long post and it got swallowed.

Most of it is back to good.. as per your suggestions. Followed them.. Also SSHed & did appropriate permissions for SMS.DB / CallHistory.DB etc.

One issue.. Notes... Several versions of Notes.DB... All notes show, but their dates seem to be gone on the iphone..
In fact, I checked each of the DB's in SQLiteViewers.. the Creation / Modifications Date fields in there seem intact..
So whats the deal here?

Who do I ask? Someone a Notes.DB expert ...2.x / 3.x..??