Phone restore from a dead iPhone SE

I accidentally introduced my iPhone SE (2nd generation) to a swimming pool a few weeks ago. The swimming pool didn't like it. I got my new iPhone 13 mini today. When I typed in my apple ID, it updated from my work iPad, which is linked to the email address, BUT pretty much all my data (my photos from my old phone, my reminders, my alarms from my old phone, my text messages) did not come back onto my new phone. I suspect this is because there is an old Apple ID in the mix. Every time I started up my SE, I would have to choose "cancel" a bunch of times as it tried to bring up my old Apple ID. That ID is associated with an email address I no longer have. The phone is dead. Is there any way I can get the data off of my SE and onto my new phone?

iPhone 13 mini

Posted on Aug 30, 2023 06:55 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 31, 2023 02:12 PM

Hello SirDramaticus,


Your prior iPhone would need to be operational in order to create a new backup or transfer your data directly to your new iPhone.


If you are unable to remember the password for your prior Apple ID, you may be able to reset your password using the methods from this resource: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


If you are able to regain access to your iCloud account, you would need to erase your current iPhone to return to the first time set up process. From there, you can sign into your prior iCloud account and attempt to restore from any pre-existing backups. The resources below cover both of those processes.


Erase iPhone - Apple Support


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support


Hopefully those steps and resources put you on the path to addressing your situation.


Take care.

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 31, 2023 02:12 PM in response to SirDramaticus

Hello SirDramaticus,


Your prior iPhone would need to be operational in order to create a new backup or transfer your data directly to your new iPhone.


If you are unable to remember the password for your prior Apple ID, you may be able to reset your password using the methods from this resource: If you forgot your Apple ID password - Apple Support


If you are able to regain access to your iCloud account, you would need to erase your current iPhone to return to the first time set up process. From there, you can sign into your prior iCloud account and attempt to restore from any pre-existing backups. The resources below cover both of those processes.


Erase iPhone - Apple Support


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support


Hopefully those steps and resources put you on the path to addressing your situation.


Take care.

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Phone restore from a dead iPhone SE

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