How to restore iPhone from backup - Easy & quick steps
Explore this comprehensive guide to restore your iPhone from an iCloud or iTunes backup with or without reset. The steps work for both new or previously set up iPhones.
Jasmin Woods Updated on Aug 8, 2024 5:03 PM
Preventing data loss is crucial, especially with the valuable information stored on your iPhone. One of the most effective ways is to regularly back up your data and settings. This ensures that, in case of any issues, you can easily restore your iPhone from backup and recover everything.
Restoring iPhone from a previous backup is pretty helpful for file recovery and data migration.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to back up and restore your iPhone, ensuring your data remains safe and accessible. Whether you're upgrading to a new device and want to transfer all your current iOS data, or you need to restore your iPhone to an older backup to recover important deleted files, these steps will help you maintain peace of mind.
Here are the quick options for restoring your iPhone, either from an iCloud backup or a computer backup. Additionally, by using iPhone Data Recovery, you can access, preview, and restore specific data files from an iPhone backup without resetting or erasing any current content.
How to back up iPhone before restoring
Before restoring your iPhone, ensure that you've backed up your data. There are two main methods for creating an iPhone backup: using iCloud or a computer. iCloud offers cloud storage for iPhone backups, while a computer uses desktop-based iTunes or Finder to back up all your iPhone data and settings locally. Both methods allow you to restore your iPhone from the backup.
Using iCloud for iPhone backup
- Connect to Wi-Fi: Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network.
- Access iCloud Backup: Tap on the "Settings app > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup."
- Enable iCloud Backup: Make sure the "iCloud Backup" switch is turned on.
- Back Up Now: Tap "Back Up Now" to start the backup process. Ensure your iPhone stays connected to Wi-Fi until the backup is complete.
Using a computer to back up your iPhone
- Open iTunes or Finder: On a Mac (macOS Catalina 10.15 or later), open a Finder window. On a Mac (macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier) or a Windows PC, launch the latest iTunes version.
- Connect Your iPhone: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone with computer. If prompted, tap "Trust" on your iOS screen.
- Select Your iPhone: In the Finder sidebar, under "Locations," select your iPhone. Or click the phone icon in the upper-left corner of the iTunes window.
- Backup: In Finder's "General" tab, select "Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac." In the "Summary" tab on iTunes window, select "This Computer" under "Backups."
- Encrypt Backup (Optional): If you want to encrypt your backup, select "Encrypt local backup," create a password, and click "Set Password."
- Back Up Now: Click "Back Up Now" to start backing up your iPhone data.
How to restore iPhone from backup via iCloud
Restoring your iPhone from an iCloud backup is a seamless process that allows you to retrieve all your data and settings wirelessly. This method is particularly useful if you have been regularly backing up your iPhone to iCloud.
However, an iCloud backup only works for a new or newly erased iPhone, making it less flexible for partial restores or merging data. Additionally, If you already set up your device, you may need to erase all of its content before you can use these steps to restore iPhone from iCloud backup:
Step 1. Turn on your iPhone and set it up manually.
The Hello screen should appear; simply follow the onscreen prompts to set up your iPhone.
If the iPhone is already in use, navigate to "Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings > Continue." Once the reset process is complete, the device will display the Hello screen.
Step 2. Restore iPhone from iCloud backup.
When you reach the "Transfer Your Apps & Data" screen, select "From iCloud Backup" to restore your iPhone data. For iOS versions earlier than iOS 17, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" on the "Apps & Data" screen.
Choose the most recent iCloud backup to restore the latest data on your iPhone. Ensure your device remains plugged into power until the restoration process is complete. You can also use iCloud backup to wirelessly transfer all your data from your previous iPhone to a new one.
How to restore iPhone from a computer backup after setup
Restoring iPhone from a computer backup is also a reliable way to recover your data, especially if you have created backups using Finder on a Mac (macOS Catalina 10.15 or later) or iTunes on a Mac (macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier) or Windows PC.
Unlike restoring from iCloud, using a computer backup to restore iPhone does not require an internet connection and can be used for both new and previously set up iPhone. It's an excellent option for those who prefer a wired connection and have backups stored locally on their computers. Here's how to restore iPhone from backup after setup with a computer backup:
1. Open iTunes or Finder on your computer desktop.
2. Connect your iPhone to computer using a USB cable.
TIP: If a message asks for your iPhone passcode or whether to "Trust This Computer," proceed with the prompts. Get help if you've forgotten your passcode on iPad / iPhone.
3. Select your iPhone from the top-left corner of iTunes window or when it appears in Finder.
4. Choose "Restore Backup" in the "Summary" tab of iTunes or the "General" tab of Finder.
5. If asked, enter the password to unlock your encrypted backup.
6. Select an available iTunes backup or Finder backup to restore your iPhone data.
Keep your iPhone connected and wait for it to restore all data from the computer backup.
It's important to note that once the process is complete, all current data on your iPhone will be overwritten and replaced by the backup content, resulting in the loss of any data added after that backup was made. If you're restoring to a new iPhone, that would not be a problem.
For those looking to keep their current data while restoring specific files from an earlier iPhone backup, the efficient iPhone Data Recovery offers a more convenient solution. Its built-in backup extractor lets users scan and preview previous iTunes backups, enabling them to selectively restore iPhone data from a backup without erasing any existing content.
Furthermore, this iOS data recovery tool can perform a deep scan of your iPhone or iPad's internal storage to find and recover deleted files that are still retrievable. This means that even without a backup, you're able to recover lost / deleted data stored on your iOS devices through a full scan.
Follow these steps to restore iPhone from backup without reset or erasing, allowing you to retrieve your photos, messages, contacts, and all other data in the backup easily:
1. Install and open iOS Data Recovery. It's compatible with both Windows PC and Mac.
2. Select an iTunes backup. It will automatically load and display all available iTunes backups stored on your computer; choose a recent backup that includes the data you wish to restore.
3. Scan the iTunes backup for recovery. Click the "Start" button to begin scanning. After that, you can access and view all backup files. To preview specific files, simply select the file types from the options on the left side.
4. Restore data from iPhone backup. Select the checkbox next to the file you want to recover, then click the "Recover" button at the bottom. In the pop-up message, choose an output folder to save the restored files.
This way, you can selectively restore only the desired files from the backup while preserving all existing files, rather than reverting your entire iPhone to a previous state.
Extra tips: Restore iPhone data without iCloud or iTunes backup
Recover iPhone data without backup
If your files were locally stored on your iPhone and have been accidentally deleted or removed, the above-mentioned iOS Data Recovery application offers an advanced solution to thoroughly scan your device's internal memory, allowing you to preview and recover specific data directly to your iPhone without needing a backup.
- Run the software. Install and launch iPhone Data Recovery on computer.
- Connect the iPhone. Attach your iPhone via a proper USB cable.
- Scan for deleted files. Click "Start Scan" button to initial scanning for recoverable files.
- Recover your data. Preview and choose specific files from the scanning results, and click "Recover" button to restore them to your iPhone.
That's how you can recover your data without a backup. It works even if you've permanently deleted a file on your iPhone and then want to get it back.
Restore iPhone backup from third-party cloud storage
If your data is backed up with third-party services like Google Drive or OneDrive, you can use a previous backup to restore your iPhone data. For specific data files, such as photos saved in Google Photos, you can easily restore deleted photos to your iPhone from the Google Photos server with just a few taps.
FAQs on iPhone restoration from backup
1. Why can't I restore backups on my iPhone?
If you're unable to restore backups on your iPhone, first ensure the backup is compatible with your device or iOS version. If you encounter an error stating that your software is too old, manually update your software and try restoring the backup again.
If the issue persists, consider using a system repair tool, like iOS System Recovery, to update your system and address any software problems before attempting the restoration. For additional help, contact Apple Support.
2. Can I recover everything after restoring my iPhone from a backup?
Yes. Restoring from an earlier backup will revert your iPhone to an earlier date, replacing all your current data with the data from that backup. This process will overwrite any data added after the backup. If you'd like to keep both your current data and the backup content, consider using iPhone Data Recovery software that allows you to access an earlier iTunes or iCloud backup and selectively recover specific data files without erasing existing data.
3. Why is my data missing after restoring from an iCloud backup?
Here are some common reasons your data might be missing after restoring a backup from iCloud:
- Check your Apple ID. Make sure you correctly restore your iPhone from iCloud using the same Apple account that was used to back up your iOS data.
- Check the iCloud Backup. Ensure that the iCloud backup includes the data you wish to restore.
- Check backup compatibility. Restoring your iPhone from an iPad backup can lead to compatibility issues or corrupted data.
- Check device storage space. If the backup exceeds your device's available storage, some data might not be restored properly.
- Check iOS software version. Some files in the backup might not be compatible with the current version of your iOS or software.
Important note: Restoring a backup from iCloud will erase all existing data and settings on your current iPhone. All new data and changes added after that backup will be lost permanently.
4. How can I recover my iPhone data if I don't have a backup?
It's possible to recover your data without a backup using third-party applications. Reliable tools like iOS Data Recovery allow users to scan and recover files previously stored in their iPhone's internal storage, even if they have been permanently deleted or accidentally removed.
