How to Restore iPhone from Backup

This wikiHow teaches you how to restore your iPhone from a backup that you previously saved to iCloud or iTunes.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Using iCloud

  1. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 1
    1
    Open Settings. It's a gray app with gears (⚙️) that's typically located on your home screen.
  2. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 2
    2
    Scroll down and tap General. It's near the top of the menu, next to a gear (⚙️) icon.[1]
    Advertisement
  3. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 3
    3
    Scroll down and tap Reset. It's at the bottom of the menu.[2]
  4. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 4
    4
    Tap Erase All Content and Settings. It's near the top of the menu.[3]
  5. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 5
    5
    Enter your passcode. Enter the passcode you use to unlock your phone.
    • If prompted, enter your "Restrictions" passcode.
  6. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 6
    6
    Tap Erase iPhone. Doing so will reset all settings, as well as erase the media and data on your iPhone.[4]
  7. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 7
    7
    Follow the on-screen prompts. The setup assistant will guide you through the process.
  8. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 8
    8
    Tap Restore from iCloud Backup. It's listed near the top of the setup options.
  9. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 9
    9
    Enter your Apple ID and password. Do so in the labeled fields.
  10. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 10
    10
    Tap Next. It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. Doing so displays Apple's "Terms and Conditions."
    • Scroll down to read them.
  11. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 11
    11
    Tap Agree. It's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
  12. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 12
    12
    Tap a backup. Choose the one with the most recent date and time.
    • Your device will begin downloading the backup from iCloud. After it's restored, your settings, apps, and data will be reinstalled.
  13. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 13
    13
    Wait for your iPhone to finish restoring.
    • Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. This will restore your iPhone's settings and data.
    14. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Using iTunes

  1. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 14
    1
    Connect your iPhone to a computer. Use the cable that came with your device, plugging the USB end into the computer and the other end into your iPhone's charging port.
  2. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 15
    2
    Open iTunes.[5] Do so if it doesn't launch automatically when your device is connected.
  3. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 16
    3
    Click on your iPhone. An icon for your iPhone will appear at the top of the screen once iTunes recognizes it.
  4. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 17
    4
    Click on Restore iPhone. It's near the top of the right pane of the iTunes window.
    • If you have "Find My iPhone" enabled, iTunes will prompt you to disable it. To do so, open your iPhone's Settings, tap your Apple ID, tap iCloud, then scroll down and tap Find My iPhone near the bottom of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section. Slide "Find My iPhone" to the "Off" (white) position. If prompted, enter your iCloud password.
  5. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 18
    5
    Click on Restore and Update.
  6. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 19
    6
    Click on Next. Doing so displays Apple's "Terms & Conditions."
  7. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 20
    7
    Click on Agree. Do so to accept the terms and conditions for use of Apple's software.
    • Wait for the reset to finish.
  8. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 21
    8
    Click on the “Restore from this backup” radio button. Select the most recent backup from the dropdown menu.
  9. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 22
    9
    Click on Continue. iTunes will begin to transfer data from iTunes to your new iPhone.
    • Wait for your iPhone to restart.
  10. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 23
    10
    Slide "Slide to unlock" to the right side of your iPhone's screen.[6]
  11. Image titled Restore iPhone from Backup Step 24
    11
    Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. This restores your iPhone's settings and data.
    12. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

  • Question
    Do I need to reset my iPhone before restoring?
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Mobile Kangaroo
    Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
    Expert Answer
    Yes, reset your iPhone before you begin the restoration process. You can reset your phone under your settings.
  • Question
    If I restore my iPhone from iTunes back-up, will my photos stay on my iPhone?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you store your photos on iCloud and back them up regularly.
  • Question
    I still cannot boot up my iPad? What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Press the home and power buttons. If all else fails, the iPad is damaged. Take it to an Apple store to find out more.
Advertisement

You Might Also Like

Manually Recover Music from Your iPod
How to
Manually Recover Music from Your iPod
Restore an iPod
How to
Restore an iPod
Hard Reset an iPhone
How to
Hard Reset an iPhone
What Does Notifications Silenced MeanHow to Fix "Notifications Silenced" on iPhone Messages
Check WiFi Ghz on iPhone3 Easy Ways to Check Your WiFi GHz on an iPhone
Turn Off Location Without NotifyingTurn Off Location Sharing on an iPhone Without Anyone Knowing
Delete Wallpapers on iOS 164 Easy Steps to Delete Lock Screen Wallpapers on iOS 16
Add Money to Cash App Card in Store6 Easy Steps to Reload Your Cash App Card at the Store
Get a Still Image from a Video on iPhone or iPad2 Ways to Get a Still Image from Video on iPhone or iPad
Unforget Bluetooth Device iPhoneHow to Unforget a Forgotten Bluetooth Device to an iPhone
Make Hotspot Faster iPhone13 Easy Ways to Speed Up Your iPhone Personal Hotspot
View Downloads on an iPhone
How to
View Downloads on an iPhone
Fix Ghost Touch on iPhoneYour iPhone Ghost Touch Problems Solved: 11 Easy Fixes
Find a Lost iPhone
How to
Find a Lost iPhone
Advertisement

References

  1. ↑ Mobile Kangaroo. Computer & Phone Repair Specialists. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
  2. ↑ Mobile Kangaroo. Computer & Phone Repair Specialists. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
  3. ↑ Mobile Kangaroo. Computer & Phone Repair Specialists. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
  4. ↑ Mobile Kangaroo. Computer & Phone Repair Specialists. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
  5. ↑ Mobile Kangaroo. Computer & Phone Repair Specialists. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
  6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204184

About This Article

Mobile Kangaroo
Co-authored by:
Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists
This article was co-authored by Mobile Kangaroo. Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities. This article has been viewed 153,493 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 6
Updated: February 9, 2021
Views: 153,493
Categories: IPhone
Article SummaryX

1. Erase the contents of your iPhone.
2. Follow the on-screen setup instructions.
3. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup when prompted.
4. Sign in with your Apple ID.
5. Agree to the terms.
6. Select a backup.

Did this summary help you?
Advertisement