How to restore an iPhone from backup

Fact Checked

Restoring an iPhone means you don’t lose access to your photos or important information if you choose to replace your device. In this Canstar Blue article, we explore how to restore an iPhone from backup.

How to restore an iPhone from backup

If you’ve previously backed up your iPhone to iCloud, you can use this method to restore your data. We’re assuming you already have an iCloud backup.

Before using either method, you’ll need to factory reset your phone. If you have a new iPhone, this step isn’t necessary.

If you have an iCloud backup, you can directly restore your iPhone from the last backup. Here’s how:

1. Turn on your iPhone.
2. Tap ‘Set Up Manually’, then tap ‘Restore from iCloud Backup’. Follow the onscreen prompts.
3. Choose a backup from the provided list. The backup will begin after you make your selection.
4. Enter your Apple ID to restore purchases.
5. Wait for the progress bar to appear and conclude. This step can take anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours. To ensure progress, you’ll need to stay connected to a WiFi network.
6. Your set-up should now be complete. Over the next few hours or days, your phone’s content will continue to restore.

How many backups does iCloud store?

While iCloud will store your most recent backup, typically it will only store up to three backups. This means you may be able to restore an older backup, although this may be dependent on your phone model and iOS version.

Compare iPhone plans

How to restore an iPhone backup from a computer

1. Using USB, connect a ‘clean’ iPhone to the computer containing your backup.
2. Depending on your computer, do the following:
   1. On a Mac (macOS 10.15 or later): In the Finder sidebar, select your iPhone, click ‘Trust’ > ‘Restore from this backup’.
   2. On a Mac (macOS 10.14 or earlier) or a Windows PC: Open the iTunes app, click the button resembling an iPhone near the top left of the iTunes window > ‘Summary’ > ‘Restore Backup’.
3. Select your backup from the list and click continue.
4. If prompted, enter your password.

How to restore an iPhone backup via iTunes

1. Click on your iPhone’s settings and turn off ‘Find my iPhone’.
2. Connect your ‘clean’ iPhone to the computer via a USB or USB-C cable or WiFi syncing.
3. Click ‘Restore Backup’ on your iPhone.
4. Select the desired backup.
5. Hit Restore and wait.
6. If prompted, enter your password.

Alternatively, you can restore it from within the iTunes program.

1. Click on your iPhone’s settings and turn off ‘Find my iPhone’.
2. Connect your ‘clean’ iPhone to the computer via a USB or USB-C cable or WiFi syncing.
3. In the iTunes app, click the iPhone button located in the top left of the toolbar.
4. Select ‘Summary’ and click ‘Restore Backup’.
5. If prompted, enter your password.

Why won’t my iPhone restore a backup?

There are a few reasons why your iPhone might not restore a backup. The most common issue is not being connected to a WiFi network, or the WiFi network you’re using is too weak. Additionally, make sure your device and iOS system are updated to the latest version. 

If that doesn’t work, try restarting your phone and attempting the restore again. If the problem continues, contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Can I recover my photos without a backup?

As the term ‘backup’ suggests, it’s a safeguard in case you accidentally delete photos on your iPhone or encounter technical issues with the phone. If you haven’t backed up your photos and then experience problems with your phone, there’s a good chance your photos could be lost for good. 

There are third-party apps and software that claim to recover deleted files from your cloud or computer, but you’ll need to research these options carefully as they may cause more problems than they solve.

Therefore, it’s generally recommended to regularly back up your data. You can do this manually at regular intervals or set up automatic backups through your iCloud account.