How to Restore Your iPhone from an iCloud Backup

What To Know

  • You can use an iCloud backup to set up a new iPhone or iPad with the same data and settings as your old device.
  • For an iPhone you're still using, restore from an iCloud backup to retrieve lost data or get rid of glitches.

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

We'll show you how to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup, whether you've just bought a new iPhone, are leaving the Apple Beta Software Program, or are trying to fix a software glitch or bug.

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How to Restore Your Last iCloud Backup on a New iPhone or iPad

Apple makes it easy to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup, especially if you’re restoring a brand-new iPhone. But before you erase your old iPhone, you’ll need to create an iCloud backup so all your data is safe and sound. Now, here's how to restore your new iPhone or iPad from an iCloud backup.

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  1. Power up the new iPhone or iPad.
  2. You'll see a Hello screen; follow the on-screen directions.
  3. When the iPhone screen comes up asking how you’d like to set up the device, select Restore from iCloud Backup.

    restore icloud backup on new iphone
  4. You’ll be prompted to enter your Apple ID email and password.
  5. You’ll then see a list of your most recent backups. Choose the most recent and tap Restore. If asked, update iOS or iPadOS
  6. Sign in with your Apple ID to restore purchases and apps. If you've used multiple Apple IDs for purchases, you'll need to sign in to each account.
  7. Keep your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi, and wait for the progress bar to complete. 

Now your new iPhone or iPad should have all the data and settings from your previous iCloud backup. For more great ways to save your data, check out our free Tip of the Day!

How to Restore an iCloud Backup after Setup

Have an iPhone or iPad you need to restore from an iCloud backup after setup? This could be because of a glitch, because you want to leave Apple's beta program, or another issue. Here's how to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup in Settings.

  1. Open the Settings app to restore the iCloud backup.

    open your iphone or ipad settings app
  2. First, make sure the iOS is up to date. To do this, tap General.

    tap general in iphone and ipad settings
  3. Tap Software Update.

  4. Now you need to create a backup to iCloud so you have the most recent version to restore your iPhone with. To do this, tap the banner with your name on the main Settings page and choose iCloud.

    tap icloud in iphone or ipad settings
  5. Tap iCloud Backup. Make sure your iPhone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.

    tap icloud backup and make sure your iphone is plugged in and connected to wifi
  6. Select Back Up Now. If your apps aren't backed up, follow the on-screen directions on your iPhone or iPad to back up app data.

    tap back up now to backup to icloud
  7. After the backup is done, you can reset your iPhone to factory settings. You’ll need to do this in order to restore your iPhone from the iCloud backup you just made. To reset your iPhone to factory settings, open the Settings app again, and tap General.
  8. Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone at the very bottom.

    tap transfer or reset iphone to restore icloud backup
  9. Select Erase All Content and Settings.

    tap erase all content and settings to wipe iphone
  10. Tap Continue and enter your passcode to confirm erasing all content and settings.
  11. From here, your iPhone will begin as though it’s a new device. You can tap Set Up Manually, tap Restore from iCloud Backup, and follow the on-screen directions.
  12. From the list of iCloud backups, choose the most recent backup (the one you just made). Tap Restore.
  13. The iPhone will restore your iCloud backup to your new iPhone. Enter any passwords it asks for.

FAQ

  • Can I restore an iCloud backup to a new iPhone?
    Yes, and when you restore an iCloud backup from your old iPad to your new iPad, or your old iPhone to your new iPhone, all your data and settings will be saved and transferred.
  • Can I restore from an iCloud backup after setup?
    Yes, you can restore your iPhone or iPad from an iCloud backup any time it's necessary.
  • How can I restore my iCloud backup faster?
    Check to make sure you have a reliable, fast Wi-Fi connection, and that you don't have too many large files, data-heavy apps, or photos and videos.

Congratulations! You've restored your iPhone from an iCloud backup. Next, learn why an iPhone takes so long to restore. You can also learn how to encrypt your iPhone backup, and if you have backed up your iPhone using iTunes, you can learn how to restore your iPhone from an iTunes backup.

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Author Details

Conner Carey's picture

Author Details

Conner Carey

Conner Carey's writing can be found at conpoet.com. She is currently writing a book, creating lots of content, and writing poetry via @conpoet on Instagram. She lives in an RV full-time with her mom, Jan and dog, Jodi as they slow-travel around the country.