How to Restore Your iPhone from an iCloud Backup

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This article will tell you how to restore your iPhone from a previous iCloud backup. There are multiple reasons you might need to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup. The most common reason being you’ve just bought a new iPhone. Remember that before you erase your iPhone, you’ll need to create an iCloud backup so all your data is safe and sound. Whether you’re restoring your iPhone from an iCloud backup after buying a new iPhone, after leaving the Apple Beta Software Program, or for any of the other many reasons you might want to restore your iPhone from iCloud—we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup.

Overall, Apple makes it easy to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup—especially if you’re restoring on a brand new iPhone. If you’re restoring an iCloud backup to an iPhone you’re already using, you’ll end up having to erase all your content and settings before doing so. We’ll cover all the details for restoring your iPhone from an iCloud backup below. 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.

How to Restore Your Last iCloud Backup on a New Phone

1. Power up the new iPhone.
2. 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.
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.
6. The iPhone will then begin to restore all your backup information to your new iPhone. Enter any passwords it asks you for.

How to Restore an iCloud Backup on an Already Set Up Device

1. Open your Settings app.
2. First, you’ll want to make sure the iOS is up to date. To do this, tap General and select Software Update.
   
   
    
3. 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 your name on the main Settings page and choose iCloud.
4. Tap iCloud Backup. Make sure your iPhone is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
   
   
   
    
5. Select Back Up Now.
   
   
    
6. After that, 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, choose General in the Settings app.
7. Tap Reset at the very bottom. Select Erase All Content and Settings.
   
   
    
8. From here, your iPhone will begin as though it’s a new device. You’ll have to follow the on-screen directions until you come to the Apps & Data page with multiple options. On that page, you’ll choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
9. From the list of iCloud backups, choose the most recent backup (the one you just made). Tap Restore.
10. The iPhone will restore your iCloud backup to your new iPhone. Enter any passwords it asks for.

Congratulations! You've restored your iPhone from an iCloud backup. Next, learn why an iPhone takes so long to restore.