How to Restore iPhone from Backup: Step-by-Step Guide

Why Do You Need to Back Up Your iPhone?

Backing up your iPhone regularly is crucial for data security. Whether your phone is lost, damaged, or undergoing a factory reset, your backup will protect and preserve your data. A backup saves your contacts, settings, app data, messages, photos, videos, and much more.

Additionally, a backup allows you to easily transfer data from your old device to a new one. This means you can restore everything you need onto a new iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

How to Back Up Your iPhone

Before you restore your iPhone from a backup, you first need to create a backup. Here’s how to do it:

Backing up your iPhone to iCloud:

1. Connect your device to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
3. Tap iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.
4. Keep your device connected to Wi-Fi until the backup is completed.

If you encounter an issue with insufficient iCloud storage, you can purchase more storage space directly from the iCloud settings.

Backing up your iPhone on a Computer:

• For macOS Mojave 10.14 or earlier, or on a PC:

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
  3. Click on the iPhone icon in iTunes.
  4. Under the Summary tab, click Back Up Now.

• For macOS Catalina 10.15 or later:

  1. Open Finder.
  2. Connect your device to your computer.
  3. Click on your device in Locations.
  4. Under the General tab, select Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac, then click Back Up Now.

Now that you’ve backed up your iPhone, let’s dive into how to restore your iPhone from that backup.

Quick Summary: How To Restore iPhone from Backup

Method	Steps	Requirements	Recovery Type
iCloud Backup	1. Set up iPhone > 2. Tap Restore from iCloud > 3. Sign in with Apple ID > 4. Choose backup	Wi-Fi, Apple ID	Restores apps, data, settings, etc.
iTunes/Finder Backup	1. Open iTunes/Finder > 2. Connect iPhone > 3. Click Restore Backup > 4. Select Backup	Mac/PC, USB Cable	Restores apps, messages, contacts, etc.

How to Restore iPhone from Backup

There are two main ways to restore your iPhone from a backup: iCloud and a computer. Below, we explain both methods.

How to Restore from iCloud Backup on iPhone

1. Start Setting Up Your Device
   After you reset your iPhone or get a new one, begin the setup process. Continue until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
2. Tap ‘Restore from iCloud Backup’
   On the Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
   Sign in with your Apple ID to access your iCloud backups.
3. Choose Your Backup
   You’ll see a list of available backups, including their date and size. Select the one you want to restore from.
4. Sign In to iCloud
   When prompted, sign in with your Apple ID to restore apps and purchases linked to your account.
5. Complete the Setup
   Once the restore process finishes, your apps, contacts, and other data will start appearing on your iPhone.

How to Restore iPhone from Backup Without Erasing (Via Computer)

Restoring from iTunes (macOS Mojave or PC)

1. Open iTunes and connect your iPhone to your computer.
2. Click on the iPhone icon and go to the Summary tab.
3. Click Restore Backup, select your desired backup, and click Restore.

Restoring from Finder (macOS Catalina or later)

1. Open Finder and connect your iPhone.
2. Click on your device in Locations.
3. Under the General tab, click Restore Backup.
4. Select your backup and click Restore.

Your device will restart, and you can wait for it to sync with the backup from your computer.

How to View and Retrieve iPhone Backup

If you want to view or retrieve your iPhone backup without restoring it directly to the device, you can do so using third-party tools or by accessing iCloud through the web.

1. View iPhone Backup on Computer
   For iTunes backups, open Finder (on macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (on older macOS or PC). You can see the list of backups stored on your computer, but you can’t directly view the data unless you restore it.
2. Access iCloud Backup on iCloud.com
   Visit iCloud.com to view your photos, contacts, and other synced data. However, iCloud backups themselves are not fully accessible without restoring them to an iPhone.

By following these steps, you can easily restore your iPhone from a backup, ensuring that your valuable information is never lost. Whether using iCloud or a computer, restoring from a backup is a simple yet powerful way to recover your data.

ALSO READ: Step-by-Step Guide: Connect External Storage To Your iPhone