You can restore an iPhone from an iCloud backup or from a backup stored on a Mac or Windows PC. Restoring is most commonly done while setting up a new or freshly erased iPhone.
Restore From an iCloud Backup
- Turn on the iPhone and begin Setup Assistant. You should be at the Hello screen.
- Follow the setup steps until Transfer Your Apps & Data appears.
- Tap From iCloud Backup.
- Sign in to your Apple Account.
- Choose the backup you want. Compare the date and size before selecting it.
- Follow any update instructions if the backup requires a newer iOS version.
- Keep the iPhone connected to power and Wi-Fi while restoration continues.
Some apps and data can continue downloading after the iPhone becomes usable.
Restore From a Computer Backup
- Connect the iPhone to the Mac or Windows PC that contains the backup.
- Open Finder on Mac or Apple Devices on Windows.
- Select the iPhone.
- Choose Restore Backup.
- Select the correct backup by date.
- Enter the encrypted-backup password if required.
- Start the restore and keep the device connected until the process finishes.
If the iPhone Is Already Set Up
To use the normal full-device restore flow from an iCloud backup during setup, an already configured iPhone generally must first be erased. Verify that you have the backup you intend to use before erasing the current contents.
If a Backup Will Not Restore
Update the Mac, Windows PC, Apple Devices app, or iOS as appropriate. A corrupt, incompatible, or encrypted backup may require different troubleshooting. Never erase the only good copy of important data while trying to fix a restore problem.