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How to restore an iPhone from an iCloud backup
In This Article
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone or reset your iPhone to factory settings, the big question now is, how do you restore your iPhone?
When we say ‘restore your iPhone’, we mean returning your blank slate device to full working order, with all of your apps, accounts, layouts, and data loaded up.
It can be pretty laborious setting up a phone from fresh, but thankfully Apple provides a one-stop means for restoring an iPhone from a previous backup. Here’s how it’s done.
NOTE: This method assumes that you’ve backed up a previous iPhone using iCloud. This should be active by default, but here’sHow to back up an iPhoneif you want to make sure.
What we used
The Short Version
Step1
Turn on your iPhone
Turn on your new or wiped iPhone. You should be greeted by the Hello screen. If not, your iPhone has already been set-up, and you should follow our advice onHow to reset an iPhone.
Step2
Initial set-up
Swipe up to start the set-up process and select your language and country or region. On the ensuing Quick Start screen, tap Set Up Manually.You’ll now be guided through the process of selecting a Wi-Fi network and inputting a password. Insert these and press Next, then wait for the initial set-up phase to complete.Continue on to the Data & Privacy screen, then click Continue and Set up Face ID, followed by adding a passcode.
Step3
Restore your iPhone
Now you’re at the crucial point for restoring your iPhone – the Apps & Data screen. Tap the Restore from iCloud Backup option at the top.Sign in to iCloud using your Apple ID when prompted, authenticate if asked, agree to any Terms & Conditions, and finally wait while your Apple ID is set up.
Step4
Choose your backup
Select your backup from the next screen, ideally the Latest Backup. The ensuing Make This Your New iPhone screen shows you how your backup had things set up (apps & data, Settings etc). Hit Continue.
Step5
Set up wallet
At this point you’ll need to select any of the Previous Cards that you had set-up in Apple Wallet. Select or de-select the ones you want to keep or discard, then authenticate using their security numbers when asked.
Step6
Finish the Restore process
Finally, on the iPhone Analytics, opt whether you want to share data with Apple for analytical purposes or not. Now wait for Restore from iCloud to finish.Eventually, your iPhone will reboot. When it does, your home screen will be restored. Now you must wait for all of your apps and content to install.
FAQs
Yes, just connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable, open Finder or iTunes, select your device, and select Restore Backup.
Yes, just follow ourHow to transfer data from iPhone to iPhoneguide.
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Jon is a seasoned freelance writer who started covering games and apps in 2007 before expanding into smartphones and consumer tech, dabbling in lifestyle and media coverage along the way. Besides bein…
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Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
