Your data is safe: How to restore iPhone from backup

iPhones are brilliant little machines that can do it all, from snapping precious memories to storying important documents. But in the event of a data transfer gone wrong or an accidental deletion, all of those special things locked away in that small device disappear. Before you hit the panic button, there’s a way to restore your iPhone from backup in just minutes. 

You can trust me when I say it’s that easy because I’ve been where you are now! Losing iPhone data can happen to anyone, even those experienced in tech. So, keep reading to find out how to restore the iPhone from backup without erasing anything in return.

Why backups matter

Think of those long documents you summarized and made notes from for an upcoming presentation or app data-holding coursework. Can you imagine losing them? Unfortunately, losing iPhone data is a reality, but if you back it up, it’s not really gone. 

Backups are the main way to protect your data from loss, and Apple offers two ways to do it: through iCloud or through a Mac. Mastering which backup method works best for you will save you time and avoid problems when restoring.

If you’re not sure whether your iPhone is backed up:

1. Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.
2. Click iCloud Backup.
3. Check the last successful backup date.

How to restore your iPhone’s iCloud backup

Many people look for ways how to restore an iPhone from backup after setup or swap devices, particularly using an iCloud backup. I’ll show the best solutions for doing this without hassle or hard resetting an iPhone.

How to restore a new iPhone from iCloud backup 

When done right, opting to restore an iPhone from iCloud is like taking the brain from your old iPhone and putting it into a shiny new body. 

Here’s how to restore iCloud backup on iPhone: 

1. Turn on your new iPhone and get to the Apps & Data screen.
2. Choose From iCloud Backup.
3. Log in with your Apple ID.
4. Choose the recent backup.
5. Stay connected to Wi-Fi until the process is complete. This ensures all apps and files download correctly.

How to restore a new iPhone from iCloud after setting it up

If you have already set up your iPhone without restoring a backup, don’t worry — you can still retrieve it through the power of iCloud. This method is straightforward and doesn’t require you to erase your device. iCloud stores your data in Apple’s cloud servers, making it accessible from any device at any time; all you need is an internet connection. 

Here's how to restore iPhone from backup after setup:

1. Erase your iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
2. Confirm your choice and let the phone restart.
3. During the setup process, choose Restore from iCloud Backup. 
4. Login in with your Apple ID. 
5. Choose the recent backup. 
6. Keep your iPhone connected to the internet until the process is complete. 

Bad news: This method will erase everything on your device. If you want to restore iPhone from backup without erasing, it’s time to think about using third-party software that lets you select what data in particular you want to recover. Tools like these offer a 100% safe, easy way to save storage and time. 

How to restore iPhone from backup without erasing

Not everyone wants to wipe their phone to access a backup. Fortunately, apps like AnyTrans for iOS can restore specific data from iCloud or local backups without resetting your phone.

AnyTrans for iOS is a great way to access an array of features that bypass the capabilities of other iPhone data management apps. The app’s interface is very easy to use, so anyone with an iPhone, regardless of their background in technology, can start the process.

Because you can use AnyTrans for iOS for direct transfers between two iPhones, this method is perfect for those looking to upgrade a device without the extra steps of backing up and restoring from iCloud. To ensure you never lose data again, take advantage of the app’s manager to back up your iPhone to your Mac and store backups locally or on a drive.

How to restore an iPhone from backup without erasing it using AnyTrans for iOS:

1. Install and opne AnyTrans for iOS.
2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a Lightning cable.
3. Go to the Backup Manager tab.
4. Click Restore under Restore Backup > Choose the backup you want to restore and preview its contents.
5. Select specific files or apps to restore without overwriting existing data.

How to restore an iPhone from a backup with a Mac

For some going through an iPhone data restoration project, it’s best to bring in a Mac. If you have a Mac on hand, you may find this method easiest as its extra power ensures the data transfer runs as smoothly as possible, especially if you have a lot of data to get through. 

How to restore iPhone from a backup using a Mac: 

You can restore an iPhone directly via Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (older macOS versions). I recommend you backup your iPhone to Mac; it’s best for keeping your data completely secure. 

macOS Catalina and later: 

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a cable. 
2. Open Finder > Locations, and select your device in the sidebar. 
3. Select your iPhone. 
4. Under the General tab, go to the Backups section. 
5. Click Restore Backup, choose the backup you want from the list, and follow the prompts. Don’t disconnect your device until the process is complete. 

macOS Mojave and Earlier: 

1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using a cable. 
2. Open iTunes and look for the iPhone icon at the top left corner. 
3. Select the device. 
4. Click on Restore Backup, choose the backup file, and follow the prompts. 

Should you choose iCloud storage or local backup?

Wondering whether to restore an iPhone from iCloud or through your Mac? Here's a quick breakdown:

When something goes wrong

Sometimes, restoring a backup doesn’t go as planned. Common issues include:

• Incomplete backups: Ensure the backup you’re restoring is complete and contains the data you need.
• Device compatibility issues: Backups from newer iOS versions may not work on devices running older software.
• Storage limitations: Ensure your iPhone has enough space to restore the backup.

Even if you follow all the right steps on how to restore iPhone from backup after setup, technology can be unpredictable. I was a recent victim of the dreaded iPhone data loss in the midst of a simple data transfer. One slip of the finger and I lost my progress, so I had to find a plan B, and quick! 

Tools like Disk Drill can help recover lost data if you lose important files during restoration. It took a few frogs until I found my prince, but once Disk Drill was installed, it instantly clicked. There was no complex walkthrough to wade through; it was completely intuitive. This was a huge relief as data recovery often takes a while, but with Disk Drill, it only takes a few clicks. 

How to restore iPhone from backup using Disk Drill:

1. Install and open Disk Drill.
2. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a cable.
3. In the iPhone & iPads tab, choose your device.
4. Click Search for lost data.

Restore iPhone from backup with ease

Restoring your iPhone from a backup is pretty easy. Whether through iCloud, a local backup, or special tools like AnyTrans for iOS or Disk Drill to keep your device safe, there's always an option in your favor. Managing backups is easy with the apps mentioned in this article, or you can delve into 250+ more apps that optimize technology instead of bloating it with Setapp’s 7-day free trial.