Restore iPhone from iCloud

You can restore your iPhone directly from iCloud without ever having to plug it in to iTunes! Unfortunately, you'll need to completely erase all of your iPhone's data and settings--a time-consuming procedure--and then restore from a previous iCloud backup.

Steps

Erasing Your iPhone

  1. Consider backing up your iPhone to iCloud before continuing. Since you'll be erasing your iPhone's contents and then retrieving the most recent record of your iPhone's data, backing it up before erasing will ensure that your data is as up to date as possible when you restore it. After you complete this process, you can proceed with erasing your iPhone.[1]
  2. Make sure your software is up to date. You won't be able to restore from iCloud if you aren't running the latest version of iOS. To check for an update:
    • Tap your Settings app to open it.
    • Tap the "General" tab.
    • Tap the "Software Update" option.
    • Tap "Download and Install" if there is an update available.
  3. Return to the "General" tab. If you had to update, you'll need to tap the Settings app again to re-open Settings.[2]
  4. Tap the "Reset" option. This will be at the bottom of the General menu.
  5. Tap "Erase all content and settings". If your iPhone has a passcode, you'll need to enter it to continue.
  6. Tap "Erase iPhone". This is at the bottom of the screen; tapping it will begin the erase process.
  7. Wait for your iPhone to finish resetting. This may take several minute; once it's done, you can begin restoring your iPhone.

Restoring Your iPhone

  1. Swipe the "Slide to unlock" text on your phone's screen to unlock it. This will begin the setup process.
  2. Tap your preferred language on the next screen. This will set your phone's default language.
  3. Tap your preferred region. This will be on the "Select Your Country or Region" screen; doing so sets your phone's default location.
  4. Choose a wifi network to connect to. You can also skip this step.
  5. Enter your Apple ID and password on the "Activation Lock" screen. These credentials must be the same ones you used to set up your iPhone.
    • You'll have to tap "Next" to continue.
    • If you've changed your Apple ID password since setting up your iPhone, use that password instead.
  6. Choose to enable or disable location services. If you aren't sure of which one to choose, tap "Disable location services" at the bottom of your screen.[3]
  7. Enter a passcode of your choosing, then enter it again to confirm. You can also do this later if you wish.
  8. Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup" on the "Apps and Data" screen. This will begin the restoration process.
  9. Enter your Apple ID and password again. This is to check for iCloud backup files.
  10. Tap "Agree" to continue. This is in the lower right corner of your screen; tapping "Agree" will prompt you to select an iCloud backup date.
  11. Tap your preferred iCloud backup date to begin the backup process. Please note that a restoration from iCloud will take several minutes.
  12. Wait for your iPhone to finish restoring. This may take several minutes.
  13. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. This will restore your phone and its data. Please note that you will need to wait an additional amount of time to let your phone's apps update and resume their pre-erase status.

Tips

  • If you don't have enough space to backup to iCloud, you can always backup to--and restore from--iTunes.
  • You can also erase your iPhone from the iCloud website if you would prefer to do it remotely.

Warnings

  • If you don't have enough space in iCloud for a backup, you'll have to purchase more storage first.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203977
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/kb/ph12521?locale=en_US
  3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202033

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