Restore your iOS device

Restore your iOS device from iCloud

When you set up a new iOS device or need to restore information on one you already have, your iCloud backup makes it easy.

Restore from an iCloud backup

  1. On your iOS device, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If a newer version of iOS is available, follow the onscreen instructions to download and install it.

    You must update your device to the latest version of iOS to make sure you can restore from a recent backup of another device, such as a lost or broken device.

  2. Make sure you have a recent backup to restore from.

    Go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup, then look at the bottom of the screen for the message Last Backup, followed by the date of the latest backup.

    For information about backing up manually now, see Back up your iOS device to iCloud. If you don’t see a backup you expected to be there, see the Apple Support article iCloud: Troubleshooting restoring an iCloud backup.

  3. Go to Settings > General > Reset, then tap “Erase all content and settings.”

  4. In the Setup Assistant, proceed to “Set up your device,” tap Restore from a Backup, then sign in to iCloud.

  5. Proceed to “Choose backup,” then choose from a list of available backups in iCloud.

Set up a new device from an iCloud backup

  1. Turn on your iOS device.

  2. In the Setup Assistant, proceed to “Set up your device,” tap Restore from a Backup, then sign in to iCloud.

  3. Proceed to “Choose backup,” then choose from a list of available backups in iCloud.

After using an iCloud backup to restore or set up a device:

  • Your settings and accounts are restored from the iCloud backup you chose. Your device restarts and begins downloading your purchased music, movies, TV shows, apps, books, Camera Roll, and other content. If your device can’t download the version of an app that was backed up, it downloads the latest version.

    Your purchased content is automatically downloaded from the iTunes Store, App Store, or iBooks Store based on iTunes in the Cloud availability by country. Previous purchases may be unavailable if they have been refunded or are no longer available in the store.

  • You may be asked to enter passwords for iTunes, App Store, and iBooks Store accounts to restore purchased items.

  • Progress bars appear below Home screen icons for apps being downloaded.

    To make an app a priority for downloading, tap its icon.

To check if the information on your device is fully restored, go to Settings > iCloud > Storage & Backup.

If you subscribe to iTunes Match, you can download your songs, albums, and playlists from iCloud after other information on your device is fully restored.

For information about messages that may appear while restoring information from an iCloud backup, see the Apple Support article iCloud: Troubleshooting restoring an iCloud backup.

Note: You can restore information on your iOS device from an iTunes backup instead of an iCloud backup. For information, see the iTunes Help topic Back up your iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad.