Having a locked iPhone can be very frustrating, especially if you don’t remember the passcode. Fortunately, there is a way to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup, even if it’s currently locked. This allows you to access your iPhone again while keeping your data safe.
What does it mean to restore an iPhone from iCloud?
Restoring an iPhone from iCloud means you will erase all content and settings on your iPhone and restore it to a previous backup state that exists in iCloud. This can help bypass a forgotten passcode and get you back into your iPhone.
When you restore from an iCloud backup, you will get back your apps, data, settings, and other information that was saved to iCloud from that backup. It essentially gives you a fresh start with your iPhone’s software, like it’s newly set up, while retaining your data.
Requirements for restoring an iPhone from iCloud
To successfully restore a locked iPhone from iCloud, you’ll need:
- A WiFi or cellular data connection on the locked iPhone
- Your Apple ID and password that was used to set up iCloud on the device
- iCloud backups enabled and a recent backup available from the locked iPhone
- Access to a computer with iTunes (Windows or Mac)
As long as you meet these requirements, you can use iTunes on a computer to erase your locked iPhone and restore an iCloud backup.
How to restore an iPhone from iCloud backup
Follow these steps to restore your locked iPhone from iCloud:
- Connect your locked iPhone to a computer with a USB cable. Open iTunes if it doesn’t automatically launch.
- In iTunes, select your connected iPhone by clicking the iPhone icon in the top left.
- In the Summary page, find the Backups section and select “This computer” from the menu. This ensures the backup restores from iCloud rather than the computer.
- Click Restore iPhone. This will erase your iPhone data and install the latest iOS software.
- On the next screen, click Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in with your Apple ID and password when prompted.
- In the list of iCloud backups, choose the most relevant backup you want to restore from. Click Restore.
- Wait for the restore process to complete. Your iPhone will reboot a few times. When finished, it will be unlocked and restored from your iCloud backup.
- You can now set up and use your iPhone again, even without knowing the previous passcode.
What gets restored from iCloud?
When you restore an iPhone from iCloud, here are some of the main things that get reloaded from the backup:
- Contacts, calendars, notes, and other data synced across iCloud
- Text/iMessages, call history, voicemails
- Device settings like wallpaper, alarms, notification settings
- Health and activity data
- Passwords and WiFi login information
- Apps and their data (if apps are still available in the App Store)
- Home screen and folder organization
However, some items do not get restored, like:
- Data stored solely on the device, like photos only kept locally
- Music, books, and movies need to be re-downloaded
- Logged in accounts like email accounts need to be re-entered
- Previous iOS version if a newer one is required
Restoring selectively from iCloud
When you restore an entire iPhone from iCloud, all data gets reloaded. If you only need to restore select information, you have a few options:
- Contacts: You can go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and turn on Contacts to sync your existing contacts across devices.
- Calendars: Similarly, go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and enable Calendars.
- Notes: Turn on the Notes switch in iCloud settings to sync your Notes data.
- Keychain: The iCloud Keychain option in Settings synchronizes passwords and credit card information stored in iOS.
What to do if the iPhone is still locked after restore
In some cases, restoring an iPhone from iCloud may still leave it locked afterwards if the backup was made when the device was locked. Here are some steps to try:
- First, finish going through the initial device setup after the restore to see if it becomes unlocked at the end.
- Double check that you used the correct Apple ID for the iCloud restore process.
- Make sure you selected a backup made AFTER the iPhone was last unlocked. Older backups may maintain the locked state.
- Try force restarting the device by holding the Power and Home buttons down until you see the Apple logo.
- As a last resort, you may need to repeat the restore process using a newer iCloud backup.
Restoring while maintaining iOS version
When you restore an iPhone from iCloud, it will install the latest version of iOS by default. If you need to maintain the existing iOS version for jailbreak or other purposes, follow these steps:
- Before restoring, go to Settings > General > Software Update and turn off automatic updates.
- Download the iOS IPSW file for the current iOS version from https://ipsw.me.
- Hold Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac) when clicking Restore iPhone in iTunes. Select the IPSW file when prompted.
- Continue with the iCloud restore process normally. This will install the same iOS version rather than the latest.
What to do if an iCloud backup isn’t available
If you don’t have an existing iCloud backup to restore from, you have a couple options:
- You can repeat the iCloud restore process using a backup from iTunes on your computer instead. Connect your iPhone and select a backup in iTunes.
- If no backups exist at all, you may need to either reset the iPhone to factory settings with a computer or take it to an Apple Store for further assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far back can I restore an iCloud backup?
Apple keeps iCloud backups available for about a month. So you can typically restore from any backups made within the last 30 days or so.
How long does an iCloud restore take?
If you have a strong internet connection, an iCloud restore can take between 10 minutes to an hour depending on the size of your backup. Be patient and let the process complete.
Will I lose data if I restore my iPhone from iCloud?
Restoring an iPhone from iCloud will erase all content currently on the device. However, any data backed up to iCloud will be reloaded from the backup, so your data is preserved safely this way.
Do I need to re-download apps after an iCloud restore?
Most apps should automatically reinstall from the App Store after an iCloud restore. However, some apps not available in the store anymore may need to be re-downloaded.
Can I restore if I forgot my iCloud password?
No, you must know the iCloud password associated with the account to download the backup. If forgotten, you can reset the password through Apple’s iForgot password reset process.
Summary
Restoring a locked iPhone from iCloud can be a lifesaver if you forget your passcode. By using iTunes and an available iCloud backup, you can bypass the lock screen and regain access to your iPhone data. Just be sure to have a WiFi connection, your Apple ID, and a recent iCloud backup available before getting started. With a little time and patience, you’ll have your iPhone unlocked and working again.