iCloud backups allow iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users to securely store device data like photos, messages, documents, and more in the cloud. An iCloud backup includes nearly all data and settings stored on your device. With an iCloud backup, you can recover lost or corrupted data, transfer information when upgrading to a new device, or restore data after resetting or replacing your device.
What types of data can be restored from an iCloud backup?
An iCloud backup contains many different types of data from your iOS device. Here are some of the main categories of data that can be restored:
Photos and videos
The photos and videos you take with your device camera, as well as any photos/videos synced from your computer, are stored in iCloud backups. So you can recover lost or deleted photos/videos through an iCloud restore.
Messages
All your iMessages, SMS and MMS messages, attachments, and conversation histories can be restored from an iCloud backup. However, end-to-end encrypted messages cannot be included in the backup.
Device settings
General settings like display brightness, wallpaper, language and region preferences, keyboard settings, and more are saved in an iCloud backup. This allows you to quickly get your device back to your customized settings.
App data
Data stored by apps on your device, like preferences, scores, and game progress, can often be restored from iCloud. However, some apps do not save data to iCloud backups.
Home screen layout
The organization of your home screen, including app placement, folders, and pages, is saved in an iCloud backup. So you can easily get your customized home screen layout back.
Documents
Files stored in popular document apps like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and Notes are backed up to iCloud. So you can recover lost documents and notes.
Contacts
Your contacts list is stored in an iCloud backup, so you can restore all your contacts after resetting your device.
Calendars
Calendars created on your device and calendar events are backed up to iCloud and can be restored.
Health data
Health app data, like step counts and exercise metrics, can be restored from an iCloud backup so your health history is maintained.
Keychain passwords
Passwords you save to your iCloud Keychain are included in iCloud backups, so you don’t have to re-enter passwords after restoring your device.
Apple Watch backups
Your Apple Watch data and settings are backed up to iCloud when paired with an iPhone. This data can be restored to set up a new Apple Watch or recover data.
What data is NOT included in an iCloud backup?
While iCloud backups contain a wide variety of data, there are some items that are not included in a backup:
Music, movies, TV shows
Media purchased through iTunes or synced from your computer is not stored in iCloud backups. Use iTunes or the Apple TV app to redownload this content if needed.
Books
Books synced to your device from your computer or purchased from Apple Books are not backed up to iCloud.
Face ID/Touch ID settings
For security reasons, Face ID or Touch ID settings, fingerprints, and face scans are not included in iCloud backups.
Call history
Your call history is not backed up to iCloud and cannot be transferred to a new iPhone.
Passcode
Your device passcode is not saved in an iCloud backup. You’ll need to set a new passcode when restoring your device.
Siri information
Personal data used by Siri, like contacts you’ve asked Siri about, is not included in iCloud backups.
Email account passwords
The passwords for your email accounts are not saved in an iCloud backup for security reasons.
How to restore from an iCloud backup
Restoring your iOS device data from an iCloud backup is easy to do. Just follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
- Tap Manage Storage > Backups.
- Tap on your device name to choose the desired backup.
- Tap Restore to confirm.
Your iOS device will reboot to a “Hello” screen and restore from the iCloud backup. A Wi-Fi connection is required to restore from iCloud. The process may take some time depending on the amount of data in the backup.
What happens when you restore from iCloud?
When you use an iCloud backup to restore your iOS device, here’s exactly what happens:
Device is wiped
First, your device will be erased and reset to factory settings. This wipes all current data/settings off your device.
Backup downloads
Your iCloud backup will then begin downloading from Apple’s servers onto your device. A Wi-Fi connection is required for this step.
Data is restored
Once the backup finishes downloading, your device will restore all the data from the backup. Things like your photos, messages, documents, app data, and device settings will be applied.
Latest iOS version installed
Your device will be updated to the latest version of iOS currently being signed by Apple. You cannot restore to older iOS versions.
Important things to know about iCloud restore
Here are some key facts to understand about restoring from an iCloud backup:
Only one backup available
You can only restore from the most recent iCloud backup. Older backups are not available. Use iTunes to save multiple backups.
Backups encrypted
iCloud backups are encrypted end-to-end for maximum security. Only you can access the backup data.
Backup merges with local data
If you restore while keeping some data on your device, the iCloud backup will merge with your local data.
Music/movies not transferred
Media like music, movies, and books do not get transferred. You’ll need to redownload this content.
Only restores to same device type
You can only restore an iPhone backup to another iPhone, an iPad backup to another iPad, etc. Backups are device-specific.
Can’t downgrade iOS
You cannot restore to older iOS versions using an iCloud backup. Your device will be updated to the newest iOS.
How iCloud backup compares to iTunes backup
iCloud and iTunes offer different ways to back up and restore iOS devices. Here’s a comparison between iCloud vs. iTunes backups:
| iCloud Backup | iTunes Backup | |
|---|---|---|
| Storage location | Online iCloud servers | Local computer storage |
| Number of backups stored | Just the latest | Multiple backups |
| Media backup | Not included | Includes music, movies, etc. |
| Encryption | End-to-end encrypted | Not encrypted by default |
| iOS version control | Always updates iOS | Can restore to same iOS version |
As seen in the table, iCloud backups provide an encrypted, convenient way to backup your iOS device online. iTunes backups offer more flexibility for power users, like storing multiple backups and downgrading iOS versions.
How to downgrade/restore to older iOS versions
If you need to restore your device to a previous iOS version that is no longer being signed by Apple, you have a couple options:
1. Use iTunes to restore an old backup
Connect your device to a computer with iTunes > Select your device > Backups > Choose backup. This will wipe your device and install the iOS version associated with that backup.
2. Use third-party tools to downgrade
Tools like FutureRestore and iMazing allow you to force your device to downgrade to older iOS versions no longer signed by Apple. This is an advanced process with risks.
Recovering lost or corrupted data from iCloud
If you need to recover specific data that is missing or corrupt in your iCloud backup, there are a few options:
Retrieve from another device
If the data still exists on another one of your devices, you may be able to transfer it across devices or to iCloud.
Use iPhone data recovery software
Advanced recovery tools like PhoneRescue can scan your device and backups for missing data.
Contact Apple Support
Apple may be able to assist with finding and restoring lost data from your iCloud account.
Troubleshooting iCloud restore problems
In some cases, you may encounter issues while trying to restore from iCloud. Here are some common problems and fixes:
Backup won’t download – Verify internet connection
Ensure you have a stable Wi-Fi connection to download the iCloud backup. Alternatively, you can use iTunes to restore.
Insufficient storage – Delete content to make space
You may need to offload photos or apps to create sufficient storage for the restore process.
Endless spinning wheel – Hard reset device
If your device gets stuck displaying a spinning wheel, force restart your device by pressing Volume Up, Volume Down, then holding Power until you see the Apple logo.
Incorrect Apple ID – Sign in with correct account
Double check that you are signed in to iCloud using the Apple ID associated with your backup. Sign out and back in if needed.
Failed or incomplete restore – Try again
Network errors can disrupt the restore process. Try rebooting your device and starting the iCloud restore again.
Best practices when using iCloud Restore
Follow these tips for smooth iCloud restore operations and optimal recovery of your data:
Back up iOS devices regularly
Consistently backing up your iPhone or iPad to iCloud ensures your latest data is saved in case you need to restore.
Use a trusted Wi-Fi connection
For successful backup downloads and restores, connect your device to a stable, high-speed Wi-Fi network you know and trust.
Delete unused apps & media
Offload unused apps, photos, and videos to make space for iCloud backups. Large backups may fail to complete downloading.
Update to latest iOS version
Make sure to update your device to the newest iOS version so all data is compatible when restoring.
Encrypt iPhone for added security
Turn on iPhone encryption in your settings to secure backups with end-to-end encryption.
Conclusion
iCloud backup provides iOS users with an easy way to preserve their valuable device data safely online. A wide variety of content like photos, messages, documents, and app data can typically be recovered with an iCloud restore. Just be aware that media, passwords, and some other data is not included. Overall, iCloud backup combined with occasional computer backups provides a solid data protection strategy for your iPhone or iPad.