How to Restore from iCloud Backup (4 Easy Methods) [iPhone 17 Supported]

Part 1. What is the official method to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup?

Restoring data on your iPhone doesn't have to be complicated. Apple's official process to restore from iCloud backup is simple and user-friendly, ensuring you can quickly get your files back with minimal effort. With the new iPhone 17, Apple has made the recovery process even more seamless. Whether you're upgrading or fixing an issue, you can easily restore iPhone 17 from iCloud backup to access your photos, contacts, apps, and settings in just a few steps.

We want to restore the iCloud backup to a new iPhone or an iPhone in use, we need to make sure we have an iCloud backup file to restore. To backup iPhone to iCloud, go to iPhone Settings > Your Name > iCloud > tap on Backup Now. If you are using iOS 26 or earlier, go to Settings > Scroll down and tap on iCloud > Turn on iCloud Back and then tap on Backup Now.

Now that we are sure we have the proper iCloud backup, let's see how to restore iPhone from iCloud.

1. How to restore a new iPhone from an iCloud backup?

If you've got a brand-new iPhone and wish to transfer data from your old device, setting up the new one from an iCloud backup is simple:

• Step 1 Turn on Your Device: Turn on your new iPhone and follow the on-screen setup instructions until you reach the 'Apps & Data' screen.
• Step 2 Select "Restore from iCloud Backup": During the setup process, choose the option to restore from an iCloud backup.
• Step 3 Sign in with Your Apple ID: Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID to access your iCloud backups.
• Step 4 Choose a Backup: Select the backup you want to restore from the list, considering the date and size of each backup.
• Step 5 Wait for Restoration to Complete: Wait for the restore process to complete, keeping your device connected to Wi-Fi and a power source if necessary.

2. How to restore an iPhone in use from an iCloud backup?

For iPhones already in use, restoring from an iCloud backup means replacing current data with that from an older backup. So if you want to restore some content from iCloud backup, you need to erase your iPhone to set it up again. Follow the steps below to restore the iPhone from iCloud backup.

• Step 1: Open the Settings app and tap on your name at the top to open iCloud settings.
• Step 2: Tap 'iCloud' and then 'iCloud Backup'.
• Step 3: Switch on 'iCloud Backup' if it's not already enabled.
• Step 4: Tap 'Back Up Now' to make a new backup if needed.
• Step 5: Navigate to 'General' > 'Reset' > 'Erase All Content and Settings'.
• Step 6: Follow the setup instructions until you reach the Apps & Data screen, then choose 'Restore from iCloud Backup' and proceed with selecting the backup file.

Keep in mind that when you restore from iCloud backup, all existing data on your device will be replaced by the backup content. If your backup isn't recent, you risk losing newer files and updates. On the iPhone 17, this process works the same way—restoring ensures your data is recovered, but it's crucial to maintain the latest iCloud backup for iPhone 17 to avoid losing important information like recent photos, messages, or app data.

Part 2. How to restore from iCloud backup without resetting?

For many iPhone users, performing a full factory reset feels unnecessary—especially if you only need to recover specific data. What if you just want to restore from iCloud backup without reset to retrieve a few lost contacts, messages, or photos? Erasing your whole device just to get back a small portion of data can be frustrating. With the advanced features of the iPhone 17, you now have smarter options to selectively recover information. Instead of wiping your phone, you can restore iPhone 17 from iCloud backup selectively, keeping all your existing files intact while retrieving only what you've lost.

A leading solution for iOS data recovery is Wondershare Dr.Fone, a trusted tool that lets you quickly recover either your entire data or specific files like contacts, photos, or messages. What makes it especially useful is its ability to selectively restore from iCloud backup or iTunes, giving you full control over what to bring back. For iPhone 17 users, Wondershare Dr.Fone offers seamless compatibility, making it easy to restore iPhone 17 from iCloud backup without losing existing data.

Here's how you can use it to restore from an iCloud backup without a reset:

• Step 1: Run Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer and then select "iCloud Manage".

• Step 2: You will then be required to sign in to your iCloud account. After the signing, the verification code needs to be entered if you have turned on the two-factor authentication.

• Step 3: All your iCloud backup files associated with this account can be displayed now. Choose the files you want to restore and click "Restore to Device" to proceed toward the restoration.

• Step 4: Once the transfer is complete, Click Done to finish and access restored data on your iDevice.

Part 3. Restore from iCloud backup not working? Here's what to do

While restoring an iPhone is usually smooth, sometimes the process doesn't go as planned. In certain cases, your device may fail to restore from iCloud backup, leaving parts of your data missing or incomplete. Below, we highlight the most common problems and effective solutions to fix the iPhone won't restore error.

You get the error message, “There was a problem loading your iCloud backups. Try again, set up as a new iPhone or restore from iTunes backup.”

If you see this message, it generally means a problem with the iCloud servers. To mitigate this problem, you should check the iCloud system status.

Go to the webpage at http://www.apple.com/support/systemstatus/ and if the status is green, the servers are running just fine and the problem could be your own device's connectivity. Just wait a few hours and then try again.

"Photos and Videos fail to restore" Error: This can happen if the camera roll is somehow excluded from the backup section. You can check whether the iCloud backup has camera roll enabled. Here's how;

• Step 1: Open settings > iCloud and then Tap on Storage & Backup > Manage Storage.

• Step 2: Select the device name, which is also the device backed up, and make sure that the Camera Roll is turned on. This will ensure that even the photos and videos are backed up. Wait a few hours and try again.

We hope you can restore your iCloud backup, although if you are experiencing problems with your backup, Wondershare Dr.Fone would be the ideal choice as it doesn't rely on iCloud servers.

Part 4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about iPhone Backup and Restore

1. Why should you backup your iPhone?

Backing up your iPhone is crucial to prevent data loss in case of device theft, damage, or failure. Regular backups to iCloud or your computer ensure that your photos, apps, contacts, settings, and other important information can be easily restored.

2. How long does it take to restore from an iCloud backup?

The time it takes to restore from iCloud backup varies based on several factors, including the size of your backup, internet speed, and Apple's server status. Smaller backups may complete in just a few hours, while larger backups can take significantly longer—sometimes up to a full day or more.

3. Will restoring from an iCloud backup erase my data?

When setting up a new iPhone or after a factory reset, choosing to restore from iCloud backup will replace all current data on the device. That's why creating regular iCloud backups is essential—ensuring you can always recover and restore your most recent data.

4. Can I manually choose what to restore from an iCloud backup?

With the official method, you don't have the flexibility to choose individual pieces of data to restore; the entire backup will be restored. However, third-party tools like Wondershare Dr.Fone allow you to selectively restore texts, contacts, photos, and more.

5. Why does my iPhone say there's not enough space to restore from iCloud?

To restore from iCloud, you need to have enough free space on your device for the backup to fit. If you don't have enough space, you can delete content manually or use the selective restore feature of third-party software.

6. How do I restore my iPhone from a backup on my computer?

To restore your iPhone from a backup on your computer, follow these steps:

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer you used for the backup.
2. Open iTunes (for macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (for macOS Catalina and later).
3. Select your iPhone when it appears in iTunes or Finder.
4. Choose 'Restore Backup'.
5. Pick the most relevant backup by looking at the date and size.
6. Click 'Restore' and wait for the process to finish. Keep your device connected after it restarts and wait for it to sync with your computer.

7. How do I restore my iPhone to factory settings?

To restore your iPhone to factory settings, please do the following:

1. Go to 'Settings' > 'General'.
2. Scroll down and select 'Reset'.
3. Tap 'Erase All Content and Settings'.
4. Enter your Apple ID password if prompted.
5. Confirm that you want to erase the device.

After the process is complete, your iPhone will restart as if it were new.

8. How can I restore from an iCloud backup after phone setup was already initiated?

To restore from an iCloud backup after you have already started setting up your iPhone, you'll need to erase your iPhone and start over. Here's how you can do it:

1. Go to 'Settings' > 'General' > 'Reset'.
2. Tap 'Erase All Content and Settings'.
3. After the erase, you will have the option to start setting up your iPhone again.
4. During the setup process, choose 'Restore from iCloud Backup'.
5. Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
6. Choose a backup. Make sure it's the correct one by looking at the date and the size.

Make sure your iPhone stays connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into power after setup. This allows content like your apps, photos, music, and other information to continue downloading.

Conclusion

Restore from iCloud backup is usually straightforward, but knowing the right method is key. Whether you choose a full reset or a selective restore, the right tools and steps help you manage your iPhone data with ease. Stay patient, follow the process, and you'll have your device running smoothly again in no time.

We recommend using Wondershare Dr.Fone, a powerful and easy-to-use tool that makes it simple to restore from iCloud backup without losing existing data on your iPhone. With its intuitive interface and selective restore option, Dr.Fone lets you recover only the files you need—making it a secure and efficient solution for iOS data recovery.