Forum Discussion
Can I restore iPhone from backup without resetting on Windows 11?
My son deleted a bunch of photos from my iPhone 15 Pro Max and fortunately I have a full itunes backup for this device on Windows 11. My problem is that I don't want to ease or reset iPhone in order to apply the restore. Instead, I only need to restore the deleted photos from iPhone backup. Does anyone know how to do this?
I followed the official Apple documentation and it only provides steps for full restore. This means I have to reset the device before restore. How do I manually restore iPhone from backup? I know iTunes can't do this on Windows 11 as it does not have a partial restore option.
Thanks
8 Replies
- EaopwerBronze Contributor
This worked for me. I pulled a lot of data from iPhone 15 Pro without reset:
https://www.techgizz.com/restore-iphone-from-backup
- Sideny_StrouthIron Contributor
The official iTunes and iCloud don't support partial restore. To restore iPhone from backup without resetting or erasing, you have to use the third-party app to extract data from iTunes or iCloud backup using the native API.
- EaopwerBronze Contributor
Unlike iTunes backups, iCloud backup is cloud-based, meaning you can restore your data directly over the internet without needing a computer. This makes it a convenient option for iPhone users who prefer to use Apple's cloud service. The restoration process typically restores your photos, messages, app data, and more, ensuring you can pick up right where you left off.
Steps to Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup without reset:
Step 1: Press and hold the Power button on your iPhone until the Apple logo appears to turn on the device.
Step 2: After the device turns on, follow the on-screen instructions to choose your language, country, and other preferences.
Step 3: When prompted, connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network. This is required to download the backup from iCloud.
Step 4: After connecting to Wi-Fi, you will be presented with various options. Choose the "Restore from iCloud Backup" option.
Step 5: A list of available iCloud backups will appear. Select the most recent backup or the one you wish to restore from.Step 6: Your iPhone will start downloading the backup from iCloud. This can take time, depending on the size of the backup and the speed of your internet connection. During this process, the iPhone may restart multiple times.
Once the restore process finishes, your iPhone will be set up with the data from your iCloud backup. You can now continue using your device with everything from your backup in place!
- ReaganJohnsonIron Contributor
Totally get what you’re saying about iTunes—it’s a classic and loyal companion when it comes to backing up and restoring iPhone from backup on Windows 11, but it definitely has its quirks and limitations, especially on Windows 11. When you restore from an iTunes backup, it’s an “everything or nothing” situation. If you just want to get your contacts back, too bad—you’re getting everything. There was this one time I just wanted to grab a few photos and my contacts after a phone reset. I had to sit through the full restore, and it felt like watching paint dry. Seriously, if you only need a couple of things, this is a major hassle.
The restore process can be a tortoise instead of a hare. If you have loads of data, get comfy because it can take hours to finish up. I once had a backup that took almost an entire afternoon to restore. I started binge-watching my favorite show and only halfway through did I realize my phone was still processing—ridiculous! If time is of the essence, you might want to explore faster options. - FrederickCopper Contributor
Restoring your iPhone from a backup on Windows 11 can be a breeze. If you’re running an old version of iTunes, it could mess up the restore process or not even recognize your backup. Make sure you’ve got the latest version. You can check for updates in iTunes by going to Help > Check for Updates. If you got it from the Microsoft Store, just head to the Store and make sure it's up to date. It’s quick and super important!
Trying to restore iPhone from a backup that isn’t where you think it is or comes from a different device. I had this totally awkward moment where I thought I backed up my iPhone to my laptop, but it was actually on my old desktop. Double-check where your backups are stored. On Windows, look in \Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\. Just pull up File Explorer and navigate there.
Before restoring iPhone from backup on Windows 11, check your iPhone storage in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you’re tight on space, delete some unnecessary apps or photos—trust me, you don’t want to interrupt the restore because of this.
- PzriorIron Contributor
iTunes is the official tool recommended by Apple for data backup and restore for all iOS devices. You can now easily restore iPhone from iTunes backup on Windows PC. Here are the steps:
- Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes on your PC. If you don’t have it installed, download it from the Microsoft Store or from the official Apple website.
- If prompted on your iPhone, tap Trust and enter your passcode to allow your iPhone to communicate with the PC.
- Once iTunes detects your iPhone, you'll see an iPhone icon at the top left of the iTunes window. Click on it.In the Summary tab, scroll down to the Backups section.
- Click on the Restore Backup button. A list of available backups will appear. Select the one you want to restore from. If you see multiple backups, choose the most recent one or the one you need.If your backup was encrypted, you will be prompted to enter the backup password.
- iTunes will begin restoring the data from the selected backup. This may take some time depending on the size of the backup. Keep your iPhone connected during the process, and do not disconnect it until the restore is complete.
8. Once the restoration is complete, your iPhone will restart. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your iPhone. Your apps, photos, messages, settings, and other data from the backup will be restored to your iPhone.
Note: The restoration process may take a while, especially if the backup contains a lot of data. If you have purchased apps or content from the iTunes or App Store, you may need to sign in again with your Apple ID after restoring.
- EliaspefoIron Contributor
Restoring iPhone from backup is pretty straightforward, and I can walk you through it! There are a couple of ways to do this, depending on whether you’re using iTunes or Finder. Here's how to restore iPhone from backup on Windows computer.
1. If You're Using iTunes (on Windows or older macOS):
Connect Your iPhone: Grab your Lightning cable and connect your iPhone to your computer. Open iTunes if it doesn't pop up automatically.
Select Your Device: Click on the little iPhone icon in the top-left corner. This will take you to the device summary page.
Backup Check: If you want to ensure you have the latest backup, you can check under the "Backups" section. But since you're probably looking to restore, just head to the next step.
Restore iPhone from Backup: Click on the "Restore Backup" button. A window will pop up showing you all the backups you've made. Pick the one you want to restore from.
Confirm It: Click “Restore.” iTunes will start pulling everything from that backup back to your phone. Your iPhone will restart during this process, so don’t freak out if it goes black for a bit.
Wait a Bit: Depending on how big the backup is and how much stuff you’ve got, this could take a little while. Once it’s done, you might have to enter your Apple ID and password to get your apps, music, and other content back.2. If You're Using Finder (macOS Catalina or later):
Connect Your iPhone: Use your Lightning cable to connect your iPhone to your Mac. Open Finder.
Select Your Device: Your iPhone should show up in the sidebar under "Locations". Click on it.
Restore Backup: In the "General" tab, you’ll see the option to "Restore Backup." Click that.
Choose Your Backup: It’ll show you a list of backups. Pick the one you need and hit "Restore" to restore iphone from backup.
Wait for It: Just like with iTunes, it will take a bit depending on the size. - VinanentsIron Contributor
iTunes backup is a feature that allows you to create a full backup of your iPhone’s data (including photos, contacts, messages, app data, and settings) on your computer. This backup is stored locally on your Windows PC and can be used to restore the data to your iPhone if needed, such as when switching devices or after a factory reset.
How to Restore iPhone from iTunes Backup on Windows 11:
- Connect your iPhone to your Windows 11 PC using a USB cable.
- Launch iTunes on your PC. If you don't have it installed, download and install it from the Microsoft Store.
- Trust the device: If prompted, unlock your iPhone and tap "Trust" on the device to establish a connection with iTunes.
- Select your iPhone: In iTunes, click on the device icon located at the top left of the window.
- Choose "Restore Backup": Under the "Summary" tab, find the "Backups" section. Click on the "Restore Backup" button.
- Select a backup: You’ll see a list of available backups. Choose the most recent backup (or the one you want) and click "Restore."
- Wait for the restore process to complete. Ensure that your iPhone remains connected throughout the process.
- Complete the setup: Once the restore is finished, your iPhone will restart. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup on your iPhone, and all your data will be restored.