How to Restore a Phone from a Backup

Before restoring

• Confirm the backup belongs to the correct account and device.
• Check its date and whether it predates the problem you are trying to fix.
• Keep the phone on power and a stable network.
• Have account passwords, trusted numbers and recovery codes available.

iPhone

During setup, choose the relevant iCloud or computer-backup option. If the iPhone is already set up, Apple may require it to be erased before restoring a full device backup. Do not erase until the backup has been verified.

Android

During initial setup, sign in to the Google Account and choose the available backup or copy-data route. Some devices also offer post-setup copy options, but the categories available can differ.

After the restore

1. Wait for app downloads and photo synchronisation.
2. Test calls, SMS and data.
3. Open recent and old files.
4. Re-authorise banking and payment apps.
5. Check authenticator apps and passkeys.
6. Keep the source device or backup until everything important is confirmed.

Restore in stages and verify before trusting the result

A phone can reach the Home screen while apps, photos and messages are still downloading. Keep power and a stable connection available, and do not erase the source phone simply because initial setup completed.

• Confirm the selected backup belongs to the correct device and date.
• Allow background restoration to finish before judging missing apps or media.
• Check calls, SMS, mobile data, account recovery, banking and authenticator access separately.
• Compare a small list of expected photos, notes, contacts and local files with the source.

If a category is missing, stop before making further destructive changes. Determine whether it belongs to the system backup, a sync service or an app-specific backup and recover it through that route.