iPhone Data Recovery
 
...

What Happens If I Restore My iPhone? Everything You Need to Know

...

TL;DR:

Restoring an iPhone can be useful for fixing problems or recovering data, but it is important to know what changes will happen before starting the process. In this article, you will learn:

  • Why you may need to restore your iPhone in different situations.
  • What happens to your data, settings, and system after restoring an iPhone.
  • How restoring an iPhone from a backup works and what data can be recovered.
  • How to restore specific iPhone files without overwriting your existing data.
  • What to do if your iPhone cannot be restored successfully.

iPhone users may need to restore their devices for various reasons, such as fixing system errors, resolving performance issues, or preparing the phone for a new user. However, many people hesitate because they are unsure what will happen after restoring an iPhone. Will the restore process delete photos, messages, and other important files? In this article, we will explain the effects of restoring an iPhone, how backup restoration works, and how to recover specific data when needed.

what happens if i restore my iphone

 

Part 1. When Do You Need to Restore Your iPhone?

Restoring an iPhone can serve different purposes depending on your needs. In some cases, you may restore your device to reinstall iOS and fix system problems. In other cases, you may restore data and settings from an iPhone backup when switching to a new device or recovering your information.

Generally, you may need to restore your iPhone in the following situations:

1. Fix software issues or system errors

If your iPhone frequently crashes, freezes, runs slowly, gets stuck on the Apple logo, or experiences other system problems, restoring the device can help reinstall the system and resolve certain software-related issues.

2. Prepare your iPhone for sale or transfer

Before selling or giving away your iPhone, you may want to erase the device and restore it to factory settings. This helps remove your personal information and prevents others from accessing your data.

3. Set up a new iPhone with old data

When upgrading to a new iPhone, you can restore your old iPhone backup to transfer important data, including photos, contacts, messages, apps, and settings, to the new device.

4. Recover data from an iPhone backup

If you accidentally lose important data or need to return your iPhone to a previous state, restoring from an iCloud or iTunes/Finder backup can help bring back the saved information.

5. Unlock an iPhone when you forget the passcode

If you forget your iPhone passcode and cannot access the device, restoring the iPhone is one of the official ways to erase the device and regain access.

Part 2: What Happens If You Restore Your iPhone?

Before restoring your iPhone, it is important to understand what changes will take place after the process. When you restore an iPhone to factory settings, the device will be wiped completely. All personal content and customized settings saved on the phone will be removed, including photos, videos, text messages, apps, accounts, and system preferences.

Once the restoration is finished, the iPhone will return to the same condition as when it was first purchased. If you have created an iCloud or iTunes backup before restoring, you can use that backup to bring your data and settings back to the device.

How to Restore an iPhone with iTunes:

If you decide to restore your iPhone through iTunes, you can complete the process directly from a computer. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed and follow these steps:

  1. Start iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone using a compatible USB cable.
  2. If your iPhone has not connected to this computer before, a message may appear asking you to authorize the connection. Tap "Trust" on your iPhone and enter your passcode to continue.
  3. Find and select your iPhone from the device list in iTunes.
  4. Click "Restore iPhone" and confirm the action when prompted. iTunes will begin erasing the device and reinstalling the latest compatible iOS version. Keep your iPhone connected throughout the process to avoid interruptions.
  5. When the restoration is complete, your iPhone will restart automatically. You can then set it up as a new device or restore your backup to recover your previous data.

restore iphone with itunes

Part 3: What Happens When You Restore Your iPhone from Backup

When you restore your iPhone from a backup, the device will use the saved backup file to recover your previous information and settings. This means the data stored in your iCloud backup, such as personal preferences, app data, and system configurations, can be transferred back to your iPhone. Instead of setting up everything manually, you can quickly return your device to a familiar state with your previous settings and content restored.

1: How to Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup

The steps to restore an iPhone using iCloud backup are as follows:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Erase All Content and Settings" on your iPhone.

erase iphone

Step 2. Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the "Apps & Data" screen.

Step 3. Select the "Restore from iCloud Backup" option.

Step 4. Enter your Apple ID and password to sign in to iCloud.

restore an iphone using icloud backup

Step 5. Click on the backup you want to restore, then select "Restore" to confirm.

2: How to Restore iPhone from iTunes Backup

The steps to restore an iPhone from an iTunes backup are as follows:

Step 1. Open the iTunes software on your computer, ensuring it is up to date.

Step 2. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable. If iTunes does not open automatically, you will need to open it manually.

Step 3. Click on the icon of your iPhone, and select "Summary".

Step 4. Click "Restore Backup" and select the backup file you want to restore. If you previously set a password, you will need to enter it and then click "Restore" to initiate the data restoration process.

restore an iphone using itunes backup

3: How to Restore Backup to iPhone Selectively

Restoring an iPhone through a complete iCloud or iTunes backup usually replaces the existing content on your device with the data from the backup. If you only need to recover certain files instead of restoring everything, a selective recovery tool can be a more flexible solution.

With Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery, you can choose specific files to restore without affecting the current data on your iPhone. The software supports a wide range of iOS data types, including photos, videos, music, contacts, messages, and more. Before recovery, you can preview the available files and select only the items you need.

Highlights of Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery:

  • Restore lost or deleted files from your iOS device, iTunes, or iCloud backup.
  • Preview both existing and deleted files, then restore only the selected data instead of recovering an entire backup.
  • Perform safe and efficient iOS data recovery while preserving the original file format and quality.
  • Work smoothly with various iPhone, iPad, and iPod models, supporting the latest iOS versions like iOS 27/26/18.

Download the software now and follow the steps below to restore your iPhone.

Restore from iTunes Backup:

01Launch iPhone Data Recovery. Choose the "Recover from iTunes Backup File" option located on the left side. Select an iTunes backup file, and then hit the "Start Scan" button to initiate the scanning process.

scan itunes backup file

02Please check the data types you want to recover, then click on the "Start Scan" icon in the bottom right corner. This will allow you to preview the iTunes backup files on your computer.

scan the data you want to recover

03Click on a category, then select the detailed deleted and existing files on the right side. Finally, click on the "Recover to Computer" icon to start recovering files from the iTunes backup.

how to recover iphone data from itunes backup using iphone data recovery

Recover from iCloud Backup:

01Open the software and access the "Recover from iCloud Backup" mode. To continue, simply follow the on-screen instructions to log in to your iCloud account.

choose recover from icloud backup

02Please choose the file types you wish to restore, then click on the "Next" icon to initiate a quick scan. This will allow you to preview more detailed information from the iCloud backup files.

scan the data you want to recover

03Choose the files you wish to restore, and then click the "Recover to Computer" button to save the files on your computer.

how to recover iphone data from icloud backup using iphone data recovery

Video Tutorial:

Part 4: What If You Cannot Restore Your iPhone

If you are unable to restore your iPhone to its factory settings using the standard methods mentioned above, you can try using a professional iOS system repair tool as an alternative solution. For example, iOS System Recovery can help troubleshoot various iPhone system-related problems.

iOS System Recovery is designed to repair common iOS issues without erasing your personal data. It can help fix problems such as an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, repeated recovery mode issues, device freezing, unexpected crashes, and other system malfunctions.

What can iOS System Recovery do for you?

  • Fix iPhone won't restore error without data loss.
  • Resolve problems such as iOS update failures, boot loops, Apple logo freezes, restore errors, and black, white, yellow, blue, or pink screens of death.
  • Choose Standard Mode to keep your data safe or Advanced Mode for a deeper repair.
  • Enjoy a reliable iOS system recovery and easily upgrade or downgrade to supported iOS versions.
  • Fully compatible with the latest iPhone 17 series and iOS 27/26.

Here is how to fix the "iPhone cannot be restored" error without losing data:

01Install the software on your computer; it will launch automatically.

02Use a working USB cable to connect your iPhone, select "iOS System Recovery", and click "Start".

start using ios system recovery

03Choose "Standard" or "Advanced", then click "Confirm".

choose standard mode of ios system recovery

04Verify your device information and click "Repair". Once complete, your iPhone will be restored to normal.

how to fix iphone could not be restored the device cannot be found using ios system recovery

In a Nutshell

Now that you understand what happens when you restore your iPhone, you can choose the right method based on your needs. While restoring from iCloud or iTunes backup can help recover your data, it may also overwrite existing files on your device. For more flexible recovery, selective restoration tools like Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery can help you retrieve specific data without affecting your current content, making the process safer and more convenient.

Related Articles:

Do Photos Stay on iCloud if Deleted from iPhone? How to Recover Them?

How Long Does It Take to Restore an iPhone on iTunes/iCloud? (Authoritative & Reliable)

17 Optional Methods to Find the Videos Disappeared from iPhone Back

iPhone Won't Restore? 11 Effective Fixes for Your iPhone Woes

    More Solutions     What Happens If I Restore My iPhone? Everything You Need to Know
iPhone Data Recovery
Recover deleted data from either iOS device directly or iTunes backup file.
Retrieve lost contacts, messages and SMS attachments from iOS devices.
Preview and back up everything on iPhone/iPad/iPod in case of data loss.
Fast iOS data recovery without data damage and file format change.
Terms & Conditions Privacy (UPDATED) License Agreement Uninstall Copyright © 2026 Coolmuster. All Rights Reserved.
feedbackFeedback