How to restore iPad from iTunes Backup

If you’ve just purchased a new iPad, gotten a replacement, or need to bring back all your information to your iPad for another reason, restoring from an iTunes backup is an easy way to pick up where you left off.

If you’re not sure if you have an iTunes backup or not, follow along and you’ll find out soon enough. Alternately, you may have an iCloud Backup that you could use to restore your information.

Keep in mind if there is any new information on your iPad now that isn’t included in your last backup, it’s best to complete a new backup if possible.

If you don’t have the previous device or can’t complete another backup, you can also save the new information manually with your Mac, PC, or a device such as SanDisk’s iXpand Drive. You can start by restoring your iPad with the last available backup and then bring any other information not included in the backup to your iPad later (you can only restore an iPad from one iTunes backup).

How to restore iPad from iTunes Backup

1. Plug your iPad into your Mac or PC (launch iTunes if it doesn’t open automatically)
2. If the iPad Summary screen doesn’t appear automatically, click on the iPad icon in the top left area of iTunes (shown below)
3. Click Restore Backup… (you may need to turn off Find My iPad before proceeding)
4. Select the particular backup you would like to restore to your iPad from the drop down list
5. Click Restore

Here is a more detailed walkthrough of the process with images:

Once you plug in your iPad and have iTunes open, click on the iPad icon in the upper left area of the iTunes window if the iPad Summary page doesn’t appear automatically.

Click Restore Backup…

You’ll see timestamps below the Restore Backup option the last time that iTunes and iCloud Backups were completed.

You may need to turn off Find My iPad before continuing. On your iPad navigate to Settings → Tap on your name at the top → iCloud → Find My iPad.

Make sure to select the exact backup you’d like to restore from as you may have multiple backups and/or devices to choose from.

When the restore process is complete, eject your iPad by clicking the eject icon in the top left area of iTunes.

And that’s how to restore an iPad from an iTunes Backup. For more help getting the most out of your Apple devices, check out our how to guide.