Restoring Your Apple Device Settings From a Backup

The iTunes music software creates a backup of all your personal information each and every time you sync your computer with your Apple iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad. You have to go out of your way to skip this process and it is, in part, why the process tends to take so long. This file is, however, very important. If you’ve ever experienced a massive data loss on your device or have just upgraded to a new version, that backup file is all that stands between restoring your personal data and settings and losing it all forever. This is also one of the reasons why it is important to sync your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad to your computer on a frequent basis, regardless of whether you’re sending new content from your computer to the device or vice versa.

Step 1

Connect your Apple device to your computer. If you’ve had to reformat your device it will be operating using its original factory settings. This means that you may be required to input a new name for your device. Ignore this for now, as your old device name will be restored from the backup file in just a few minutes.

Step 2

Open iTunes. Locate the icon for the device on the left side of the screen. If your device currently has its original factory settings, the icon will be labeled with the device type instead of a traditional name. Your iPhone, for example, would have an icon labeled “iPhone.” Right click with your mouse on this icon to continue.

Step 3

Click the option labeled “Restore from Backup.” A new window will open in iTunes.

Step 4

Select the name of the device you’re restoring from the drop down menu. This makes sure that the device is restored using the proper backup file. This is especially important if you have more than one Apple device in the same home, like two iPhones or an iPod Touch and an iPad.

Step 5

Click “Restore.” iTunes will take the information contained within the backup file (which was created the last time you synced your device to your computer) and use it to restore your iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad back to those settings. This process can take a few minutes, so be patient.

If your having problems with your iPad, iPhone or iPod call Nexus in Buckinghamshire on Gerrards Cross 01753 884700 or Beaconsfield 01494 730120.