How to Restore iPad from Backup

iPads are Apple products that seem like they can stand the test of time.

People end up keeping these devices for years and don’t even think anything could ever happen to them. They hold a year's worth of data, which must be stored somewhere safe if something happens. To do this, you need to back up your iPad.  

What is a backup?

A backup is when you make an identical copy of your device and save it on the Internet or your computer. This way, if you somehow ruin your iPad or misplace it, all of your data is still with you.

Backups are also made just in case you ever have to factory reset an iPad or if it is repaired and needs to be factory reset. In any case, if you have been making backups in a timely manner, you can quickly restore the iPad to its original state.

If you upgrade your iPad to a new one, you can use the backup you've already created to restore the new iPad and have it include all of your old data, so you don't have to set up anything.

Methods to Restore iPad from Backup

There are three main ways you can back up your iPad. Use AltTunes as the alternative to outdated and discontinued iTunes, rely on iCloud, or take a wild chance and hope for iTunes to do the trick.

Backup and Restore iPad using AltTunes

Third-party software stores everything you want on your computer or the cloud. This software is made to address the shortcomings of the iTunes and iCloud systems, make backing up and restoring your data easier, and give you tons of other options to play around with.

It gives you complete control while backing up and restoring. You can create multiple backups and choose between them when you restore. AltTunes provides a lot of features to manage and monitor your Apple device.

Step 1. Download & Install AltTunes. 

You can download the app from the following link => Download AltTunes or use the banner just below. At app startup, you can request a code via email to activate a free trial.

Step 2. Connect your iPad.

Plug in your iPad to your computer and “trust” it by pairing it using your passcode. After you've used a USB cord for the first time, you'll be able to pair your iPad to a computer automatically via Wi-Fi.

Step 3. Back, back, back it up!

Once your device pops up on the screen, click Back Up and decide how you want your device backed up by switching up the settings according to your preference. 

The process begins. You'll get your iPad backed up in no time! I checked it. 😏

Once it's done, you can view and manage all your backups by clicking on the top-left button with your device's name in the main menu.

How to restore iPad from backup using AltTunes 

If you’ve already backed up your iPad using AltTunes, restoring it is very simple. 

Plug your iPad into the computer and launch AltTunes. Once your iPad pops up, click the “restore a backup” option. 

You will see two tabs, “your device backups” and “other device backups.” Pick your backup from the tab depending on whether you’re setting up a brand new or newly erased iPad or just restoring one you’re currently using. You’ll see a time machine view of all of your older backups. Scroll through and choose the one you want to restore your iPad to.

You can also click on “Customize” and decide how much data and which apps you want to restore to the iPad; once you’ve made all the choices, click “Next” and then “Restore.” 

Keep your iPad connected to AltTunes until the restore finishes and you are done! 

Backup and Restore iPad using iCloud

This is when you back up all of the data on your iPad to Apple's cloud. This can be done over the air; you don’t need to connect your phone to a computer. Still, if you want to, you can also use a computer and upload your data to the cloud, although very few people prefer this option since the first one is relatively simple.

The main downside to using iCloud to back up your data is that each Apple user only gets 5 GB of free storage to begin with. This amount of space is just enough to store fundamental information. If you want to have a backup of everything on your iPad, this method won't work very well for you.

You can use the iCloud backup to store your necessary information or buy additional storage from Apple and continue storing your data on the cloud. Buying additional storage can get expensive quickly, but if you're okay with spending a lot on a backup of your information, this will work well for you.

So how to back up your iPad using iCloud? 🤔

To back up using iCloud, go into your iPad's settings. The first thing you see is a tab with your name on it. Tap on it.

Once the iCloud menu opens, scroll until you find the tab that shows your current device and tap on it. It will open a menu where you can see the option that says “iCloud backup,” Tap it and then toggle the settings “ON.” Then, tap “Back up now” and wait till your phone has successfully backed up to iCloud, and you’re done! ✅

How to restore iPad from iCloud backup 

Turn on your new or newly reset iPad. You’ll go through the general “hello” page, followed by a few general settings, until you land on the “Apps and Data” page. 

You must tap on the “restore from iCloud backup” option. You will be asked to enter your Apple ID and password so iCloud can find your backup from the cloud. Your last backed-up data will then show up. Tap on the restore you want, and wait for your device to be restored. 

You’ll have a restored device once it’s done processing.

Backup and Restore iPad using iTunes

You can store all your data on your computer using Apple's iTunes software. To do this, you have to plug your iPad into the computer and give it access to make an identical copy of it and save it to the computer. This backup includes everything you have downloaded, apps, movies, and purchases, so if you restore using iTunes, you will get everything back as it were. 

The downside of using iTunes is that it wasn’t initially meant to be software that backs up or restores your devices; it was made to deal with everything music-related, so it does a good job backing up your data.

With iTunes, you can only have one backup per device and don’t get to pick which apps you want to be installed when you restore; it’s an all-or-nothing deal. You get very little control over how your data is backed up or restored.

The plus side for iTunes is that, unlike iCloud, with iTunes, your only limit to data storage is how much free space you have on your computer itself. 

Here's how to back up an iPad using iTunes:

• To use iTunes to back up your iPad, connect it to the computer and launch iTunes (or wait for iTunes to detect your iPad and launch itself automatically)
• If you’ve never backed up, you must enter your passcode and “trust” your computer.
• Click where you see your phone pop up, find the button that says “back up now,” and keep your iPad connected to the computer until the backup is complete. 

How to restore iPad from an iTunes backup 

To restore from an iTunes backup, plug your iPad into the computer and launch iTunes. 

Once it opens, your iPad will pop up. If you’re asked to enter your passcode to trust the device, do so. 

Then, on the same page you were on to back up the iPad, you’ll find the “Restore iPad” option. Click on it and let it restore your iPad using the latest backup available. 

Conclusion

Restoring an iPad from a backup is a great way to avoid setting up the device as new and getting into the nitty-gritty of all the settings. Always make sure that you have a backup ready just in case you ever need to restore your iPad. This way, your data will be safe and ready to be transferred into any iPad you want, making switching or upgrading to a new one a piece of cake!