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 often overlook the importance of keeping a backup on hand. If anything were to happen to your iPad, it’s essential to know how to back up your iPad so you can restore your data later.

What is a backup?

A backup is an identical copy of your device that you can save online or on your computer. This way, if your iPad is lost, damaged, or requires a factory reset, you’ll have your data safe.

For instance, you can even learn how to transfer your iPad data to a new one using a backup to seamlessly carry over everything from the old device.

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 Use AltTunes as the alternative to outdated and discontinued iTunes, rely on iCloud, or take a wild chance and hope for iTunes to do the trick.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

For a simple solution that works without the limitations of iTunes, consider AltTunes, a user-friendly backup app for all your iOS devices.

Unlike iTunes, AltTunes lets you manage and customize your backups, including features like creating multiple versions and choosing specific data to restore. If you’ve ever wondered about options to backup an iPhone to an external hard drive, AltTunes has you covered with extensive storage options.

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 using 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 backed up, restoring from AltTunes is equally easy. If your iPad data is accidentally deleted, you can rely on AltTunes to restore your iPhone from backup, ensuring all saved information is back in place.

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

Backing up with iCloud means keeping your data on Apple’s cloud, so you don’t need a computer. However, iCloud offers only 5GB of free storage, which can quickly fill up. For situations where you want a cloud option without using iCloud, see this guide on how to backup iPhone without iCloud.

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 still use iTunes to back up your iPad on a computer. Although limited in customization, iTunes provides enough storage for most data types. However, unlike the iPhone backup extractors that allow you to select specific data, iTunes backups include all device data in one go.

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. 

If you want to retrieve just your photos or other specific files, AltTunes offers a similar experience, with added benefits like recovering permanently deleted photos.

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!

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