iPhone stuck restoring from iCloud? What to do when the time won't move

You are setting up your new iPhone and the screen says Estimating Time Remaining. It has said that for an hour. This is one of the most nerve-wracking moments of a new phone, because your photos, messages and apps are on the line. First, the good news: a slow restore is often normal. Then, how to tell the difference and what to do if it truly is stuck.

iPhone restore from iCloud stuck: is it really stuck?

Apple does not give a time for an iCloud restore. Its page says the time it takes depends on the size of your backup and the speed of your Wi-Fi network. A large backup on a slow connection can take a long time. Apple also does not say anything about the time estimate being wrong. People in Apple Community threads and on forums do report that the estimate jumps around or grows, and one user described a figure of about two days for a backup of roughly 14 GB. That is a report, not an Apple statement, but it shows that the number on screen is a poor guide.

Apple gives no hour limit, so the "many hours" line above is my judgment, not a rule. If the bar has not moved at all and your connection is good, treat it as stuck.

Apple's rules for a restore

• Use Wi-Fi: Apple says you can't restore from a backup over a cellular internet connection.
• Stay plugged in: Apple says to keep the device on Wi-Fi and power until the progress bar finishes.
• Expect a later stage: Apple says photos, music and apps continue to download from iCloud after setup.
• Update if asked: your phone may say it needs a newer version of iOS. Follow the prompts.

What to try, in order

Do not set up as new and lose your old backup

This is the mistake that costs people their data. It is tempting to give up, set the phone up as new and sort it out later. Apple warns about this in its restore pages. If you set up as new and later want an old backup, you should erase the device and restore as soon as possible, because the new backups can overwrite the older ones. In plain words: a phone that backs up to iCloud every night can replace the backup you wanted.

• If you must set up as new, turning off iCloud Backup until you have restored is one way to avoid overwriting the old backup.
• If the phone is already set up and you want to restore, Apple says you must erase it first.
• Do the restore soon, not weeks later.

If you need to wipe the phone, see our guide on restoring an iPhone from a backup for the full steps, and read it before you erase anything.

If the backup does not show up

Sometimes the Choose a Backup screen is empty. Apple says to confirm that a backup exists, and to try restoring on a different network. If you have no backup at all, our guide to an iPhone with no backups available explains what you can still do.

After the restore screen: why apps and photos are still coming

When the restore bar finishes, your iPhone starts, but it is not done. Apple says photos, music and apps keep downloading from iCloud after setup, and that the time depends on how much content you have and your network speed. Apps may show as dim icons with a progress ring. Photos may look blurry or missing until they arrive. Keep the phone on Wi-Fi and power until it finishes.

If photos are the part that never finishes, read our page on photos stuck restoring from iCloud. If your storage is the issue, see what to do when iCloud storage is full.

Can you restore from a computer instead?

Yes, if you have a backup on a computer. Our guide on restoring from a backup covers both ways. A computer restore uses a cable instead of Wi-Fi, which can help if your internet is the problem. If the computer shows an error such as 1109 or 9, read our guide on an iPhone restore error 1109. Remember that a computer restore erases the phone.

How to check the restore is still moving

Before you change anything, look for signs of life. A restore that is moving slowly is not the same as one that is frozen, and restarting the first kind can cost you hours.

What if the screen shows an error?

Apple's page for failed restores gives two steps for an error. First, try restoring on a different network. Second, if you have another backup, restore from it by tapping Show All Backups. Apple also notes that if you are asked again and again for a password, it usually means purchases were made with more than one Apple Account. Enter each password you know, tap Skip this Step for the rest, and create a new backup afterward.

How to avoid this next time

• Back up before you move to a new phone, and check the backup date and size.
• Keep enough iCloud space so backups finish. See our guide to a full iCloud.
• Start a restore on strong Wi-Fi, and keep the new phone plugged in.
• Keep a second backup on a computer for important phones.

Common mistakes

• Restarting again and again. It may restart a long download from the beginning.
• Using cellular data. Apple says it does not work for a restore.
• Setting up as new first. New backups can overwrite your old ones.
• Trusting the time estimate. Apple does not give a fixed time, and reports say it moves.
• Paying for a recovery tool. You do not need one to restore from iCloud.

Which iPhones and versions does this cover?

These rules apply to restoring an iPhone from an iCloud backup during setup. Apple's pages do not list specific iOS versions, and they say your phone may ask you to update. Screens can change between versions, so look for the Transfer Your Apps and Data screen, then choose From iCloud Backup.

When to contact Apple

If the restore fails again on a different network and with a different backup, contact Apple Support. Have your Apple Account ready and tell them what the screen says. Do not set up as new before you have talked to them if the old backup matters.

The short version

Stay on Wi-Fi and power, wait, try another network, then another backup. Never set up as new if you still want your old backup.