Restoring an iPhone or iPad with iTunes on Windows

FAQ / Guides
1

Important Note: Restoring your device erases all your data and settings. Make sure you have a recent backup before proceeding.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to restore your iPhone or iPad with iTunes on Windows:

Prerequisites:

  • A Windows computer with the latest version of iTunes installed. You can download iTunes from the official Apple website [Apple iTunes download].
  • A USB cable compatible with your iPhone or iPad.
  • A recent backup of your device on your computer (optional, but highly recommended).

Steps:

  1. Launch iTunes: Open iTunes on your Windows computer.
  2. Connect your device: Using the USB cable, connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.
  3. Trust the computer (if prompted): On your iPhone or iPad, you might see a prompt asking you to “Trust This Computer?”. Enter your device passcode and tap “Trust” to proceed.
  4. Select your device: In iTunes, a small icon for your iPhone or iPad should appear in the top left corner of the window. Click on that icon to select your device.
  5. Go to Summary: In the left-hand pane of iTunes, click on “Summary” to view your device’s details.
  6. Back up your device (optional): If you haven’t already backed up your device and want to save your data and settings, click on “Back Up Now” under the “Backups” section. Choose “Encrypt Backup” if you want to password-protect your backup.
  7. Restore your device: Click on the “Restore” button located near the bottom right corner of the “Summary” window.
  8. Confirm restore: A pop-up window will appear confirming that you want to restore your device. This will erase all data and settings on your device and install the latest iOS or iPadOS. Click “Restore” again to proceed.
  9. Wait for the process to complete: The restoration process might take some time depending on the size of your backup and your internet speed. iTunes will display a progress bar while the restore is in progress. Do not disconnect your device during this time.
  10. Set up your device: Once the restore is complete, your device will restart and begin the setup process. You can choose to restore from a backup you created earlier or set it up as a new device.

Additional Notes:

  • If your device is unresponsive or won’t turn on, Apple provides instructions for putting it into recovery mode before restoring it [Apple Support Restore Device].
  • Apple has ended support for iTunes on Windows computers. While iTunes can still be used for now, consider using the Apple Devices app in newer versions of Windows 10 and Windows 11. The restore process is very similar in the Apple Devices app [Apple Support Back up with Windows].

By following these steps, you can successfully restore your iPhone or iPad using iTunes on your Windows computer. Remember to back up your device before restoring to avoid losing any important data.