Restore an iPhone or iPad from a local backup


Restore your iPhone or iPad from a local backup—directly with the iDevice Manager, completely independent of iTunes. This allows you to flexibly restore an existing backup from a PC, NAS, or external hard drive and restore your device as needed.

Whether after a device change, reset, or data loss: With iDevice Manager, you select an existing backup and start the restoration process using the available options.

iPhone Restore Try now for free
For Windows 11
and Windows 10
For iPhone 17, 16, 15, 14 and Max, iPad Pro
and iPhone 13, 12, 11, XR, iPhone X, SE, iPad

Benefits


Why restore an iPhone backup locally?


Many users prefer not to store their backups in the cloud and don't want to rely on Apple services when restoring. A local backup gives you more control over your data and allows you to selectively restore existing backups from the chosen storage location.

This is especially handy if you:

Restoring an iPhone or iPad from a backup – here's how it works


With iDevice Manager, you can view existing backups and start the restoration process directly. The process is carried out using iDevice Manager itself, not through iTunes.

  1. Install iDevice Manager if you don’t already have the program.
  2. Launch iDevice Manager and select “Restore” from the left-hand menu.
  3. In the list, you’ll see existing backups that have already been created.
  4. Select the backup you want to restore to your iPhone or iPad.
  5. Click “Restore” in the top menu to open the options.
  6. Enable the desired restore options.
  7. If the backup is protected, enter the optional backup password.
  8. Apply the settings and start the restoration.

Note: If no backup is displayed, a suitable backup has not yet been found.

The following recovery options are available


You can enable the available recovery options as needed. This allows you to tailor the process to your specific situation.

Advantage: You restore exactly the existing local backup that was previously created with iDevice Manager – without going through iTunes.

Backup Locations: PC, NAS, or External Hard Drive


If your backup was created locally, you can restore it later from the location where it was saved. This is particularly useful when backups are managed centrally or externally.

Storage location Advantage during restoration
Local hard drive Fast, direct access to the backup
External HDD / SSD Flexible use and additional data protection
NAS Central storage on a network drive

Practical: You aren’t tied to a fixed cloud storage solution, but instead use your existing local backup exactly where it was stored.

iDevice Manager vs. iTunes vs. iCloud


If you want to restore an iPhone or iPad from a backup, the most important thing is how independent and flexible the process is.

Function iCloud iTunes iDevice Manager
Use local backup
Without Apple Cloud
Backup created with iDevice Manager
Restore directly in iDevice Manager
Backup password supported

Conclusion: iDevice Manager is particularly suitable for users who want to manage their backups locally and restore them independently of iTunes.

When is restoring a good idea?


Restoring from a local backup is especially helpful if you:

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Restoring from a Local Backup


Can I restore an iPhone from a backup without iTunes?

Yes. The restoration is performed using iDevice Manager and is therefore independent of iTunes.

Can I also restore an iPad from a local backup?

Yes. The restore process is designed for both iPhone and iPad.

Where does the backup for the restore come from?

The backup comes from a local data backup that was previously created with iDevice Manager.

Can I use a backup from a NAS or external hard drive?

Yes, provided the local backup was stored there and can be found by iDevice Manager.

What content can be included in the restoration?

Options are available for system files, settings, and apps. Additionally, an optional backup password can be entered.

What happens if no backup is displayed in the list?

Then no matching backup was found, or it is not available at the current location.

Restore your iPhone or iPad from a backup now


Use iDevice Manager to restore your iPhone or iPad from a local backupeasily, flexibly, and without iTunes. This way, you stay in control of your data and use existing backups directly from your preferred storage location.

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