This article explains how to back up your iPad with iCloud, and how to restore an iPad from an iCloud backup. Instructions apply to devices running iOS 8 and later.

What to Know

  • Go to Settings > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.To erase device: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.Once the reset is finished, you’ll be prompted to restore your device from a backup.

How to Automatically Back Up Your iPad With iCloud

To turn on iCloud backups for your iPad:

  • Open Settings.
  • In the left panel, tap your name.
  • Tap iCloud.
  • In the iCloud settings, choose what you want to back up, including contacts, calendar events, bookmarks in the Safari browser, and items in the Notes app. By default, most of these are on.
  • Tap iCloud Backup.
  • To turn on automatic backups for the iPad, turn on the iCloud Backup toggle switch. When on, the iPad backs up when it is plugged into a wall outlet or computer.
  • Tap Back Up Now to perform an immediate backup.
  • The iPad will back up automatically. The text below Back Up Now displays the date and time of the last backup.

How to Restore an iPad From an iCloud Backup

Restoring an iPad from an iCloud backup begins by wiping the iPad, which puts it into the same state it was when you first took it out of the box.

Open Settings.

In the left panel, tap your name.

Tap iCloud.

In the iCloud settings, choose what you want to back up, including contacts, calendar events, bookmarks in the Safari browser, and items in the Notes app. By default, most of these are on.

Tap iCloud Backup.

To turn on automatic backups for the iPad, turn on the iCloud Backup toggle switch. When on, the iPad backs up when it is plugged into a wall outlet or computer.

Tap Back Up Now to perform an immediate backup.

The iPad will back up automatically. The text below Back Up Now displays the date and time of the last backup.

  • Open Settings.
  • Tap General.
  • Tap Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.
  • Confirm your choice, and the iPad returns to its default state.

When the iPad is finished erasing the data, the iPad shows the same screen that displayed when you first got the iPad. As you set up the iPad, it offers the choice to restore the tablet from a backup. This option appears after you sign in to your Wi-Fi network and choose whether or not to use location services.

Perform a manual backup before you reset your iPad to prevent losing any photos or data.

Tap General.

Tap Reset, then tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Confirm your choice, and the iPad returns to its default state.

When you choose to restore from a backup, you can choose from the last backup or one of the previous ones.

Restoring from a backup can take time. The process uses a Wi-Fi connection to download settings, content, and data. If there’s a lot of content on the iPad, this can take a while. The restore screen displays estimates at each stage of the restore process, starting with restoring the settings and then booting into the iPad. When the iPad home screen appears, the iPad will continue the restore process by downloading all of your applications.

If you are restoring from a backup because the iPad has problems that can only be resolved by deleting it, choose the latest backup. If the iPad still doesn’t work correctly, move to the next most recent backup. Repeat this process until the problem clears.

If you run into a problem with this stage, download an application again from the App Store for free. You can also sync apps from iTunes on your PC. The restoring process also replaces photos and other data, so if it doesn’t look like it’s making progress, the iPad could be downloading more than apps.

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