By Jenefey Aaron

Updated on 2025-06-26

100 % Helpful

Restore iCloud Backup with/Without Reset - iPhone 16/iOS 26 Supported

By Jenefey Aaron

2025-06-26 / iCloud

Got a new iPhone 16 running iOS 26 and want to restore your iCloud backup — but don’t want to lose your current data? Apple’s official method typically requires a full reset, which means wiping your iPhone before restoring anything.

But don’t worry — in this guide, we’ll show you how to restore iCloud backup without reset, even on iPhone 16/iOS 26.

Part 1. What is iCloud Backup and Why Restore?

Part 2. Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup Without Reset (Photos Only)

Part 3. Restore from iCloud Backup Without Reset (All Data Supported)

Part 4. Which Is the Best Way to Restore from iCloud Backup

Part 5. FAQs about iCloud Backup

Part 1. What is iCloud Backup and Why Restore?

iCloud backup automatically saves your iPhone’s essential datato Apple’s cloud servers. This backup protects your data in case you lose or replace your phone. iCloud backup is a feature on iPhones that automatically saves your important data to the cloud. It can store a wide range of data, including:

Photos and Videos
Contacts
App Data
Messages
Device Settings
Health Data
HomeKit Configuration

Restoring from iCloud backup helps you recover your data quickly, whether you’ve switched to a new iPhone or need to fix a problem. However, the traditional restore method requires erasing all existing data, which can be inconvenient if you want to keep some of your current information.

Part 2. Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup Without Reset (Photos Only)

While the official method to restore iPhone from iCloud backup requires resetting the device, it is a reliable way to recover your data. This approach involves erasing all existing content and settings on your iPhone and then restoring it from a previous iCloud backup.

Why Choose the Official Method?

Full device restore: Recovers apps, settings, media, and device configurations in one seamless process.
Built-in reliability: Developed by Apple, it’s less likely to encounter unexpected errors or privacy concerns.
Ideal for new iPhones: Works effortlessly when setting up a fresh device or troubleshooting persistent issues.

Steps to Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup Without Reset (Photos Only)

This method isn’t limited to photos; you can recover other types of data as well by following similar steps, including on iPhone 16/iOS 26 devices.

Open a web browser on your computer or another iOS device and go to iCloud.com. Sign in with your Apple ID and password.

sign in to icloud for restore from icloud

For example, if you need to recover photos, click on the "Photos" tab.

select icloud photos for restore icloud backup

All your backed-up photos will be displayed here. You can navigate by date to find the most recent images.
To download the images back to your device, click on the "Download" button next to each photo. It’s that simple to restore data from iCloud.

restore from icloud backup without reset

Cons of Traditional Restore Method

You can only restore certain data types like photos, contacts, and documents, leaving out app data or settings.
The process is manual and can be time-consuming if you have many files to recover.
It doesn’t sync all your data automatically; you must manually download the files you want.
This method doesn’t fully revert your iPhone to a previous state, as it’s not a complete device restore.
There’s a risk of duplicate files or data overlap when manually restoring items.

Tips:

Want to restore all iCloud backup data without erasing your iPhone? Try Tenorshare iCareFone — it lets you selectively restore data without reset, unlike Apple’s full reset method.

Part 3. Restore from iCloud Backup Without Reset (All Data Supported)

If you're looking to restore iPhone from a backup without erasing any data, Tenorshare iCareFone is your go-to solution, especially for iPhone 16 and iOS 26 devices.

Unlike iCloud or iTunes, Tenorshare iCareFone allows you to selectively backup and restore iPhone from iCloud Backup without resetting, including photos, videos, contacts, messages, music, etc. This means no data will be overwritten, and you can restore iCloud backup to original iPhone or another new iPhone.

Advantages of Tenorshare iCareFone

Selective Backup & Restore: Choose only the important data you want to back up or restore.
No Data Overwrite: Unlike traditional methods, iCareFone ensures that none of your current data will be erased.
Comprehensive Management: Manage and transfer over 20+ types of files, including photos, videos, music, messages, etc.
Compatibility: Fully supports the latest iOS 26 and iPhone 16.
Safety: User's personal information remains safe during backups and transfers.

Steps to Restore from iCloud Backup Without Reset

Install Tenorshare iCareFone on your PC or Mac, then open it using the shortcut on your desktop. Connect your iPhone to the PC/Mac. Select the “Backup & Restore” tab.
Select everything you’d like to back up.
Hit “Backup” and wait for the backup process to complete.

Now, you have backed up iCloud data from iPhone. It’s time to restore from iCloud backup without reset:

In iCareFone, select the “Backup & Restore” tab. Select the Restore option. Choose the latest backup file you see. Pick the one you created minutes ago.
Preview the iCloud data.
Press the “Restore to Device” button to start restoring from iCloud backup without reset. Wait for the process to complete, and you’re all set!

[Video Guide] How to Restore iPhone from iCloud Backup without Resetting

Part 4. Which Is the Best Way to Restore from iCloud Backup

When determining how to restore iCloud backup without reset, you should examine the numerous options to pick the one that best matches your requirements.

Tenorshare iCareFone and the official iCloud restoration are compared here, as the two main approaches.

Please swipe to view

Method

Traditional iCloud Restore

Tenorshare iCareFone

Data Restoration

Complete restore of all data

Selective restore of specific data

Reset Required

Yes, requires a full device reset

No reset needed

Speed

Can be slow depending on backup size

Faster, even with large backups

Data Loss Risk

Higher risk of overwriting current data

No risk, as you can choose what to restore

User Control

Limited control over what gets restored

Full control over the data you want to restore

Ease of Use

Standard process, might be complex for beginners

User-friendly interface, easy for all levels

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Part 5. FAQs about iCloud Backup

Q1: Can I restore my iPhone from iCloud after setting it up as a new phone?

Yes, you can, but there’s a catch. Apple requires you to erase all content first. Only then can you restore from an iCloud backup.

Q2: How long does it take to restore iPhone from iCloud backup?

Generally, the duration depends on the size of the backup and the speed of your internet connection, whether on iPhone 16 or iOS 26 device. See estimated restore times:

Small Backup (under 5GB): Expect around 15-30 minutes with a fast Wi-Fi connection (over 50 Mbps).
Medium Backup (5-10GB): This may take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour with average Wi-Fi speeds (25-50 Mbps).
Large Backup (over 10GB): Restoring can take 1-4 hours or longer, especially with slower internet speeds (less than 25 Mbps).

Q3: Does restore from iCloud backup delete everything?

If you want to restore iCloud backup, you will need to erase all current content and settings on your iPhone first. This means that it will replace the existing data on your iPhone with the data from the backup you choose.

Q4: How do I manually restore from iCloud backup?

Manual restoration typically requires a reset. But, with Tenorshare iCareFone, you can restore without resetting. It's a more flexible option.

Q5: How can I see all available backups in iCloud?

During the restoration process, tap "Show All" to view all backups. If you don’t see the backup you want, check if you are logged into the correct iCloud account.

Q6: In what order does data restore from an iCloud backup?

The restoration order typically starts with settings, followed by apps, and then media like photos and music. The exact order can vary depending on the backup.

Q7: How to fix when restore from iCloud backup not working?

To fix an iCloud restore not working, ensure you're connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and have enough iPhone storage. If the issue persists, restart your device and try again.

Conclusion

Restoring from iCloud backup can help you recover important data, whether you reset iPhone or not. For a smooth and easy experience without reset, you can use Tenorshare iCareFone.

Tenorshare iCareFone is the perfect solution for those who want to restore from iCloud backup without reset and maintain their existing files. It also offers an efficient way to manage your iPhone backups, including iPhone 16/iOS 26.