Backing Up, updating, and restoring your iPhone and iPod touch software

Your iPhone and/or iPod touch is backed up by iTunes each time you:

• Sync with iTunes (automatically on the first sync, every time you connect it to the computer)
• Update in iTunes (occurs automatically without prompting)
• Restore in iTunes (prompts you to create a backup before the restore process begins)

Although iTunes backs up most of your iPhone and iPod touch settings, downloaded applications, your audio, video, and photo content are not included in the backup.

If restoring from an iTunes backup, your iPhone and iPod touch settings, downloaded applications, audio, video, and photo contents will re-sync to the device because the "Sync" option under the respective tabs will be checked in iTunes when restoring from a backup. If you choose to restore your device as a new user, downloaded applications, audio, video, and photo content will not be sync until you select the "Sync" option in iTunes under each tab.

Also, with iPhone 2.0 software and iTunes 7.7 or later, you can manually back up or restore your iPhone or iPod touch from a backup. To do so, Control-click or right-click the iPhone or iPod touch icon on the left side of the iTunes window and choose Back Up or Restore from Backup*:

iTunes will not offer the option to restore from backup if no backups have been performed prior to accessing this option. For a list of content that iTunes backs up, as well as more information about backups, see article HT1766: "iPhone and iPod touch: About backups."

* Restoring from backup is different than performing a full software restore. Restoring from backup restores the settings, applications, and other information saved in a previous backup. Performing a full software restore will erase your iPhone or iPod touch and restore it to the original factory settings. More information about the "Software Restore" function is below.

iTunes also has the ability to update your iPhone or iPod touch software. When you begin the process of updating your iPhone and iPod touch, iTunes performs a standard backup* (as mentioned above). To do so you would need to:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed and running before attempting to update.
2. Connect your iPhone or iPod touch to your computer.
3. Select your iPhone or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.
4. Select the Summary tab.
5. Click Check for Update (as seen in the screen shot below):

   

* Updating your iPhone or iPod touch does not affect user content or settings.

Using the Restore function for your iPhone or iPod touch is part of standard troubleshooting procedure. Restoring your device will erase all data from your iPhone or iPod touch, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, calendar information, and any other data. All iPhone or iPod touch settings are restored to their factory condition.

Whenever you restore your iPhone or iPod touch, Apple highly recommends that you perform a sync prior to restoring in order to back up any changes since your last sync. If you have movie rentals on the device, see this document before restoring.

Use the following steps to restore your iPhone or iPod touch:

1. Make sure you have the latest version of iTunes installed and running before attempting to update.
2. Connect your iPhone or iPod touch to your computer.
3. Select your iPhone or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.
4. Select the Summary tab.
5. Select the Restore option.
6. When prompted to back up your iPhone or iPod touch's settings before restoring, select the Back Up option (as seen in the image below). If have just backed up the device, it is not necessary to create another.

   
    

7. Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (As long as you've backed up your device, you should not have to worry about restoring your phone).

   
    

8. Once the restore process has completed the iPhone or iPod touch restarts and displays the Apple logo while starting up:

   
    

   iPhone only: For the iPhone only, after a restore, the iPhone displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. Keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or you see "iPhone is activated." If iTunes does not have an Internet connection, you cannot complete this step.

    
    

9. The final step is to restore your iPhone or iPod touch from a previous backup. Once your iPod touch or iPhone is restored and, in the case of the iPhone, in the process of activating, you should be able to see the following in iTunes:

   

   Select the back up you want for your iPhone or iPod touch and select the Continue button in order to complete your device's restoration.

Software updates prior to iPhone software 2.0 updated the device without affecting your settings or media content. Updating your iPhone and iPod touch from iPhone software 1.x to 2.0 or later includes a back up, erase, and then restore of your device prior to installing the new update. iTunes will offer to create a one-time media backup of your device depending on what content is on your device and what content is stored in the iTunes Library you are connected to. You should ensure that you have enough free space on your Mac or PC to accommodate a backup that matches the capacity of your iPhone or iPod touch (4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB) if you proceed with the this backup.

As a result of this comprehensive one-time media backup, this process can take some time. The amount of time, is determined by the amount of data on the iPhone or iPod touch.

Restoring your new iPhone or iPod touch from a previous iPhone or iPod touch backup.

If you upgrade or otherwise replace your iPod touch or iPhone with a newer device, you may be able to restore the previous backup to the new device.  For upgrading from the original iPhone to iPhone 3G, see these instructions.

Note: During the process of restoring your old backup to a new iPhone or iPod touch, you may see the iTunes progress bar pause. If this occurs, please allow for additional time for the upgrade to complete.