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new iphone 14 pro "cannot restore backup"

I'm trying to set up my new iphone 14 and after about an hour of "estimating time remaining" the new device told me it "cannot restore backup." Now the new device has backed itself up to icloud and the backup for the old device is sitting there alongside it, and I can't sort out how to get my old phone's data onto my new phone.


Any tips or articles about this that are accurate and up to date? I keep finding help articles that are 6 years old and describe interfaces that no longer exist.

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Oct 4, 2022 12:42 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 6, 2022 9:05 AM

Hello apostrophecatastrophe,


Congratulations on the new iPhone 14. We want to help get your old backup on the new device.


Since it sounds like you already set up the iPhone make sure to erase all of its contents to start the process again.


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support You'll need to follow the steps we've quoted below:


Turn on your device. You should see a Hello screen. If you already set up your device, you need to erase all of its content before you can use these steps to restore from your backup.
Follow the onscreen setup steps until you reach the Apps & Data screen, then tap Restore from iCloud Backup. 
An iPhone showing the Apps & Data screen with the first option, Restore from an iCloud Backup, selected.

Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
Choose a backup. Look at the date and size of each and pick the most relevant. After you choose a backup, the transfer starts. If a message says that a newer version of software is required, follow the onscreen steps to update. If you don't see onscreen steps to help you update, learn what to do.
When asked, sign in with your Apple ID to restore your apps and purchases. If you've purchased iTunes or App Store content using multiple Apple IDs, you'll be asked to sign in to each. If you can't remember your password, you can tap Skip this Step and sign in later. You won't be able to use the apps until you sign in with your Apple ID.
Stay connected to Wi-Fi and wait for a progress bar to appear and complete. Depending on the size of the backup and the network speed, the progress bar might need a few minutes to an hour to complete. If you disconnect from Wi-Fi too soon, the progress will pause until you reconnect.


We have a new process called Quick Start which can be used if you have the old iPhone near the new iPhone:


Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


We hope this helps.


Cheers.


1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Oct 6, 2022 9:05 AM in response to apostrophecatastrophe

Hello apostrophecatastrophe,


Congratulations on the new iPhone 14. We want to help get your old backup on the new device.


Since it sounds like you already set up the iPhone make sure to erase all of its contents to start the process again.


Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch from a backup - Apple Support You'll need to follow the steps we've quoted below:


Turn on your device. You should see a Hello screen. If you already set up your device, you need to erase all of its content before you can use these steps to restore from your backup.
Follow the onscreen setup steps until you reach the Apps & Data screen, then tap Restore from iCloud Backup. 
An iPhone showing the Apps & Data screen with the first option, Restore from an iCloud Backup, selected.

Sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID.
Choose a backup. Look at the date and size of each and pick the most relevant. After you choose a backup, the transfer starts. If a message says that a newer version of software is required, follow the onscreen steps to update. If you don't see onscreen steps to help you update, learn what to do.
When asked, sign in with your Apple ID to restore your apps and purchases. If you've purchased iTunes or App Store content using multiple Apple IDs, you'll be asked to sign in to each. If you can't remember your password, you can tap Skip this Step and sign in later. You won't be able to use the apps until you sign in with your Apple ID.
Stay connected to Wi-Fi and wait for a progress bar to appear and complete. Depending on the size of the backup and the network speed, the progress bar might need a few minutes to an hour to complete. If you disconnect from Wi-Fi too soon, the progress will pause until you reconnect.


We have a new process called Quick Start which can be used if you have the old iPhone near the new iPhone:


Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support


We hope this helps.


Cheers.


new iphone 14 pro "cannot restore backup"

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