How to backup and restore your iPad?

If, at all, you are worried about losing saved games, media files or other valuable data from your iPad, somehow, it’s better to have a backup for all before you proceed further. Why? Chances are much of the laboriously gathered data by you might get lost if something unusual had to occur. So let us in this post highlight the main steps to backup restore iPad data with iTunes and Cloud Backup.

How to backup restore iPad data?

The old and useful iTunes Sync process is the very much viable option for maintaining a backup of your iPad. In this method, you need to connect your iPad to your primary computer using a USB cable and then run the iTunes software downloaded onto your computer. The data/information is always available on your computer hard drive.

How to go about?

  • Connect your iPad to your computer (here, I assume you have already installed iTunes on your computer).
  • Now, do a right-click on the ‘Devices’ menu and choose ‘Backup’ option from it.
backup restore iPad data
  • Doing so initiates the backup process.
  • Once complete, click on ‘Ok’ to disconnect the process.

The second option is to use the CLOUD BACKUP feature but what is iCloud? Well, it is an Apple service that offers easy back up via its Cloud Backup feature. You can create a backup of all your important stuff over a Wi-Fi. Make sure to connect it to a power source.

It is important to mention here that prior to the release of iOS 5, if you wanted to maintain a backup of your iPad it was necessary to use the iTunes Sync process but with the new ‘Cloud Backup’ feature this was made optional.

What should one do while using the cloud backup feature? Follow the steps mentioned below;

  • First, connect your iPad to Wi-Fi and enter your Apple ID password (If you are a first time user, go to the Settings and choose iCloudApple, by default begins with the same email address that you use for the Apple ID to make purchases via iTunes).
  • Once done, Apple will send you an account verification email to the address along with a link that you can follow to complete the process.
  • Next, go to Settings > iCloud and enable the ‘iCloud backup’ option and click on ‘Backup now’.
Now you are done! Pretty convenient and very effortless process, to backup restore iPad data, Right!

With iCloud, you can backup

  • Purchased music, TV shows, apps and books
  • Photos and videos in the camera roll
  • App data
  • Message and much more

Please note, the iCloud service only includes 5GB of free online storage space.  Every time you create a backup, it will take some more space. You will lose a bit of space from the 5 GB of free online storage space. You can buy more space if you want.

backup restore iPad data

Now suppose you want to restore your iPad, how do you do it? Simple, you can either restore your iPad from iTunes backup or from iCloud backup.

Restoring from iTunes backup:

  • I would recommend you to first download and install the latest version of iTunes on your computer and then connect your iPad to it.
  • When done, under iTunes Device option, select your iPad > Summary tab > Restore. It will prompt you to to create a backup of your settings before restoring. You can skip the process, and select ‘Restore’.
  • Wait for sometime after selecting the option.
  • Once the process is complete your iPad will reboot.  Once it’s complete, expect a message which will confirm that your iPad restore is complete.
  • If at all you would like to restore from a previous backup, follow the above steps in the same sequence but choose ‘Restore from Backup’ option in the end.

Restoring from iCloud backup:

Assuming you already have an iCloud account let us proceed further. To restore from iCloud backup

  • Go to the ‘Settings’, scroll and check if the iCloud Backup option is set to ‘ON’.
  • If it is on, tap ‘Back Up Now’ button available just below the ‘iCloud Backup’ option.
  • Then, Pick a language and agree to the license agreement.
  • You will have two choices:
    • Restore from iCloud Backup
    • Restore from iTunes Backup
  • Choose the former option, sign into your account and select a file. The action will bring up a screen that will display the following message, ‘Restoring from Backup’. It will display a progress bar too.
  • You will have to wait for a while. Once complete, your iPad will restart.

Now you really don’t need to connect your iPad with PC with iCloud. So make sure you always backup restore iPad data with it.

About the author

Hemant Saxena

The author Hemant Saxena is a post-graduate in bio-technology and has an immense interest in following technology developments. Quite by nature, he is an avid Lacrosse player.