How do I transfer data from an iPhone that won’t turn on?

Answered by Michael Wilson

Transferring data from an iPhone that won’t turn on can be a bit tricky, but it is still possible to retrieve your important information. One of the best ways to do this is by restoring from an iCloud backup on another iOS device. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this:

Step 1: Prepare your iOS device
On your working iOS device, ensure that you have the latest version of iOS installed. You can check this by going to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update” and installing any available updates.

Step 2: Backup your working iOS device
Before restoring from iCloud backup, it’s important to ensure that your working iOS device is backed up. You can do this by going to “Settings” > “Your Name” > “iCloud” > “iCloud Backup” and tapping on “Back Up Now”. Make sure the backup is complete before proceeding.

Step 3: Erase all content and settings on the non-working iPhone
On your non-working iPhone, go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset” > “Erase all Content and Settings”. This will wipe all data from the device, but don’t worry, we will be restoring from iCloud backup later.

Step 4: Begin the setup process
After erasing the content and settings, your non-working iPhone will restart and show the “Hello” screen. Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the “Apps & Data” screen.

Step 5: Restore from iCloud backup
On the “Apps & Data” screen, select “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in with your Apple ID. Choose the most recent backup that contains the data you want to transfer. The restore process will begin, and your non-working iPhone will start downloading the backup from iCloud.

Step 6: Wait for the restore to complete
The time it takes to restore from iCloud backup depends on the size of the backup and your internet connection speed. Ensure that your iPhone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and connected to a power source to avoid any interruptions during the restore process. Be patient and wait for the restore to complete.

Step 7: Complete the setup and access your data
Once the restore process is finished, your non-working iPhone will restart, and you can complete the setup process. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up Touch ID, Face ID, passcode, and other preferences. After the setup is complete, you should be able to access all the data from your iCloud backup on your non-working iPhone.

It’s important to note that this method will only transfer the data from your iCloud backup. Any data that was not backed up to iCloud will not be retrievable using this method. If you have any specific data that you need to recover, such as photos or contacts, it’s always a good idea to regularly backup your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes.

I hope this guide helps you in transferring your data from an iPhone that won’t turn on. If you encounter any issues or have further questions, feel free to ask for assistance.