7 Quick Fixes to Restoring from iCloud Taking Forever

Restoring your iPhone from an iCloud backup is a common and convenient way to retrieve your data after a device reset or upgrade. However, some users may encounter the frustrating issue of the restoration process taking an unusually long time.

In this article, we will explore the reasons why restoring from iCloud may take forever, provide seven quick fixes to address the issue, and introduce a faster alternative - FoneTool - for restoring iCloud backups more efficiently.

Why restoring from iCloud taking forever?

Several factors can contribute to the prolonged time it takes to restore an iPhone from an iCloud backup:
😧 Internet Speed: A slow or unstable internet connection can significantly impact the download speed of the iCloud backup.
😧 Backup Size: The size of the iCloud backup plays a crucial role. Larger backups with a substantial amount of data will naturally take longer to download and restore.
😧 Apple Server Issues: Occasionally, issues with Apple's servers can result in delays during the restoration process.
😧 Device Performance: The age and performance of the device being restored can influence the speed of the restoration process.

Now, let's delve into seven quick fixes to address the issue when restoring from iCloud takes forever.

Quick fixes when restore from iCloud backup taking forever

Now that you're aware of some reasons why the restore from iCloud is taking a long time, let's explore the possible fixes you can apply. Alternatively, you can try the quick solution in this next part to quickly restore from iCloud backup.

1# Stop restoring iPhone

If new iPhone restore from iCloud taking forever, you can manually stop the process to give your iPhone a break. Since the restoration is not progressing, you'll need to intervene and halt the process manually.

Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > Tap your name > Choose iCloud > Backup > Tap Stop Restoring iPhone. When a window prompts, tap Stop to confirm your operation.

This solution will stop the restoration process. Keep in mind that you won't receive contacts or other applications on the new iPhone. It's recommended to perform a factory reset to restart the restoring process to check if it can work properly this time.

2# Force restart iPhone

Restarting your iPhone is a simple yet effective trick when the restore from iCloud is taking too long. Despite its simplicity, restarting your device can often resolve various issues by eliminating bugs and providing a refreshed system.

● Force restart iPhone 8 and later with Face ID:
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button > Quickly press and release the Volume Down button > Press and hold the Side/Power button until the Apple logo appears.

● Force restart iPhone 7/7 Plus:
Press and hold the Top button and Volume Down button together > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

● Force restart iPhone 6s, SE and earlier with Home button:
Hold down the Home button and the Top (or Side) button at the same time > Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears.

3# Check Internet connection

A stable and high-speed internet connection is essential for a smooth iCloud backup restoration. Ensure that you are connected to a reliable Wi-Fi network and consider restarting your router to improve connectivity.

Or if possible, you can look for an alternate option, a cellular connection. It is suggested to turn off Wi-Fi Assist on your iPhone to prevent interruptions during processes like data restoration. This feature automatically switches to cellular data if Wi-Fi encounters issues, which can disrupt ongoing tasks.

4# Avoid unnecessary backups

Free up iCloud storage space by deleting unnecessary backup files. This can help reduce errors - restoring from iCloud taking forever and improve the efficiency of iCloud processes. Let’s see how to disable unnecessary backups:

Step 1. Go to the Settings app > Tap your name > Choose iCloud > Manage Storage > Backup.

Step 2. Click your device > Show All Apps > Locate and toggle off the switch next to the unnecessary apps > Hit Turn Off & Delete.

5# Delete old backups

If still, iPhone restore from iCloud taking forever, it could be due to various factors. One common issue is the iCloud backup being too large, leading to a prolonged restoration process.

Deleting old iCloud backups that are no longer needed can help free up space on your iCloud account, potentially speeding up the restore process. Here's how you can delete old iCloud backups:

Step 1. Go to the Settings app on your iPhone > Tap [your name] > Tap on the iCloud > Tap Manage Storage.

Step 2. Tap Backup > Choose the device whose backup you want to delete > Scroll down to the bottom to tap Delete Backup. When a window prompts, tap Turn Off & Delete to confirm the deletion.

This can be particularly helpful if you have multiple devices backing up to the same iCloud account over time.

6# Update iOS version

If your iPhone is running on an outdated iOS version, it can potentially impact the restore process. To ensure smooth restoration, it's advisable to update your iPhone to the latest iOS version available. Here's how you can check for updates and install the latest iOS version:

Go to Settings on your iPhone > Tap General > Software Update >Download and install the latest iOS version on your iPhone.

Faster way to restore iCloud backup with alternative - FoneTool

If the above quick fixes do not resolve the issue, or if you're looking for a faster alternative for restoring iCloud backups, FoneTool offers a comprehensive solution. FoneTool is a versatile tool that allows you to efficiently manage and selectively restore data from your iCloud account.

What’s more, if you restore iCloud backup to a new iPhone, you can also rely on FoneTool to transfer everything from old iPhone to the new one without iCloud backup.

Free download FoneTool to your computer, and let’s have an overview of how to restore iCloud backup and how to switch to new iPhone without iCloud backup.

Option 1. Selectively restore iCloud backup
FoneTool can be a nice assistant to enable you to preview and select files from iCloud to restore especially if your photos restoring from iCloud taking forever.

Step 1. Launch FoneTool, and click My iCloud > Sign in with your iCloud account > Enter the verification code to confirm.

Step 2. Click Manage iCloud > Check each icon like Photos and simply check Select All to choose all iCloud files to restore > Click Download button at the top of the screen to continue.

Step 3. Finally, you can choose a destination to save all of your iCloud files, and click Download to begin the task.

To get downloaded iCloud files to your iPhone, you can head to Phone Transfer > PC to iPhone in FoneTool to import files to your iPhone.

Option 2. Transfer all data from old iPhone to another without iCloud backup
In one click, you can rely on FoneTool to complete iPhone to iPhone transfer without iCloud, which is helpful when you encounter restoring from iCloud taking forever issue on your new iPhone

Step 1. Launch FoneTool > Connect both old and new iPhones to PC > Click Phone Transfer > Go to iPhone to iPhone and click Start Transfer.

Step 2. Click Enable backup encryption to keep your private data safer > Click Start Transfer to start the transfer.

Summary

Issues such as slow internet speed, large backup size, Apple server problems, and device performance can contribute to the restoring from iCloud taking forever issue. The seven quick fixes provided in this article offer practical solutions to address these issues, ensuring a smoother and faster iCloud backup restoration.

Additionally, FoneTool presents a reliable solution for restoring iCloud backups more efficiently. By following the steps outlined in the article, you can navigate through the restoration process with greater ease and speed, ultimately enhancing your overall experience when managing data on your iOS devices.