How to Restore iPhone from Local Backup in macOS 13

Restoring an iPhone from a local backup on a Mac running macOS 13 Ventura allows you to recover your personal data, apps, and system settings directly through your computer without relying on iCloud. Because macOS 13 manages iOS devices via Finder rather than the deprecated iTunes application, the restoration process is handled directly from your desktop. This guide outlines the exact, step-by-step procedure to connect your device and successfully restore an existing local backup.

Step 1: Turn Off "Find My" on Your iPhone

Before restoring, iOS requires you to disable activation locks:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap your Apple ID name at the top.
  3. Select Find My, then tap Find My iPhone.
  4. Toggle the switch to Off and enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

Step 2: Connect the iPhone to Your Mac

  1. Connect your iPhone to your Mac using an appropriate USB-C or Lightning cable.
  2. If prompted on your iPhone screen, tap Trust This Computer and enter your device passcode.

Step 3: Locate Your Device in Finder

  1. Open a new Finder window on your Mac.
  2. Look at the left sidebar under the Locations section.
  3. Click on your iPhone's name.
  4. If you have not connected this iPhone to your Mac before, click Trust in the Finder window to establish a secure pairing.

Step 4: Initiate the Restore

  1. In the main Finder window for your iPhone, ensure you are on the General tab.
  2. Under the Backups section, click the Restore Backup… button.
  3. A pop-up window will appear. Click the Backup dropdown menu and select the specific backup file you wish to restore based on the date and time.
  4. If the selected backup is encrypted, enter the password you created when setting up the backup.
  5. Click Restore.

Step 5: Complete the Process

Keep your iPhone connected to the Mac while the files transfer. The device will display a "Restore in Progress" screen and will automatically restart once the data transfer is complete. Leave the cable connected until the iPhone boots back up and Finder finishes re-syncing your content.