Fix "Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed Please Restore Your iPhone from Backup" Error

Updated by Brian Davis on Nov 27, 2025 • Category: Fix iPhone Issues
7 mins read

"Help!!! Data recovery cannot be completed on my iPhone 11! After updating it to the latest version, it shows a message that 'Data recovery cannot be completed. Please restore your iPhone from backup'. How can I solve it?" — From an iPhone user

When a new iPhone software update is released, most users update quickly to enjoy new features. Usually, updates are fast and smooth, but some users encounter issues. One common problem is when the iPhone shows "data recovery cannot be completed, please restore your iPhone from backup."

If you see this error, don't worry—it can be fixed. Here are the top 4 ways to resolve iPhone data recovery cannot be completed, along with answers to common questions.

data recovery cannot be completed on iphone

Part 1. Why Does My iPhone Say Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed?

If you see this notification from your iPhone when you update your iPhone, it means that your iPhone occurs some software glitches. This happens more when you update your software to a Beta iOS version. Some mistakes occupy your iPhone because of the app issue or incompatibilities between your iPhone and the latest iOS version. We summarize some common reasons for this issue.

1. Insufficient Storage: If your iPhone doesn't have enough available storage to complete the data recovery process, the recovery may fail.

2. Corrupted Backup: If you're trying to restore from a backup that is corrupt or incomplete, the process may fail.

3. Software Glitch: Occasionally, iOS updates or restores can experience software glitches that prevent data recovery. These may require restarting or updating the phone again.

4. Outdated iOS Version: If the backup was made using a newer version of iOS than what's currently installed on the device, the recovery might fail.

5. Hardware Issue: If there's a hardware issue with your iPhone, such as a malfunctioning storage drive or other component failure, it could interfere with data recovery.

Part 2. How to Fix Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed?

Here are some ways to recover your data. Some methods use third-party software and can also repair your system, while others don't require extra tools but offer fewer recovery options. Choose the one that suits you best.

Fix 1. Fix Data Recover Cannot Be Completed by TunesKit iOS System Recovery [Loss-Free Repair]

The reason for "data recovery cannot be completed please restore your iphone from backup" is often caused by iOS malfunction, then you need a professional iOS repair tool to solve this problem. I think an iOS fixing tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery is what you need.

You can rely on this third-party tool to support you even if you aren't tech-savvy. With the help of it, you shouldn't mess with complex and cumbersome methods on your own anymore. Because this program developed exclusively for iOS users is designed to resolve over 150 iOS-related issues like iPhone black and white screen.

In addition to repairing iOS devices, this tool allows you to enter/exit Recovery mode for free and prevents data loss. In a word, with a user-friendly interface and step-by-step instructions, it's suitable for everyone to use.

Why Choose TunesKit iOS System Recovery?

It offers a quick and reliable way to fix the ‘Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed, Please Restore Your iPhone from Backup’ error without data loss.

Try It Free safe 600,000+ Downloads

Now let's take a deeper look into how the TunesKit iOS System Recovery software works.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone

Firstly, connect your iPhone to TunesKit iOS System Recovery with a cable. Select iOS System Repair from the home page, and click Start buttton to continue.

connect iphone

Step 2Select a Mode

You can choose Standard Repair and Deep Repair in TunesKit iOS System Recovery. The Standard Repair can help you fix your iPhone quickly and safely without losing any data. The Deep Repair is more powerful than the Standard Repair, it solves more complex iOS glitches. However, this repair mode will erase all your iPhone data. If you are going to use the Deep Repair, don't forget to back up your iPhone in advance.

select a mode

Step 3Download Firmware Package

Before downloading, you will see a series of information given about your iPhone. Please confirm if it corresponds to your device. If not, please correct it manually. Then, select the firmware package that matches your iPhone and TunesKit iOS System Recovery will start to download the firmware package that can fix your iPhone.

download firmware

Step 4Fix "iPhone Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed" Error

Finally, click on the "Repair" button and it will start to fix your iPhone issue automatically. After that, please restore your iPhone from backup when the downloading is finished.

fix data recovery cannot be completed on iphone

Fix 2. Restore Your iPhone Using iTunes Backup

If you are facing "data recovery cannot be completed, please restore your iPhone from backup" error, you can restore your device from a backup on iTunes, just as the words suggest. And the steps to restore iPhone from iTunes backup are simple.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to iTunes via a workable lightning cable, then iTunes will start to detect your iPhone.

Step 2. Click the small iPhone icon, make sure you are in the Summary section, and hit on the Restore Backup option in the right pane.

Step 3. A dialog box will pop up, prompting you to select a backup for restoration. Click on the drop-down list to choose the desired backup, then press the Restore iPhone button.

Step 4. Following the restoration of your device, the "data recovery cannot be completed" issue you were facing should be resolved.

restore your iphone from itunes

Fix 3. Restore iPhone with iTunes Recovery Mode

Alternatively, you may try your iOS device's Recovery Mode if you were not able to solve your problem using the above solution. This function is designed to assist you in recovering your device when it doesn't work properly. A device in this mode can be fixed when it has been bricked, but you can also use it in a normal situation. The only thing you need to do is put your iPhone in recovery mode before restoring it via iTunes. Step-by-step instructions are provided in this tutorial.

Step 1. Open iTunes on a Windows computer.

Step 2. Plug your iPhone into a computer with an original USB lightning cable.

Step 3. Put your iPhone into Recovery mode.

For iPhone 8 or later models: Press and release the Volume Up button quickly, do this also for the Volume Down button. Next up, press and hold the Side button until you see the Recovery mode screen.

For iPhone 7 series: Press and hold the Top/Side button and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep holding the two buttons until the Recovery mode shows.

For iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold both the Home and the Top/Side buttons together. Keep holding the buttons until the Recovery mode screen flashes.

Step 4. Click on your device icon in the iTunes app and click on the "Restore" button to restore your iPhone. You should be able to resolve the issue after a while. Let's wait a while and the issue should go away.

restore your iphone with itunes recovery mode

Fix 4. Restore Your iPhone via DFU Mode

You can try to enter your iPhone into DFU mode and restore it if you cannot restore it from iTunes.

iPhone 6 & earlier models: Hold the Power button for 3 seconds, and then hold the Home button concurrently for 10 seconds. Release the Power button and keep holding the Home button for 5 more seconds. If the screen gets black, it means that you enter your iPhone into DFU mode successfully.

iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold the Side button and Volume button concurrently for 10 seconds. Then release the Power button and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds. If the screen is still black, you have entered the DFU mode successfully.

iPhone 8 & later models: Hold the Power button for almost 3 seconds, and then hold the Volume Down button concurrently. Keep holding both buttons for 10 seconds and then release the Side and keep holding the Volume Down button for 5 seconds. If your screen is still black, it means that you have put your iPhone into DFU mode successfully.

put your iphone into dfu mode

Part 3. More FAQs about Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed

  • Q1. Will I lose my data if I get this error?

    This error doesn't delete your data—it just means your backup can't be transferred to your iPhone. Your backup is usually safe in iCloud or on your computer. If the backup you're trying to use is corrupted, you'll need to choose an older backup instead. Data that syncs directly with iCloud, like Photos, Contacts, and Notes, is generally safe even if the full device backup fails.

  • Q2. What does "Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed" actually mean?

    This error occurs when iOS tries to restore your backup but is interrupted or finds corruption it can't fix. To avoid problems, the system stops the restore entirely. As a result, your iPhone may get stuck in a "limbo" state—some apps may appear, but the restore is incomplete, the device may be slow, or it may keep prompting you to restore.

  • Q3. How Do I Bypass Attempting Data Recovery?

    Some iPhone owners have been driven insane by the "Attempting data recovery" cycle. Luckily, you may attempt to force restart your iPhone, put your iPhone to Recovery mode, or use the advanced repair tool—TunesKit iOS System Recovery to solve it quickly.

Part 4. Summary

Though, "iPhone data recovery cannot be completed please restore your iPhone from backup" is not a complicated issue, it still brings a lot of trouble if we don't have a second iPhone. Of course, there is no charge for iTunes, but there are a lot of complexities involved.

So, to avoid further errors and simplify the repair process, we think some third-party iOS repair tools like TunesKit iOS System Recovery can always be a reliable assistant for you when you meet various iPhone hassles. Do you have any better solution for this issue? Share your thoughts below!

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