How to Fix iPhone Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed Issue

User Concern

“My iPhone is stuck on a white screen with 'Data recovery cannot be completed. Please restore your iPhone from backup.' Does anyone know how to fix this?”

Have you ever seen the error message on your iPhone that says, "Data Recovery Cannot be Completed, Please Restore Your iPhone from Backup"? You're not alone - many iPhone users run into this frustrating issue. It can be especially stressful if you have important data that needs to be recovered.

But don't worry - we're here to help. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to fix this error and restore your iPhone from a backup. Whether it's caused by a software glitch, ios update, or something else, our instructions will help you recover your  important data easily.

Why Does My iPhone Say Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed?

The "Data Recovery Cannot be Completed" message usually indicates an issue when your iPhone is trying to restore data. Here are some common reasons why this error might occur:

• Insufficient Storage: If your iPhone doesn't have enough free space to complete the recovery, the process will fail.
• Corrupted Backup: Trying to restore from a damaged or incomplete backup could prevent the recovery from working.
• Network Issues: A weak or unstable internet connection, especially when restoring from iCloud, can interrupt the recovery process.
• Outdated iOS Version: If your backup was made on a newer iOS version than what’s installed on your device, the recovery may not work.
• Software Glitch: Software issues, such as bugs during updates or restores, can cause the recovery to fail.
• Hardware Problem: A malfunctioning iPhone component, like a faulty storage drive, could interfere with the recovery process.

How to Fix Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed iPhone Issue?

Once you've learned the cause of the issue, you can explore the right solutions to fix it. In the following sections, we’ll walk you through the solutions to help you recover your data and get your iPhone working smoothly again.

Way 1. Restore iPhone from iTunes Backup

The error message suggests restoring your device from a backup, which is Apple's recommended fix. To do this, you'll need to use iTunes or Finder on your computer. Here’s how to restore your iPhone or iPad from a backup:

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and open iTunes (or Finder if you're on macOS Catalina or later).
2. In iTunes/Finder, select your device. If you're using Finder, go to the "General" tab, or if you're using iTunes, go to the "Summary" tab.
3. Click the "Restore Backup" button on the right side and a prompt will appear asking you to choose a backup.
4. Select the backup you want to restore, click "Restore iPhone" and wait for the process to complete.

Once the restore is finished, the error should be resolved, and your iPhone will be back to normal.

Way 2. Restore iPhone with iTunes Recovery Mode

If restoring from a backup doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try using Recovery Mode in iTunes or Finder. This feature is designed to help recover your device when it’s not functioning properly. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Open Finder (macOS Catalina and later) or iTunes (Windows/macOS Mojave and earlier).

Step 2: Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable and enter recovery mode:

• iPhone 8 or later: Quickly press and release the volume up button, then the volume down button. Press and hold the side button until you see the "Connect to Computer" screen.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the volume down button and the power (side) button simultaneously. Keep holding until the "Connect to Computer" screen appears.
• iPhone 6S or earlier: Press and hold both the Home and power (top/side) buttons until the "Connect to Computer" screen appears.

Step 3: Once your iPhone is in recovery mode, locate your device on your computer. When prompted with the option to Update or Restore, select "Restore." After the restore process is complete, the issue should be resolved.

Way 3. Restore iPhone Through the DFU Mode

If the previous methods didn’t resolve the error, you can try putting your iPhone into DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode and then restoring it. Here’s how to do it for different iPhone models:

iPhone 6 & older models:

• Press and hold the Power button for at least 3 seconds.
• While holding the Power button, also press and hold the Home button for 10 seconds.
• Release the Power button, but continue holding the Home button for another 5 seconds.
• Check the screen: if it's black, your iPhone is in DFU mode.

iPhone 7/7 Plus:

• Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button together.
• After 10 seconds, release the Side button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 5 seconds.
• If the screen is black, your iPhone is in DFU mode.

iPhone 8 & newer models:

• Press and hold the Power button. After 3 seconds, also press and hold the Volume Down button.
• After 10 seconds, release the Power button but continue holding the Volume Down button.
• After 5 seconds, if the screen is black, your iPhone is in DFU mode.

Way 4. Fix Data Recovery Cannot Be Completed iPhone in One Click

Still seeing the "Data recovery cannot be completed. Please restore your iPhone from backup" error? Try using FoneGeek iOS System Recovery to fix it. This tool is designed to resolve over 150 system issues on your iPhone or iPad, including problems like iPhone stuck on the Apple logo, boot loop, or won't turn on. It’s fully compatible with all iOS versions and devices, including the latest iOS 18 and iPhone 16 models.

How to use FoneGeek iOS System Recovery to fix data recovery cannot be completed error?

• Download and install FoneGeek iOS System Recovery on your computer. Launch it and select the "Standard Mode" option.

• Connect the faulty iPhone/iPad to your computer and follow the on-screen instructions to put the device into Recovery/DFU mode.
• Click the "Download" button in the next window to start downloading the iOS firmware recommended by FoneGeek.

• Once the firmware gets downloaded, hit the "Fix Now" button and the software will start to fix your iPhone issue.

After the repair process is done, your iPhone will not show the error message.

To Sum Up

If your iPhone displays the "Data recovery cannot be completed. Please restore your iPhone from backup" error, you’ll need to restore your device using one of the methods above. While iTunes is free, the process can be complex and may lead to further issues. To make the repair easier, third-party tools like FoneGeek iOS System Recovery offer a reliable and hassle-free solution for fixing various iPhone problems.