Restore iOS Devices Using Apple Configurator 2

One of the common tasks to perform when doing some larger iOS deployments is to restore an iOS device as part of setting the device up for users. Restoring a device will retain a few things like icon placement on a device. To restore a device, we’ll first create a backup, described here. As of Apple Configurator 2, you can use iTunes and Apple Configurator 2-sourced backups of devices. You can also now assign the restore task to a Blueprint or do so manually.

To get started with restoring a device, first plug in a device and open Apple Configurator.

Right-click on a device and then choose the Restore from Backup… option.

You’ll then be prompted to verify that you want to restore the device. To restore the device, click Restore.

At the “Restore from the backup screen”, select the backup to use as your restore point and click Restore.

When prompted, provide the password for the backup and click on the Restore Backup button.

If the device has been prepared, you will be prompted to approve the restore. Assuming you actually want to restore the device, click on the Restore button.

You will need to accept the iOS licensing agreement. Click Accept when prompted.

The restore will start.

You can also assign a Back Up to a Blueprint. Then, any time the Blueprint is assigned to a device, you will restore the selected backup. To do so, bring up the Edit Blueprint screen and then right-click on the Blueprint to edit.

Select Restore from Backup… from the menu and select the appropriate backup. Then, when the Blueprint is applied to a device, the device will be restored using the selected backup.