Need to restore music from iCloud to iPhone? Learn 3 free ways - using AOMEI FoneBackup, resetting your device, or redownloading purchased music via iTunes.
Accidentally delete a favorite song? It happens. Maybe you were clearing out storage, or your finger slipped while managing your library. Whatever the reason, that track you bought years ago, the one that reminds you of a specific trip or moment is suddenly gone.
If you've been backing up to iCloud, there's a good chance you can get it back. This guide covers three ways to restore music from iCloud to iPhone, whether you prefer using a PC, resetting your device, or working through iTunes.
If you want to see exactly what's in your iCloud before restoring, using a dedicated iCloud manager is the most straightforward option. AOMEI FoneBackup is a free Windows tool that lets you browse your iCloud content, download music to your computer, and then transfer it back to your iPhone.
Step 1. Download and install AOMEI FoneBackup on your Windows PC. Open the program.
Step 2. Click My iCloud on the main interface. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Then click Manage iCloud.
Step 3. Select iCloud Drive. Browse through your stored files to find the music you want to restore. Select the songs or playlists.
Step 4. Click Download. Choose where to save the files on your PC.
Step 5. Connect your iPhone to the computer. In AOMEI FoneBackup, click Phone Transfer > PC to iPhone. Add the downloaded music files and click Start Transfer. The songs will appear in Apple Music on your iPhone.
If you prefer not to use third-party software, you can also download music directly from iCloud.com. Sign in, go to iCloud Drive, select your songs, and click the download button. Then use AOMEI FoneBackup to transfer them to your iPhone.
This method uses iCloud's built‑in backup restore feature. It's the official Apple way, but it comes with a trade‑off: it erases everything currently on your iPhone and replaces it with the backup.
When to use this? Only if you don't mind losing newer data, or if you've just set up a new iPhone and haven't added much yet.
Step 1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Confirm your passcode.
Step 2. After the erase completes, your iPhone will restart. Follow the setup prompts until you reach the Apps & Data screen.
Step 3. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup. Sign in with your Apple ID and choose the backup that contains your music. Wait for the restore to finish.
Your music and everything else from that backup will be back on your iPhone.
If the music you lost was purchased from the iTunes Store, you can redownload it directly through iTunes. This method doesn't restore a full backup; it simply lets you re‑download songs you've bought.
How to restore purchased music with iTunes:
Step 1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes on your PC. Open it and sign in with the Apple ID you used to purchase the music.
Step 2. Click the iTunes Store in the top‑left menu. Then click Purchased and select Music.
Step 3. Click Not in My Library to see songs you've bought but haven't downloaded. Click the cloud icon next to each song to download it to your computer.
Step 4. Connect your iPhone with a USB cable. Click the device icon in iTunes, then go to Music under Settings.
Step 5. Check Sync Music. Choose to sync your entire library or selected playlists, artists, or albums. Click Apply. Your purchased music will transfer to your iPhone.
This method only works for music purchased from Apple. It won't recover songs imported from CDs or other sources.
Losing music from your library doesn't have to be permanent. If you have a recent iCloud backup, resetting your iPhone is a straightforward option, though it wipes your current data. For purchased songs, iTunes can redownload them directly. But if you want to restore specific songs without touching the rest of your phone and without erasing anything. AOMEI FoneBackup gives you the most control.