As Apple specialists with years of hands-on experience guiding users through device management, we know firsthand how vital iPhone backups are. Despite durable designs like Gorilla Glass and protective cases, accidents—cracked screens, lost phones, or even toddler mishaps—can strike. A solid backup safeguards your photos, contacts, apps, and settings, letting you restore seamlessly on a new device.
The simplest method is iCloud Backup, which is effortless to enable and works even if your phone is lost. While alternatives like Google Drive exist, they lack the seamless integration. For maximum privacy and control, back up to a Mac or Windows PC instead.
Follow these proven steps for iCloud or computer backups.
Back Up to iCloud
- Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.
- Toggle on iCloud Backup if disabled. For extra security before erasing your device, tap Back Up Now.
Back Up to Your Computer
- Connect your iPhone via USB cable.
- On Windows or macOS 10.14 or earlier, open iTunes. On macOS 10.15 Catalina or later, use Finder.
In Finder, click the Finder icon in the Dock or go to File > New Finder Window, then locate your iPhone under Locations in the sidebar.
- In iTunes, click the iPhone icon in the upper-left corner. If it doesn't appear, authorize your computer: Account > Authorizations > Authorize This Computer.
- The iTunes and Finder interfaces are similar, with minor visual differences.
- First-time setup prompts: Trust the computer on both your Mac/Windows and iPhone.
- If prompted, choose Set Up as New iPhone (not restore).
- Select the General tab, then under Backups, choose This Computer (iTunes) or Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac (Finder).
- For security, enable encryption: Check Encrypt iPhone Backup (iTunes) or Encrypt local backup (Finder), set a strong password, and save it safely—losing it means losing access to your data.
- Backup starts automatically post-encryption; otherwise, click Back Up Now.
To restore, return to the same screen and select Restore Backup.
Enable automatic backups: Under Backups, check Automatically sync when this iPhone is connected in the Options section.
After computer setup, consider deleting iCloud backups to save space.
On Mac:
- Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Apple ID > iCloud.
- Click Manage > Backups.
- Select backup, click -, then Delete. This disables future iCloud backups.
On iPhone:
- Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage > Backups.
- Tap a device > Delete Backup > Turn Off & Delete.
Your iPhone data is now fully protected!
Updated September 15, 2021, 10:20 AM ET: Originally published January 23, 2020. Refreshed with latest iCloud instructions and macOS updates.
