How to Backup iPhone to iCloud or Mac

Edited by Lizzy Schinkel, Tech Writer | Reviewed by Brian Gilbert, Network Administrator

It's crucial to perform iPhone backups routinely. This way, you can restore your iPhone from a backup without losing information should something happen to the device. While this article focuses on iPhone backups, the steps will be similar for any Apple device, such as an iPad or iPod Touch. Learn how to back up your iPhone to iCloud, iTunes, or Finder - and restore an iPhone from an iCloud backup - in order to protect yourself and your information.

Why you need to back up your iPhone

Losing your iPhone, or having it stolen, can cause serious damage. You can lose valuable data, like contacts, photos, or messages. Unexpected events like software crashes or water damage can also lead to data loss. Backing up your iPhone regularly ensures that your important information is safe and easily recoverable in the event of damage.

Methods for backing up your iPhone

There are several ways to back up your iPhone: through iCloud, through iTunes, or through third-party backup software. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's important to consider the type of backup you want before choosing a method.

iCloud backups

iCloud backups are convenient and automatic. iCloud allows you to store up to 5GB of data for free. If you need more, you can upgrade to a paid plan for more storage. If you choose this option, you won't need to worry about forgetting to backup your data; all photos, videos, notes, and other files are automatically backed up.

iTunes backups

iTunes also offers a reliable way to back up your iPhone. You need a computer for an iTunes backup, as this method is better for those who prefer to store their backups locally. You will need to consistently perform iTunes backups if you choose this method, so keep that in mind.

Third-party backups

Finally, you can also opt to use a third-party backup service, like Google Drive. Services like these typically provide additional features like offline access to files and advanced security methods.

How to back up iPhones to iCloud

iCloud is the most convenient way to back up your iPhone. You can set it up to automatically back up your data or choose to do it when you have more new data. To back up your iPhone to the cloud service Apple offers, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top of your Settings menu.
3. Tap iCloud.
4. Go down to iCloud Backup and tap it.

If you want to perform a single backup, tap Back Up Now. When your phone is connected to WiFi, connected to a power source, and locked, the backup will begin.

If you want to turn on automatic backups, turn on Back Up This iPhone, and your phone will perform regular backups when connected to a WiFi network, connected to a power source, and locked.

If you have certain cellular carriers that allow 5G connections, you can also choose to enable iCloud backups using cellular data.

The one downside to using iCloud iPhone backup is that Apple only gives you 5GB of iCloud storage for free. If you have more data than that to back up, which most people do, you’ll have to pay a small monthly fee for extra space in iCloud. Apple has several different plans to choose from, so you can pick the one that works best for you.

How to back up iPhones to a Mac or PC

If you prefer storing backups locally, use a computer backup method. MacOS Catalina or later uses Finder, while Windows and macOS Mojave or earlier still use iTunes.

How to back up using iTunes

1. Connect your phone to your computer and open iTunes.
2. Click the device icon near the top left.
3. Click Summary.
4. Click Back Up Now. To encrypt your backups, select Encrypt [Device] Backup, type a password, and set the password.

You can see backups stored on your computer by choosing Edit and then Preferences. Click Devices to see the most recent backups.

How to back up using Finder:

1. Open a Finder window.
2. Connect your iPhone via USB or USB-C cable.
3. Enter your passcode if prompted and click Trust This Computer.
4. Select your device in Finder.
5. Click Back Up Now.

After completion, you'll see Last backup to this Mac with the date and time.

How to restore an iPhone from backup

You can restore your device from an iPhone backup via iCloud, via iTunes, or via Finder.

From an iCloud backup

If you use iCloud to back up your iPhone, then the information is already stored in iCloud and the process is fairly simple.

1. Turn on your device.
    (If it’s already set up, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings first.)
2. Follow onscreen steps until you reach Apps & Data.
3. Tap Restore from iCloud Backup.
4. Sign in with your Apple ID.
5. Choose a backup based on date and size.
6. Stay connected to Wi-Fi and wait for the progress bar to finish.

Content may continue to restore in the background while you use the device.

From an iTunes or Finder backup

If you use iTunes or Finder to perform an iPhone backup, you can still easily restore your data. Follow these steps to restore an iPhone using iTunes or Finder on a computer.

1. Open Finder or iTunes.
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer.
3. Select your device.
4. Click Restore Backup.
5. Select the most relevant backup.
6. Keep the device connected until the sync and restart are complete.

How often should I perform an iPhone backup?

It’s good to have a copy of your information to use in case your device gets lost or stolen. However, it’s especially important to back up your device before you update the software. If you’re considering the latest iOS update, make sure you perform an iPhone backup beforehand to secure your mobile device.

Similarly, if you’re updating your smartphone model to replace a lost or damaged iPhone - or if you’re just interested in the latest tech - doing a backup before you trade in your iPhone is a critical step. This will ensure that you don’t lose any important pictures, information, or settings when you get a new device.

We recommend backing up your iPhone once a week if you choose to perform manual backups. If you enable automatic iCloud backups, your device will back itself up to the cloud daily.

Frequently asked questions

Can I backup my iPhone without iCloud?

Yes; if you want to back up the data on your iPhone without iCloud, you can perform a backup to your computer using iTunes. Follow the steps above for performing an iTunes backup.

Does iPhone backup include photos?

Yes, a complete iPhone backup includes photos and videos taken on your device.