How to Back Up Your iPhone

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How to Back Up Your iPhone

A backup is what lets you move to a new iPhone, or get everything back after a reset, a repair or a lost phone. You have two options: iCloud, which works over Wi-Fi with no computer, and a computer backup to a Windows PC or Mac. You can use both.

The steps below follow Apple Support and current iOS versions. Menu names can differ slightly on older iOS releases.

Option 1: Back Up to iCloud

iCloud backups need Wi-Fi and enough iCloud storage. Every Apple Account comes with some free storage; larger backups need an iCloud+ plan.

Connect to Wi-Fi.
Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
Tap iCloud, then iCloud Backup.
Turn on Back Up This iPhone (on older iOS versions it's just called iCloud Backup).
Tap Back Up Now and keep the phone on Wi-Fi until it finishes.

Under Back Up Now you'll see the date and time of the last successful backup - check it to confirm the backup worked.

From now on, the iPhone backs up automatically when it is charging, locked and on Wi-Fi.

What iCloud Backup Leaves Out

Apple excludes data that is already stored in iCloud, so it isn't saved twice: iCloud Photos (if turned on), Notes, Contacts and Calendars that sync with iCloud, Messages in iCloud, and Apple Mail. It also leaves out Face ID or Touch ID settings and Apple Pay information.

Not Enough iCloud Storage?

In Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Account Storage (or Manage Storage) > Backups, select your iPhone and turn off big apps you don't need backed up.
Delete old backups of devices you no longer use.
Or upgrade your storage plan, or back up to a computer instead.

Option 2: Back Up to a Windows PC

Install Apple Devices from the Microsoft Store. (On older Windows versions, Apple uses iTunes for Windows instead.)
Connect the iPhone with a USB cable.
Unlock the iPhone and tap Trust when asked, then enter your passcode.
In Apple Devices, select your iPhone, then General.
Choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this computer.
Tick Encrypt local backup if you want passwords and Health data included (see below).
Select Back Up Now.

If the PC doesn't see the iPhone, see iPhone not showing up on Windows PC.

Option 3: Back Up to a Mac

Connect the iPhone to the Mac and open Finder.
Select the iPhone in the Finder sidebar and tap Trust on the phone if asked.
In the General tab, choose Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac.
Tick Encrypt local backup if you want it encrypted.
Click Back Up Now.

Encrypted Computer Backups

Computer backups are not encrypted by default. Apple only includes your saved passwords (Keychain), Health and Activity data when the computer backup is encrypted.

When you turn on encryption you set a backup password. Write it down somewhere safe. Without it you can't restore the backup, and Apple can't recover it for you.

Computer Backup Size and Space

A computer backup is stored on the PC's drive, so it needs free space roughly the size of the data on your phone. Music, videos and photos synced from the computer are not included. Keep a copy of your photos separately - copy them to the PC or keep iCloud Photos on.

Backup Failing?

iCloud: check Wi-Fi, iCloud storage and that you're signed in with the right Apple Account. Restart the phone and try Back Up Now again.
Computer: use another USB cable or port, update Apple Devices or iTunes, and make sure the PC has enough free disk space.
Can't sign in? If your Apple Account is locked, see Apple Account locked or disabled.

Back Up Before These Moments

Always make a fresh backup before you update iOS, send the phone for repair, erase it, or try a recovery fix such as the steps in iPhone stuck on Apple logo. If you also use a Windows PC, set up a backup for the PC too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does an iCloud backup include my photos?

Not if iCloud Photos is turned on. In that case your photos are already stored in iCloud and are left out of the backup. If iCloud Photos is off, photos are included in the iCloud backup.

How often does iPhone back up to iCloud?

With iCloud Backup on, the iPhone backs up automatically when it is connected to power, locked and on Wi-Fi, usually overnight.

Should I encrypt my computer backup?

Yes, if you want it to include saved passwords, Health and Activity data. Apple only includes them in encrypted computer backups. Keep the backup password safe - without it the backup can't be restored.

Is an iCloud backup encrypted?

Yes. Apple says iCloud backups are always encrypted.