How to Backup an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
Introduction
Before You Begin:
- You may need access to a computer if you decide to backup via iTunes instead of iCloud.
- Your iOS device must be connected to WiFi in order to backup to iCloud.
1 Back Up To iCloud and iTunes
There are two ways to backup your iOS device: iCloud, and to your computer via iTunes.
Backup to iCloud
iCloud has been the default way to backup your iOS devices since iOS 5. The first 5GB of files you backup using iCloud are free. Once this has been filled up, you'll have to pay a monthly fee. Photos and videos can fill up your free 5GB fast. If you take a lot of pictures, you may need to consider upgrading your iCloud storage, or backup using iTunes instead.
While iCloud is the default backup method, it will need to be turned on.
- Tap Settings.
- Select your Apple ID.
- Select iCloud.
- Make sure iCloud Backup is turned on.
- Tap Back Up Now.
From now on, whenever your iOS device is connected to WiFi and not in use (locked), it will automatically back itself up to iCloud.
Backup to a Computer using iTunes
To backup using iTunes, you will need to connect your device to your computer. You'll be using the USB cable that it came with to do this. While this method is free, it is not automatic and will take some time to download all of the data on your device over to your computer.
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Connect your device to your computer using the USB cable that it came with.
- Select your device from the list on the left, then choose Summary.
- Finally, click the blue Back Up Now button on the right.
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Before You Begin:
- You may need access to a computer if you decide to backup via iTunes instead of iCloud.
- Your iOS device must be connected to WiFi in order to backup to iCloud.
There are two ways to backup your iOS device: iCloud, and to your computer via iTunes.
Backup to iCloud
iCloud has been the default way to backup your iOS devices since iOS 5. The first 5GB of files you backup using iCloud are free. Once this has been filled up, you'll have to pay a monthly fee. Photos and videos can fill up your free 5GB fast. If you take a lot of pictures, you may need to consider upgrading your iCloud storage, or backup using iTunes instead.
While iCloud is the default backup method, it will need to be turned on.
- Tap Settings.
- Select your Apple ID.
- Select iCloud.
- Make sure iCloud Backup is turned on.
- Tap Back Up Now.
From now on, whenever your iOS device is connected to WiFi and not in use (locked), it will automatically back itself up to iCloud.
Backup to a Computer using iTunes
To backup using iTunes, you will need to connect your device to your computer. You'll be using the USB cable that it came with to do this. While this method is free, it is not automatic and will take some time to download all of the data on your device over to your computer.
- Open iTunes on your computer.
- Connect your device to your computer using the USB cable that it came with.
- Select your device from the list on the left, then choose Summary.
- Finally, click the blue Back Up Now button on the right.
