How to Backup an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

Your iPhone or iPad contains a wealth of important data, including photos, contacts, messages, and app data. To ensure that your valuable information is safe and easily recoverable in case of device loss, damage, or data corruption, it's essential to regularly back up your iOS device. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through various methods and tools to back up your iPhone or iPad.

Backing Up Your iPhone or iPad

Using iCloud Backup

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage service, and it offers seamless and automatic device backup.

Set Up iCloud Backup

Connect to Wi-Fi: Ensure your device is connected to a Wi-Fi network to avoid excessive data usage.

Open Settings: Go to the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

Tap Your Name: At the top of the Settings menu, tap on your Apple ID name.

Select iCloud: Scroll down and select "iCloud."

Choose iCloud Backup: Tap on "iCloud Backup."

Turn on iCloud Backup: Enable the "iCloud Backup" toggle switch.

Back Up Now: Tap "Back Up Now" to initiate an immediate backup. Your device will back up automatically when connected to Wi-Fi and charging.

View and Manage iCloud Backup

Check Last Backup: In the "iCloud Backup" section, you can see the date and time of your last backup.

Manage Storage: To view and manage your iCloud storage, tap on "Manage Storage" within the "iCloud Backup" section. Here, you can see what's taking up space and delete unnecessary backups.

Using iTunes (macOS Catalina and Earlier) or Finder (macOS Big Sur and Later)

You can create a local backup on your computer using iTunes or Finder.

Connect Your Device

Launch iTunes or Finder: Open iTunes (macOS Catalina and earlier) or Finder (macOS Big Sur and later) on your computer.

Connect Your Device: Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone or iPad to your computer.

Create a Backup

Trust This Computer: If prompted, tap "Trust This Computer" on your device.

Select Your Device: In iTunes or Finder, select your device when it appears.

Backup Option: In the "Summary" or "General" tab, under the "Backups" section, choose "This computer."

Back Up Now: Click "Back Up Now" in iTunes or Finder. Your device's data will be backed up to your computer.

Using Third-Party Backup Apps

Several third-party apps, like iMazing and Dr.Fone, provide advanced backup options, including app data and settings.

Install a Backup App: Choose a backup app from the App Store, install it on your device, and follow the app's instructions to back up your data. Each app may have its own backup process.

Backing Up Photos and Videos

Apple provides iCloud Photos, which can automatically back up your photos and videos to the cloud.

Enable iCloud Photos: Go to Settings > Photos and enable "iCloud Photos." This will upload your media to iCloud, and you can access it on any Apple device signed in with your Apple ID.

Backing Up Contacts

Ensure your contacts are always safe and accessible.

iCloud Contacts: Your contacts are often synced with iCloud by default. You can access them at icloud.com/contacts.

Export to vCard: You can export contacts to a vCard file, which you can email to yourself or save to a cloud storage service.

Backing Up Messages and Call History

To back up text messages and call logs, consider the following options:

iCloud Backup: Your messages and call history are included in your iCloud backup.

iTunes/Finder Backup: When you create a local backup using iTunes or Finder, your messages and call history are also included.

Additional Considerations

Frequent Backups: Make it a habit to back up your iPhone or iPad regularly to ensure your data is always up to date.

Storage Management: Be mindful of your iCloud storage capacity. If you run out of space, you may need to purchase additional storage or manage your existing data.

Encryption: iTunes and Finder backups are encrypted by default, while iCloud backups are encrypted as well. This ensures the security of your data.

By following these steps and utilizing the tools available, you can ensure that your iPhone or iPad is regularly backed up, safeguarding your data against unforeseen circumstances. Regular backups are essential for a worry-free digital experience, and they ensure that your valuable data is never lost.

Contact Support.Com:

If you are still having trouble, refer to the Step-By-Step Guide below or consider seeking personalized assistance from Support.Com.

Introduction

Just about everyone brings their smartphone or tablet with them wherever they go. Unfortunately, this means that those devices are almost always in danger of getting lost, damaged, or stolen. Making sure those devices are backed up means that you're protected no matter what happens. For iOS devices, iCloud and iTunes are the only truly complete backup options, backing up not only your photos and videos, but also your contact list, text messages, data from apps, and all of your settings. This guide will go over how to make sure your iOS devices are being properly backed up.

Tools You'll Need:

• Your Apple ID and password
• Have your device charged
• Access to a computer with iTunes installed
• Access to the internet

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Supplies You'll Need:

• Zip ties
• Any other consumable supplies
• Comment out supplies section if no supplies are necessary

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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.

Installing iTunes

• How to Download and Install iTunes in Windows
• How to Download and Install iTunes on a Mac

Connect your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch to WiFi

• How to Connect an iPhone or iPad to WiFi

2. 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.

1. Tap Settings.
   

1. Select your Apple ID.
   

1. Select iCloud.
   

1. Make sure iCloud Backup is turned on.
   

1. 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.

1. Open iTunes on your computer.
   

1. Connect your device to your computer using the USB cable that it came with.
   

1. Select your device from the list on the left, then choose Summary.
   

1. Finally, click the blue Back Up Now button on the right.