The three ways to back up your iPhone

You can back up your iPhone to a computer using iCloud (Apple's cloud storage, works wirelessly), Finder (on Mac computers running macOS Catalina or newer), or iTunes (on Windows computers and older Macs). iCloud is the easiest because it happens automatically in the background. Finder and iTunes require you to plug in your phone, but they create a complete copy stored on your hard drive instead of in the cloud.

Which method you choose depends on what computer you have and whether you want the backup stored locally or online. If you have a Mac, Finder is built in and requires no setup beyond plugging in your phone. If you have a Windows computer, iTunes is the standard tool. If you want automatic backups without plugging anything in, iCloud handles that on its own.

All three methods back up your photos, messages, settings, app data, and passwords. The main difference is where the backup lives and how often it happens.

Key Takeaways

  • iCloud backs up automatically over WiFi and stores your data on Apple's servers, but you need enough iCloud storage space (5 GB is free, more costs money).
  • Finder on Mac and iTunes on Windows create a complete backup on your computer's hard drive when you plug in your iPhone.
  • A local backup (Finder or iTunes) takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone, while iCloud can take several hours the first time.
  • You can use both iCloud and a local backup at the same time — they do not interfere with each other.

Back up with iCloud (works on any computer)

iCloud backs up your iPhone automatically when it is plugged in, connected to WiFi, and locked. You do not need to connect it to a computer at all — the backup happens in the background to Apple's servers.

To turn on iCloud backups, open Settings on your iPhone, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. Toggle it on. Your phone will start backing up the next time it meets those three conditions: plugged in, on WiFi, and locked.

The catch is storage. iCloud gives you 5 GB free, which is enough for most people if you do not store many photos or videos on your phone. If you run out of space, iCloud will not back up until you either delete something from iCloud or pay for more storage (50 GB costs $0.99 per month, 200 GB costs $2.99 per month, 2 TB costs $9.99 per month). You can check how much space you are using in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage.

Back up with Finder on Mac (macOS Catalina and newer)

On a Mac, Finder replaced iTunes in 2019. Plug your iPhone into your Mac with a USB cable. Open Finder and look for your iPhone in the sidebar on the left. Click it.

In the window that opens, you will see a button that says "Back Up Now" or "Back Up". Click it. Your Mac will create a complete backup of your iPhone on your hard drive. The first backup usually takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data is on your phone. Later backups are faster because they only copy what changed.

If you want backups to happen automatically every time you plug in your phone, check the box that says "Automatically back up when this iPhone is connected". Leave that unchecked if you only want to back up when you choose to.

To see where the backup is stored on your Mac, you do not need to know — Finder handles it automatically. But if you want to verify the backup exists, open Finder, hold down the Option key, and click Finder in the menu bar at the top. Click Preferences. Click the Devices tab. You will see your iPhone listed under "iPhone Backups".

Back up with iTunes on Windows

On a Windows computer, iTunes is the tool that backs up your iPhone. read iTunes from the Microsoft Store or from apple.com if you do not have it already. Plug your iPhone into your Windows computer with a USB cable.

Open iTunes. You will see your iPhone appear in the top left corner of the window. Click it. In the window that opens, under "Backups", you will see a button that says "Back Up Now". Click it. Your computer will create a complete backup on your hard drive. The first backup usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.

If you want iTunes to back up automatically every time you plug in your phone, check the box that says "Automatically back up when this iPhone is connected". If you want to back up only when you choose to, leave that unchecked.

iTunes stores the backup in a hidden folder on your Windows computer. You do not need to find it — iTunes knows where it is. But if you want to verify it exists, open iTunes, click Edit in the menu bar, click Preferences, click Devices, and you will see your iPhone listed under "Device Backups".

Encrypted backups and what they protect

When you back up with Finder or iTunes, you have the option to encrypt the backup. This means the backup is locked with a password, and anyone who gets access to your computer cannot read the backup without that password.

To turn on encryption in Finder, plug in your iPhone, click it in the sidebar, and check the box that says "Encrypt local backup". You will be asked to create a password. Write it down somewhere safe — if you forget it, you cannot restore from that backup.

In iTunes on Windows, the option is in the same place: plug in your iPhone, click it, and check "Encrypt iPhone backup". Again, you will create a password and need to remember it.

iCloud backups are always encrypted by Apple, so you do not have to do anything. The downside is that Apple can see some of your data (though they say they do not look at it). A local encrypted backup means only you can see it.

What happens if you switch backup methods

You can switch from iCloud to Finder, or from Finder to iCloud, without losing anything. The backups are separate — a backup in iCloud does not interfere with a backup on your Mac or Windows computer.

If you stop using iCloud and switch to Finder, your old iCloud backup stays in iCloud for 180 days. After that, Apple deletes it. If you want to delete it sooner, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, tap your iPhone, and tap "Delete Backup".

If you restore your iPhone from a Finder or iTunes backup, iCloud will not automatically back up again until you turn iCloud Backup back on in Settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to back up to both iCloud and my computer?

No, but many people do. One backup is enough. iCloud is convenient because it is automatic, but a local backup on your computer is safer because nobody but you can access it. If you want the best of both, use iCloud for automatic daily backups and create a local backup once a month by plugging into your Mac or Windows computer.

Can I back up my iPhone to a Windows computer if I usually use a Mac?

Yes. Your iPhone will back up to whichever computer you plug it into. You can back up to your Mac one week and your Windows computer the next week. Each backup is separate, so you will have multiple backups on different computers.

What if my iPhone is broken or the screen does not work?

You can still back it up. Plug it into your Mac or Windows computer. Finder or iTunes will recognize it even if the screen is broken or the phone is locked. You may see a prompt on your computer asking you to trust the connection — if the phone is too damaged to respond, you can still proceed with the backup.

How much space does an iPhone backup take on my computer?

A backup takes roughly the same amount of space as the data on your phone. If your iPhone has 64 GB of photos and apps, the backup will be around 64 GB. Check how much free space your computer has before you back up. You need at least as much free space as the size of your backup.

Can I back up my iPhone without a computer or WiFi?

No. iCloud requires WiFi. Finder and iTunes require a USB cable and a computer. There is no way to back up an iPhone without one of those two things.