How to Back Up and Restore Your iPhone

The two ways to back up your iPhone

You have two main routes: iCloud, which stores your backup on Apple's servers and works over the internet, or a computer with iTunes or Finder, which stores your backup on your own device. Most people use iCloud because it happens automatically and you do not need to plug in a cable. A computer backup is useful if you want a copy you physically control, or if you have a very large phone and limited iCloud storage.

Both methods back up the same things: your photos, messages, contacts, settings, app data, and passwords. Neither backs up the apps themselves — your phone will re-read them from the App Store when you restore. Both take time on the first run, especially if you have years of photos or messages.

Key Takeaways

iCloud backs up automatically over Wi-Fi if you turn it on in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and you need at least 5 GB of free iCloud storage (Apple gives you 5 GB free; more costs money).
A computer backup requires a cable and iTunes (on Windows or older Mac) or Finder (on newer Mac), but stores the backup on your own device where you control it.
To restore from either backup, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, then choose your backup source during setup.
Restoring takes 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have and your internet speed; do not unplug or turn off your phone during the process.
If you forget your Apple ID password, you cannot restore from iCloud; if you forget your computer backup password, you cannot restore from that backup.

Setting up iCloud backup

Open Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup. Turn on the toggle next to "iCloud Backup". Your phone will start backing up the next time it is plugged in, locked, and on Wi-Fi — usually overnight.

Check how much iCloud storage you have left by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage. Apple gives you 5 GB free. If you are close to the limit, you can delete old backups (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups, then tap the backup and Delete Backup), buy more storage through iCloud, or switch to a computer backup instead.

iCloud backups happen automatically once a day if your phone meets three conditions: it is plugged in, it is locked, and it is on Wi-Fi. If your phone is always in use, backups may not run often. You can force a backup by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tapping Back Up Now, but only if you are on Wi-Fi.

Setting up a computer backup

Connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer with a USB cable. On a Mac running Monterey or newer, open Finder and click your phone in the sidebar under Locations. On a Mac running Big Sur or older, or on Windows, open iTunes. Click the phone icon in the top left, then click Summary.

Under Backups, choose "This Computer" instead of iCloud. Check the box next to "Encrypt local backup" — this protects your passwords and health data. You will be asked to create a password for the backup; write it down somewhere safe, because you cannot restore without it. Click Back Up Now.

The first backup takes 20 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have. After that, backups happen automatically each time you connect your phone and it finishes syncing. You can also force a backup by clicking Back Up Now again.

How to restore from an iCloud backup

Start with a phone that is either new or erased. If you are using an existing phone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. You will be asked for your Apple ID password and device passcode — have both ready. The phone will restart and show the setup screen.

On the setup screen, you will see "Apps & Data". Tap "Restore from iCloud Backup". Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Choose which backup to restore from — usually the most recent one. The phone will read your data over Wi-Fi. Do not unplug it, turn it off, or leave the Wi-Fi network until it finishes. This can take 30 minutes to several hours depending on how much data you have.

After the restore finishes, your phone will restart and you will see your home screen. Your apps will start downloading from the App Store in the background — this can take hours if you have many apps. You can use your phone while this happens, but it will be slower.

How to restore from a computer backup

Connect your iPhone to the same computer where you made the backup. On a Mac running Monterey or newer, open Finder and click your phone in the sidebar. On a Mac running Big Sur or older, or on Windows, open iTunes and click the phone icon. Click Summary, then click Restore.

You will be asked whether to update to the latest iOS version — choose yes. The phone will erase itself and install the latest software. When it restarts and shows the setup screen, click Restore from This Computer Backup. Choose your backup from the list. If the backup is encrypted, you will be asked for the password you created when you made it.

The restore will take 30 minutes to an hour. Your phone will restart several times — this is normal. Do not unplug it until the process finishes and you see your home screen. Your apps will read in the background after the restore is complete.

What to do if a backup fails

If an iCloud backup fails, check that you are on Wi-Fi, that your phone is plugged in, and that you have enough iCloud storage. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage and see if you are over your limit. If you are, delete old photos, videos, or backups, or buy more storage. Then try backing up again by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now.

If a computer backup fails, make sure the cable is working — try a different USB port or a different cable. Restart both your phone and your computer. If the backup still fails, try updating iTunes or macOS to the latest version. If you see an error message, write it down and search for it on Apple's support site with the exact error number.

If you cannot restore from a backup because you forgot your Apple ID password, you will need to reset it at iforgot.apple.com before you can proceed. If you forgot the password for a computer backup, you cannot restore from it — you will have to set up your phone as new and restore from iCloud instead, or restore from a different backup.

Choosing between iCloud and computer backup

Use iCloud if you want automatic backups without thinking about it, if you do not have a computer, or if you are comfortable with Apple storing your data on their servers. The downside is that you need enough iCloud storage, and you cannot restore without your Apple ID password.

Use a computer backup if you want a copy of your data that you physically control, if you have limited iCloud storage and do not want to pay for more, or if you are uncomfortable with cloud storage. The downside is that you have to remember to plug in your phone, and you cannot restore without the backup password.

You can use both at the same time — iCloud will back up automatically, and you can also plug in to your computer to make a second backup. This gives you two copies in case one fails.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a backup take?

The first backup takes 20 minutes to an hour, depending on how much data you have and your internet speed (for iCloud) or USB cable speed (for computer). After that, backups are faster because they only back up what changed. Restoring takes 30 minutes to several hours.

Can I back up my iPhone without Wi-Fi?

iCloud backups require Wi-Fi. Computer backups work over USB and do not need Wi-Fi. If you do not have reliable Wi-Fi, a computer backup is a better choice.

What happens to my old backup if I make a new one?

iCloud keeps only the most recent backup by default and replaces it each time you back up. Computer backups also replace the old backup each time, unless you manually save copies with different names. If you want to keep multiple backups, rename the backup file after each one.

Can I restore to a different iPhone model?

Yes. You can restore a backup from an older iPhone to a newer one, or vice versa. The restore will work, but some features may not be available on older models. You cannot restore an iPhone backup to an iPad.

Do I need to back up before updating iOS?

It is a good idea to back up before a major iOS update, in case something goes wrong. However, most updates are safe. If you have a recent backup, you can update without worrying — if the update fails, you can restore from the backup.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.